COLOMBIA – Program Coordinator At COOPI – International Cooperation

Leave a Comment / Colombia / By

COOP

COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is an independent, secular Italian humanitarian organization that fights all forms of poverty to improve the world. Founded in 1965, COOPI is now present in 33 countries across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East, with both emergency and development projects carried out by expatriate staff—an average of over 270 people per year—and local staff. Its main institutional funders are the European Union (ECHO and INTPA), UN agencies, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), local authorities, and other European governments.

Description of COOPI in the country

Since 1999, COOPI has been present in Colombia, supporting communities affected by armed conflict and natural disasters. Currently, as part of its work, COOPI, together with its partner organizations UNAD (National Open and Distance University) and Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), is a beneficiary of a project within the Amazonia+ Program , funded by the European Union and implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), FIAP (Spanish Cooperation), and Expertise France (EF). This project, “Living Amazon: Regional Articulation for the Conservation and Protection of its Landscapes and Ecosystems ,” focuses on preventing deforestation, environmental degradation, and forest fires. The project is being implemented in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, with some activities to be carried out remotely in Venezuela and Brazil. The project is coordinated from Colombia. The intervention is implemented in collaboration with national and local actors through capacity building, interregional dialogue, scientific research and pilot projects in strategic landscapes of the Amazon.

Furthermore, as part of its activities, COOPI, together with FADV and partners HIAS and HI, has formed the URABÁ-PAÍS consortium within the framework of the project: “ URABÁ-PAÍS Project : Protection, Humanitarian Assistance, and Socioeconomic Integration for Migrants, Refugees, and Victims of the Conflict in the Department of Antioquia, Colombia,” funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). The project is being implemented in the Urabá region of Antioquia, specifically in the municipalities of Necoclí, Turbo, and Apartadó. The project aims to contribute to improving the living conditions of the transient population and local communities affected by the internal armed conflict, strengthening social cohesion and peaceful coexistence in the border territories of the Gulf of Urabá, Colombia. The main results include: i) the distribution of humanitarian assistance, ii) the provision of basic health services, and iii) The development of actions that strengthen the social and economic cohesion of communities.

Over the years, COOPI has worked in key sectors such as protection (GBV, child protection, human trafficking), WASH, disaster risk reduction and livelihoods, participating in humanitarian coordination spaces in all countries of interest.

Job description

To carry out its work in the country, COOPI is seeking a Country Program Coordinator responsible for leading the planning, implementation, and technical supervision of projects, ensuring program quality, achievement of results, and adherence to organizational and donor standards. The Country Program Coordinator will also coordinate the implementation of monitoring, evaluation, learning, and accountability (MEAL) systems to strengthen evidence-based management and the impact of interventions. Additionally, the Country Program Coordinator will contribute to program development by identifying funding opportunities and formulating project proposals.

Areas of responsibility

Programmatic development and resource mobilization

  • Lead the technical and operational management of the programs, ensuring proper coordination between the actors involved and compliance with the policies, procedures and standards of the organization and the donors.
  • Contribute to the strategic development of the mission’s programmatic portfolio by identifying funding opportunities and analyzing the humanitarian and development context.
  • Support the formulation and drafting of project proposals in coordination with the Country Coordination and relevant technical areas.
  • Contribute to strengthening alliances with local partners, organizations and potential donors to promote the sustainability and expansion of interventions.
  • Oversee the adaptation and development of technical materials (protocols, policies, guidelines, operating standards and training materials) aimed at project staff, local partners and target groups of the interventions.
  • Strengthen the technical capacities of partners and local teams through training processes, technical support and continuous and effective communication.
  • Coordinate with the mission’s logistics and administrative areas to ensure the proper planning and management of the operational resources needed for the implementation of the activities.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Accountability (MEAL)

  • Ensure continuous monitoring of activities and progress towards the expected results in ongoing programs, identifying any gaps and proposing the necessary adjustments or corrective measures to improve project implementation.
  • Coordinate the adaptation, implementation and use of the monitoring, evaluation, learning and accountability (MEAL) tools of the projects, ensuring their application in accordance with the organization’s internal procedures and the requirements of the donors.
  • Coordinate the programmatic monitoring and accountability processes of the programs, including the preparation and review of interim and final reports addressed to the coordination and the funding entities.
  • Supervise the correct systematization and filing of technical documentation related to the execution of interventions, including the means of verification generated (attendance lists, minutes, reports, photographic material, technical documents, among others).

Institutional coordination and representation

  • Participate in the selection, induction and coordination processes of project teams, promoting effective and collaborative team management.
  • Coordinate relations with local authorities, communities and other humanitarian and development actors (NGOs, agencies, donors, among others) present in the country.
  • Represent COOPI at coordination meetings, institutional visits and relevant events, as requested by the Country Coordination and in accordance with the operational context.
  • Participate in cluster meetings and sectoral coordination spaces (Protection, GBV, NNA or others), as agreed with the Country Coordination.
  • Perform those tasks inherent to the position and that are requested by the country coordination according to the context and needs of the intervention.

Desired Profile

  1. Essential requirements 41 points
  • University degree in Political Science, International Cooperation, International Relations, Social Sciences, or related fields. Up to 9 points
  • Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in international cooperation, humanitarian action and/or development programs, with responsibilities in project management or coordination. Up to 8 points
  • Experience in monitoring, evaluation, learning, and accountability (MEAL), as well as in project identification, formulation, and design. Up to 7 points
  • Experience in managing and/or coordinating work teams, preferably in international cooperation contexts. Up to 4 points
  • Experience in supervising the implementation of international cooperation projects and preparing reports for donors, particularly AICS, EU, ECHO, and the United Nations. Up to 7 points
  • Specific experience in COOPI’s areas of intervention in the country: humanitarian assistance, health, socioeconomic integration, environment, development, gender-based violence, peacebuilding, and cooperatives. Up to 3 points
  • Knowledge of the English language. Up to 3 points

Desirable Requirements 7 points

  • Other qualifications obtained in the field of international cooperation. Up to 5 points
  • Knowledge of Italian is desirable. Up to 2 points

Relevant skills

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
    • Sense of organization and teamwork, flexibility.
      • Ability to work independently and in an often uncomfortable environment.
      • Respect for COOPI’s values/mission.
      • Excellent command of the Spanish language.
      • Excellent knowledge of humanitarian standards.

Areas of intervention and workplace

The professional will be based in the Bogotá, Colombia office, with availability for frequent travel to intervention areas within Colombia. Missions to other countries where regional projects coordinated from Bogotá are being implemented may also be anticipated.

CONTRACT DURATION AND CONDITIONS

Contract: fixed-term employment contract in accordance with Colombian legislation – full time.

Salary: COP 8,500,000 (monthly), plus legally mandated benefits (bonus, severance pay, interest on severance pay, vacation pay), and enrollment in a family compensation fund. The legally required 8% deductions (employee contribution to EPS and Pension) will be made from the salary.

Duration: 12 months

Immediate availability.

Availability to travel within and outside the national territory.

The organization reserves the right to close the selection process before the established deadline.

How to apply

Those interested in participating should send their application electronically to seleccion.colombia@coopi.org:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume and academic and work-related supporting documents
  • Two professional references (phone and email). Please specify name, surname, and type of employment relationship: direct supervisor, human resources manager, colleague, consultant.

* Please write in the subject line of the email: NAME and SURNAME, COORD PROGR COOPI.

The deadline for applications is March 13, 2026. Any application received after 11:59 PM on this date will not be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted/responded to.

*Applications that do not include the aforementioned requirements will not be considered in the selection process