NLRC recruits 01 Country Representative
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 financial support. 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 (NLRC) international support for victims of disasters and conflicts and for vulnerable people exposed to hazards. The Focus of the International Assistance department is on two main areas: Disaster Response and Community Resilience.
Country Representative, Central African Republic (CAR)
Position title: NLRC Country Representative – CAR
Duty station: Bangui
Time period: 1 year, with possible extension
Starting Date: As soon as possible
Status: Single posting/R&R
Purpose of the position
The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) is looking for a Country Representative who will:
- Safeguard, develop and implement the NLRC long term strategy and vision for CAR
- Maintain and further develop relationships with Red Cross Partners, Donors and other Stakeholders
- Lead the NLRC Country Team in CAR
- End responsible for all NLRC supported projects in CAR
- Be the project manager for the Response Preparedness Program (RPII)
The Netherlands Red Cross in Central African Republic
The NLRC supports the Central African Republic Red Cross (CAR RC) through a programmatic partnership, with longer term development assistance through two main projects: Response Preparedness funded by The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Future Generation project funded by the Dutch radio 3FM. The first project focuses on enhancing preparedness of the National Society CAR RC to better respond to future disasters with an aim of having by the end of April 2020 the impact of disasters vulnerable people in CAR reduced. The second project addresses the social cohesion theme with specific attention to youth. The overall aim of the 3FM project is by the end of 2018, 5,000 youth are more resilient to the consequences of conflict and able to shape their personal and economic development.In addition, NLRC supports the CAR RC with strengthening its capacities to effectively provide services to the most vulnerable communities and assists the partner in the coordination within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and other stakeholders. The RP and Youth projects appear to run well, with tribute to NLRC international staff that operate in close tandem with their NS counterparts. A new project funded by The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just started and focusing on livelihoods and basic needs for the youth with an overall objective that by 2020, 5000 vulnerable youth are economically and socially integrated through economic empowerment, first aid trainings promoting peace due to trainings in 7 principles, Conflict management, social cohesion and SRH (including SGBV awareness). The Country Representative is also the end responsible for this project.
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.[1] This resulted in the so-called ‘RP’ programme, 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). NLRC intended to renew this commitment to strengthening disaster response preparedness and started preparations for a proposal in 2014, which was formally accepted for funding by July 2016. The programme (May 1st 2016 – April 30th 2020) 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. For the Netherlands Red Cross the response preparedness programme contributes to an important part of the organization’s strategic focus on disaster management[2] as laid down in the paper ‘Towards 2020’. In the second phase of the Response Preparedness Programme (RP2), NLRC will contribute to improved Disaster Response Preparedness in four disaster and conflict prone countries, working closely with the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in those countries-namely Central African Republic, Lebanon (including Palestinian Red Crescent branch in Lebanon), Mali and Zambia-, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Secretariat, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre (RCCC) and the 510 data team of NLRC. RP2 covers 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 RP2 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 RP2 will be contributing to global Red Cross and Red Crescent tools and guidelines on response preparedness through the IFRC Secretariat and the RCCC.
Position in the organization
The Country Representative is leading the country team in CAR, consisting of two delegates and local staff. The country representative is the direct line manager of the in-country expatriate staff and local staff in Bangui.
The Country Representative reports to the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator (PPC), who is based in The Hague, The Netherlands. The Country Representative will ensure quality and adherence to established guidelines, policies and strategies of the CAR RC, as well as in accordance with NLRC principles, guidelines and evidence-based best practices. The Country Representative will work closely with staff based at NLRC HQ, including the Portfolio Officer, technical advisors, PMER and quality officers.
Key Responsibilities
Vision and Strategy development
- Take the lead in further developing NLRC’s long term vision and strategy for Central African Republic.
- Maintain and develop NLRC’s portfolio for CAR.
- In the processes described above ensure inclusion of CAR RC society, the NLRC field team and NLRC HQ (desk, advisors, unit lead).
- Act as the primary resource person within NLRC Country Office, for sharing and providing information on NLRC’s vision and strategy and projects in CAR.
Partnership Fostering and Development
- Represent NLRC and maintain strong relations with the CAR RC, the other RC National Societies, The International Federation IFRC, the ICRC, the national authorities, UN Organizations, international and national organizations and donors.
- Maintain relations with Netherlands Embassy in Khartoum/Consulate in Bangui and pro-actively inform the Embassy/ Consul about NLRC supported projects.
- Engage and actively participate in relevant networks, coalitions, alliances, meetings, forums or any other event related to the activities implemented in CAR.
- Represent the NLRC in coordination meetings with other Red Cross partners.
- Take the lead in identifying funding and or partnership opportunities in CAR which are in line with strategies and priorities of CAR RC and NLRC.
Project Development and Delivery
- Analyze and maintain an in-depth understanding of the development context and key stakeholders in country.
- Ensure coherence of NLRC program in CAR in collaboration with support from the Portfolio Officer, technical advisors, PMER and quality officers at the Hague and the technical support departments in National Office.
- Work in collaboration and consultation with CAR RC, identify relevant interventions in line with CAR RC and NLRC International Assistance Department Strategy.
- Work in close collaboration with Project Delegates in development of new proposals, monitoring and revising budgets and activities.
- Coordinate the Response Preparedness project in CAR
- Ensure project planning, budgeting, and reporting is carried out in a timely manner and in accordance with NLRC and donor requirements, formats and standards.
- End responsible for ensuring quality project management and financial control of the portfolio of NLRC projects in-country as the line manager of project delegates.
- Safeguard and implement NLRC’s Standard Project Approach (SPA), Financial Management guide and NLRC’s Procedures for International Procurement
- Ensure effective risk management including, but not limited to monitoring of risks associated with program implementation and legal contracts.
Human Resources, Line management and Office
- Foster a positive, fair, participatory and ambitious professional work culture and constructive team approach among in-country staff.
- Ensure all Delegates are delivering on work plans and that all relevant external donor policies, procedures and deadlines are met.
- Oversee management of in-country project budgets for Delegates in agreement with the Portfolio Officer.
- Ensure all delegates adhere to NLRC’s Standard Project Approach, use the right (budget) formats, follow all NLRC procedures (e.g. Logistics, Security Guidelines) and use the right administrative systems (SPACE 2.0, Winpaccs, etc).
- Undertake regular strategic and operational meetings with CAR RC Senior Management Team to ensure work priorities and address any challenges the in country NLRC team is facing.
- Responsible for managing employee performance, including providing employees with regular feedback, (conducting a Mid Term review and a yearly performance appraisal).
- Maintain accurate written records of work plans, Management Team meetings and performance appraisals.
- In conjunction with each employee, identify learning and professional development needs and support the employee in getting these needs met e.g. approving their participation in courses, coaching them, providing them with “on-the-job” experience that will enhance their knowledge, etc.
- Develop Job Descriptions for new staff of the Country office, process recruitment and hiring in close consultation with the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator.
- Ensure that staff compensation and benefits are fair and understood by all employees.
- Ensure that Delegates comply with staff regulations and that breaches are documented and the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator notified.
- Develop the NLRC office budget, taking into account existing program budgets and request for approval by NLRC HQ.
- Organize missions for the NLRC, other Red Cross National Societies and external consultants upon request alongside the relevant project delegate. Develop terms of references for these missions.
- Be responsible for the efficient use of the funds and assets allocated to the projects.
- Conduct continuous assessments to identify needs and possibilities for new interventions within the mandates of the CAR RC/NLRC
Security Management
- Ensure strict adherence of security policies and directions from NLRC and ICRC;
- Ensure that updated Security Regulations are in place and that all staff (local and International) are aware and follows the regulation.
- Develop on a yearly basis a country security document in close collaboration with the security advisor at HQ
- Disseminate information on security threats to staff in a timely manner.
- Regularly analyze context, identify risks and validate security rules.
- Maintain proper documentation of security incidents.
- Conduct security briefing for NLRC visitors to CAR and arrange security briefing for these visitors with ICRC
Requirements
- Master degree in Social Science, International Development, Business Management or other relevant field
- At least 8 years’ experience in the development and/or humanitarian field
- Strategic thinker with a strong track record in programme design and grant writing
- Demonstrated ability for high level representation (e.g. donor liaison)
- Extensive experience working with donor agencies, notably The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( MOFA)
- Experience in the area of capacity building and development of non-governmental organisations, preferably of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
- Able to work in politically complex and challenging environment.
- Experience in working at managerial level in an international organisation.
- Experience in programme management , including programme identification, formulation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, preferably within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement
- Excellent narrative and financial reporting and proposal writing skills.
- Working experience in the region is preferred, as is knowledge on the political, economic and socio-cultural climate of Central African Republic
- Able to adhere to policy and procedures of the NLRC whilst effectively managing programmes and people
- Able to make sound judgements and decisions.
- Good social/diplomatic skills and culturally sensitive, flexible and creative.
- Able to work independently, as well in a team with the guidance of the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator;
- Demonstrated accountability for staff security in a conflict/fragile environments.
- Fluent in spoken and written of French and English;
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Practical knowledge of computer Skills (Microsoft Office, Winpaccs, Document Management programmes).
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 environment with a variety of international organizations.
- Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development.
Applications
- Please submit your CV and motivation letter in English with reference to Annemieke van Teeffelen before September 8th using our online application tool through the following link: https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/nl/Vacancy/Postulate/139562
- The Interview process will start as soon as applications are received.
- For further information regarding the position please contact Wassim Beaineh, Partnerships and Portfolio Coordinator at NLRC via email at wbeaineh@redcross.nl
- Please note that an assessment is part of the selection process.
[1] Original Pledge text: ‘The government of the Netherlands and the Netherlands Red Cross herewith pledge that options will be investigated to, during the years 2012-2015, support selected National Societies in strengthening their capacities in emergency preparedness and response’ Source: https://www.icrc.org/appweb/p31e.nsf/pledge.xsp?action=openDocument&documentId=CEE41EB45AC0DC75C125795800327731
[2] Being defined as ‘limiting the impact of emergency situations, strengthening resilience and promoting respect and willingness to help’. |