Programme Management Delegate at The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC), Ethiopia

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Deadline: 18 June 2023

Job Description

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.

Position title: Programme Management delegate

Duty station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (international mobile staff position)

Time period: 1 year (with possible extension)

Starting Date: Preferably August 2023

Status: Family posting

Purpose of the position

The Programme Management delegate will be responsible for supporting the Netherlands Red Cross and Ethiopian Red Cross Society with implementation of three projects: an ECHO-funded emergency response project, the finalization of another ECHO-funded disaster preparedness project, and a response and recovery project in the Tigray region.

You will actively coordinate, and exchange information and ideas with the NLRC Country Representative and other NLRC delegates to ensure overall coherence of the NLRC support to ERCS. Key is to ensure all activities adhere to the project MoU terms and conditions and accepted humanitarian standards, while ensuring back donor financial compliance, promoting capacity strengthening of the ERCS and actively pursuing community engagement and accountability in the implementation of the activities.

Background

The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) has a strategic Partnership with Ethiopia Red Cross (ERCS) since 2014. Our overall aim is to support the local partner in building resilience in communities in Ethiopia. This is achieved through the development and implementation of a project portfolio focusing on: WASH and Water Management, Nature Based Solutions, Integrated Risk Management and Disaster Preparedness for response. Urgent needs are also addressed through emergency response interventions wherein resilience is built in a Nexus approach. Data and digital transformation and Financial Sustainability are cross-cutting in order to support the development of an independent and efficient National Society (NS).

Within NLRC strategic and programmatic approach in Ethiopia, the ongoing ECHO funded projects are key in completing essential activities to strengthen ERCS’ capacities to respond to complex emergencies (with the setting up and operationalization of Emergency Operation Centers as one of the key activities of this project), and responding to basic needs of populations affected by conflict and displacement. Furthermore, the interventions in Northern Ethiopia – especially Tigray – are key in contributing to ERCS’ agenda of scaling up response and recovery activities in the Tigray region.

Position in the organization

The reporting line is directly to the NLRC Country Representative based in Addis Ababa. On technical matters related to the projects, the delegate will liaise closely with ERCS DM and WASH departments, NLRC technical advisors, PMER, EU focal point and NLRC Data team (510), and other relevant actors within the NLRC HQ for support and guidance. Furthermore, the delegate is leading the ECHO-consortium implementing the response project. Close coordination with the IFRC, ICRC and other relevant PNSs in country is essential.

Summary statement and responsibilities

Project Implementation

• Provide project and technical support in planning, implementation, monitoring and quality assurance, and reporting throughout the project cycle in accordance with NLRC and ERCS procedures (such as procurement and financial) and agreements as set in the MoU and in full compliance with ECHO requirements.
• As NLRC budget-holder, you are responsible for the project budget management, adequate and timely quality narrative and financial reporting according to NLRC and donor standards, developing ToRs for reviews and evaluations, all according to NLRC’s Standard Project Approach (SPA);
• Monitor budget and expenditure, and follow up with ERCS and other Consortium Partners to ensure activities and procurements are planned in time – and ensure working advances and full accountabilities are submitted in a timely manner;
• Oversee and ensure procurement procedures regarding the procurement plan.
• Undertake regular monitoring field visits and meetings with the community and relevant actors including project partners in assessing the trends, patterns and changing needs and consequently advise.
• Provide and/or mobilize the needed technical support to ensure quality implementation and compliance.
• Ensure identification, documentation and sharing of success stories/ evidences, data collection and lessons learnt for program improvement, scaling up, and internal capitalization.
• Oversee and assist ERCS in planning and conducting project evaluations (baselines, mid/end term) as per the donor requirement/MoU.

Program Design & Development

• Support or take the lead in the development of new projects based on incoming funding opportunities and in line with NLRC Ethiopia strategic priorities.
• Ensure with the other NLRC delegates, coherence between all NLRC-supported interventions. This particularly applies to the integration with other NLRC interventions supporting EWEA and drought resilience building.

Representation & Coordination

• Ensure close collaboration with other RC Movement partners in response preparedness (including from NSD perspective) and disaster response. Contribute to collective strategic and operational support to ERCS in various areas of intervention within DM field.
• In close coordination and collaboration with NLRC Country Representative, support ERCS in maintaining and coordinating external relations and partnerships with national stakeholders, including relevant line ministries and agencies of Government of Ethiopia, particularly at the regional/zonal levels.
• Represent NLRC in RC/RC Movement Coordination and collaboration meetings relevant to the role (emergency response and cash to start with).
• As lead in the ECHO consortium, ensure proper coordination with the consortium partners and lead the dialogue with ECHO in country.

Requirements

We are looking for an experienced programme manager due to the fact that the consortium is relatively large. The challenge is in the relationship management and donor management. Knowledge of ECHO requirements and experience working with ECHO as a donor are key.

• • University degree or professional qualification in WASH, Public Health, Disaster Management or similar, or equivalent professional experience
    • At least 5 years’ experience in project management of community development-related projects in collaboration and coordination with governments, humanitarian aid agencies & civil society
    • At least 3 years’ work experience in the humanitarian or development sector, with a focus on disaster management (response and/or preparedness), WASH, DRR/CCA or resilience
    • Experience working and living in another country/context than your domicile
    • Experience writing skills, for reporting and proposal development and for the development of narrative and financial management & reporting
    • Excellent communication, with the ability to represent the NLRC
    • Knowledge of feedback and response mechanisms, including of appropriate methods of beneficiary communication and channels
    • Experience working in an African context is preferred
    • Experience working with the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement is preferred

Competencies

• • Strong interpersonal skills
    • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with independent decision-making capacity
    • Strong coordination and donor relationship skills
    • Culturally sensitive
    • Ability to transfer knowledge, skills, and/or abilities to National Society staff and volunteers

We offer

• A full time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for at 12 months, with the possibility of extension
• A flexible and human-centered working environment in an international environment with a variety of international organizations
• Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development
• Please note that this is an International mobile staff position, the person hired will be dispatched to Ethiopia