Country Representative Burundi/Gabon At Libraries Without Borders

ABOUT BSF

Created in 2007 by historian Patrick Weil, Libraries Without Borders strengthens the power to act of vulnerable populations by facilitating their access to information, education and culture. The association deploys its inclusive and innovative projects in around thirty countries around the world to enable people affected by crises and precariousness to educate themselves, have fun and (re)build their future. Thanks to its innovative tools, its content library and its expertise in mediation, BSF and its partners are tackling the major challenges of the 21st century such as education, reading and culture, citizenship and social cohesion, health or even employment and entrepreneurship.

At BSF, recruitment decisions are made on the basis of the skills and qualities of candidates with regard to the needs of the association as part of a respectful and inclusive process. BSF recruits and employs people regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, cultural or ethnic background or disability.

POSITION CONTEXT

After 17 years of action, Bibliothèques Sans Frontières is making a change of scale to respond to the emergency: our objective is to triple our operational volume by 2030, to transform the lives of 3 million people thanks to our projects. Libraries Without Borders also aims to become a key player in the invention and dissemination on a global scale of effective educational and social policy instruments, at a time when the latter have never been more necessary.

One of the key elements of this strategy is based on strengthening the presence and action of Bibliothèques Sans Frontières as close as possible to its beneficiaries and partners. BSF is well established in Burundi with a country office in Bujumbura and a presence throughout the country. In Gabon, a project is being implemented and managed by teams from Burundi. In this context, Bibliothèques Sans Frontières is recruiting a Burundi/Gabon Country Representative based in Bujumbura, Burundi. Its main mission will be to support the development of the association’s activities and to supervise the implementation of operations in both countries.

MAIN MISSIONS

Within the operations department**, the Burundi/Gabon Country Representative ensures the development of fundraising, partnerships, and the influence of BSF in its geographical area of operation.** He.she also establishes the local partnerships necessary for the establishment of BSF in the field and the conduct of its operations. He/she supervises the implementation of operations in the countries of intervention. Depending on the development of programs in the area, he or she may be required to manage “remote” projects (distance without personnel in the field). To date, Burundi represents approximately 90% of the operational volume to be managed by the Country Representative.

1/ Analysis of the context and development of the development strategy, fundraising and monitoring of partnerships

Analyze the context, issues and needs in relation to BSF’s mandate and overall strategy; analyze the humanitarian response and public educational and social policies in the region and map the actors present.
Develop and/or validate thematic, geographic and partnership intervention strategies consistent with the mandate, vision and financial capacities of the organization, in consultation with operations management and general management.
Participate in contact and negotiation meetings with potential financial and operational partners.
Supervise or develop the response to donor calls for projects with the support of program teams.
Support the updating of compliance and accountability procedures and ensure compliance with these procedures in the context of grant monitoring.
Develop the BSF network in the region, by establishing links with organizations and institutions and by bringing together leading figures, friends and supporters of the NGO.

2/ Operations management

Guarantee the quality of operations in the countries of intervention.
Guarantee good budgetary management of implemented projects as well as budgetary planning and monitoring of the country office.
Ensure the reporting and dissemination of information relating to operations at headquarters and vice versa from headquarters to the region.
Participate in cross-functional projects led by operations management, aimed at strengthening and modeling the expected quality standards according to identified needs.
Validate financial partner reports
Actively contribute to the strengthening and be guarantor of procedures/processes both for programs and in conjunction with other departments (logistics, finance, HR, etc.) with a view to compliance with donor requirements

3/ Security

Supervise risk analysis and monitoring of security contexts.
Supervise the development, review and application of mission security plans in coordination with headquarters.
Participate in the crisis management unit in the event of a security incident.
Ensure proper compliance with security plans and rules within the mission.

4/ Management

Ensure the management of coordinators (AFL, technical, programs)
Establish a management framework for the entire BSF Burundi team, provide support to the teams with a view to capacity building
Ensure the implementation of good human resources management practices

QUALITIES AND SKILLS DESIRED

Training and experience:

Holder of a bac+5 level diploma, you have significant international professional experience in a senior position involving high-level representation with international networks, institutional donors and private financiers. You have a good understanding of the associative environment and international cooperation.

With great leadership and significant experience in lobbying , you have a proven ability to raise funding, drive change, and generate support for innovative projects. Recognized for your skills in organizational transformation and internal structuring, you have experience in setting up standards and mobilizing human, financial, logistical and technical resources.

Agile and with a great capacity for work , you have mastered English at a professional level as well as the office pack and digital tools. Your relational, communication and writing skills are recognized, as well as your team spirit and your good humor. You have a great sense of responsibility, are reliable and rigorous with a great capacity for organization and management of stress and priorities.

Specific skills and qualities:

Excellent writing and synthesis skills
In-depth knowledge of African public institutions, the private sector as well as institutional donors and their financing mechanisms
Mastery of the project cycle
Administrative and financial project management/monitoring and contract management
Ability to work in sensitive and complex political and security contexts and in a multicultural environment
Excellent listening, negotiation and communication skills
Respect for BSF values and principles
Mobility in the field essential.
Perfect command of French and English.

RECRUITMENT CONDITIONS

Type of contract : Expatriate CDDU – Executive Status with Day Package.
Duration of contract : 12 months renewable depending on funding
Start date: May 15, 2024
Gross monthly salary : Between €3,000 and €3,800, depending on profile and experience
Expatriate contract advantages:
Allowance for living expenses equivalent to €681 per full month worked, paid in local currency
Housing allowance (amount defined according to family composition)
Social protection system adapted to expatriation (CFE, complementary health, insurance, repatriation assistance and civil liability)
1 annual return plane ticket (contractual address-country of expatriation) for paid leave for any contract of at least 12 months.
Acquisition of 2.5 working days of paid leave per month; acquisition of 1.17 working days of RTT per month (in 2024).
Place of work: Bujumbura, BSF Office in Burundi
Position context: Supported position.