Regional Program Coordinator – Central America At Lutheran World Federation

Regional Program Coordinator – Central America
(National Position)

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is a global communion of churches in the Lutheran tradition, founded in 1947. It has 149 member churches in 99 countries.

World Service (WS) is the development cooperation and humanitarian assistance arm of the Lutheran World Federation, which seeks to unite people of all backgrounds to achieve justice, peace and reconciliation in an increasingly complex and fragmented world. .

The Lutheran World Federation is a founding member of ACT-Alliance, a global coalition of 148 churches and related organizations around the world, whose goal is to bring about positive and sustainable change in the lives of poor and marginalized people regardless of their religion, political beliefs , gender, sexual orientation, race or nationality, in accordance with the most demanding international codes and standards.

The Central American Program of the LWF/SM began its work in the region in 1983, which is currently carried out in Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala, through the Jotay Joint Program.

The Central America Program works under the global strategy “So that they have hope and a future” in three strategic areas:

· Livelihood

· Quality services

· Protection and social cohesion

We are looking for a Regional Program Coordinator for Central America.

A) Job Description

Responsible for ensuring the development of the Regional Program, its coordination and implementation and exercising professional supervision of the technical/programmatic team.
It has a role of interrelation and collaboration with cooperation agencies in joint programs in the region, and other regional and international actors that allow new collaborations and partnerships with strategic allies in the region.
The Regional Program Coordinator is an active member of the Regional Management Team (RMT).
Provides advice to the Regional Representation on the program’s objectives and recommends new concepts and modalities. In turn, it receives advice on programmatic issues from the LWF Headquarters Office and, where appropriate, any regional or official thematic-based Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning program.
The Regional Program Coordinator has a comprehensive vision of the implementation of the program through various projects and programs in order to achieve the implementation of the strategy.
It is responsible for the effective integration of activities of the different projects with the strategic objectives of the program, engaging the regional and national teams in this; and, generating the positioning of the organization as an entity with reliable, qualified processes and high technical quality. Direct supervision involves daily leadership, evaluations, training planning, professional development, review of time sheets and plans, among others.
In addition, it is responsible for analyzing opportunities to strengthen the program through the development of strategic alliances with other relevant actors in the region such as academia, the public and private sectors, ecumenical actors and others in civil society.

B) Main Responsibilities

Program Coordination

Design, implement and supervise the strategic process of the regional program in its priority thematic areas, taking into account the implementation of the strategy through various programs and projects.
Establish strategic alliances with other regional actors that allow achieving the objectives of the Regional Program.
Develop good communication and cooperation practices with the main regional strategic allies defined by the regional program.
Regularly plan meetings with the coordination staff and develop an agreed agenda with the Regional Representation or other persons designated by him/her.
Actively participate in the Regional Management Team and in other spaces where it is convened by the Regional Representation, to discuss relevant and pending policies and program topics.
Participate in relevant forums, meetings and networks at the regional level, with country teams and active and relevant partner organizations, to discuss and take action on matters related to the Regional Program.
Lead the development of the work strategy with partner organizations, keep it updated and lead its implementation.
Coordinate and articulate with joint programs such as JOTAY in Guatemala, creating synergies of efforts.

Strategic Planning and Project Cycle Management

Lead the implementation of the Program strategy in the Region, through participation in meetings, evaluations and planned events, as well as a source of relevant information and liaison with other peer organizations and different actors.
Contribute and articulate in new cooperation processes of joint programs and other relevant actors in the region.
Review and provide critical, written and timely feedback on program plans and projects (Program Strategy, PBO, CAP, project documents, quarterly monitoring report, checklists, agreements, etc.).
Ensure the correct implementation of the assigned budget and report on the projects approved for the program.
Report regularly on the implementation of the budget assigned to the program for both operational and program expenses.
Carry out a permanent analysis of the humanitarian situation, risks, vulnerabilities and context in the region where the program is developed.
Regularly carry out field visits to monitor, follow-up and discuss important Program issues with the country teams, providing feedback to both the country teams and the management team of the regional office.
Coordinate the design and preparation of project proposals, reports and other documentation related to the program.
Know and apply the highest programmatic and administrative standards through the adoption and application of existing (or developing) LWF/SM policies and guidelines, as well as adherence to the Code of Conduct and other quality assurance guidelines of Mandatory compliance for the program (CHS, etc.).
Maintain a coordinated and effective working relationship with identified partner organizations, with national coordination and program officials, programmatic focal points, such as administration and finance, logistics, strategic alliances.
Coordinate the update of the PMEA system according to the projects in charge.
Review fund requirements and cash flows in relation to the planning and execution of activities.

Team Management and Development

Promote work routines that contribute to team building and accountability for program development.
Provide support to the Regional Representation or its delegate, in the general coordination of the management of all projects undertaken by the country offices, specifying and reviewing the annual work plans.
Review and ensure the quality of reports (monthly, quarterly, others) generated by the national coordinations and other members of the regional team, which allow knowing the progress of the program, compliance with indicators and financial development.
Coordinate relevant and appropriate training, as part of the overall strategy for capacity development, community development and empowerment, personal development, training and exchange, as part of the capacity building plan with partners and communities.
Lead and develop in a clear and complete manner, induction processes for new program personnel, or reinduction/training processes for the already linked team for the constant improvement of their capabilities and updating on new developments in the different programmatic topics.

Mobilization of resources, relationships and communication

Coordinate with the team the preparation of draft concept notes and project proposals, ensuring that they are in line with the LWF Central America strategy and priority intervention topics.
Proactively support the Regional Representation in the search for new cooperation opportunities in coordination with the programmatic team.
Propose and guide the team so that project proposals are innovative, relevant and have a significant impact on vulnerable populations.
Strategic relationship with new actors in the region.
Lead compliance with the brand and visibility manual; publications and calendars of social networks and other communication products.

Others:

Carry out implementations or direct actions, for which it implements the administrative and financial procedures of the program.
All other functions that are considered necessary to fulfill the objectives of the position and the Program.

C) Required Profile

Education

Bachelor’s degree in the area of Social, Human, Political or Economic Sciences, Administrative, or other careers related to the position. Essential: Postgraduate degree in international cooperation, human rights and related matters.

Work experience

Minimum experience of 5 years in coordination positions.
Proven coordination relationships with international organizations, NGOs, cooperation organizations and community organizations (essential).
Solid knowledge of human rights, gender justice, climate justice, migration (essential).
Experience in the management and development of proposals from the European Union, USAID, United Nations, private foundations or similar (essential).
Proven experience of participation in advocacy, humanitarian and migration platforms and networks.
Experience in project management and administration, budget monitoring and qualified reporting. Includes emergency project management.

Skills, expertise and other knowledge

Ability to work with different local partners, local organizations and organizations similar to the LWF, local and international.
Up-to-date knowledge of the Core Humanitarian Standard, Accountability, Code of Conduct, Do No Harm Approach.
Experience in managing the project cycle, project planning with an impact approach, the use of logical framework, OEDI or similar tools.
Strategic and innovative thinking, experience in developing program strategies.
Mastery of computer tools and packages such as word processor, spreadsheet, email and Web tools, among others
Excellent writing and skills in preparing reports and technical documents.
Good communication skills.
Analytical and expressive capacity on issues related to the Central American reality.
Skills for financial and budget management and decisions.
Capacity for political relations with relevant actors in the region.