Country: Somalia
Closing date: 20 Feb 2017
Role & Responsibilities
Coordinate the different aspects of emergency responses, ranging from donor contacts, proposal writing to specialist advice on implementation, in coordination with the field teams. Provide leadership, analysis and evaluation of all aspects of the Medair projects, the Emergency Response Coordinator also plays a key role in setting up responses within the limits of security and funding.
Project Overview
Medair’s primary objective in Somalia is to improve the quality of and access to life-saving health and nutrition services by vulnerable host, returnee and IDP populations. Medair partners with and supports local NGOs with staff training and supportive supervision, procurement and management of essential drugs, and provision of basic equipment at the facility level. Community-based activities and referrals, mainly behaviour change communication and Integrated Community Case Management, are provided by trained community health workers. Urgent scale up is required due to the current drought with nutrition needs and outbreaks increasing rapidly and needing emergency responses, as well as possible food security aspects, most likely through cash transfers.
Medair
Medair is a humanitarian organisation inspired and motivated by Christian faith to relieve human suffering in some of the world’s most remote and devastated places. We bring relief and recovery to people in crisis, regardless of race, creed or nationality. As signatories of the Red Cross Code of Conduct, we believe that aid should be given to everyone who is in need, regardless of political, social or religious viewpoint. We save lives in emergencies and then stay to help people recover from crisis with dignity—working side by side with communities to leave a lasting impact. We provide a range of emergency relief and recovery services: health care and nutrition; safe water, sanitation, and hygiene; shelter and infrastructure. Internationally recruited field and headquarters staff lead the organisation, supported by nationally recruited staff to implement programmes locally.
Workplace
Based in Nairobi with frequent travel to different locations in South-Central Somalia. Take a look at Medair’s work in Somalia.
Starting Date
As soon as possible
Initial Contract Details
Full time, 3 – 4 months
Key Activity Areas
Project Technical Oversight
Maintain an overview of the country emergency responses and of the regional context, with a view to strategically developing new projects in current sites and / or in surrounding regions, and proactively planning for responsible exit.
Give technical advice to field managers and HQ on potential involvement in new emergency interventions and internal emergency response capacity for implementation.
Define appropriate policies, guidelines and protocols for the emergency response aspects of Medair’s work in country, in consultation with HQ advisors, other field managers and in line with relevant government, Sphere and WHO guidelines.
Provide technical support to field teams in all project sites, including the evaluation and impact analysis of current projects and the writing of donor proposals and reports within the required time frames.
Carry out regular monitoring visits with other field managers, ensuring that project objectives are met within the stated time frames and in accordance with recognised international standards.
Supervise and monitor the development of reporting systems for data collection (qualitative and quantitative), analysis; follow-up and feedback to relevant staff, donors, partners and other agencies.
Maintain an oversight of supplies ordered for the emergency projects, supporting the project and logistics staff in the coordination and quality control of supplies.
Input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project.
Representation
Develop and maintain relationships with Ministry of Health, UN, NGOs, donors, partners and other stakeholders, to raise public awareness of Medair and ensure good co-operation and partnerships.
Accompany donors on field trips, as requested, and ensure programme details are transmitted in a timely and professional manner.
Represent Medair, as appropriate, at clusters, coordination, sector and bilateral meetings, emergency-related humanitarian aid groups, with national and / or local government departments and any relevant meetings, facilitating supportive synergies.
Staff Management
Be involved in the recruitment of emergency response staff for the country programme, providing advice on technical skills and experience as requested.
Ensure that all staff are adequately trained and, if necessary, create possibilities for capacity building, mentoring and coaching, within budget constraints. Plan and develop training material as required with support from HQ advisors as needed.
Support line managers in inductions and appraisals of emergency staff, particularly with regard to technical skills.
Financial Management
Work with the relevant field managers and HQ staff to plan and construct emergency budgets.
Ensure the emergency project expenditure is in line with approved budgets, advising on potential under / over spend and recommending appropriate corrective action.
Quality Management
Ensure projects are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards e.g. Sphere and HAP standards, WHO recommendations, etc. Follow the direction of the Senior Health & Nutrition Advisor and WASH advisor at HQ regarding quality, strategy and technical guidelines.
Regularly assess and provide feedback and recommendations on the quality of programmes and interventions during field visits and at other relevant times to HQ advisors as well as field staff.
Field - Team Spiritual Life
Reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
Live, work and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings.
Instigate and contribute to prayer times within internationally recruited staff and HQ teams.
Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international programmes and HQ prayer network.
This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organisational needs.
Qualifications
University degree in health and nutrition or in another relevant field such as humanitarian/cash-transfer training. Post-graduate degree in public health / community health desirable.
Languages
- Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).
Experience / Competencies
Relevant post-qualification professional experience, in a management position.
At least 1 year of international experience managing and implementing an emergency intervention.
3 years international experience in relief work with an NGO managing and coordinating emergency projects desirable.
Experience in the design, monitoring of implementation and evaluation of emergency programmes.
Knowledge of humanitarian principles, Sphere and HAP Standards and other international humanitarian guidelines and protocols.
Advanced planning, assessment, analytical, leadership, and project management skills.
Good report and proposal writing skills.
Profiles sought for Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) roles in the field
Relief experience
Professionals with 12 months or more relevant relief or development experience (Experienced Relief Workers).
Professionals with less than 12 months relevant relief or development experience (New Relief Workers).
Professional
Experienced professionals in a relevant Medair sector of expertise.
Overseas intercultural experience.
Values
Fully committed to the Medair values; to reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, and external contacts.
Personal qualities
Able to live and work in a multicultural team under difficult conditions.
Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty, and physically fit.
Availability
Single or married (with no children under 18). If married, your spouse must also apply.
Final selection
All potential candidates for field positions must successfully complete the Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC). Information, dates and related costs can be found via this link.
Benefits Package provided to all Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS)
Comprehensive briefing at our Swiss Headquarters, as well as an in-country briefing.
Security training for those going to insecure environments.
Accommodation, food, and transportation in-country.
Return flights to and from the country programme (one return flight for every year of service).
Rest and recuperation (R&R) leave (including travel, accommodation, and food).
Annual leave.
Comprehensive medical and emergency rescue insurance, with up to 60 days post-assignment coverage, including debriefing.
Disability insurance.
Specific benefits for Experienced Relief Workers (IRS)
(Applicants with 12 months or more relevant relief or development experience)
A salary based upon the grade of the position and experience of the position-holder, starting from USD 1,700 per month.
Contribution matching programme for retirement savings.
Additional contract benefit allowance for those who commit to longer contracts.
Highly subsidised contribution to Medair ROC travel and accommodation costs.
Specific benefits for New Relief Workers (IRS)
(Applicants with less than 12 months relevant relief or development experience)
USD 300 per month.
As soon as 12 months relief work or its equivalent has been completed, a salary based upon the grade of the position, starting from USD 1,700 per month, and other experienced relief worker benefits.
Working Conditions
This is a field-based position and working and living conditions may be very different to that previously experienced.
How to apply:
*Application Process*
Before you apply, please ensure you are fully aware of the:
Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC) (which forms part of the recruitment selection process for field positions).
Then to apply, go to http://relief.medair.org/en/jobs/positions/emergency-respon . . . then:
apply for this vacancy (or another position that matches your profile), or
apply for a Medair ROC (where we can try and match your competencies to our vacancy needs).
Please do not make multiple applications. We will not review email applications. Only English-language applications / CVs will be reviewed. Medair does not set closing / deadline dates for applications; recruitment is on-going until the position is filled.
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