Central African Republic: Humanitarian Program Coordinator, Cordaid Central African Republic

Cordaid believes in a world without poverty and exclusion. We strive for a just and sustainable society where every person counts. We stand for knowledge and talent sharing between North and South, between farmers and businesses, between activists and policymakers. Where poverty, conflict and exclusion divide societies, we connect people and communities. We stand for professionalism, expertise and solidarity across borders. We make a difference where it is most needed.

Together with more than 800 organizations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America we structurally improve the living conditions of the poorest and most excluded populations - the bottom billion. We do that where natural disasters strike, where conflicts tear up communities and where underdevelopment keeps families in extreme poverty. In the Netherlands we are known as Cordaid Memisa, Cordaid Mensen in Nood, Cordaid Kinderstem, Cordaid Bond zonder Naam and Cordaid Microkrediet.

For the Cordaid Country office in Central African Republic Cordaid is looking for a

Humanitarian Program Coordinator

Introduction

Cordaid CAR is running Humanitarian Aid and Recovery programmes in the country in close cooperation with the Caritas network. Its current programmes are focused on some of the most conflict-affected regions in the country including the prefectures of Ouham-Pende (Bozoum, Bocaranga) and Bangui. The goal is to expand the programme to other areas in the future.

As lead agency within the CAR Joint Response, a humanitarian programme funded by the Dutch ministry of foreign affairs, Cordaid plays a leading role in coordinating the country-wide emergency response of 9 Dutch NGO’s. These activities enhance the sectors of Food Security & Livelihoods, WASH, Nutrition and Protection. We are close to winding up phase 1 of this response, ending by 31 May 2016 and starting phase 2, from 1 June 2016 until 31 March 2017.
For this program, a Joint Response Field Coordinator is responsible for bringing the 9 partners together in monthly coordination meetings and ensure implementation of their joint ‘ Added Value’ objectives.

In Cordaid we believe in continuum and support the immediate needs of the people affected as well as the longer term needs, in order to create sustainable impact and build resilient communities. Within the Humanitarian Aid Unit we focus our work with partners and communities on activities and capacity building to enable them to cope (better) with future disasters. Where possible, we link with other expert areas and programmes of our organisation to further sustain the impact of our work.

Our guiding approach is Linking Relief, (Resilient) Recovery and Development (LRRD).

Position and responsibility

The CAR Humanitarian Program Coordinator will be hired by Cordaid to represent and manage the CAR Joint Response (50%) and to develop and support the ongoing Humanitarian Cordaid programs in country (50%).

The CAR Humanitarian Program Coordinator will report directly to the CAR Country Director in Bangui and will liaise closely with the designated Program Manager of the Cordaid Humanitarian Unit in The Hague, especially on the Added Value component that HQ also takes part of.

Objectives of the posting**

For the CAR Joint Response part (50%)

• Coordinate the Dutch Joint Humanitarian Response Appeal for CAR phase 2;

• Organize and facilitate monthly meetings with the CAR Joint Response partners in Bangui to discuss progress, challenges and take action on Added Value objectives;

• Ensure objectives as set by the partners under the Added Value component are reached (on joint learning, local staff/partner trainings, advocacy);

• Actively promote complementarity, sharing of information and lessons learnt and if context allows joint programming;

• In consultation with Alliance partners’ visit their project sites during the timeframe of the project to ensure a good understanding of the CARJR2 program;

• Participate and represent the Alliance in relevant platforms, networks and clusters;

• Identify and exchange funding opportunities and share information with CARJR partners;

• Provide logistic support for the Alliance member field visits;

• Provide monthly reports to Bangui and HQ;

• Organize and facilitate mid term review of CARJR2 in close coordination with Program Manager Humanitarian Unit HQ;

• Facilitate audit and evaluation of CARJR1 and CARJR2.

  For the Cordaid Humanitarian Program (50%)

• Support the implementation of the Cordaid Joint Response Program in Ouham Pende at Bangui level to ensure smooth implementation of the program (headed by expat Program Manager);

• Participate actively on behalf of Cordaid in relevant clusters at Bangui level (Food Security, Wash, Protection, NFI/Shelter/CampManagement);and share relevant information with Cordaid Program Manager in Ouham Pende and HQ;

• Strengthen the relationship with local and International Caritas actors in CAR and support joint program implementation, added up with capacity building for quality project implementation;

• Support the expansion and strengthening of the Humanitarian Aid program within the framework of the Country Strategy (creating synergy with Cordaid programs on Health, Education and Security & Justice where relevant and feasible).

  Fundraising, networking and acquisition

• Identify opportunities for funding from the UN system and other international donors/sources;

• Build solid relations with relevant donors (Humanitarian and Rehabilitation) and write winning proposals for calls, in close coordination & cooperation of Country Office and HQ;

• Represent Cordaid in relevant Caritas, UN, OCHA, and other humanitarian coordination / thematic cluster meetings;

• Promote and support Cordaid’s ECHO partnership and FPA and Support and promote other Cordaid fundraising activities (institutional, private and corporate fundraising).

  Qualifications

• Academic degree in development/humanitarian aid studies or other related field;

• At least 3 years proven experience with developing, managing and monitoring capacity building and humanitarian aid programs;

• Excellent French and English language writing and communications skills are required;

• Experience in PCM and Humanitarian quality standards; developing proposals under time pressure;

• Experience in writing winning proposals and knowledge of ECHO’s e-single form, UN funding mechanisms, CHF, CAP and cluster approach;

• Proven fundraising & networking skills;

• Relevant experience and expertise in Food Security & Livelihood, WASH, Protection and NFI/Shelter/Camp management sectors;

• Experience in coordination of and working with International and local NGOs;

• Experience in working with Caritas is an asset;

• Knowledge of socio- political environment of CAR and experience of working in the country is an asset;

• Be diplomatic, culturally sensitive and result-oriented;

• Experience in working in security sensitive environment in complex conflict situations;

• Ability to work independently, with limited supervision;

• Strong interpersonal skills and professional maturity.

Specifics of station

The Humanitarian Program Coordinator will be based in Bangui, Central African Republic
He/she will travel regularly to the field when security context allows. The safety and security situation in the CAR remains fragile, but is constantly monitored by Cordaid and its partners and appropriate policies are in place.

This is a non-accompanied posting

Contract information

The contract period is for maximum 11 months, with the possibility of extension, starting date 1^st of July 2016 or if possible, earlier. We offer a Cordaid contract with a competitive salary and a benefit package which includes R&R, a comprehensive insurance cover, social security and pension contribution, a holiday allowance, 13^th month, hardship allowance and cost of living allowance (if applicable).

Further information & how to apply

Applications including a motivation letter and extensive CV in English, including the contact details of at least three professional references, should be forwarded on attn. of mr. Philippe Adapoe before

25 May2016.

An assessment might be part of the procedure.

Please note that we accept applications through our website only: https://www.cordaid.org/en/about-us/working-cordaid/vacancy-overview/international/63413/, and click on the ‘apply’ button.