We help to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience by responding to disasters and crises and by supporting community and institutional risk reduction and preparedness.
This is done in the Netherlands with more than thirty thousand volunteers, and internationally with the aid of specialists or by sending relief supplies or 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 Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) seeks a Project Manager to provide technical and project management support for its response preparedness project with the Croix-Rouge Centrafricaine (CRCA) in the Central African Republic (CAR).
Position title: Project Management Delegate Response Preparedness
Duty station: Bangui - CAR
Time period: 12 months (depending on confirming funds there is a possibility of extension)
Starting Date: 24 January 2024
Status: Single posting/R&R
Rationale
Netherlands Red Cross Response Preparedness Program
In CAR, the first Response Preparedness program has been implemented from 2016 until 2021 to strengthen the disaster response preparedness of the CRCA.
The second program runs from September 2022 until the end of January 2025. It consolidates the achievements thus far and further strengthens the National Society's (NS) core activities of disaster preparedness. The aim is to enable a better prepared response mechanism of CRCA, together with RCRC Movement partners and national stakeholders in case disasters strike. The program therefore does not only address the internal capacity of the NS, but also its specific position within the country’s broader disaster response preparedness mechanism. Where possible, links are made with regional and global capacity levels. Consequently, the RP fills a critical gap between on the one hand, community-based resilience and disaster risk reduction programs, and, on the other hand, international disaster response. In addition, RP contributes to global Red Cross and Red Crescent tools and guidelines on response preparedness through the IFRC Secretariat.
Purpose of the position
The Response Preparedness Project Management Delegate is responsible for providing technical and programmatic support to CRCA in design, planning and monitoring of the NLRC supported RP project to ensure effective and efficient implementation as well as narrative and financial reporting. The Project Delegate will work in collaboration with the CRCA RP project staff, other CRCA staff, the RCRC partners and authorities to assure high-quality interventions in response preparedness and disaster management.
Position in the organization
- The Project Delegate is based in Bangui and reports to the NLRC Country Representative in Bangui;
- Travel to different regions where RP will be implemented if needed, namely Mongoumba, Bossembelé and Boali;
- The Project Delegate will have a direct working link with four national staff (Project manager, Finance, Logistics, PMEAL), fully dedicated to the RP project;
- For all project related obligations and information, the Project Delegate has a functional link with the NLRC RP Program Manager, Partnership & Portfolio Coordinator, Portfolio Officer, Technical advisor, PMEAL advisor, Financial Controller, Roving Finance Delegate, Project Administrator, Logistics Officer and Desk Assistant.
Summary of responsibilities
Project Management & Implementation
- Responsible for overall project management and ensuring that the goals, objectives and work plan are met in collaboration with the CRCA staff, Country Representative, the Desk and relevant Advisors;
- Work closely with the CRCA in order to strengthen its response preparedness and disaster management and improve its planning processes;
- Ensure effective working relationships with the project staff;
- Provide appropriate mentorship, capacity building and technical support to the RP project staff, other CRCA staff, and local branches and volunteers;
- Strengthen the CRCA Disaster Management unit by providing guidance on operational structure and member’s roles and responsibilities;
- Based on the CAR context, ensure the timely revision of the RP Plan of Action and budget;
- Provide support to all staff in ensuring that cross-cutting themes (PGI, CEA, etc.) are considered in interventions at all levels, especially in project design, work plans, and trainings;
- Monitor quality of project implementation, indicate at an early stage the need for technical support to RP technical advisor and ensure feedback from advisor is incorporated;
- Coordinate the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the RP3 project with support of the PMEAL advisor in order to achieve all the project outputs within the set timeframe, while ensuring that interventions adhere to the quality standards;
- Ensure that the donor's rules and requirements are followed throughout the entire project cycle;
- Write proposals for new interventions with CRCA, in collaboration with the Country Representative.
Financial, logistics and administration Management
- Responsible for budget management (as NLRC budget-holder); monitoring of expenditure, checking and validating of vouchers, coding vouchers, compilation of budgets, financial questioning from internal and external audits;
- Collaborate with CRCA accountant in charge of the project accountability, to ensure respect of both CRCA and NLRC financial, logistic and administration procedures and reporting requirements;
- Assist the CRCA in producing regular, accurate and timely financial and narrative reports according to NLRC standards through mentoring and training in project and financial management as well as reporting;
- Updating indicators progress on SPACE regularly, and undertaking midterm and end of project evaluations;
- Seeking formal approval from NLRC HQ on amendments, budget revisions and reports;
- Preparation of the procurement list and review/approve procurement processes.
Partnership, Coordination and Communication
- Support the cooperation of the CRCA with the local services, authorities, technical partners, as well as international organizations and other RCRC Movement partners;
- Support CRCA to participate in relevant national and international coordination mechanisms and platforms (and represent NLRC when applicable);
- Develop and maintain a strong working relationship and coordination with relevant stakeholders and linking with similar projects and initiatives in the region;
- Promote humanitarian principles and key cross-cutting issues such as PGI, CEA, environmental awareness and DRR;
- Present and communicate on a regular basis and in all transparency, the results, difficulties and development of the project to NLRC HQ, the management of CRCA, and other partners.
Requirements/Qualifications
- A minimum of five years of work experience in an international humanitarian organization;
- A minimum of two years in managing disaster preparedness projects and operations in the Global South/ emergency/ high-risk settings; practical experience and understanding of the relevant technical competencies required;
- Demonstrated experience in project/program management, design, (financial) reporting, monitoring and evaluation of multi-sectoral programs;
- Strong knowledge of finance, logistics, 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;
- Fluency in French and English, written and spoken required;
- (International) driving license and it is an advantage to have experience driving four-wheel-drive vehicles;
- Computer literate (MS Office, spreadsheets, Outlook);
- Experience working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent is an advantage;
- Experience working with WinPaccs and ODK Collect and/or KoboToolbox is an advantage.
Personal Qualities
- High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct;
- High motivation to work in a challenging emergency context with attention for sustainability through capacity building on RP of CRCA;
- Natural team-player with excellent interpersonal skills: demonstrated ability to train, inspire and support the team with a respectful and patient attitude;
- Ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in different cultural and organizational settings;
- Flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions;
- Able to work in security constrained situations;
- Self-motivated and proactive, with good judgment and initiative;
- Able to prioritize and meet deadlines.
We offer
- A full-time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for 1 year, with the possibility of extension depending on confirming funds;
- A flexible and human centred working environment in an international setting;
- Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development;
- Currently the Rest & Recuperation rotation scheme is every 8 weeks.
How to apply
Applications
- Please submit your CV and motivation letter in English with reference to Shelly Jonker via the following link: https://werkenbijhetrodekruis.inhroffice.com/en/job/294243.
- The vacancy will remain open for applications until the 19th of November 2023.The selection procedure will start as soon as applications are coming in.
- For further information regarding the position, please contact Rodolphe VISSER, Partnership & Portfolio Coordinator (rodolphevisser@redcross.nl).
- Please note that a technical assessment, profile assessment and an integrity background check form part of the selection process.
- A similar position will be published soon with duty station Bamako, Mali.
For more information about the work of the Netherlands Red Cross, please go to www.rodekruis.nl and NLRC on Facebook: Facebook.com/rodekruis and Twitter: Twitter.com/rodekruis.