Sint Maarten (The Netherlands): Project Manager Home Repair Project

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 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 has opened a vacancy for a Project Manager to strengthen the Sint Maarten team and heading the home repair project.

Position title: Project Manager Home Repair Project

Duty station: Sint Maarten

Time period: Until end of April 2019

Starting Date: October 2018

Status: Single posting

Purpose of the position

The Project Manager is responsible for the implementation of the shelter repair project currently being implemented on Sint Maarten.

Background

Following the devastating impacts of category 5 hurricane IRMA on the 6th of September 2017, NLRC started to organize relief efforts, focusing on food and water distribution, as well as other distribution of non-food items such as tarpaulins and jerrycans to support vulnerable people with basic needs.

NLRC is currently in the transition to early recovery and longer term programmes on Sint Maarten. The focus of the programming is based on three pillars: shelter and sheltering, economic security, and disaster risk reduction / disaster preparedness. According to the NLRC strategy, the recovery programme will focus on increasing the resilience of beneficiaries and focus on building back better to avoid or reduce future disaster impacts. This approach takes into account the adaptation to climate change and climate variability. Increased resilience focuses on the building blocks of increased capacity to anticipate, adapt, respond and transform.

For the shelter and sheltering pillar, NLRC is currently implementing a home repair project. The project has been piloted and the assessments for the beneficiary selection has started. The project is using an owner-driven approach, which means that after selection and assessment of the damage, beneficiaries will themselves be responsible for the repair of their houses. Building suppliers will be reimbursed for the purchases done by individual beneficiaries through a voucher based system.

The Red Cross’ technical team will be checking on the correct use of materials and techniques. The project aims to assist 1260 households and is fully funded from funds received during the Irma fundraising campaign by NLRC.

Whilst the project is already developed in main frameworks, the focus of the position will be on implementation of the project, integration of lessons learnt from a pilot phase and new assessment that has been carried out, and specifically on team management – whilst signaling scope for improvement and working out how best to implement improvements.

Position in the organization

The Project Manager is a member of the Hurricane Irma Recovery Programme of the Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC). The Project Manager leads the Home Repair Project and reports directly to the Head of Mission. The Project Manager will be responsible for the overall project and team management of the home repair project, in close cooperation with the social coordinator and the technical lead who are responsible for the day to day coordination of the social and technical teams (currently consisting of 6 members each).

Summary statement and responsibilities

• Overall team structure and team management (Responsible for line manager of all team staff members in shelter team);

• Support and coordinate staff together with team of coordinators;

• Responsible for ensuring the link between project and local branch in relevant areas;

• Responsible for overall project management, in close collaboration with/supporting team members in M&E, HR, Finance and logistics;

• Ensure that objectives and work plan timetables are met;

• Provide regular operational reports on activities, progress and achievements in the designated areas of responsibility;

• Liaise with NLRC HQ staff on project progress and get approval on project agreements, contracts, regulations, communication, financial regulations and technical support;

• Promote humanitarian principles and key cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, environmental awareness and disaster risk reduction;

• Evaluate, develop and improve on every possible component of the project when required;

• Maintain overview of nominated suppliers, liaise with government and other relevant stakeholder to ensure agreements are in place and are met, and procedures are followed;

• Monitor closely budget spending of the project and liaise with NLRC identify risks, needs and or requirements related to financial management.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or advanced course in relevant field required, Masters’ degree desirable;

• Qualification in emergency shelter or reconstruction is an advantage;

• A minimum of 5 years' experience as a Project/ Programme Manager and/or Advisor in a humanitarian/ recovery context;

• Field experience in shelter or rehousing projects is an advantage;

• Experience working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent is an advantage, especially knowledge or experience in disaster relief, RC operating environment, recovery or development work;

• Experience working in the Caribbean is an advantage.

  Key competencies

• Leadership skills

• Computer literate (MS Office, spreadsheets, Outlook);

• Training/ workshop facilitation skills desirable;

• Self-motivated, with good judgment and initiative;

• Ability to prioritize in a demanding environment;

• Ability to work with deadlines and handle multiple tasks simultaneously;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, English mandatory, Spanish and/ or French preferred;

• Ability to guide and mentor others;

• Strong interpersonal skills and culturally sensitive;

• Team player;

• Strong commitment to the Fundamental Principles of the Movement;

• Displays accountability;

• (International) driving license.

We offer

• A full-time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) until the end of April 2019;

• An international working environment with a variety of ethnical backgrounds;

• Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development

Please send your resume in English and letter of motivation with references to Sophia van Maanen by latest 21^st October, 2018 using our online application tool https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/nl/Vacancy/Postulate/112504

For more information about the position, you can contact pgvanenk@redcross.nl . Due to the short timeframe of the vacancy, selection process will be ongoing throughout this period, and a candidate may be selected before the end-date of the vacancy.

An initial assessment of candidates short-listed is part of the selection procedure.

For more information of 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

Acquisition for this vacancy will not be appreciated