BENIN – Coordinateur Support – H/F At La Chaîne de l’Espoir

DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSOCIATION

La Chaîne de l’Espoir is an international NGO founded in 1994. Its mission is to strengthen health systems to give everyone, and in particular children, the same chances of survival and development. We operate in 28 countries with a global approach, focused on the child but also on mothers and disadvantaged communities:

Prevention and screening from an early age, particularly within the framework of school health programs.
Care and surgery, to meet the most urgent needs of children and their mothers.
Training and skills transfer to local teams thanks to our international network of experts in all areas of surgery.
Construction and equipment of hospital structures adapted to local needs.

CONTEXT

La Chaîne de l’Espoir has been developing a “Surgical Care” program in Benin since 2010, with the aim of strengthening the autonomy and skills of the teams in the pediatric surgery departments of CHNU and CHUMEL and of helping vulnerable children requiring surgical treatment. This program was implemented by La Chaîne de l’Espoir teams based in Togo.

In 2023, La Chaîne de l’Espoir launched a new project in Benin, Phase 2 of the “Integrated program for prevention, awareness, capacity building and management of esophageal burns due to accidental ingestion of caustic soda in Benin and Ivory Coast”, also called “ISC/SCOE Project – phase II”, project co-financed by the French Development Agency.

Given the new scale of the project portfolio and the specific challenges of setting up a project co-financed by an institutional donor in Benin (new project and therefore close relationships to be had with institutional and operational partners, new associative partners implementation among others), La Chaîne de l’Espoir decided in 2023 to open an office with a dedicated team in Benin.

This position will have a sub-regional dimension with regard to the needs for support and monitoring of the actions of the Sténoses phase 2 project in Côte d’Ivoire and countries indirectly affected by the project.

POSITION AND MISSION

Under the supervision of the Head of Mission, the Support Coordinator will manage the Benin branch at the administrative, financial and HR levels. He will also supervise the management of purchasing and logistics and will provide support to guarantee the proper functioning of the Sténoses 2 project in Benin and Ivory Coast.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Accounting management and monitoring

Carry out accounting entries and monthly closings in accordance with Chaîne de l’Espoir procedures
Guarantee the proper traceability and eligibility of expenses La Chaîne de l’Espoir and partners
Guarantee the mission’s cash management (procurement, cash management, supplier payments and other disbursements)

Budget and financial monitoring

Guarantee the proper implementation of the budgetary management processes of La Chaîne de l’Espoir and partners (preparation of budgets, updating and regular monitoring, analysis)
Alert those concerned of financial risks and budgetary excesses
Support project partners in the implementation of good financial management practices (treasury, accounting, compliance/audit, budget monitoring)
Guarantee compliance with the rules and procedures of La Chaîne de l’Espoir and its funders

Administrative management

Contribute, in collaboration with the logistics manager, to the negotiation of contracts (purchases, rentals, etc.) in conjunction with the line manager
Propose contracts to the hierarchy and ensure that the logistics manager carries out administrative monitoring
Establish and update individual staff files, international and national, according to Beninese legislation and La Chaîne de l’Espoir procedures, including formalities related to recruitment
Alert about developments in external regulations which could have an impact on the activities or status of La Chaîne de l’Espoir in Benin
Write the administrative and financial part of the internal monthly report (with compilation of the logistics report) and submission to the manager
Supervise the archiving, physical and/or IT, according to La Chaîne de l’Espoir standards, of all administrative, financial and logistical documents of the office
Provide your manager with regular and updated information on progress and challenges encountered
Contribute to work relating to audits and other controls, internal or external, as well as to the implementation of accepted recommendations
Produce and consolidate quality reports and participate in the development of external reports (donors, authorities, etc.) based on data from the branch and partners

HR management and team management

Recruit, train and manage people in the administrative and financial department
Facilitate the steps necessary for the recruitment processes of Benin office teams
Facilitate the organization of the integration of new employees
Prepare and submit monthly pay slips, declarations of contributions, taxes and any other formality relating to staff remuneration, rights and taxes for validation by your manager
Carry out all administrative formalities relating to recruitment, hiring and management of employees
Provide coaching for your team, particularly the logistics manager
Organize regular team meetings

Support for partners

Provide advisory support to local partners on administrative, HR and financial aspects
Ensure compliance with partners’ contractual commitments, particularly in terms of cash flow requests and accounting reports.
Carry out partner audits every three months
Ensure regular meetings of the administrative teams of local partners

FORMATION ET EXPERIENCE

BAC + 4 minimum in Management Sciences, Financial or Accounting Management, or any other equivalent training
NGO field experience of at least 4 years in financial/administrative/HR coordinator positions

COMPETENCES ET APTITUDES

Very good command of French (oral + written)
Patience, flexibility and ability to adapt
Excellent organizational skills
Rigor, spirit of analysis and synthesis
Mastery of computer tools (Word, Excel, etc.)
Mastery of SAGA would be a plus
Available for regular travel
Sense of relationships and contact
Sense of teamwork
Knowledge of funding from institutional donors
Adherence to the humanitarian principles and code of ethics of La Chaîne de l’Espoir

CONDITIONS

9-month renewable CDDU as an expatriate
Full-time position, based in Cotonou
Desired start date: April 2024
Salary offered: from 2,300 euros (depending on profile and experience) + 720 euros per diem
50% coverage of individual accommodation by the organization
Support for 50% health coverage by the organization
R&R Policy