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 Regional Programme Management Delegate.
Position title: Regional Programme Management Delegate
Duty station: Curacao
Time period: 3,5 months
Starting Date: 15 July 2020
Status: Single posting
Purpose of the position
The main purpose of the position is to manage and coordinate the BZK funded emergency programme (food/hygiene) on Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten to ensure a coordinated approach and implementation according to agreed proposal and budget. The Regional Programme Management Delegate works hand in hand with the three local NLRC organisations and their staff and volunteers.
Background
Since the start of the covid-19 crisis the NLRC, through its local branches/organisations, has been very active on the 6 Caribbean islands within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Activities focused initially on prevention and hygiene information to the local communities to avoid further transmission of the virus and through the provision of hands on support to the most vulnerable (incl. people in quarantine, elderly, migrants) . Due to the complete lockdown and the almost total dependence on tourism from the US and Europe, the Caribbean islands have since then seen a massive increase in job loss (+50-80%) and are confronted with a long lasting economic crisis. Because of this, thousands of vulnerable families have no or very limited access to their basis needs incl. food and hygiene materials. NLRC started to organise relief efforts focusing on food and hygiene distributions as of April 2020.
The Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relationships (BZK) granted 16m euro to the NLRC in May 2020 in order to reach 15.000 vulnerable households on Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten through collaborations with other local humanitarian organisations. At this moment local partnerships with these external partners have (almost) been formalized and the food/hygiene distributions are largely being scaled up in the coming weeks.
On Sint Maarten, NLRC has already started with a voucher/cash-based system, while the NLRC local organisations on Aruba and Curacao, currently mainly focusing on distribution of parcels and delivery of ready-to-eat meals, will transition to voucher/cash based systems as of July 2020 to facilitate the local economy which has seen a huge decline due to the loss of tourism.
Position in the organization
Reporting to the Caribbean Regional Coordinator at the Caribbean desk of NLRC, the Regional Programme Management Delegate is responsible for the overall operational strategy and implementation of the response operation on the three islands safeguarding cohesion between the operations on the three islands.**
The Regional Programme Management Delegate effectively coordinates and manages the programme, ensures a good working structure and working relationship with the three local NLRC organisations to optimize the team’s performance and information sharing, and ensure objectives are met according to IFRC and NLRC standards, policies and procedures.
The role and responsibilities between the Regional Programme Management Delegate and the Caribbean Desk can be flexible and can be reassessed if needed.
Summary statement and responsibilities
1. Operational Strategy & Programme management:
i. Maintain oversight over the entire operation by supporting NLRC HQ and the RC field teams in project/program implementation, monitoring and reporting, evaluation.
ii. Support and encourage uniformity amongst the three projects while also allowing for flexibility based on the local contexts.
iii. Ensure the operation activities are in line with the objectives outlined in the project document.
iv. Coordinate the approach, activities and operational strategies while ensuring that the operational planning is in line with the long-term strategy and capacity of NLRC and the branches/local RC organisations.
v. Lead the setup of the operational strategy and structure in the affected areas through liaising with all relevant actors, taking into account the local capacity at branch level and available surge capacity.
vi. Embed possible recovery options in the operational approach taking into account the uncertainty of the evolution of the situation and the available funding.
vii. Ensure smooth continuation of all activities of the projects based on the immediate needs within the target communities.
viii. Monitor operational budgets and expenditures of the projects on the three islands
ix. Integrate the exit strategy for the operation from an early stage and how it might link to long-term programmes.
x. Plan and ensure an effective phase-out of the RC field teams and prepare for handover of the remaining operational tasks to the branches.
xi. Ensure financial and narrative reporting by all local partners is done and checked accordingly.
xii. Ensure monthly operational reports inclusive of operational data and relevant statistics and guarantee quality programming.
xiii. Safeguard implementation of the SOPs regarding finances, procurement etc.
2. Coordination:
i. Establish a good working relationship with the host branches/local RC organisations and all support functions such as logistics, finance and telecom when required.
ii. Develop a good working relationship with coordinating and implementing partners to provide accurate support to the operation in close coordination with the management/project coordinators of the three RC local organisations.
iii. Ensure coordination of activities with all the coordinating and implementing partners, in support of the local coordinating platforms, in such a way that response and recovery plans are coherent and aligned, and where possible drive joint planning in support of the local RC organisations, using collective outcomes where possible in close collaboration with the local RC organisations
iv. Promote an effective working relationship between the technical surge teams and technical departments at NLRC HQ and regional level within the RC Movement.
v. Represent the NLRC in local meetings with RCN (Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland) positioning the RC response within the humanitarian sphere and coordinating areas of intervention.
vi. In close collaboration with the local RC organisations, liaise with relevant local government authorities, and international and non-governmental operating agencies in support of the local network of the Red Cross, where needed.
vii. Encourage the coordination of activities with communities and local actors by incorporating elements of CEA and Safer Access in the operational set-up.
3. Capacity building:
i. Ensure the overall operational strategy supports the branch strategy with regards to disaster management.
ii. Promote capacity building of the local branches in all the technical sectors that are being implemented in this specific operation.
iii. Support the development of skills and/or provision of training to local staff and volunteers.
iv. Identify possible elements of capacity building of implementing partners.
4. Ensure compliance with relevant Federation policies, including the Code of Conduct.
5. Champion high quality accountability standards and ensure compliance with relevant policy and procedures.
Requirements/Qualifications
· Relevant university degree or equivalent qualification within a relevant field.
· Minimum of 8 years of work experience for the RC/RC or for another international humanitarian relief organization.
· Relevant RC trainings such as: ERU, Ops Management, CAP, FACT, RDRT, IMPACT training or equivalent knowledge.
· Field experience within the RC/RC Movement; minimum of 1 deployment as a (ERU) team member.
· Experience of managing and supporting staff.
· Experience in field intervention, volunteer management, mentoring and capacity building, training project staff and working with vulnerable populations.
· Proficient in computers (word processing, spread sheets, Power Point, internet, etc.).
· Preferable completed the Federation Team Leader Training.**
Key competencies
• A good command of the English language both verbally and in writing;
• A good command of Dutch language both verbally and in writing an advantage;
• Preferable experience with or interested working in multicultural Caribbean context is desirable;
• Ability to coach/train others as well as be open to learning from others;
• Ability to develop clear goals and steer team towards results and observing deadlines;
· High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct, as well as pro-active, a quick learner and flexible,
with a pragmatic approach to problem solving;
• Flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions;
• Strong communication skills;
• Good interpersonal skills;
• High degree of cultural awareness;
• Self-motivated, with good judgment and initiative;
• Stress resistant;
• Hands on mentality;
• Team player.
We offer**
§ A fulltime appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for 3,5 months, with the possibility of extension depending on external donor funding – based in Curacao.
§ A flexible and human centred working environment in an international environment with a variety of international organizations.
§ Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development.
How to apply:
Applications
· Please submit your CV and motivation letter in English with references to Samira Ennaji before 26 June 2020 using our online application tool: https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/nl/Vacancy/Postulate/161002
· For further information regarding the position please contact via email: Marion van der Reijden, mreijden@redcross.nl
· Due to urgency in filling the vacancy, interviews will start as soon as suitable candidates have been identified; a candidate may be selected before the posted end-date.
· 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