Operations Coordinator - Maniema Province

• Type: Job
• Location: Maniema DRC, Africa - Sub-Saharan
• Organisation: Merlin
  Merlin International Profile Merlin is the only UK specialist charity which responds worldwide with vital healthcare and medical relief for vulnerable people affected by natural disasters, conflict and healthcare collapse. Each year, Merlin assists more than 15 million people, in up to 20 countries, through working with local healthcare actors including government, community groups and NGOs. Merlin currently implements primary healthcare programmes in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, and the occupied Palestinian territories. The current portfolio of global programs can be characterized as a continuum from emergency relief projects, transition PHC programs to longer term development programs. Institutional donor support includes OFDA, DFID, ECHO, Global Fund, DEC, Rockefeller Foundation, Austcare, DCI, BUZA, UN, Japanese Government, USAID, JOA, Futures Group, Finnish Government and Band-Aid.
• Closing Date: 30-Apr-2008
• Description:
  Responsible To: Deputy Country Director Working With: Relevant medical and non-medical department Location: Based In Kindu, Maniema Province, Democratic Repulic of Congo Start Date: May 2008 Duration: 24 Months Allowance: UKP 16,810 - 22,001 dependent on relevant experience, plus an annual cost of living allowance, insurance cover, accommodation and flights Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be shortlisted on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date. Please note: this is an unaccompanied position. Projects Summary The Democratic Republic of Congo is the third largest country in Africa and one of the poorest. Decades of dictatorship and a civil war have left much of the national infrastrucutre destroyed. Merlin has been operational in eastern DRC since 1997 when it established emergency medical support to populations in Maniema Province. Merlin teams have provided emergency medical care to the most vulnerable populations in Maniema Province, Kasai Oriental Province, North Kivu and Orientale Province, and in response to the Goma volcanic eruption of Jan 2002. Activities have included: emergency response, primary healthcare support, secondary healthcare support, reproductive health, institutional capacity building, nutrition, wat/san, rehabilitation of health facilities. Currently, three main programmes are being implemented by Merlin in Maniema : - Support to primary health care across ten health zones Manemia: This 3 year programme covers health centre rehabilitation, drug and medical equipment supplies, training, partners capacity building, reproductive health, gender-based violence activities, specific support to reproductive health activities and support to immunisation campaigns. - Support to Kindu Provincial Referral Hospital: Funded by DFID, this programme started in September 2002 and aimed at reviving Kindu hospital through rehabilitation, drug supplies, re-equipment and staff training. As with the Primary Health Care programme, Merlin team will now have to focus on capacity-building to enhance the hospital self-sustainability. - Global Fund HIV/AIDS Program: This project commenced in August 2005 and is primarily focused on prevention and control of STIs with health facility support to all 69 health facilities in eight health zones. Establishment of VCT services at Kindu hospital will be undertaken with introduction of ARVs and related case management for opportunistic`infections within Kindu Hospital. Merlin aims to continue to invest in provision of lasting healthcare services for the communities in DRC, through building solid partnerships at both local and national level. The advent of large scale consortium support for the health sector will offer the opportunity to consolidate Merlin's experience and organizational strengthens within the health sector, while influencing policy and practice in full collaboration with the MOH and partner agencies. Merlin's Goma office is a management and support office for five field-site projects in eastern DRC. The office handles the financial and reporting aspects of a multi-million dollar grant portfolio, the HR and administrative requirements for the 20 expatriates and 200 national staff, all national and international purchasing, and in country transportation (almost exclusively by air) of staff and material between the Goma office and field sites. Core Responsibilities General - To act as Deputy Country Director (DCD) in the DCDs absence and CDs absence - To play a key role in developing Merlin's position within the Province of Maniema Operational Management - Overall responsibility for effective and efficient management of the field projects consistent with the project management cycle. - A good understanding of Merlin procedures, systems and guidelines. - Maintain a strong working relationship with the DCD (Deputy Country Director), DCHD (Deputy Country Health Director (CHD), Logistics Coordinator and Finance and Administration Manager (FAM). - Ensure adherence to timelines for all relevant proposals and review as necessary. - Timely reporting in line with the relevant donor contracts and compliance requirements. - Line manage all non-medical international staff to ensure that appropriate Merlin management, administration, personnel, logistic, finance, and communication systems are in place. - Ensure regular communications are maintained between the field sites and Merlin Goma, - Monitor the evolving humanitarian situation in the project region and consider strategic and immediate responses - Ensure monitoring systems are in place and that project reviews/audits are carried out periodically in conjunction with the team, DCD and CD, local stakeholders and project partners. - Travel as dictated by the need of the project, security and staff etc. Security - Ensure team security and safety in a highly changeable and volatile security environment - Proactively monitor the political, military and security situation in the project areas and respond accordingly. Attend relevant meetings / forums and advise Deputy CD and CD about development. - Ensure field site security guidelines are implemented and regularly updated (quaterly) at all project locations in Maniema. Amend the guidelines following consultation with the Deputy CD and CD - The Operations Coordinator is responsible for the execution of the project against the agreed objectives and within the agreed budgets. However, in carrying out these responsibilities the safety and security of the team are paramount. - Ensure all security incidents are appropriately recorded and reported accordingly to all relevant department. - The Operations Coordinator is the Security focal point for Maniema Province Programme Development - Ensure all relevant authorities are included in the planning and implementation of projects as appropriate - Draw up plans, proposals and budgets for new projects/extensions of projects in conjunction with the relevant team, medical and financial staff - Proactively contribute to programme development and strategy Logistics/Finance/Administration - Ensure all projects adhere to Merlin's systems and procedures - Ensure that project implementation meets donor compliance requirements - Ensure appropriate administrative, financial and logistical Merlin systems/procedures are in place, manitained and adhered to so that all support functions are carried out effectively and efficiently - Ensure Merlin complies with all legal and bureaucratic requirements in country - Ensure that thepreparation of projected expenditures each month (cash book management) is timely done - Responsible for accurate budget control and overall responsibility for financial management at the project site in line with project proposals. - Oversee budgets revision for submission to donors and provide advice and assistance where necessary - Ensure that an overview of project spending and financial reporting is maintained and provide advice and assistance if required Human Resource Management - To be responsible for the safety and well-being of all team members - Optimise, in conjunction with other team members, the use of human, logistical and financial potential. - Plan national and international staff requirements and liaise with the CMT - In liaison with DCD and CD, ensure all new team members are adequately briefed on arrival in the field, and departing team members are debriefed - Work with DCD and CD to maintain up-to-date job descriptions for international staff and prepare and maintain job descriptions for national staff - Maintain good inter-team communications, engender good team dynamics, and take suitable action when problems occur. - Support team members professionally and monitor and support stress management, including regular documented team meetings for planning and reporting purposes. - Carry out appraisals as per Merlin standard requirements and procedures - Ensure all new team members are adequately briefed on arrival in the field, and departing team members are debriefed - Responsible for capacity development and training of all national personnel - Responsible for national staff selection, recruitment, disciplinary actions, dismissal procedures and systems. - Initiate and maintain regular, minuted project team meetings Representation - Carry out representation with other NGOs, UN agencies, local and national government bodies, donors and other relevant parties - When relevant and with the Deputy CD and CD approval, represent Merlin to donors, authorities, NGOs and other parties as necessary. Ensure all relevant parties are kept informed of Merlin activities as appropriate (e.g. donors, health authorities etc.) - Be the project's contact with press and media, in discussion with Deputy CD and prior approval from CD, and capable of giving media interviews - Ensure all relevant parties are kept informed on Merlin activities as appropriate. Other - Provide coverage for other posts when needed and carry out any other responsibilities as requested by the Deputy Country Director and Country Director. Person Specification Essential - Fluent spoken French & English, and fluency in written French (and good written English) - Previous field experience essential in an insecure, international humanitarian context, preferrably in a co-ordination role - A strong interest in basic and preventative health care - Strong project management skills including strong written skills in report and proposal writing - Proven problem solving and organisational skills, flexibility and calm under pressure - Proven experience in security management, including developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures and security guidelines - Experience in financial, budgetary and administrative management or related issues - An understanding and interest in logistical systems and functions - Familiarity with relevant software for logistics and accounting and office (MS Office systems). - Ability to work under stressful conditions in an isolated area - Excellent representation and interpersonal skills - Good teamworker; able to live and work closely with a small team under isolated circumstances - Strong leadership skills and a supportive management style - Excellent capacity building and training skills Desirable - First-hand knowledge of DRC - Experience of donor liasion
• Application instructions:
  To apply for this vacancy Please download an application form from our website www.merlin.org.uk. Completed applications should be emailed to applications@merlin-uk.org stating in the subject field the job title, country and reference number (if any) of the vacancy you have applied for.
• Contact Person: Jackelyne Weeks
• More information about this Job...

Dev-Zone Opportunity ID No. 10225     Hits: 14