Please note fluency in both Spanish and English is required for this position.
Background:
In the past five years, the populations of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala (often referred to as the countries of North of Central America, NCA) have been affected by devastating violence, extreme weather (torrential rains and flooding followed by months-long drought) and other natural disasters. The number of displaced people has been growing exponentially and every year hundreds of thousands become internally displaced, or flee their country trying to make their way to the US or Mexico and often get stuck in between or are sent back to their country, where they face additional challenges. From 2018 on, Mexico has de facto become a country of refuge, accommodating significant numbers of vulnerable NCA migrants and refugees, despite being self-declared as a non-safe third country. The increasing restrictions to accessing asylum in the United States have led to a vast increase of asylum applications in Mexico. NRC has been responding to mounting internal and external displacement in this sub-region since 2015, focusing on the protection crisis, but also integrating education, shelter, and WASH interventions and recently launching the new sector of livelihoods and food security. NRC is currently expanding and strengthening its presence and operations in NCA and Mexico.
Role and responsibilities
The purpose of the Area Manager position is to ensure high quality and cost-effective programme/ project implementation within the designated geographical area. The following is a brief description of the role.
Generic responsibilities
- Line management of senior project staff and support functions in the area.
- Member of the Country Management Group (CMG).
- Compliance with and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures.
- Provide area specific input on CC strategies, Country Strategy, Balance Score Card, and Emergency Preparedness Plan.
- In collaboration with the Programme Support Unit, organize Project Cycle Management events at area level.
- Implementation of projects (including master support budget and coordinating input for donor proposals and reports) in the area, in compliance with contractual commitments (i.e. quality, synergies, timeliness, use of resources) and aligned to regional and global strategies.
- Assess needs, develop emergency response and implement response plans, including cash-based interventions and market based programmes.
- Ensure optimal use of resources within the allocated project budgets and CC strategies.
- Represent NRC and networking on area level.
- Ensure that capacity building is provided to all staff in the area.
- Ensure overall security and safety of staff in the area.
- Promote the rights of the displaced and of vulnerable migrants in line with the advocacy strategy.
Specific responsibilities
- Closely collaborate with the Country Director and the rest of the CMG to ensure NCA&M has the most efficient structure to account for changes in volume and adapt to contextual developments.
- Support the transition to right-size support structures in line with NRC CO-OP by reorganizing both support and programme teams reporting lines in NCA.
- Focus on programme implementation priorities in Honduras and El Salvador, aiming to ensure full and timely completion of project commitments in respect of policies and procedures.
- Provide effective leadership to the Area team: organise regular Area Management Team meetings to ensure flow of information between the area and the country office; participate in programme meetings; ensure performance management of direct reports.
- Contribute to the active and strategic role of NRC in humanitarian coordination mechanisms at area level.
- Support the development of concept notes, project proposals, and budget development.
- Provide regular input to advocacy initiatives.
- Accountable for safe programming at area level in line with NRC Protection Policy and guidelines.
- Support the planning and implementation of protection-sensitive risk and needs assessments.
- Ensure work plans are developed by all staff members in the area of operations and performance feedback sessions conducted on a quarterly basis;
- Ensure NRC’s data collection systems are in place and information is properly stored and analysed.
- Deputise for the CD when appointed.
Skills, knowledge and experience
- Minimum 3 years of experience from working as a Senior Project Manager in a humanitarian/recovery context.
- Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts.
- Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.
- Experience in implementing and managing cash-based interventions and market based programmes.
- Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile.
- Fluency in Spanish and English, both written and verbal.
- Knowledge of the humanitarian and protection context in NCA.
- Knowledge of donor landscape, priorities and conditions.
- Experience of working in integrated programmes.
- Experience with start-up.
Please donwload the Job Description here
What we offer:
- Type of contract:** 18 months contract
- Salary/benefits: According to NRC salary scale, terms and conditions
- Duty station:** Tegucigalpa, Honduras
- Travel:** 40% across countries of operation
NRC might review applications before advert deadline, therefore interested candidates are encouraged to apply early
Please note fluency in both Spanish and English is required for this position