General Coordinator At Doctors of the World – Switzerland

CONTEXT

Doctors of the World Switzerland (MdM) has been present in Cameroon since 2013. We currently implement two projects there: one to strengthen maternal, neonatal, and child healthcare in the Northwest Region, and another to prevent and address gender-based violence in the West and Northwest Regions. MdM Switzerland aims for measured growth in the coming years. New projects are under development in the West and Northwest Regions, as well as in the Central Region (Yaoundé). MdM Switzerland has a coordination office in Yaoundé and three project offices in Bamenda, Bafoussam, and Mbouda. In total, MdM Switzerland currently employs 13 people in Cameroon.

YOUR POSITION WITHIN THE STRUCTURE

You report to the Head of International Programs at the organization’s headquarters and have functional links with various people responsible for cross-functional monitoring and providing support for the program in Cameroon (Program Support Manager, thematic referents, security referent, person in charge of communication, etc.)
In a collaborative and inspiring spirit, you will supervise and energize the current MdM Switzerland team in Cameroon, namely:

You will be the main point of contact for Doctors of the World Switzerland in Cameroon. We expect you to develop a clear and nuanced understanding of the socio-political context, the work challenges, relevant partnership relationships, and a strategic vision for our activities, while also contributing to the search for local funding.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AND MAIN ACTIVITIES

Coordination, team management and human resources management

Recruit, train, support and supervise the field team
Ensure the implementation of staff briefings and debriefings (context, security, programs, etc.)
Ensure team coordination while facilitating communication within the team and leading weekly meetings.
To ensure human resources management, in accordance with labor regulations and standards in force in the country.
Supervise the process of renewing visas, mission orders, work permits for international staff if necessary and the legal procedures necessary for the employment of field teams.
Manage any internal conflicts that may arise.

Strategic planning, management, supervision and monitoring of the program

Initiate, stimulate and facilitate the different phases of the MdM program’s project cycle:
Conduct a continuous analysis of the socio-political and health context, coordinate the analysis of the needs and evolution of the various key actors and work issues in order to reorient programs according to the evolution of the context.
Coordinate the implementation of MdM Switzerland’s country strategy and analyze opportunities for projection/improvement
Develop, in collaboration with field teams and headquarters, the various programs and projects in accordance with the strategic framework
To promote and coordinate exploratory missions with a view to opening new projects.
Establish, supervise and strengthen partnership relationships for the development of the country strategy and programs, through partnership agreements and their amendments for the implementation of approved projects, planning and evaluation workshops.
Manage, supervise and support project coordinators in planning and managing their priorities/activities.
Coordinate the monitoring of program(s) using standard monitoring tools
To promote the capitalization of acquired experiences and to be a driving force in strengthening and reorienting strategic and programmatic approaches
Manage the drafting of project reports (narrative and budgetary) for the attention of authorities, partners and funders.
Contribute to the development of the terms of reference for all internal and external missions (headquarters monitoring mission / local consultancies etc.) in the field and support these missions.
Prepare quarterly and annual reports to be sent to headquarters.

Financial, administrative and logistical management

Oversee the development of annual budgets and associated budget narratives.
Formalize the country’s reference budget (Oct-Nov) and the annual review of project budgets (June).
Monitor the budgets of the program(s)
Manage the accounting and financial monitoring of the program in compliance with MdM Switzerland’s internal procedures.
Supervise and support the administrative and financial coordinator for supply requests and all banking operations of the program based on expenditure forecasts, budget and funding.
Validate logistical needs and ensure the correct application of relevant procedures.
Manage the administrative and legal procedures necessary for the mission and programs in accordance with the legal framework in Cameroon.
Secure the services of a competent lawyer for all necessary advice and validation.
Ensure the renewal of the complete procedures for the recognition of MdM Switzerland by the country’s authorities.
Ensure the security management of teams and the program (implementation and updating of the security manual, continuous geopolitical monitoring, supervision of the implementation of security management procedures, socialization of security documents, training of field teams when necessary).

Representation and coordination with national and international authorities, partners, humanitarian actors, the MDM delegation network and local donor offices

Ensure coordination and information sharing with key stakeholders such as: humanitarian/development actors, international agencies, clusters, embassies operating in the same areas and participate in general or sectoral coordination meetings.
Develop interactions with the MdM network in the country and ensure the consistency of strategic and security approaches in the country and the sharing of information.
Represent MdM to regional and national authorities.
To liaise with the authorities involved in the projects.
Maintain close and regular links with civil society partners involved in programs and advocacy activities.
Represent MdM Switzerland to current donors and develop local and international fundraising efforts.
Ensure a level of visibility of the program in the country consistent with the mission, vision and values of MDM Switzerland, and the institutional strategy.
To ensure contextual and health monitoring in order to be able to respond to any specific requests in terms of humanitarian aid or testimony / advocacy.

Communication and advocacy

Encourage the program’s communication and advocacy activities in conjunction with headquarters
Participate in the development of a medium-term advocacy strategy.
Represent MdM Switzerland on the ground to the media and other communication partners in coordination with headquarters.

YOUR PROFILE

Knowledge and know-how

Advanced training in project management / public health / social sciences / international relations.
Professional experience of at least 4 years in a similar position internationally, with management and financial management.
Proven experience in project/programme cycle management in development cooperation (planning, monitoring, evaluation).
Proven experience in security management in multi-risk contexts.
Ability to perform nuanced political analyses in a complex context.
Diplomacy, clear political neutrality and tact in inter-institutional and community relations.
Flexibility and proactivity in the face of a changing context.
Flexibility on working conditions (field visits, sometimes 4 to 5 days in a row).
Ability to work independently, flexibly, and adapt to change.
Ability to take initiative, oriented towards finding solutions.
Spoken and written French and English are essential.
Organizational skills, great rigor and ability to prioritize.
Willingness to commit over time (minimum 3 years preferred).
Proficiency in computer tools (MS Office). Knowledge of SAGA accounting software is an asset.

Interpersonal skills

Leadership and kindness.
Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.
Autonomy and proactivity.
Stress resistance and organizational skills.
Good stress and frustration management.
Ability to question oneself.
Flexibility.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Work location: Yaoundé

Expatriate position. Single status.

Gross monthly salary according to salary scale: from CHF 3,500 to CHF 3,960 (depending on experience). Equivalent to a 13th-month bonus paid in two installments. 6 weeks of paid vacation per year.

Individual accommodation fully covered including charges ( Eurocost base ceiling) .
Installation package of CHF 2,000.-, pre-financing of lease and advance for the deposit.
Transportation (home to mission), visas, and pre-departure vaccinations are covered.
Medical expenses & loss of earnings insurance 100% covered by the employer for the employee according to the provisions of the regulations.
Loss of earnings insurance covered by the employer for the employee.
Employee benefits insurance is covered 70% by the employer and 30% by the employee.

The organization has a strict policy regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. By applying, you commit to ensuring conduct consistent with the organization’s values.

As part of our efforts to combat terrorist financing and money laundering, all selected candidates may be subject to background checks against international exclusion lists (United Nations, European Union, France, United States, Switzerland, etc.). This information is treated confidentially and archived on a secure server.

How to apply

Only applications that match the desired profile will be considered and will receive a written response. We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your participation.

We look forward to receiving your complete application (CV, cover letter, copies of diplomas, and contact information for three references, including at least one supervisor) at: rh@medecinsdumonde.ch, mentioning Genco CM

MdM reserves the right to process applications in the order they are received.

Start date: immediately or by arrangement