Area Coordinator – Liberia At Concern Worldwide

About the role:

This is a 24-month, unaccompanied contract based in Buchanan (Grand Bassa County), Liberia with a salary of €45,457 – €50,509 (Grade 4).

You will report to the Country Director (CD) and work in close collaboration with the Operations Director and Programme Director (PD). You will directly supervise the Logistics Manager, the Human Resource/Administration Officer and the Finance Officer. The Area Coordinator (AC) will lead a change management process transitioning to being directly responsible for the management of the Programme Managers over a twelve-month period.

We’d like you to start as soon as possible.

Your purpose:

This is an exciting new role in the Concern Liberia team that will drive on with greening the organisation and a transition to locally led development. The purpose of the AC is to ensure the implementation of high quality programmes in Grand Bassa and Rivercess Counties, Liberia, through the effective leadership and management of programme staff and ensuring that support functions are meeting the needs of the programme. As the Concern representative in the area, the AC will develop and maintain good relationships with peer NGOs, local authorities and communities in which Concern works.

You will be responsible for:

General Responsibilities:

• Represent and lead Concern’s operations in Grand Bass and Rivercess Counties, Liberia and oversee the management of the Buchanan Base and other sub bases in Grand Bassa and Rivercess counties.
• Lead a change management process transitioning to being directly responsible for the management of the Programme Managers over a twelve-month period. While supporting the programme teams to ensure agreed programme objectives are met in an efficient and timely manner according to Concern and donor policies and procedures.
• Supervise and manage the Logistics Manager, Human Resource Officer and Finance Officer to ensure that the functions of HR, logistics, finance and administration are supporting the needs of the programme and that programme staff understand and are following procedures and policies.
• Through leadership and management ensure that the highest standards of accountability and transparency are upheld within the organization and specifically within the programmes, safeguarding the reputation of Concern.
• Ensure that all Grand Bassa and Rivercess staff, national implementing partners and visitors are aware of and comply with Concern’s policies and procedures.

Programme Development and Implementation

Programme Quality:

• Oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Grand Bassa and Rivercess Programmes, including both Development and Emergency response programs in consultation and partnership with local stakeholders, ensuring programme is implemented in line with Concern policies, procedures and Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).
• Provide close support to Concern staff in the areas of operation in the satellite bases through regular visits and develop and implement robust monitoring plans, capacity building and other avenues of support.
• Liaise with other NGOs, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders for effective coordination, cooperation, communication and accountability to achieve mutual understanding and acceptance.
• Analysing and resolving issues that have the potential to jeopardise programme deliverables. Ensure that crosscutting themes including gender, accountability, equality, inclusiveness and diversity are integrated/mainstreamed in the programme in line with Concern policies and the specific Liberia country strategy.
• Guided by the PD and the Country Strategic Plan support the transition to working with Liberian NGOs and implementing with national implementing partners.
• Ensuring lessons learned are shared with relevant stakeholders.
• Ensuring How Concern Understands Extreme Poverty guidelines are integrated into all programmes.
• Updating the PD and briefing the Country Management Team on a regular basis.
• Providing regular reports, programme updates and work-plans to the PD.
• Ensuring regular multi-sectoral programme meetings to reinforce integration.

Security Management:

• Acting as Security Focal Point for Concern Liberia’s field office(s).
• Managing the security of Concern staff and assets, including monitoring and reporting on the security status, ensuring the Security Management Plan is fully implemented and all staff adhere to the security protocols;
• Conducting security briefings with all new staff and visitors to the field office(s).
• Managing the day-to-day activity of the external security firm/service provider for the field office(s) and staff accommodation.

Budget Management:

• Monitoring under and overspending in each programme budget and advising solutions.
• Coaching, mentoring and assisting budget holders to develop accurate budgets.
• Providing support with the development of accurate transport and administration budgets.
• Managing transport and administration expenditure and budget for the field office(s), ensuring resources are optimally utilised and spending is in line with Concern’s financial procedures and donor requirements.
• Report promptly any suspected and actual financial irregularities or fraud to the CD and participate in any investigations and other measures as needed and requested.

Administration Management:

• Overseeing the maintenance and running of Concern’s premises (office(s), stores and accommodation), ensuring that adequate supplies, personnel and support systems are in place while maintaining appropriate cleanliness and health & safety standards.
• Ensuring the lease agreements for all premises are correctly assessed, implemented, amended and managed.
• Managing the solar systems in Concern’s premises and overseeing sustainable waste management practices in all premises.

Transport, Procurement, Warehouse and Asset Management:

• Providing effective, efficient and sustainable fleet management, including the review and submission of monthly reports.
• Ensuring Concern and donor procurement procedures are understood and complied with by all relevant personnel, while applying an environment focus on the procedures.
• Ensuring supplier contracts are effectively managed and a clear and well-documented paper trail is in place.
• Ensuring that procurement is accurately tracked and kept up-to-date and that all programme teams develop realistic annual procurement plans.
• Ensuring that all procedures and controls are in place for warehouse management, including storage and movement of goods and programme materials.
• Conducting physical stock and inventory counts, when necessary; and ensuring all assets lists and inventories are properly recorded and maintained.
• Ensure that the correct process for issuing, transferring, maintaining and disposing of assets is followed.

Communication & IT Systems Support:

• Overseeing the management of IT systems and ensuring that IT and communication needs of all staff in Concern Liberia’s field office(s) are met.
• Ensuring that all staff understand and comply with Concern’s IT policies and procedures.

Networking and Coordination:

• Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with local authorities and organisations.
• Ensuring strong relationships, continual capacity building and monitoring of national implementing partners.
• Representing Concern Liberia at different inter-agency and coordination meetings with a variety of different stakeholders, in collaboration with other Concern staff.
• Organising monthly meetings between programme and operations staff to facilitate exchange between different departments on emerging issues and planning.
• Represent Concern to donors, clusters and other coordination fora in Grand Bassa and Rivercess County as required.

Staff Management:

• Identify project staff needs, in close collaboration with HR and line management, ensuring that job descriptions are developed, properly qualified staff are recruited, inducted and trained as per the needs of the programme and organisation and in accordance to Concern HR procedures.
• Lead a change management process with the Programme Team that will transition to line management of Programme Managers. Providing them with support and work with particular emphasis on capacity building of staff through mentoring, training, and ensuring all staff have up to date job descriptions and Performance Development Reviews (PDR) as per policy. Supporting all area staff to understand and complete their objectives
• Ensure that all staff are provided with the necessary support and advice to carry out their duties particularly as they relate to Health and Nutrition, WASH, Livelihood approaches, emergency preparedness and response.
• Assist with the recruitment of national staff and ensuring optimal leave planning for national staff.
• Provide capacity building and career development through on-the-job training and coaching.
• Ensure that team members are given appropriate workloads and are working efficiently while also ensuring appropriate segregations of duty for control purposes.
• Ensure that performance reviews are carried out in line with Concern’s performance management system.

Accountability

In line with Concern’s commitments under the CHS:

• actively promote meaningful community participation and consultation at all stages of the project cycle (planning, implementation, M&E);
• work with relevant colleagues to ensure that the Feedback Complaints and Response Mechanism (FCRM) is functional and accessible, that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed;
• work with relevant colleagues to ensure that information about FCRM, safeguarding and expected staff behaviour is disseminated among programme participants and communities.

Your skills and experience:

Essential:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field (Social Sciences, Business Administration, Human Resources, Supply Chain Management or a relevant profession);
• Excellent technical knowledge at international level with an International NGO in a combined programme and operations role;
• Management of diverse and multi-sectoral programmes
• Management of a diverse team of staff
• Strong management capability in terms of people/operations and financial management;
• Ability to develop operations to the standards required by donors;
• Ability to develop a strong network in country;
• Fluent English (written and spoken);
• Ability in team building and working in a participatory/integrated manner;
• Flexible, patient and adaptable to a changing environment and with sense of humility and humour;
• Ability to live and work in a close team environment;
• Prepared to work and live in a remote challenging environment.

Desirable:

• Knowledge/experience of Resilience approaches, Health and Nutrition programming, livelihood and WASH approaches
• Experience working in Liberia or West Africa;
• Knowledge of Concern policies and procedures;
• Experience of both development and emergency contexts.