Country Representative Benin 21 views0 applications

Position: Country Representative Benin

Location: Cotonou, Benin

Reporting to: Head of Regional Unit of North and West Africa

Starting date: ASAP

Application deadline: 31/01/2025

Family Duty Station: YES

R&R: NO

Working Context

WeWorld has been working in Benin since 2008 (it was registered in January 2011) and is headquartered in Cotonou. The organisation works with several local partners and is currently developing its projects in the departments of Zou, Collines, Ouémé and Plateau supporting 14 municipalities, 48 villages and 25 schools. WeWorld’s intervention mainly aims to support children’s rights to quality education, basic health, healthy food and protection; to promote rural families’ (especially women’s) access to the economic resources necessary for a dignified life; and to promote sexual and reproductive rights, especially of young people and women. WeWorld is committed to the prevention of irregular migration, the fight against migrant smuggling, human trafficking and the protection of women and young people in an irregular situation in West Africa, including the Sahel sub-region.

Purpose of the Role

Under the guidance of Head of Regional Unit for North and West for Africa, the Country Representative is responsible for the strategic leadership and direction of the country program to achieve WeWorld’s vision.

The Country Representative is responsible for the sound implementation of organizational strategy and programs at country level ensuring the quality of the activities and the compliance to organizational ethical and accountability standards. The Country Representative supervises personnel and manages the financial, administrative, logistical, and operations of the country office. S/he develops and maintains relations with donors, local and national governments, organizational partners, maintaining a positive organizational profile. S/he leads a country team, including ensuring proper adherence to staff security and safety organizational procedures and policy. S/he leads/supervises the development of new proposals, the mobilization of new resources for the programs, and oversee and ensure the correct, development, implementation and management of projects.

Main tasks and responsibilities

Programme Management and Development

• Manage the child sponsorship programs, ensuring that the sponsorship campaigns are carried out according to the timetable and the procedures of WeWorld (Child Sponsorships Manual), in collaboration with the project officers and field officers and with the HQ
• Lead the development and implementation of high-quality country strategic plan relevant to the local context and the organizational priorities
• Lead and oversee the grants acquisition of new projects in the country, ensuring a long-term portfolio and achievement of annual targets
• Lead, guide and supervise the Projects managers on performance and quality control, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Projects to ensure the effective and efficient execution of Project deliverables, in compliance with WeWorld standards
• Lead and oversee the preparation and implementation of Programs documents (including SOPs, policy briefs, Programs plans and Risk Assessments)
• Oversee the financial and logistic sustainability of programs and operations through effective and efficient resources development effort, outstanding financial ratios, effective budget administration and procurement management (i.e. management and maintenance of project assets and regular inventories)
• Assist the HQ to maintain public/media/donor relations to actively engage their interest/support in promoting and communicating WeWorld achievements, competencies and interest at global level

Representation and advocacy

• Oversee the registration of WeWorld in Benin, according to the National Legal requirements
• Represent WeWorld in the Country in various fora on programmatic and technical issues, strategic meetings, conferences, forums and other public events and contribute towards consolidating and raising the profile of the organization
• Engage and liaise with relevant national-level stakeholders (government representatives, donors, CSO, multilateral organizations, communities)
• Identify, engage and strengthen strategic in-country partners engaged in child protection, migration and human rights integrated responses, in line with WeWorld Country Strategic Plan and Regional Strategies, to grow the pipeline of opportunities in Benin, through a participatory process
• Identify additional areas of synergy and cooperation with donors, other NGOs, UN agencies and relevant institutions
• Promote WeWorld’s organizational identity and capacity towards all stakeholders and partners in Benin and ensure WeWorld remains relevant to the changing needs of disadvantaged people in the country
• Establish priorities, in consultation with the Head of Regional Unit, for targeted investments in growth and innovation, contribute to the identification and implementation of innovation and continuous improvement, in support of organizational excellence and world-class performance
• Coordinate with HQ, maintaining frequent contact with the Desk Officers, partners and leaders of the project as well as relevant donors, in order to keep a regular update on the implementation of the project and to develop strategic planning

Human Resources

• Identify and plan Human Resources needs (International and National)
• Timely inform HR HQ about both the present and the future International HR Needs (Annual and 3M updates) in order to facilitate a punctual recruitment process and deployment of the necessary workforce
• Direct and manage staff in the country, ensuring development of appropriate capabilities and competencies according to the strategic and operational needs of Programs/Projects
• Ensure transparent, equal and inclusive management and training of Human Resources in accordance with Policies and Procedures, and all regulatory requirements (WeWorld, host country legislation and donor’s policy)
• Foster an inclusive and diverse work environment and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

Security Management

• Develop a country security strategy based on HQ and country information
• Identify risks and threats and develop systems of early warning flags
• Coordinate in the design, testing and communications of appropriate security and safety plans and programmes
• Develop and document emergency preparedness and disaster evacuation plans and programmes

The duties and responsibilities set forth above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to perform additional duties.

Job Specifications

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTES

Qualifications and Knowledge

• An advanced university degree or equivalent in the field of Social or Political Science, Development Studies, International relations, Project Management, Human rights
• Good knowledge of Sponsorship Programs and main international donors’ policies and procedures. Good knowledge of MS Office
• Fluent French both written and verbal
• Working knowledge of English

Professional experience

• Minimum 5 years’ relevant working experience in related fields
• Working experience with international NGOs in management of international cooperation projects funded by institutional, private donors and sponsorship programs
• Proven experience in Project Cycle Management
• Sound project development and proposal writing experience
• Experience in Security Management

Skills and Abilities

• Strong flexibility and capacity to adapt behavior to the needs of the situation
• Capacity to work autonomously and in problems prevention/resolution
• Proven organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple tasks while fostering quality, team spirit and positive working relationships with colleagues
• Ability to identify, initiate and maintain good relationships with partner organizations, donors and national authorities including building professional relationships with senior decision-makers and influencers / leaders
• Good communication, negotiation skills and sensitivity in dealing with local institutions on critical issues.
• Cultural, gender, religion, and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Strong commitment to the Mission of WeWorld, genuine interest for international cooperation development topics

Desirable requirements

• Experience in education, protection, reproductive health, prevention of violent extremism
• Previous work experience in the area

WHAT WE OFFER

Type of contract: a first 6 (six) month collaboration contract subject to verification of the achievement of specific objectives (these objectives will be agreed together with the Line Manager upon arrival on assignment); a second collaboration contract of 6 (six) months renewable, following the positive evaluation of the first months of contract

Economic conditions: to be defined according to WeWorld Expatriates Compensation Policy: Base Salary (seniority/role held) + Contributions (role complex, housing and hardship based on place of work)

Annual leave: 2,5 days/month (working days)

Flight ticket: one return flight

Health insurance: covered

Family duty Station: YES

R&R: NO