Humanitarian Project Coordinator

Finnish Refugee Council (FRC) / Suomen Pakolaisapu (www.refugeecouncil.fi) is an international non-governmental organization with Head Office in Helsinki; FRC advocates for the rights of refugees displaced populations and migrants and supports their new beginning. By reinforcing equality and creating opportunities for everyone to lead a good life, FRC promotes the establishment of stable and peaceful societies.

FRC´s activities place emphasis on capacity building and support for the most vulnerable members of societies, thus strengthening basic democratic structures. FRC has been registered and accorded legal personality with Registry Number 4184 on the 11^th of June 2019 as a Foreign Organization.

FRC Ethiopia is looking for a motivated and qualified Humanitarian Project Coordinator (Ethiopian national) who has previous experience in working in post-conflict/IDP settings, managing humanitarian projects, and is a natural team leader and partnership manager This post will be based in Dessie with extensive travel in South Wollo and regularly to Addis Ababa.

Purpose of the Role

The Humanitarian Project Coordinator’s role is new at FRC. She/he will oversee the FRC field operations of an emergency response project in four woredas, funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and jointly implemented with a national partner NGO. She/he will ensure all FRC’s project activities are implemented effectively and timely and outputs and outcomes are achieved with maximum impact for beneficiaries. Humanitarian Project Coordinator will be working in the project partner’s office in the project location and line manage FRC’s GBV Officer.

She/he will make sure that the project implementation follows the agreed work plan, targets and forecasted budget, and that progress reports are prepared and submitted on time and in compliance with FRC and donor requirements. He/she will also provide support and guidance to the project, and to the implementing partner organization where identified and needed.

The Humanitarian Project Coordinator will supervise the FRC Project Technical Officer (GBV) and the joint project staff in the day-to-day management of the relevant aspects of the project implementation, and liaises with the partner organization’s field team, key stakeholders, and local authorities. He/she will report to FRC Program Manager.Key Responsibilities:

Project Coordination 50%

• Lead and coordinate the project implementation in the target communities together with implementing partner’s focal person
• Develop FRC’s project component (GBV and vulnerable groups) implementation strategy, systems, approaches, tools, and materials in cooperation with the FRC technical officer and the project partner
• Contribute to, and coordinate the gender safety assessment in the project woredas
• Oversee and manage the implementation of the project ensuring that required technical quality and standards are considered and respected during project implementation
• Follow up on the work plans and day-to-day activities of the project staff
• Plan team movements based on available fleet and applicable policies
• Organize regular project coordination meetings with the project and partner team to ensure all project activities are well implemented
• Regularly update the FRC Program Manager and Country office team of the progress and any changes/challenges
• Ensure financial reporting standards are followed
• Contribute to the development of procurement plans
• Ensure proper management and use of the project assets and stocks
• Ensure overall awareness of, and respect for, FRC’s Code of Conduct
• Act as FRC’s security focal point for the project and area; contributing to FRC security guidelines, participating in relevant security update meetings, and reporting any security related issues regularly to line manager and in coordination with project partner team
• Ensure that all contact with beneficiaries is conducted in a sensitive and respectful manner at all times
• Ensure the Complaints and Response mechanism is in place, known to Beneficiaries and is functional
• Prepare (internal) narrative reports and contribute to the development of financial reports through regular budgetary follow-up
• Contribute to drafting of (external) project progress reports, ensuring the quality and accuracy of technical information provided for donor reporting

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting 30%

• Ensure project implementation is on time, target, and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts
• Frequently review the budget versus expenditure, and provide accurate forecasts for monthly/quarterly cash requirements of the project with the support of Project Manager and Finance
• Ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with relevant FRC technical guidelines and standards
• Regularly review and update the project risk matrix together with the project partner and FRC Program Manager
• Produce periodic reports and prepare quality monthly and periodic project progress reports, as well as the final report, and feed in other information as required by donors
• Ensure lessons learned are documented, shared, and reflected in project planning and decision-making
• Collect replicable good practices, including pictures to be used in another programming
• Regularly update the work plan, and other documents relevant for effective project management
• Closely follow up on the project work plan of the partner team and make sure all activities are aligned with the donor requirement
• Undertake regular field visits to provide technical guidance and supervision as well as regularly monitor the progress of project activities
• Partner Management and Networking 20%
• Represent FRC in relevant Zonal and Woreda level meetings
• Coordinate and regularly liaise with all other relevant stakeholders in all stages of project implementation,
• Participate in relevant humanitarian clusters and working groups (Protection, GBV) and provide them with regular updates and required information on project progress
• Coordinate and collaborate with different stakeholders, other NGOs, and government agencies to guarantee a broader and more consistent reach of project activities
• Coordinate and collaborate with the project partner to ensure effective delivery of the project
• Arrange regular monitoring meetings with project partner, capture key issues log and follow up its implementation

Other related duties directed by immediate supervisor as required

Duration: Start as soon as possible, end 31^st March 2023 with a possibility of extension based on further funding and performance

Category: Humanitarian/Development sector

Reports to: Program Manager

Professional Standards

FRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the FRC Code of Conduct.

Education

• Relevant Bachelor’s or higher degree in Sociology, Gender and development, social work, Law, or human rights with relevant humanitarian work experience (Protection, GBV, multi-sectoral projects, etc.)

Work Experience

• At least 6 years of demonstrable experience in project management/coordination, preferably 2 years of relevant experience in managing humanitarian projects with a multi-sectoral approach
• Previous experience with INGOs and proven familiarity in financial management, monitoring, and evaluation
• Demonstrable experience in leading on conceptualizing and testing new approaches/ innovative ideas to ensure the project activities are continued under a challenging situation
• Knowledge of context and experience in Amhara regional state preferred

Competencies

• Excellent organizational skills, timeliness, ability to determine priorities, and great attention to detail
• Familiarity with program design, including log frames, budgeting, and grants/report writing
• Experience working with community groups in humanitarian, post-conflict, and/or recovery development contexts
• Ability to work well in a team and train other staff and demonstrated experience efficiently managing a team.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills, takes initiative
• Skilled at conducting assessments, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated skills, experience, and knowledge of community development and working in partnership with other organizations.
• Commitment to and understanding of FRC’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Excellent computer skills in MS office applications.
•  Ensure a positive working environment and good team and partner dynamics