Country: occupied Palestinian territory
Closing date: 06 Aug 2018
We help to strengthen resilience of vulnerable people exposed to hazards and crisis situations and we respond to disasters and conflicts to save lives and alleviate suffering. In the Netherlands with more than thirty thousand volunteers and internationally through technical assistance, supplies and money. Together we act before, during and after disasters to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people.
We do this without regards to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinion. Our seven fundamental principles guide our humanitarian work: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
The International Assistance department is responsible for all Netherlands Red Cross international support for victims of disasters and conflicts and for vulnerable people exposed to hazards.
The International Assistance department is looking for a Country Representative for the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt).
Position title: Country Representative
Duty station: Ramallah with regular visits to Gaza
Time period: 12 months, with the possibility of extension
Starting Date: 15 October 2018
Status: Non-accompanied
Purpose of the position
The purpose of this position is to support the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in the implementation and follow-up of projects in the following areas:
- Improving access to quality health services, aimed at contributing to the resilience of vulnerable communities in Gaza Strip;
- Improving the resilience of young adults living in conflict affected areas. This project is focused on life skills and psychosocial support;
- In addition, the country representative plays a key role in identifying opportunities and priorities for the development of the partnership between PRCS and NLRC.
The Country Representative (CR) is to support timely implementation, as well as reporting and monitoring of the projects supported by The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC). The CR is the liaison between PRCS and NLRC HQ in The Hague, as well as NLRC delegates working with PRCS in diaspora countries. Furthermore the CR will be supporting PRCS and NLRC in developing new projects and initiatives to ensure continued support for vulnerable communities in this protracted crisis, in line with the framework of the PRCS-NLRC partnership.
Background
The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) are partners since the early 1990s. Considering the protracted challenging humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) and Palestinian diaspora we aim at strengthening our long-term partnership. The foundation of the partnership is based on the vision, goals and identified challenges of PRCS, as well as the strategies of both PRCS and NLRC. The main strategic objective for the NLRC is to support the development towards more resilient communities.
NLRC’s work in the oPt and in diaspora country branches (among which Lebanon and Syria) is implemented through bilateral cooperation with PRCS. The context is one of protracted conflict, requiring challenging developmental as well as humanitarian interventions. Palestinians are facing severe humanitarian and economic conditions, including frequent armed conflict and long-term as well as recent displacement in addition to the complex consequences of occupation.
Like NLRC, PRCS is auxiliary to the public authorities in the humanitarian field as members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. As such, it endeavours to improve health and social conditions of the population in the oPt and diaspora branches. PRCS runs a number of hospitals and primary health care services throughout the oPt and diaspora, in addition to programmes relating to health and ambulance services, rehabilitation, psychosocial, ability development, Disaster Management and Response, youth and volunteer support, International Humanitarian Law and organizational development.
Position in the organization
The Country Representative will report hierarchically to the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator (PPC) and work according to the NLRC Standard Project Approach (SPA) with other relevant colleagues at NLRC HQ.
Summary statement and responsibilities
Partnership development
- Support the partnership development between PRCS and NLRC in close cooperation with the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator (PPC) and the support of NLRC HQ;
- Familiarise with the context, the role and strategy of PRCS and advise PRCS and NLRC on possible future directions for their long term partnership;
- Ensure newly developed activities are aligned with jointly identified priorities;
- Assist PRCS/NLRC in periodic reviews and monitoring of progress and achievements in line with the identified priorities and strategic direction;
- Upon request of PRCS and in consultation with the PPC support humanitarian response in case of an emergency, as well as advise NLRC on areas of support;
- Ensure excellent and effective working relationships with PRCS counterparts and leadership;
- Facilitate and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of relevant donors, international agencies, the UN and other partners, when necessary and in consultation with PRCS;
- Establish and ensure effective working relationships with other colleagues and partners, in particular from ICRC, IFRC and other RC entities;
- Represent NLRC in relevant fora, meetings, conferences, workshops when and where required.
Project management
- Support PRCS in developing efficient Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting (PMER) systems, both at operational and HQ level;
- Together with PRCS ensure the development and implementation of projects based on agreed planning, log-frames and budgets and in line with PRCS and NLRC strategies;
- Accountable for the overall project management towards the donor in terms of administrative and financial management, as well as reporting, in close collaboration with the implementing departments of PRCS and with support of the Portfolio Officer (PO) at NLRC HQ;
- Perform regular monitoring of activities and finances throughout the implementation of the project, and review narrative and financial reports prior to submission to NLRC HQ, and – upon request – provide technical assistance to PRCS in the drafting of the reports;
- Support the use and development of appropriate technologies and sustainable methods to maximise the milestones achieved during projects, and ensure qualitative services;
- Support the strengthening of coordination between PRCS departments and with other RCRC actors to ensure maximum synergy and complementarity;
- Seek alignment and synergy in coordination with other stakeholders where relevant and beneficial;
- Monitor any area of risk, be it quality, financial, reputational or other.
Security management
- Follow strictly the guidelines and guidance set by the ICRC and NLRC HQ;
- Keep PPC and Security Officer informed on security incidents and trends, and update the NLRC Country Security Plan on a regular basis;
- Maintain proper documentation of security incidents.
Requirements/Qualifications
- University (Masters) Degree or advanced degree;
- Minimum of 5 years international experience in project management in a development or humanitarian setting, including project development, planning, implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation;
- Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of, and experience in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement;
- Proven experience in working with partners at national and local level and building partnerships;
- Experience in the transfer of capacities within a partnership framework;
- Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting and cost control procedures;
- Excellent intercultural communicator with strong interpersonal and coaching skills;
- Fluency in written and spoken English, knowledge of Arabic is an advantage;
- Ability to travel to all project areas in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Competencies
- Creating support;
- Strategic insight;
- Result-oriented;
- Flexibility.
We offer
- A full time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for 1 year, with the possibility of extension;
- A flexible, human centred and international working environment;
- Well-balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development.
How to apply:
Please send your resume in English and letter of motivation with reference to Annemieke van Teeffelen before the 6th of August using our online application tool via https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/nl/Vacancy/Postulate/106818
For more information about the position, you can contact Annika Smits via email: asmits@redcross.nl.
An initial assessment of short-listed candidates is part of the selection procedure.
For more information about the work of the Netherlands Red Cross please go to www.rodekruis.nl and www.rodekruis.tv. NLRC on Facebook: Facebook.com/rodekruis and Twitter: Twitter.com/rodekruis.