Côte d'Ivoire: Country Representative Ivory Coast

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:

Position title: NLRC Country Representative

Duty station: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Time period: 1 year with possible extension

Starting Date: March 2020

Status: Family posting

Rationale

The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) has a strategic Partnership with Ivory Coast Red Cross (CRCI), since 2014. Our aim is to support the local partner in building resilience in communities in Ivory Coast.

We do this by primarily focusing our efforts within the partnership on increasing the financial sustainability of CRCI. Our primary aim is that CRCI is capable of fulfilling its mission, independently of temporary project-related funding. Organisational Development (mission orientation, Strategy development, HR, Finance management, Resource Mobilisation, Governance) and Business Development (building local revenue generating social enterprises, more specifically workplace first aid) are our key focus areas in reaching that aim.

Secondly, we support the partner also in building a successful project-portfolio and service delivery for the most vulnerable communities in Ivory Coast. Wash, health and climate change are the main sectors in which projects are executed and developed by CRCI, supported by NLRC.

Position in the organization

As a Country Representative the delegate is leading the NLRC country office in Ivory Coast. The Country Representative has 1 local administrative/finance support staff member and a local program coordinator reporting to him/her. The Country representative is also the security focal point for NLRC in Ivory Coast. The Country Representative has direct lines with IFRC, ICRC and CRCI Senior management. The Country Representative reports to the Unit Lead of the strategic partnership unit, who is based in the Netherlands, on matters dealing with partnership, strategy, HR, office and portfolio execution and development. He or she is supported by HQ through a technical experts on Financial Sustainability Workplace First Aid and a Portfolio Coordinator

Summary statement of responsibilities

The Country Representative of the Netherlands Red Cross in Ivory Coast is expected to safeguard and further develop the NLRC long term vision and strategy for Ivory Coast Red Cross. In light of our long term partnership with the Ivory Coast Red Cross, this needs a close, but critical collaboration with CRCI. It also requires maintaining and developing strong relations with other core Movement Partners of CRCI, IFCR, ICRC and PNSs (Partnership National Societies), and other important stakeholders such as the Netherlands embassy, consortium partners, private sector, UN Agencies, and donors.

Key responsibilities

Vision and Strategy and partnership with CRCI

· In line with NLRC’s International Assistance department strategic directions, design a vision for the partnership

· Safeguard and implement the milestones agreed in the Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) between NLRC and CRCI

· Establish, monitor and manage the Organisational and Business Development agenda of the partnership towards clear results

· Have the oversight of the humanitarian context in Ivory Coast and lead the identification of possible new intervention which fit into NLRC’s longer term strategy

· Ensure information flow, involvement of higher management, collaboration and follow up with CRCI in regards to all NLRC supported projects, including Organisational and Business development initiatives

Organisational and Business development

· Based upon the holistic NLRC vision on financial sustainability, Ivory Coast Red Cross has developed a transformation plan. Drive the plan forward, with support of the local consultant, monitor and steer based upon intermediate results. Liaise with partners such as IFRC, I and NLRC headquarters on progress.

· Ensure a financial sustainability assessment and plan can be developed, together with the Financial Sustainability Expert. Facilitate in monitoring the plan towards clear results.

· Facilitate further exploration, assessment and monitoring of business development initiatives, more specifically on workplace first aid together with the Work Place First Aid expert.

Programme development and Management

· Maintain but also develop and account for NLRC’s portfolio of projects in the Ivory Coast, in line with our strategic directions

· Manage 2 staff members, one administrative/finance support and one pro coordinator who support you in project portfolio.

· Ensure in the existing projects, that NLRC’s Standard Project Approach (SPA) and the FPA are being met by your team and yourself; donor requirements and conditions are followed and deviations regarding project objectives and budget control are timely identified, and communicated to the NLRC HQ

· Ensure learning and knowledge sharing across the program within the country and use learnings to inform new programme designs, country/global strategies and policies of NLRC

· Collaborate with NLRC technical advisors on Wash, Health, PME and finance within the project to guarantee quality within the projects.

· Promote a participatory approach in programming work and create space in the country structure for national staff and delegates participation and involvement in decision making, as well as interface with focal persons of major donors within the country

Funding and Grants Management

· In line with the above mentioned portfolio development, develop networks and partnerships with national/regional/international institutions in Ivory Coast and spearhead donor collaboration and fund raising

· Keep updated with trends within the donor environment in Ivory Coast and internationally

Ensure (potential) donors are updated about the projects being implemented by NLRC/CRCI and share regular programme brief with institutional donors and private sector stakeholders

· Ensure that NLRC and donor conditions are 100 % being followed and support staff in monitoring adherence to all donors conditionalities in NLRC supported projects

· Facilitate efficient donor visits, donor meetings, round table discussions and evaluations as necessary and manage expectations of donors visiting the country programme

Ensure and lead the establishment of a CRCI / CRNL project proposals team that will develop project proposals and that will follow the recommendations of the mapping of funding opportunities. Relationship management with other partners and relevant stakeholders

· Represent the NLRC in-country to all relevant stakeholders in fora, advocacy meetings, consultations, working groups meetings.

· Steer the agenda of collaboration with core red cross partners of CRCI (like Swedish, French, Finnish Red Cross, IFRC and ICRC)

NLRC team

· As the security focal point, the Country Representative (CR) is responsible for the security of all visitors and NLRC staff

· Being a true team leader, the CR builds its team and creates a secure and friendly environment. The CR ensures that staff are able to develop their professional and personal capacity.

· Requesting technical support (finance, PM&E, thematic, resource mobilization, logistics, etc) for the project delegates and the team

· Ensures that the NLRC office has an excellent projects management and financial administration, that everybody works according the Standard Project Approach (SPA) and uses the correct procedures and formats, and all relevant documents are being stored at SPACE (NLRC administration cloud)

· Manages the NLRC office budget approved by NLRC HQ and ensures a 100% correct administration in NLRC financial system (Winpacs)

Requirements/Qualifications

· At least 8 years’ working experience for a humanitarian aid organization in Africa

· Experience of managing and supporting staff and ability to empower them

· Having coordination and networking skills in programmes and between relevant stakeholders

· Knowledge of and experience in financial accountability of projects and budgets is a must

· Technical knowledge of Health, WASH andclimate change adaptation is a pre

· Working experience with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement is a pre

· Cultural sensitive but able to address and relate to higher management

· Excellent interpersonal skills and able to work with different people, organisations and forms of partnership

· Excellent French and English are a must

Applications:

Please send your resume in English and letter of motivation with reference to Annemieke van Teeffelen before February 23th using our online application system via https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/nl/Vacancy/Postulate/153863

For more information about the position, you can contact Liesbet Van Gaever, lvangaever@redcross.nl

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