Zone Coordinator – Central African Republic At Concern Worldwide

About the role: This is a 12-month, unaccompanied replacement position, based in Mobaye, in the Basse-Kotto prefecture, in CAR, at grade 4, with a salary of 44,133 to 49,038 euros .

You will report to the Country Director and will be responsible for the representation and overall management of programs in Ouaka and Basse-Kotto in the Central African Republic. As a zone coordinator, you will be responsible for ensuring the overall quality of the program in the zone, representing the organization in various forums, managing program managers, monitoring and assessment, the base manager and ensure that the appropriate Community Response Mechanism (CRM) and security protocols are in place.

Your objective: to provide quality leadership and guarantee efficient and professional management of Concern programs in the prefectures of Ouaka and Basse-Kotto. This includes overseeing program strategy, budget and implementation, and ensuring that administration, human resources, finance and logistics can effectively support programs in a complex humanitarian situation. As Area Coordinator, you will be responsible for managing security, ensuring staff adhere to security management protocols. You will be expected to respond positively and constructively to a rapidly changing operational environment, including efforts to design and develop new programs to maintain Concern’s presence in Ouaka and Basse-Kotto prefectures.

You will be responsible for:

Program implementation

• Oversee and ensure quality implementation of all programs in line with Concern strategy, sector-wide approaches (including WASH and FSL), internal policies and procedures, recognized best practices, and the Core Humanitarian Standard (Concern Worldwide is Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) certified.
• Ensure the implementation of all projects and programs in accordance with budgets, work plans, results and monitoring frameworks, procurement plans, etc.
• Ensure that the potential of logistical, financial and human resources is optimized, in accordance with Concern values, standards and policies.
• In liaison with the Monitoring & Evaluation Manager, ensure that an effective M&E system is in place and operating throughout the project cycle and regularly informed through internal and external reports.
• Oversee and support all field assessments and surveys ensuring they comply with the Concern Program Quality Guide and widely accepted standards.
• Ensure community participation in planning and implementation of programming through appropriate mechanisms.
• Ensure maximum integration of food security and livelihoods, WASH program and other relevant sectors, in collaboration with program managers.
• Ensure that Concern Worldwide local partner activities comply with implementation agreements, accountability best practices, and program participant protection policies.
• Contribute to the identification of new local partners in the implementation of programs.
• Supervise the development of quality project monitoring reports in collaboration with project managers and Bangui Program coordination
• Contribute to the development and presentation of concept notes and project proposals in collaboration with the program director
• Participate in quarterly and annual program reviews
• Liaise with Country Management and inform them regularly about programs and the context.
• Raise difficulties facing the base and participate in the formulation of proposals to help achieve mission objectives.

Financial management

• Overall responsibility for the integrity of financial systems at Kouango and ensuring strict adherence to Concern’s financial policy and procedures.
• In collaboration with program managers and the base manager, ensure that monthly cash flow forecasts are accurate and submitted on time to the finance department.
• Working closely with Program Managers and Base Manager, monitor monthly expenditure of all program budgets and compliance with Concern financial management guidelines
• Advise the management team and the finance department of any discrepancies and recommend a solution.

Human Resource Management

• Lead, manage and motivate the team ensuring that directly managed staff have clear objectives, work plans and receive meaningful and regular feedback on their performance as well as the identification of professional development opportunities; ensure the same is done for the entire team in the area.
• Participate in the recruitment of national staff, including the development of job descriptions, and liaise with HR to support the recruitment or renewal/end of contracts process.
• Strengthen and develop programmatic, managerial and operational skills of staff through workplace mentoring and coaching, feedback mechanisms, and ensuring their participation in relevant training.
• Handle and mitigate staff complaints and conflicts in coordination with the HR Manager and, if necessary, with relevant HR team members.
• Ensure that all policies and guidelines relating to accountability and protection of program participants are well known and respected by staff and local partners (code of conduct and associated policies, equality, anti-fraud policy and accountability standards, etc.)

Logistics/Administrative management

• In coordination with the Base Manager, oversee the timely planning and implementation of procurement procedures, based on program needs, and ensure that all programs/projects adhere to procurement plans. markets
• In collaboration with the Base Manager, ensure that assets and inventories are maintained and updated and that internal controls are in place and respected, including spot checks.
• Supervise the implementation of the health and safety policy in the office for all staff and in the residential area for international staff, ensuring optimal working and/or living conditions taking into account the context.

Security management

• Act as Security Focal Point (SFP) for the area and ensure that the local Security Focal Group is operating effectively.
• Ensure that team and visitors understand and adhere to the Concern Worldwide Security Management Plan (SMP) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Monitor the security situation and any security incidents in the program area, report to country management in a timely manner and ensure appropriate follow-up.
• Undertake security assessments where necessary, including field visits and engagement with parties to the conflict to ensure access where necessary.

Coordination, Networking and Representation

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders at the sub-prefecture level – including armed and civilian actors, community leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, community organizations, beneficiaries and others key stakeholders – to strengthen cooperation and coordination, maximize acceptance of Concern Worldwide, and minimize security concerns.
• Represent the organization during potential visits by donor agencies, national authorities, UN agencies, partners and other stakeholders.
• Participate in area coordination mechanisms.

Protection policies and complaints handling mechanism:

• Ensure the dissemination and full implementation of all aspects of Concern’s safeguarding policies (Code of Conduct, P4, Child Safeguarding Policy and Anti-Human Trafficking Policy) and report violations in accordance with reporting channels.
• Ensure that the principle of Do No Harm is respected, and that protection analyzes are conducted to inform program design and implementation.
• Lead the Complaint Response Mechanism (CRM) process for the area of ​​responsibility; including ensuring that CRM is in place in the community and local offices and that the CRM committee meets and reports monthly in accordance with agreed guidelines.
• Support the senior management team in investigations where necessary.

As a member of the Concern Worldwide RCA team:

• Support and take effective action, as required, to ensure the implementation of the national strategic plan as a member of the country management team.
• Establish and develop an effective working relationship with Concern staff in Bangui and other field sites to ensure teamwork and integration.
• Propose and implement progressive measures so that our programs and internal operations reduce inequalities, including gender inequalities
• Propose and implement measures to reduce the environmental impact of our programs and our internal operations
• As a member of the team, participate effectively in any Preparedness for Effective Emergency Response (PEER) process if deemed necessary. This may include deploying to respond to emergencies when needed.
• Support the Bangui coordination office and other program sectors in CAR whenever requested.
• Adhere to the Concern Program and other physical and financial resources policies, including, but not limited to, Safeguarding Policies and Anti-Fraud Policy.
• Undertake additional tasks as agreed with the CD.

Your skills and experience will include:

Essential:

• Relevant degree (international development or related discipline)
• At least five years of experience working in the humanitarian or development sector, including at least three years managing and coordinating field operations, preferably in the food security and livelihoods sectors, health and nutrition, or WASH in remote and fragile locations
• Proven ability to manage security in a conflict-affected and insecure environment
• Previous experience in the design, planning, monitoring and evaluation of projects in the field of development and in a humanitarian context
• Experience in relations with local authorities, national and international NGOs and United Nations agencies
• Experience and ability to lead a multi-sectoral program team comprised of international and national staff working in a remote location
• Knowledge of finance, logistics and administration
• Computer literacy and good knowledge of Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Excellent ability to communicate in French, both written and oral
• Empathy for Concern’s goals and commitment to capacity building, accountability, participation and gender equality
• Willingness to work and live in an isolated environment

Desirable:

• Master’s degree in development studies, rural development, WASH, public health, or any other development-related study
• Experience in promoting community participation in program design, implementation and evaluation
• Experience working in difficult and unsafe areas
• Fluency in English is an asset