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 Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) seeks a Project Manager to provide technical and project management support for its response preparedness project in Central Africa Republic (CAR).
Position title: Project Manager Response Preparedness
Duty station: Bangui - CAR
Time period: 12 months with possibility of extension
Starting Date: April 2022
Status: Single posting/R&R
Purpose of the position
The Response Preparedness Project Manager delegate is responsible for providing technical and program support to CRCA in design, planning and monitoring of the NLRC supported RP 3 project to ensure effective and efficient implementation as well as narrative and financial reporting. The delegate works in collaboration with the CRCA and the National Authorities involved in the DRR National Strategy, with a wide range of stakeholders to influence investment, implementation of the PER approach, policy and practice for delivery of high-quality interventions in response preparedness and disaster management.
Background
Netherlands Red Cross Response Preparedness Programme
In 2011 the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent was held. During this Conference the Netherlands government and NLRC agreed to support a selection of National Societies to provide more effective emergency response. This resulted in the so-called ‘RP’ program, a first full-fledged Response Preparedness programme implemented from 2012 till 2016 in 5 countries and fully funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the second RP program (RPII) has been implemented also in CAR from 2016 till 2021.
NLRC intended to renew this commitment to strengthening disaster response preparedness for the Central African Red Cross (CRCA). The program fills a critical gap between current community based resilience and risk reduction programmes and international disaster response by focusing on strengthening national response capacity and linking it to regional and global capacity. It aims at enabling a better prepared response mechanism of the RCRC Movement partners and surrounding stakeholders in case disasters strike and therefore complements community-based resilience and DRR activities.
The third phase of the Response Preparedness Programme (RP-3), will consolidate the gains over the years of the CRCA implementing RP as well as cover the gaps in the core activities that lie at the heart of disaster preparedness of National Societies, but also aims to address capacities that strengthen and facilitate these. This means that RP3 not only focuses on the capacity of the involved National Societies (NS), but also on its specific position within the country’s broader disaster response preparedness mechanism. In addition, RP3 will be contributing to global Red Cross and Red Crescent tools and guidelines on response preparedness through the IFRC Secretariat and the RCCC. In achieving these objectives the following innovative approaches will be set up in some NS’:
- Information management (including needs assessments) and data preparedness;
- Cash Transfer Programming (CTP) in preparedness;
- Improved emergency response;
- Preparedness for Effective Response (PER);
- Forecast-based Financing (FbF), if applicable.
Position in the organization
· The Project Manager is based in Bangui and reports to the NLRC Country Representative in Bangui.
· (S)he may also be deployed in different regions where RP III will be implemented if needed.
- For all project related obligations and information, (s)he has a functional link with the RP Programme Manager and Desk colleagues (Partnership & Portfolio Coordinator, Portfolio Officer, Financial Controller, Project Administrator, Desk Assistant) and Technical advisors from the Headquarter.
Summary statement and responsibilities
- Work closely with the CRCA in order to strengthen its disaster preparedness and response management and improve its planning processes
- Ensure a good coordination with the CAR government on their National DRR Strategy; verify that the project is in line with the objectives of the National DRR strategy
- Based on the CAR context, ensure the timely revision of RP3 Plan of Action and budget
- Strengthen the CRCA Disaster Management unit by providing guidance on operational structure and member’s roles and responsibilities
- Ensure effective working relationships with the project staff as required
- Provide support to all staff in ensuring that cross-cutting themes (e.g. PGI, CEA, etc.) are considered in interventions at all levels, especially in project design, work plans, and trainings
- Conduct regular site visits to meet with project staff and/or beneficiaries
- Monitor the project implementation and ensure that the interventions under the project adhere to standards in a timely manner according to the established timeline. Share documents produced within RP3 by the CRCA with the RP advisor for advice and feedback and ensure the feedback is taken into account and followed up in future activities
- Assist the CRCA in producing regular, accurate and timely financial and narrative reports for the Netherlands Red Cross RP3 programme manager and advisor and for donors through mentoring and training in project and financial management as well as reporting
- Assemble required information from CRCA and translate it (in English) into NLRC (financial) reporting formats on quarterly and yearly basis
- Update indicator progress in SPACE on quarterly basis
- Monitor booking of expenses in WINPACCS for RP3 and be end responsible for financial reporting to NLRC HQ
- Maintains regular communication with NLRC HQ
Project Management & Implementation
- Responsible for overall project management, in close collaboration with the country representative in CAR, and working with the technical advisors, PMEAL, finance, logistics and the Desk, in HQ
- Ensure that the goals, objectives and work plan are met in collaboration with the Country Representative, the Desk and relevant Advisors
- Provide appropriate mentorship, capacity building and technical support to the local branches of the CRCA counterparts and volunteers including in assessment and identification of needs, priorities, objectives, outputs and core components and activities
- Build capacities with training for the implementing project team and the branch
- In collaboration with the Country Representative, the Desk and the HQ, presents the identified needs, new program opportunities and support the writing of new proposals
- Assume the monitoring and evaluation with the support of the PMEAL advisors in the HQ
- Undertake regular monitoring with field visits and meetings with relevant actors including project partners in assessing trends, patterns and changing needs and consequently advise on appropriate strategies
- Write reports following the donor’s rules and requirements
- Ensure the exit plan of the project is taken into consideration from the planning process
Financial, logistic and administration Management
- He/she will be responsible for budget management (as NLRC budget-holder), adequate and timely quality narrative and financial reporting according to NLRC standards, and undertaking midterm and end of project evaluations: preparation of the procurement list, monitoring of expenditure, checking and validating of vouchers, coding vouchers, compilation of budgets and submitting financial reports, budget revisions and amendments and seeking formal approval from NLRC HQ
Partnership, Coordination and Communication
- Support the cooperation of the CRCA with the local services, authorities, technical partners, as well as International organizations and other RC/RC Movement partners as described in the project proposal
- Promote humanitarian principles and key cross-cutting issues such as protection, gender and inclusion, environmental awareness and disaster risk reduction;
- Represent NLRC in the Water, Sanitation, And Hygiene (WASH) cluster and other relevant coordination mechanisms when applicable
- Develop and maintain strong working relationship and coordination with Regional Technical Services , relevant international and local NGOs/agencies and relevant linking with the other projects and initiatives in the region
- Present and communicate in a regular basis and in all transparency, the results, difficulties, development, of the project to the hierarchy, the HQ and other partners
Requirements/Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in development studies, geography, political science, disaster management or equivalent
- A minimum of five years of experience of working for a humanitarian aid organization in developing countries (preferably in Disaster Management programming)
- Practical experience and understanding of the relevant technical competencies required
- A minimum of five years of field experience internationally in managing disaster preparedness project and operations in emergency settings
- Demonstrated experience in project/programme management, design, (financial) reporting, monitoring and evaluation of multi-sectoral programmes
- Experience in and/or extensive knowledge on, FbF (institutional early warning systems), performing Emergency Needs Assessments (ENA), data collection and – analysis, IFRC evaluation tools, IFRC PER approach, IDRL lobby/advocacy, simulations, contingency planning, logistics in emergencies, pre-disaster agreements and other core RP activities
· Experience working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent is an advantage
- Strong knowledge of finance, logistic, administration and cost control procedures
- Extensive experience in team management
- Experience in dealing with and bringing together various stakeholders for the purpose of effective project implementation
- Proven experience in security management and context analysis
- Fluency in French and English, written and spoken required
- (International) driving license
Key competencies and skills
· Excellent communication skills with strong interpersonal and coaching skills
· Natural team-player, with demonstrated ability to train, inspire and support the team
· Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in different cultural and organizational settings
· Computer literate (MS Office, spreadsheets, Outlook)**
- High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct
- Able to work well independently
- Able to work under security constrained situations
- Flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions
- Self-motivated and proactive, with good judgment and initiative
- Able to prioritize and meet deadlines
- Be diplomatic and result orientated
- Strong networking skills, suitable for working in a multicultural environment with a respectful and patient attitude
- High motivation to work in challenging emergency context with attention for sustainability through capacity building on RP of CRCA
We offer
• A full time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for 1 year, with the possibility of extension
• A flexible and human centred working environment in an international setting
• Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development
How to apply:
Applications
Please submit your CV and motivation letter in English with reference to Shelly Jonker as soon as possible through https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/app/en/Vacancy/Details/219877
The vacancy will remain open for applications until the 13th of March 2022. The selection procedure will start as soon as applications are coming in. Please note that an assessment and a reference check forms part of the selection process.
For further information regarding the position please contact the Country Representative of CAR via email: jlantam@redcross.nl
For more information about the work of the Netherlands Red Cross please go to www.rodekruis.nl andwww.rodekruis.tv. NLRC on Facebook: Facebook.com/rodekruis and Twitter: Twitter.com/rodekruis.