Field Coordinator – Dadaab /Afmadow
Solidarites International is an international humanitarian organization which provides assistance to populations who are victims of armed conflict or natural disasters.
For 30 years, Solidarites International (SI) has concentrated its action on meeting three vital needs: water, food and shelter.
By carrying out emergency programs, SI has acquired
experience and expertise in the fields of WASH, food security, livelihoods and
agriculture.
In the Horn of Africa, SI is currently implementing WASH and Food Security/Livelihoods programs in Kenya and Somalia.
Objective of the position
The Field Coordinator has overall responsibility for the SI program in Lower Juba, including: management and supervision of SI staff and activities; context analysis and frequent needs evaluation assessments, representation of SI with external stakeholders; oversight and management of logistics, security management and administration aspects of the program.
Due to the highly insecure context of the program area (Afmadow District, Lower Juba), it is extremely important for the Field Coordinator to develop a deep understanding of the security and cultural context of Lower Juba.
Hierarchy
In the Horn of Africa, SI is currently implementing WASH and Food Security/Livelihoods programs in Kenya and Somalia.
Objective of the position
The Field Coordinator has overall responsibility for the SI program in Lower Juba, including: management and supervision of SI staff and activities; context analysis and frequent needs evaluation assessments, representation of SI with external stakeholders; oversight and management of logistics, security management and administration aspects of the program.
Due to the highly insecure context of the program area (Afmadow District, Lower Juba), it is extremely important for the Field Coordinator to develop a deep understanding of the security and cultural context of Lower Juba.
Hierarchy
The Field Coordinator reports directly to the Deputy Country
Director for Somalia.
The Field Coordinator supervises the Lower Juba team
(approximately 28 staff) and is line manager for 1 Administrative/Logistics
Manager, 1 WASH Manager, 1 Food Security Program Manager and 1 Field Officer.
He/She will have technical links with Country Director,
Admin/Finance Coordinator and Logistics Coordinator
Keys responsibilities
General Team Management
General Team Management
Provide overall supervision of the Lower
Juba field team
Ensure that work plans and responsibilities are planned and
executed in the most efficient manner to meet project deadlines and priorities
In coordination with the Deputy Director, to provide
leadership for the development of future programming in Lower
Juba
Human Resources
Responsible for ensuring that the principles and the Charter
of SI are known, respected and put in action by all staff under his/her
management
In coordination with the Admin/Log Manager and the
Administration Coordinator, to ensure proper implementation of SI
administrative procedures and staff development through mentoring and staff
training planning
Recruit adequate staff for the timely and high quality
project implementation according to SI technical standards
Ensure the knowledge and respect of SI rules and regulations
by field staff
Ensures that performance evaluations are conducted regularly
and job descriptions are relevant and updated for all staff under his/her
responsibility.
Propose the development of the HR package for field staff
under his her responsibility (salaries, per diem, training, etc)
Ensure that stress management procedures are in place and
are respected for all field staff.
Anticipate and plan new recruitment requirements in order to
ensure uninterrupted implementation of activities.
To provide leadership in the resolution of team conflicts
and to ensure a friendly and productive team working environment
Finance and accountancy management
In coordination with the Administrative/Logistics Manager,
to be responsible for the accurate and timely accounting of all funds managed
by the base and ensure that all transactions are properly and accurately
documented and accounted for, according to the specific budget lines.
Provide overall supervision of the project budgets and
ensure all expenditures are within the specific budget lines and not exceeding
the set limits
In coordination with the Administrative/Logistics Manager,
Admin/Finance Coordinator and Logistics Coordinator, to ensure that all SI
staff follow SI and donor contracting and procurement requirements
Ensure timely financial reporting from the base to Nairobi
HQs in respecting provided deadlines
In cases when activities are implemented through partners,
to ensure that partners and partner staff abide strictly by the above financial
accountability and procurement standards and requirements, and the adherence to
the best accounting practices by the partner’s accountants and staff
Logistics management
Perform any logistics duties contributing to the smooth
implementation of the projects
Assist when required the Administrative/Logistics Manager in
his duties.
In coordination with the Admin/Log Manager and the Log
Coordinator, ensures proper implementation of SI logistics and procurement
administrative procedures and provides the required mentoring and training of
the staff.
Programs Management
Provide overall supervision of the SI programs implemented
in Lower Juba.
Responsible of the progress and the quality of the
implemented program Ensure program targets are met in a timely and quality
manner in line with SI and donor requirements.
Ensure all donor requirements, project goals and objectives
are well understood and strictly adhered to by the project staff. Notify
immediately the management in case of deviations from the planned outputs,
results or objectives.
Responsible of the relevance of the activities compared to
the humanitarian needs of the assisted groups/population.
Supervising the planning of activities and resource usage,
and maintaining coherence between the budget with the activity expenditure
Immediately notify the DCD Somalia of any possible problems
affecting the planned implementation of the program and/or on potential
problems with community, external stakeholders and/or implementing partners
jeopardizing the correct and timely implementation of activities
Suggest innovative and cost saving approaches to programming
as well as possible modifications of the program goals in view of better
meeting the needs of the beneficiaries. All such modifications need to receive
prior approval in writing from the SI management team (and possibly the donor)
before being implemented.
Monitor the program achievements and the performance of the
project staff on a regular basis.
Ensure the Lower Juba base contribution to institutional
Knowledge development (IKD) in relation to SI program activities/approaches in
Lower Juba
Ensure that SI Program Management tools are properly used
(e.g. monthly Project Performance Monitoring tool)
Program Development
Ensure regular monitoring of the humanitarian situation in
the area
Identify population needs and suggest (in a timely fashion)
interventions and programming aimed at meeting the identified new needs
Participate actively in fundraising efforts, including the
drafting of project concept notes and proposals, including budgeting.
Liaise regularly with visiting/present donor representatives
in order to anticipate possible funding opportunities
Security
In view of the constantly volatile security situation in Somalia, the security management and context analysis is one of the primary responsibilities of the Field Coordinator.
He/she will be supported in this task by the Field Officer and the Administrative/Logistics Manager.
Specific tasks include:
In view of the constantly volatile security situation in Somalia, the security management and context analysis is one of the primary responsibilities of the Field Coordinator.
He/she will be supported in this task by the Field Officer and the Administrative/Logistics Manager.
Specific tasks include:
Overall responsibility to ensure the safety and security of
the staff, base, project sites and project beneficiaries
Constantly monitoring and gathering of available information
relevant to the context of Lower Juba (and by extension South Somalia),
including: security incidents, political changes, clan disagreements and any
other information relevant to the security and reports immediately to the
Deputy Director for Somalia and the Country Director on important changes.
Produce regular weekly security updates to be forwarded to
the Deputy Country Director and Head of Mission.
Report any security incident to Deputy Country Director and
Head of Mission immediately.
Supervise the appropriate allocation of resources to
external parties (employment contracts, renting of cars, supplier contracts,
daily workers) with the aim to avoid security issues and risks for SI.
Ensure the selection process for beneficiaries groups and
the delivery or assistance does not cause unnecessary risk for SI in the area
(e.g. criteria of selection, security management during distribution of NFI’s).
To participate regularly in formal and informal security
meetings and to coordinate closely with other players in the area (NGOs, UN
agencies) on security issues
Ensure good relationship with the various local authorities,
leaderships and communities to foster acceptance for SI activities and staff
To maintain updated base security and evacuation plans and
protocols in coordination with Deputy Country Director, Logistics Coordinator
and Country Directors.
Ensures all SI staff operating in the area are familiar with
and strictly respect SI base security and evacuation plans and protocols.
Brief every SI visitor to the field site (including SI
staff, or consultant, or other person under SI responsibility) about the base
security and evacuation plans and protocols, and to take responsibility for the
security of visitors in Dadaab area and Lower Juba field sites
To share security information regularly with the team and
encourage the team to immediately report security related information
Reporting (to the Deputy Country Director and Head of
Somalia Programs)
Prepare weekly sitrep report on activities carried out of
the base and the overall base functioning, with the participation of the field
team
Ensure timely and high quality reporting (internal and
external) on the projects as per agreed deadlines and SI/donor formats
Coordination and Communication:
Maintain transparent communication and coordination with the
local authorities and communities on plans and intentions, and seek required
permissions for the effective and safe implementation of SI activities.
Ensure good communication and information sharing with the
base staff, including provision of clear guidance on priorities, strategies,
task and responsibilities, as well as regular update on program achievements and
or problems faced.
Maintain continuous and regular communication with the
Deputy Country Director and Nairobi management team as appropriate.
Maintain continuous and regular communication and
coordination with all external parties, as appropriate/possible, with a
particular focus on developing positive relationship and information sharing
with other players working in similar sectors as SI.
Actively participate in all coordination efforts in order to
share information on SI activities and keep up to date with the various
organizations’ undertakings in meeting the beneficiary needs and to avoid
overlap of activities.
Establish good and regular communication with the local
partners and local partner’s staff, as appropriate and when activities
implemented through a local partner, in order to ensure smooth implementation
of the project in line with donor requirements.
Representation
In coordination with the Deputy Country Director, represent
SI with external parties, including local authorities communities , UN agencies
and NGO stakeholders, other national and international organizations and donor
agencies in promoting SI’s values and mission and ensure good relations are
maintained
Qualifications and experience:
Education:
Education:
Masters degree (or Bachelor degree with 5 years of work
experience) in International Relations, Social Science, Business
Administration, Agriculture, and Engineering or equivalent.
Training or specialization in a technical field (Project
management, WASH, Agriculture) an advantage.
Experience:
Minimum 5 years increasingly responsible working experience
in Project Management and in the NGOs sector
At least 1 year of field experience with an NGOs operating
in Somalia
Experience in fundraising is an advantage.
Skills and competences:
Proven managerial record and experience in managing large
staff and programs
Previous experience in working in insecure environment and
Security management
Advanced proposal and report drafting skills required.
Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
Well organized and able to prioritize under stressful
situations and tight deadlines
Ability to perform assigned tasks with minimal support
Excellent communication, coordination and negotiation skills
Team leader and pro-active
Person Specification:
Mature personality with proven analytical thinking,
Decision making and conflict resolution capacity.
Ability to cope with high stress levels.
Flexible and willing to perform tasks outside of core
duties.
Ability to respect and abide rules and regulations.
Dynamic in rapid change
Demonstrated interest in geopolitics.
Languages
Excellent English (writing and oral)
Fluent in Somali language
Knowledge of Kiswahili is an added advantage
Computer skills:
Excellent competency in Microsoft packages (Word, Excel, and
Outlook)
How to apply:
Send a cover letter and CV to the following email address: jobapplication@solidarites-kenya-som.org.
Please indicate the job title and location in the email subject line.
Qualified persons with Somali background will have high consideration for an interview opportunity.
Deadline for applications: 29th April 2012.
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview.
Solidarites International is an equal opportunities employer
Send a cover letter and CV to the following email address: jobapplication@solidarites-kenya-som.org.
Please indicate the job title and location in the email subject line.
Qualified persons with Somali background will have high consideration for an interview opportunity.
Deadline for applications: 29th April 2012.
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview.
Solidarites International is an equal opportunities employer
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