We help to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience by responding to disasters and crises and by supporting community and institutional risk reduction and preparedness.
Together we act before, during and after disasters to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. We do this without regards to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinion. Our seven principles guide our humanitarian work: humanity, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
Position title: WASH project manager
Duty station: Bénin, Cotonou
Time period: 5 months
Starting Date: December 1st 2018
Status: Unaccompanied
Background
The Belgian Red Cross (BRC), the Beninese Red Cross (CRB) and the Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) conform a consortium of 3 National Societies to implement a WASH project in 3 zones in the southern area Benin (Departments of Ouémé and Littoral). The project aims at increasing the resilience capacities of selected local communities and the Beninese Red Cross by strengthening disaster preparedness and response to disasters in the area (more commonly floods and epidemics) and increase their access to sustainable sanitation and hygiene services.
This partnership seeks also to develop synergies with both partners, Belgium Red Cross and Benin Red Cross, through an exchange of information and experiences, reflection on strategies and methods and development of innovative approaches. This project is funded under the funding program of the General Development Department of Belgium (DGD 17-21) that aims to reduce the vulnerability of local communities to the risk of disasters and epidemics.
The purpose of this mission is to provide technical and managerial support to Benin Red Cross in the implementation of the above project. Priorities in support are related to 1) provide excellent project management skills to the NLRC delegation in Benin, 2) support WASH activities in the area of sanitation & hygiene promotion and 3) contribute to increase WASH capacity building of Benin Red Cross to effectively implement the above project.
Specific responsibilities:
*The project manager will take a l**eading role in planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting throughout the project cycle in accordance with NLRC and* *CRB* *procedures and agreements as set in the MoUs.* *Monitor the progress of the activities, the quality, relevance, achievements and efficiency of the implemented activities, provide guidance in the work plan’s construction, monitoring and support the team. The project manager’s responsibilities are:*
- To support monitoring and reporting process based on Donor requirements
- To monitor and ensure the quality of the activities in the field. Develop necessary quality control tools and make necessary visits to field sites to ensure that quality work is being completed.
- To monitor the events/outputs to ensure the timely completion of the project within the allocated budget.
The project manager will be the NLRC budget-holder, supporting CRB in budget management according to NLRC and Belgian Red Cross standards. Responsibilities are:
- Monitoring of the budget, according to the relevant approved project documents. The budget holder is responsible to ensure that expenditure charged is appropriately allocated and correctly stated. Authorization of such expenditure will be exercised by a combination of transaction approval, monitoring actual expenditure requisition against the approved budget line, clarifying funds available and making sure donor earmarking requirements are met.
- To support the financial analysis being undertaken by the NLRC.
- To manage / supervise any procurement done following standard NLRC Procedures.
- Produce regular, timely and accurate financial and narrative reports for the NLRC Headquarters. The delegate liaises with NLRC and CRB Finance staff on a regular basis to ensure that the quality of the submitted financial reports and supporting documents are in line with NLRC and Donor requirements.
The project manager supports and guides CRB in the technical implementation of the WASH components of the project. Responsibilities are:
- To ensure that WASH activities are implemented according to national & international recognized standards and policies.
- To review project progress, together with CRB, ensuring the tracking of project progress against targets.
- To provide accurate and up to date information to the NLRC country representative and NLRC HQ regarding progress and deadlines.
The project manager supports capacity development and resource mobilisation. Responsibilities are:
- To follow and facilitate continuous learning from past project experiences and new developments.
- To provide appropriate mentorship, capacity building and technical support to CRB staff and volunteers including project management, financial management and core components and activities related to WASH.
- To suggest and encourage any necessary training for NS staff, in WASH and project management. Seek for training opportunities at field level.
- Support and encourage CRB in liaising effectively with Government bodies at all levels, locally represented donors and private sector in seeking new resource mobilisation opportunities for WASH.
- Assist CRB to develop and maintain strong working relationship and coordination with relevant international and local NGOs/agencies engaged in WASH.
- To represent NLRC and CRB towards the partners and other actors.
- Contribute to a successful partnership between the NLRC and the CRB, take part in partnership evaluation and suggest any recommendation to optimize collaboration.
Position in the organization
This position will report to the Unit Lead of the Strategic Partnership Unit, with a functional line to the Country representative at field level, Business Development and Advisory Unit and the Portfolio officer of Bénin at NLRC HQ office. Functional line to involved CRB staff.
Requirements/Qualifications
- Degree or diploma in Water/Sanitation or Civil engineering, Public Health or in a Community/Social Development field
- Demonstrated experience in providing technical assistance to field staff in project design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
- Further qualifications in project management, public health or community development
- Minimum 5 years working experience in a developing country
Experience
- Experience of working for a humanitarian organization and/or the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement
- Experience in implementing WASH software and hardware projects
- Experience of working with the private sector and local Government actors.
- Experience of project planning & budgeting, supervision and management, monitoring and evaluation
- Experience of producing narrative & financial reports
Skills
- Fluent in English and French language
- Self-supporting in computer programs (Windows, Excel, spreadsheets, word-processing)
- Skills in coaching, training and developing staff
- Assertiveness and diplomacy in a culture-sensitive context
Core competencies
- Ability to engage effectively with National Society staff, volunteers and beneficiaries, being results focused and accountable, being a team builder and team player, a good communicator at all levels, having professional mastery over their technical area, having leadership qualities and encouraging others to take the lead when appropriate, having managerial effectiveness.
- Flexible and adaptable to the challenges encountered by the project, proactive approach.
- Show solid capacities in management of budgets; management of resources; monitoring; supervision and control; reporting; communication; networking; management of self; management of others; inspiring others; forming vision; organization building.
How to apply:
Please send your resume and letter of motivation in English with reference to Sophia van Maanen, by using our online application tool: https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/nl/Vacancy/Postulate/113701
Applications should be sent in before the 4th of November 2018.
For more information about the position, you can contact Annika Smits at [email protected]
An assessment of candidates short-listed is part of the selection procedure.
For more information of the work of the Netherlands Red Cross, please visit www.rodekruis.nl and www.rodekruis.tv. NLRC on Facebook: Facebook.com/rodekruis and Twitter: Twitter.com/rodekruis.
More Information
- Job City Cotonou
