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 Coordination Delegate (contingent upon funding).
Position title: Regional Programme Coordination Delegate
Duty station: Curacao, thereafter Aruba
Time period: 7 months (contingent upon funding)
Starting Date: 1st of February 2021
Status: Single posting
Background
The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) has branches on 6 Caribbean islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Saba, Sint Eustatius). These branches are part of the NLRC and focus on direct emergency aid after disasters and the provision of assistance to vulnerable groups on the islands. Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten are independent countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In March 2020, these three countries experienced their first COVID-19 cases. The population of these countries is very dependent on tourism for their livelihoods, which has been heavily impacted by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Many people were already vulnerable and have now become even more vulnerable due to a loss of their source of income.
The COVID-19 outbreak has had a huge impact on the lives and livelihoods of the people on the islands. To support the most vulnerable people in Aruba, Curacao and Sint-Maarten with their acute food & hygiene needs, NLRC started rolling out a relief operation in May 2020 funded by the Dutch Ministry of Interior Affairs to provide assistance to vulnerable households impacted by the economic consequences of COVID-19, hereafter “*RC COVID-19 Response Programme*”. The main components of this relief operation are Cash (through e-voucher modality), food & hygiene parcels and ready-to-eat meals.
Currently the NLRC is implementing a country-by-country transition strategy. The RC COVID-19 Response Programme is a portfolio of three projects implemented by the NLRC Mission in Sint-Maarten and the NLRC’s overseas branches in Aruba and Curacao in partnership with local non-Red Cross organizations. Each project has its own timeframe and has been designed to include local contextual differences.
Purpose of the position
The main purpose of the position is to oversee and coordinate the RC COVID-19 Response Programme in Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten and ensuring implementation and transition are according to agreed proposals and budgets. The Regional Programme Coordination Delegate works hand in hand with the NLRC Mission in Sint-Maarten and the NLRC’s overseas branches in Aruba and Curacao. Moreover, the delegate closely collaborates with the Partnership & Portfolio Coordinator Caribbean Covid-19 Response at Head Quarters in the Hague.
Position in the organization
The delegate reports to the Partnership & Portfolio Coordinator Caribbean Covid-19 Response of NLRC in the Hague. All the regional positions attached to the RC COVID-19 Response Programme will report to Regional Programme Coordination Delegate.
A country specific approach will be taken in this phase of the programme. The Regional Programme Coordination Delegate effectively coordinates and oversees the RC COVID-19 Response Programme on behalf of NLRC, ensures a good working structure and working relationship with the Red Cross entities on the islands (the NLRC Mission in Sint-Maarten and the NLRC’s overseas branches in Aruba, Curacao, and Sint-Maarten). Moreover, the delegate ensures objectives are met in each country according to IFRC and NLRC standards, policies and procedures. Where possible and of added value, the delegate optimizes the team’s performance and information sharing.
Summary statement and responsibilities
1. Operational Strategy & Programme coordination:
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. 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 NLRC Mission in Sint-Maarten and the NLRC’s branches in Aruba and Curacao (and Sint-Maarten).
iii. Support the three operations in ensuring the operational activities are in line with the objectives outlined in the project documents.
iv. Monitor operational budgets and expenditures of the projects in the three countries.
v. Ensure and lead the transition strategy for the operation and ensure this links with long-term programmes implemented by NLRC through its branches in the Caribbean region.
vi. Plan and oversee an effective phase-out of the RC field teams and prepare for handover of the remaining operational tasks to preferably local authorities and/or other organizations and the RC branches, .
vii. Ensure financial and narrative reporting by all local partners is done and checked accordingly.
viii. Prepare monthly operational reports inclusive of operational data and relevant statistics and guarantee quality programming.
ix. Safeguard and promote the implementation of the SOPs regarding finances, procurement etc.
2. Coordination:
i. Establish a good working relationship with the Head of Mission in in Sint-Maarten and the managers and board members of the NLRC’s overseas branches in Aruba and Curacao (and Sint-Maarten, and all support functions such as logistics, finance and telecom when required.
ii. Support the Head of Mission in Sint Maarten and the Branch Managers in Aruba and Curacao in ensuring the activities are coordinated with all the coordinating and implementing partners, in support of the local coordinating platforms.
iii. Promote an effective working relationship between the technical surge teams and technical departments at NLRC HQ and regional level within the RC/RC Movement.
iv. Represent the NLRC in local meetings including but not limited to RCN (Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland) positioning the RC response within the humanitarian sphere and coordinating areas of intervention.
v. In close collaboration with the NLRC Mission in Sint-Maarten and the overseas NLRC’s branches in Aruba and Curacao (and Sint-Maarten) and the humanitarian diplomacy delegate, 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 and applicable.
vi. 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 per island supports the long term branch strategy with regards to disaster management and response preparedness.
ii. Promote capacity building of the local branches in 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 and board members.
iv. Identify possible elements of capacity building of the local Red Cross branches and the other implementing partners involved in the programme. Discuss the needs with the branches and NLRC HQ.
4. Operational quality **
i. Ensure compliance with relevant NLRC and Federation policies, including the Code of Conduct.
ii. Champion and promote 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 5-8 years of work experience preferably with the RC/RC Movement or for another international humanitarian relief organization;
· A minimum of 5 years of Project Management experience, including supporting and training international and local staff;
· Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills, able to build effective relationships in a sometimes sensitive environment
· Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with independent decision-making capacity;
· Proven skills in operational planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting for an emergency response;
· A minimum of two years of work experience in Cash and/or Relief programs/projects;
· Relevant RC trainings such as: ERU, Ops Management, CAP, FACT, RDRT, IMPACT training or equivalent knowledge;
· Experience with working with government authorities is preferred;
· Experience with working in multicultural Caribbean context is desirable;
· A good command of the English language both verbally and in writing;
· A good command of Dutch, Papiamento or Spanish language both verbally and in writing is a strong advantage;
· Proficient in computers (word processing, spread sheets, Power Point, internet, etc.).
Key competencies
· Strong communication, negotiation, interpersonal and diplomatic skills;
· High degree of cultural sensitivity;
· Ability to develop clear goals and steer team towards results and observing deadlines;
· High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct;
· A pro-active and pragmatic approach to problem solving;
· Ability to coach/train others as well as be open to learning from others;
· Strategic thinking;
· Quick learned, flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions;
· Self-motivated, with good judgment and initiative;
· Stress resistant;
· Hands on mentality;
· Team player;
· Common sense;
We offer
· An interesting role in an international working environment with the aim to help the vulnerable people of Aruba, Curacao and Sint-Maarten.
· A flexible and human-centred working environment in an international environment with a variety of international organizations.
• A fulltime appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for 7 months (contingent upon funding), with the possibility of extension depending on external donor funding – initially based in Curacao, and thereafter either in Aruba, Sint-Maarten or the Hague.
• Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development.
How to apply:
· Please submit your CV and motivation letter in English with references to Samira Ennaji before 6th of January 2021 using our online application tool: https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/nl/Vacature/Solliciteren/174032/job
· For further information regarding the position please contact via email the Partnership & Portfolio Coordinator Caribbean Covid-19 Response: Cecile de Milliano, CdeMilliano@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. Tentative planning: Initial first round of interviews are scheduled for the 8th of January 2021, online assessment between 9-11th of January and second round of interviews at latest 14th of January ‘21. Deployment preferably by the 1st of February ’21 (contingent upon funding).
Please note, this is a position based on the CAS-islands (Curacao). Due to COVID-19, there are strict travel restrictions in relation to the CAS islands. This implies that only people with a multiple entry Schengen Visa and EU nationality can travel to the CAS islands. This will be taken into account in the recruitment and selection process.
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