Zone Coordinator, Chad At Concern Worldwide

About the position: This is a new unaccompanied position for a duration of 12 months, based in Abéché, in the Ouaddaï province, Chad, with a salary of €44,133 to €49,038 and social benefits.

Your goal :

This is an exciting new role in which you will provide external representation, effective leadership and strong management support to ensure high quality programs in Ouaddaï Province, Chad. As Concern Worldwide’s representative in the region, you will develop and maintain good relationships with peer NGOs, local authorities and the local communities in which Concern works. Ouaddaï is a new area of ​​intervention for Concern and the Abéché base will facilitate the implementation of the recently launched triple nexus program “RESPECCT” ( Economic and Social Resilience of Eastern Populations in the Face of Conflict and Climate Change in Chad). ) financed by the EU and AFD as well as any emergency response program aimed at supporting people displaced by the crisis in Sudan and arriving in the Ouaddaï province.

You will report to the Program Director and supervise a Program Manager, a Logistician and a Finance and Administration Manager – the exact staff structure will evolve according to the needs of the program. You will work closely internally: the Adré base manager, the systems director, the human resources and administration manager, the country financial controller, the country director, the office manager and the headquarters advisors . External: Partners, local communities, relevant government departments and technical services, local authorities, relevant clusters and other organizations working in the sector.

We would like you to start as soon as possible.

You will be responsible for:

General responsibilities

• Represent and direct Concern’s operations in Abéché, Ouaddaï Province, Chad, and supervise the management of the Abéché base, the Adré sub-base (to be confirmed) and other bases established in the province .
• Manage, lead and support program teams to ensure agreed objectives are achieved in an effective and timely manner, in accordance with Concern and donor policies and procedures.
• Supervise and manage the Logistician and Finance and Administration Manager to ensure that human resources, logistics, finance and administration functions meet program needs and that program staff understand and follows standardized procedures and policies.
• Ensure that the highest standards of accountability and transparency are met within the organization and, in particular, within Concern’s programs.
• Ensure that all staff and visitors are aware of and comply with Concern policies and procedures, including but not limited to the Security Management Plan, relevant standard operating procedures, and the Code Concern’s conduct and associated policies.

Program quality

• Oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Concern’s development and emergency programs in Ouaddaï province, in consultation and partnership with local stakeholders.
• Ensure that Concern programs are implemented in accordance with Concern standard policies and procedures and core humanitarian standards.
• Lead and participate in environmental and emergency assessments and develop expansion plans in consultation with line managers based on funding opportunities.
• Lead the development of project proposals, concept notes and budgets (ECHO, Irish Aid, private and other donors, etc.) for the Ouaddaï province.
• Closely support Concern staff in areas of operation through regular visits, as security and access permit, and support the development and implementation of robust monitoring plans, capacity building and other means of support.
• Liaise with other NGOs, local authorities and other stakeholders for effective coordination, cooperation, communication and accountability to achieve mutual understanding and acceptance.
• Analyze and resolve issues that may compromise program results.
• Ensure that cross-cutting themes, including equality, environment, disaster risk reduction, conflict and protection, are integrated into the program in line with Concern policies and the Chad specific strategy.
• In line with Concern’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standards, actively promote meaningful community participation at all stages of the project cycle (planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation).
• Ensure that lessons learned and program results are documented and shared with relevant stakeholders.
• Regularly inform the program director and country management team.
• Provide regular reports, program updates and work plans to the Program Director.
• Ensure regular meetings of the multi-sectoral program to strengthen integration

Budget management

• Monitor the monthly budget against achievements for the program elements implemented in Ouaddai, monitor budget underspends and overruns for each program and propose solutions.
• Support, coach and assist budget holders in developing and monitoring accurate budgets and submitting accurate monthly cash flow requests.
• Report any suspected or proven financial irregularities to the national director.

Compliance with landlords

• Ensure that proposals submitted to donors (EU, AFD, ECHO, FCDO, Irish Aid, etc.), budgets and reports are of high quality, up to date and delivered on time in accordance with Concern policies/procedures, to the requirements of lessors, etc.
• Ensure that donor strategies, guidelines, formats and processes are fully understood and respected during program implementation and procurement.

Human ressources

• Identify project staffing needs, working closely with HR and line managers, ensuring that job descriptions are developed, suitably qualified staff are recruited, onboarded and trained according to program needs and the organization and in accordance with relevant HR procedures.
• Ensure that all staff have the support and advice necessary to carry out their duties.
• Manage the program team with a focus on building staff capacity through mentoring, training and ensuring all staff have up-to-date job descriptions and performance reviews. Performance Development (PDR) in accordance with policy. Help all staff in the region understand and achieve their goals.
• Assist in the recruitment of national staff and ensure optimal planning of leave and leisure for national and international staff.

Communications/reports

• Ensure situation reports and updates are produced to a high standard and on time.
• Ensure that terms of reference for external advisors, consultants and visitors are prepared and communicated in a timely manner.
• Ensure donor visibility and facilitate external engagement through field visits (donors, UN, headquarters, consultants, etc.) and high quality reporting, including the development of case studies.

Finance, administration and logistics

• Manage day-to-day cash flow in Abéché and ensure compliance with Concern procedures.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of logistics (including transportation, fuel, procurement and warehouse), administrative and human resources functions in accordance with organizational policy and best practices.
• Ensure strict compliance with Concern’s financial and logistics policies and procedures.
• In collaboration with line managers and the management team, supervise and manage the long-term planning of logistics, administrative and human resources functions.
• Regular and ad hoc counts of cash, fuel and inventory are carried out and documented.

Safety management and accountability

• As security focal point (PFS) for the Ouaddaï province and in collaboration with the national director and other PFS, carry out the analysis of security incidents and trends in the intervention zone and areas surrounding areas, ensuring that line managers are regularly informed of the security situation and advised, where necessary, on adapting work plans and travel plans if necessary.
• Ensure the functioning of a security focus group which meets regularly and documents decisions and actions.
• Ensure that adequate physical security and safety measures are in place for the Abéché base and sub-bases.
• Participate in the review of relevant standard operating procedures and other security-related tasks as appropriate.
• Ensure that all staff and visitors are informed, regularly updated and comply with the security management plan and standard operating procedures.

In line with Concern’s commitments under the Basic Humanitarian Standard:

• actively promote meaningful community participation and consultation at all stages of the project cycle (planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation);
• collaborate with relevant colleagues to ensure that the complaints and response mechanism is functional and accessible, that feedback and complaints are well received and addressed;
• work with relevant colleagues to ensure that information relating to customer relationship management, safeguarding and expected staff behavior is disseminated among program participants and communities.

Representation and networking

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with local authorities and organizations
• Ensure strong relationships, ongoing capacity building and monitoring of local implementing partners.
• Work in network and in coordination with provincial and local government authorities (Governor, Prefect, Sub-Prefect), provincial technical delegations, traditional authorities (Sultan, Canton Chiefs), United Nations agencies (PAM, OCHA, UNHCR , etc.), IOM and other humanitarian actors active in the region (NGOs).
• Represent Concern at donors, clusters and other coordination forums in Ouaddaï province, as appropriate.
• Evaluate and seize local partnership opportunities in collaboration with the line manager.

Other functions

• Participate in national level strategic planning initiatives, executive team and management team meetings, and other tasks as determined by management.
• Fully adhere to the commitments of Concern’s protection and safeguarding policies, in particular the Concern Code of Conduct and associated policies.

Your skills and experience are as follows

Essential:

• Relevant postgraduate qualification, preferably in Humanitarian Studies, Food Security and Livelihoods or other relevant qualification.
• Previous experience working in a difficult, unsafe and remote region, with a preference for previous experience in the Sahel.
• Management of diverse and multi-sectoral programs
• Managing a diverse and multicultural team of staff
• Proven experience managing large budgets
• Knowledge of financial, logistics and administrative functions
• At least five years of experience in humanitarian and development programming
• At least three years of experience in program management, including demonstrable experience managing a humanitarian response.
• Skills and experience in security management in a very fragile context
• Knowledge of cross-cutting issues relating to protection, conflict, environment, disaster risk reduction and equality
• Knowledge of core humanitarian standards, customer relationship management mechanisms and responsible programming practices
• Experience in monitoring, evaluation and learning
• Proven skills in proposal and report writing.
• Fluency in French and, ideally, English.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to delegate appropriately, manage time and prioritize workload.
• Computer literacy and good knowledge of office software
• Empathy with Concern’s mission, vision and goals

We would also like:

• Knowledge/experience of resilience approaches and emergency programming
• Knowledge of HF/VHF radio systems
• Knowledge of Arabic would be an advantage
• You must be flexible and reliable
• You must be sensitive to cultural differences and show empathy towards others.
• You must be able to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines;
• You must have a sense of humor