Solidarités Job Vacancy: Field Coordinator

Position: Field Coordinator

Line Manager: Country Director

Location: Mandera (Kenya) / Bardera (Gedo- Somalia) with frequent trips to Nairobi

Duration: 10 months

Solidarités is an international humanitarian aid organisation which provides assistance to populations who are victims of armed conflict or natural disaster.

For 29 years, Solidarités has concentrated its action on meeting three vital needs: water, food and shelter. By carrying out emergency programmes, Solidarités acquired experience and expertise in the fields of access to drinking water and sanitation.

The joint Kenya / Somalia mission is relatively young (started in March 2007) and includes 2 projects in South Somalia, and 3 projects in Kenya.

In Somalia, SOLIDARITES has one project in Bardera district / Gedo and another one in Afmadow district / Lower Juba.

Following its assistance activities carried during 2007 and 2008, Solidarités is launching another Food security and Water and sanitation projects for the IDPs, pastoralists and the local population of Bardera district in Gedo.

1/ Objective of the position:

The Field Coordinator is the responsible of the overall conduct of the program in each and all of its components: representation, management, activities, needs evaluation, logistics, security management and administration. Due to the tense security context of the project, security management will be a priority.

He/She manages his/her team to achieve the humanitarian objectives as defined per the proposal and according to Solidarités principles.

2/ Hierarchy

Under the authority of: the Country Director and the Deputy Country Director for Somalia, he/she will be responsible of:

• All the project staff (around 20 persons)
• And directly manages in particular: 1 Administrator / log, 1 watsan program manager, 1 food security program manager and 1 Assistant Programme coordinator.

3/ Key responsibilities

Note: this list gives the framework of your activities but it is not exhaustive. You may be asked to complete other duties.

Management

• Manage directly : 1 Administrator / log, 1 watsan program manager, 1 food security program manager and 1 Assistant Programme coordinator
• Organize the planning and supervision of the work
• Ensure that performance evaluations are conducted regularly and job descriptions are relevant and updated for the staff under his responsibility.
• Responsible of the planning with the team
• Responsible and make sure that the principles and the Charter of Solidarités is known, respected and put in action
• Organize the formal and informal communication in the team.

Human Resources

• Recruit the staff necessary to the project’s implementation according to Solidarités guidelines.
• Insure the respect of Solidarités rules and regulations for the national staff and ensure Kenyan Labour Laws are respected where relevant.
• Propose updates concerning HR package according to the needs (salaries per diem, training, break, …)
• Insure that stress management procedures are in place and are respected.
• Anticipate and plan human resources requirements
• Organize and help to solve team conflicts and make sure working conditions are as good as possible

Finance and accountancy

• Responsible of the finances and of the administration in coordination with the Administrator / Logistician
• Pay attention to the right implementation and training of SOLIDARITES administrative procedures in link with the Admin / Log

Logistics

• Responsible of the logistics in coordination with the Administrator / Logistician
• In the particular context of the opening of this new project, pay attention to the details of the base setup in link with the Admin / Log
• In the particular context of the opening of this new project, pay attention to the right implementation and training of SOLIDARITES logistic procedures in link with the Admin / Log

Programs Coordination

• Responsible of the progress and of the quality of the program
• Responsible of the relevance of the activities regarding the humanitarian needs of the populations
• Supervising the planning of activities and resources’ use and the matching of the budget with the activities
• Monitor the humanitarian context in the area and identify population needs
• Organize and write new propositions of humanitarian actions (evaluations, proposals) according to population needs
• Contribute to capitalization
• Responsible to develop lessons learnt on strategic approaches (procurement, payment, recruitment, …)
• Ensure that SOLIDARITES Management tools are properly used

Security

• The security management and context analysis is under the responsibility of the Field coordinator. The log-admin is responsible of its daily management.
• Participate constantly to the gathering of information about the context of the mission, incidents, political changes or any information related to security and report it to the Program Manager.
• Supervise allocation of resources (employment, renting of cars, contracts) regarding security issues
• Supervise the organization of distributions (criteria of selection, security management)
• Participate security meetings
• Ensure good relationship with the local authorities and every actors related to security (Ngos, agencies etc…)
• Update regularly to the security guidelines with the Program Manager
• Brief every newcomer to the compound about the security rules and about the context
• Organize the sharing of information with the team

Reporting

• Prepare and is responsible for weekly report with the participation of the team
• Prepare report for donors (interim and final reports).
• Report any security incident to Nairobi immediately.
• Focal point for all the communication with the Country Director

Representation

• Responsible for all representation purposes toward local authorities and communities and make sure good relations are maintained
• Responsible for all representation purposes directly linked with his project toward NGOS, UN etc…and maintain a pro-active relationship with them
• Participate meetings and makes Solidarités and its activities known.
• When relevant, is the representative on the field toward the donors

4/ Qualifications and experience requested

Education:

• Minimum Bachelor or equivalent in a degree relevant with Humanitarian actions (Project management, watsan, livestock…). Generalist approach.

Experience:

• At least 2 years of experience in a senior equivalent management position with NGOs
• At least 5 years of experience in project implementation with NGOs
• At least 1 year of field experience with NGOs in Somalia
• Previous experience in Security management with NGOs
• Previous experience in remote managed project is an advantage

6/ Person Specification:

Skills and competences:

• Ability to demonstrate maturity in the area of analytical thinking, decision making, conflict resolution
• Excellent writing capacities
• Resistant to high stress
• High working capacity
• Respect of tight security and behaviour rules
• Reactivity and adaptation to a very moving context
• Taste for geopolitics and complex contexts
• A clear taste for tough challenges

Languages:

• English (working language) : fluent with excellent writing capacities
• Somali is a clear advantage
• Kiswahili remains desirable skills

Computer skills:

• Excellent knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet
• Geographic Information Systems basic knowledge is a plus

7/ How to apply:

Kindly send your cover letter, CV and contact details for 3 referees to the following email address: jobapplication @ solidarites-kenya-som.org by closing date, 10th November 2009

Please clearly indicate the position you are applying for in the title of your email.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Solidarites is an equal opportunity employer

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