Emergency Coordinator – Burkina Faso At Concern Worldwide

About the role:

The primary role of the Emergency Coordinator is to manage the programme and operations in the region. This is a 24 month contract. The position holder will have the core role of supporting the team to implement timely emergency projects and establish Concern’s presence according to established systems and procedures; and according to the Strategy of Concern Worldwide in Burkina Faso.

Grade: Location

Grade 4 and based in Koupéla. Please not the job location may change as operations grow in country.

Reporting Line:

The Emergency Coordinator reports directly to the Programme Director (PD). Members of the team will report to the Emergency Coordinator on a day-to-day basis with support for technical specialisations provided by relevant technical specialists.

Job Purpose:

The overall scope of this position is to represent Concern Worldwide in the Centre-Est Region and potentially other regions as well, including to regional and local authorities, and other relevant stakeholders. S/he will lead and manage all day-to-day operations including project implementation, administration & HR, logistics & transport; and finance in the Centre-Est Region, ensuring compliance with Concern and donor policies and procedures. S/he is designated as the security focal point for the Centre-Est region. S/he will support existing projects and identify needs to develop new projects in the region and beyond as Concern establishes a national presence. Concern is committed to responding to emergencies efficiently and effectively in order to help affected people meet their basic needs, alleviate suffering and maintain their dignity. To this end, the Burkina Faso Programme is required to actively participate in responses, regardless of location and contribute to the efforts aimed at achieving the humanitarian objective of the organisation in a new country of operation. The Emergency Coordinator is responsible for:

Programme Operations:

• Establish and manage operations including office establishment, implementation of emergency projects and application of Concern Worldwide systems and procedures in the Centre-Est region.
• Facilitate team formation, actively demonstrate Concern’s values and culture, and mentor staff recruited for the newly established country programme.
• Coordinate programme-related activities in conjunction with the Programme Director, including assessments, feasibility studies; programme quality, ensuring community participation and collaboration, support and technical advice; development of new proposals.
• Monitor progress against agreed objectives.
• Monitor and support staff to manage expenditure and budgets and ensure resources are optimally utilised and that spending is in line with project budgets, Concern financial procedures and Donor requirements.
• Support staff in the elaboration of reports and other documentation and take responsibility for compiled drafts for onward submission and approval within the organisational lines of management, prior to external publication.
• Together with the Country Management Team, identify areas for extension of project locations, expansion of projects and the development of possible areas of new interventions according to the Country Strategic Plan; and current information available. Actively identify opportunities to expand Concern’s presence in the Centre-Est Region and in other Regions including the Est Region, however all under-served priority locations will be considered subject to capacity and funding availability; as Concern establishes a presence over the initial 3-year period.
• Support the aims of Concern in terms of accountability, including commitments of the organisation in relation to the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and Complaints Response Mechanism (CRM).
• Other relevant tasks that emerge in the course of programming.

Accountability

In line with Concern’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (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 Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM) is functional and accessible, that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed;
• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure that information about CRM, safeguarding and expected staff behaviour is disseminated among programme participants and communities.

People Management:

• Manage the relevant programme and support staff to create an environment conducive to an efficient and effective implementation of the set activities.
• Ensure that all positions have accurate job descriptions and that each member of the team fully understands outcomes that are expected of them by setting SMART objectives.
• Provide technical support and on-the-job training to staff, including a thorough induction at the start of their contract.
• Contribute to staff capacity building and career development, with the objective of developing the individuals and to create and support a strong national staff team.
• Monitor and review performance and hold staff accountable for meeting objectives in line with Concern’s performance management procedures.
• Ensure that all staff are aware of Concern’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and the resources available to them to support their mental health.Administration, Finance, Logistics and HR:
• Manage the programme office in Koupéla.
• Oversee day-to-day programme, and programme support functions (logistics, administration, Finance, HR and security) related to Centre-Est operations in line with Concern systems and procedures.
• Ensure and be responsible for compliance with Concern and donor systems and procedures among team members.
• Develop and implement appropriate reporting systems in accordance with agreed timelines in conjunction with relevant CMT members.

Security and Representation:

• Liaise with local authorities at regional and sub-regional levels and actively represent Concern at these levels, including summary points being sent to the CMT as soon as feasible following these meetings.
• Ensure compliance with legal and other requirements related to Concern’s operational presence in the Region including drafting conventions, memoranda of understanding, partnership agreements or framework agreements with local organisations, community representative groups or local authorities.
• Actively represent Concern in all relevant Cluster meetings at regional and sub-regional levels (note that the Centre-Est Region is a sub-cluster of the Est Region Cluster and travel to this region is expected) and ensure effective communication between team members, local government technical departments, other local authorities and other actors in operational areas.
• Ensure that all staff are aware of and adhere to the Security Management Plan (SMP).
• Ensure that a functional Security Focal Group (SFG) is established and meets as per the SMP protocols.
• Ensure compliance with Concern’s procedures regarding Security Incident Reports and the Tracker system.

Concern Code of Conduct and Associated Policies

• Ensure understanding of and adherence to the Concern Code of Conduct and its Associated Policies by all staff, leading by example.
• Contribute to and ensure that the Burkina Faso programme delivers on its accountability commitments.
• Promote an organization environment which is fair, open, protective and which fosters a learning culture.
• Ensure the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever acquired in the course of duty, relating to the practices and business of Concern Worldwide, to any other person or organisation without authority, except in normal execution of the above duties

Skills and experience required:

Essential

• Minimum of three years proven, operational and management experience in a similar humanitarian context with an international NGO, preferably in Francophone Africa and with Concern Worldwide.
• Fluency in French and basic communication skills in English (written and spoken)
• Experience of managing diverse teams composed of national and international staff in complex environments, including managing interventions in conflict contexts.
• Experience managing humanitarian interventions (health, nutrition, shelter and/or cash), programme/project design and development, personnel and budget management, grant management and reporting.
• Ability to work on own initiative and adopt an operational approach to produce results.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines and to deliver results in an environment with multiple competing priorities.
• Good Communication and negotiation skills with cross cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Willingness to travel frequently within the programme area and to other areas as relevant or required.

Desirable

• Flexible and adaptable to a changing environment.
• Previous experience in Burkina Faso or the Sahel Region.
• Ability to speak and work in English.