By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Field Coordinator

Cameroon

  • Organization: IRC - International Rescue Committee
  • Location: Cameroon
  • Grade: Mid level - Mid level
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Managerial positions
    • Program Administration
  • Closing Date: Closed

Requisition ID: req3231

Job Title: Field Coordinator

Sector: Program Administration

Employment Category: Fixed Term

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Cameroon

Job Description

Country Program Overview
IRC has been present in Cameroon since January 2016 when the organization launched an assessment in response to increasing concerns for people affected by violence linked to Boko Haram.  In March 2016, IRC opened a field office in Maroua in the Far North, delivering lifesaving programming to increase access to water and improving hygiene practices in vulnerable displaced and host communities.  Soon after the IRC launched unconditional cash programming to enable poor families to meet basic needs and improve food security, further expanding programming into GBV prevention, service provision and case management.  With funds from Global Affairs Canada, SIDA, SV and OFDA, the IRC has a multi-year strategic plan in place to meet the needs of a growing number of increasingly vulnerable displaced and host families. 
Since 2016, Cameroon’s North West and South West regions have experienced social instability and violence, causing a negative impact on the area’s socio-economic fabric. The socio-political crisis gradually turned into insecurity and armed violence as early as October 2017. Based on an exploratory mission into the region in July 2018, the IRC has opened an office in Buea and is expanding its intervention in this zone to provide humanitarian assistance to affected communities. The current IRC programming response focuses on WASH, NFI and food security, delivering assistance in collaboration with local NGOs. The program strategy for the emergency response has been developed and target donors identified for up to a 12 month emergency response.
SCOPE OF WORK: 

The Field Coordinator will lead IRCs emergency response in the South West of Cameroon and will be responsible for overall field coordination, program support, and field office management working in collaboration with the Country Director, Deputy Director of Operations, Deputy Director of Programs, Finance Controller and country program Thematic Coordinators. As Field Coordinator s/he will report directly to the Country Director and is responsible for overall program quality and the direct oversight and quality of the core support services: Administration, Human Resources, Supply Chain and Finance. As the IRC’s most senior representative in the field, the Field Coordinator must bring a senior leadership profile with a proven track record in managing programs in complex, emergency environments. The successful candidate will be confident, eloquent and organized, able to represent IRC to partners including beneficiaries and donors as well as handle sensitive, complex issues in a diplomatic way that puts the needs of beneficiaries first.  


RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership, Coordination and Representation
• Ensure leadership and strategic direction to the emergency response, in coordination with the Country Leadership Team
• Establish adequate systems of coordination with external stakeholders (bilateral or otherwise), including but not limited to OCHA, INGOs, NGOs, UN agencies and local administrative authorities, while representing IRC policies, promoting long-term strategy, and problem/conflict resolution
• Actively participate in external coordination meetings including NGO coordination and clusters, serving as the IRC focal point and ensuring sharing of information internally with the country program
• Provide key advocacy messages to the country leadership team for national level advocacy and communications

Program Delivery
• Oversee day-to-day implementation of all activities in the field site, providing constructive supervision to each department to achieve IRC’s program strategy
• Implement/revise and maintain a regular system of project evaluation and progress monitoring.
• Ensure all departments and the overall field base produce regular reports in line with IRC policies and practices, respecting agreed deadlines
• Work closely and coordinate with IRC's supply chain, finance and grant staff to ensure program activities and expenditures are processed on time, including active participation in opening/closing meetings and reviews.
• Support development and maintenance of effective and efficient oversight, support, quality control and reporting systems and processes. 
• In close collaboration with relevant Technical Coordinator(s), lead the field-based teams in the development of new proposals and initiatives for the field site,
• Participate in the development of budgets for program proposals in conjunction with the grants and finance departments. 

Program Quality
• Ensure all programs have clear activity plans, spend plans, monitoring and evaluation plans in line with donor agreements and organizational policies and procedures, ensuring these are regularly monitored and updated.
• Monitor, evaluate and revise programs to improve program implementation and quality
• Based on evaluations and strategy, contribute to the development of proposals and budgets to enable the programs involved to respond to the needs of affected communities
• Actively contribute to the strategic planning process for the  emergency response and work collaboratively with management and areas all IRC departments
• Participate in intersectoral evaluations, including analysis and planning, ensuring needs of beneficiaries continue to be met
• With support from program teams, ensuring accountability to beneficiaries, sensitivity, and gender inclusion are adequately addressed in IRC programs
• Ensure completion of regular program reports, documentation of results, maintaining of detailed records, and sharing with key stakeholders within the country program
• Ensure regular monitoring of the performance of the partners to achieve the established objectives of the project and provision of technical support, capacity building and advice


Staff Management and Development
• Ensure effective, open communication and professional relationships among team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing follow-up and support to enable staff to perform successfully in their positions.
• Ensure timely completion and quality of timesheet, work plans, leave, and staff training/development activities.
• Participate in the recruitment of staff according to the authorized organization chart.
• Adhere to global and national employment policies and promote adherence to the IRC Way.
• Implement/maintain and document all administrative procedures for the smooth functioning of the field office (filing system, intra-office communication procedures, paper flow procedures, computer use and protocols, etc.)
• Implement/maintain the national staff personnel policy manual.
• Implement/maintain system for regular staff evaluation, and standard procedures for new position posting, interviewing, and applicant selection in line with IRC and donor requirements.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions. Resolve staff conflicts and concerns in a timely manner.
• Promote continuous staff capacity building and training

Humanitarian Access and Security Management
• Assume overall responsibility for the security and safety of program staff and assets within the area of responsibility.
• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of the area, promptly reporting concerns or incidents to the DDO and CD and liaising with other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment.
• Implement/revise and maintain written security procedures and protocols.
• Review and revise regularly the security guidelines manual, evacuation plan, contingency plan and SOPs.
• Ensure that all staff is adequately trained in the use of all communications equipment.
• Establish and maintain a well-documented emergency response procedure that all staff can follow.
• Monitor security situation in liaison with UNDSS, international agencies communities, beneficiaries and others stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with IRC procedures and donors requirements. 
• Ensure field concerns and challenges are brought to relevant stakeholders to push for standards and procedures
• Actively participate in access coordination meetings

Finance
• Implement and maintain verifiable internal financial controls in line with IRC policies and procedures.
• Oversee and maintain a cash management system.
• Review and ensure that financial reports are accurate, on time and meet IRC and donor reporting requirements.
• Support financial reporting, including monthly Budget vs Actual reviews.


Supply Chain
• Ensure that IRC and donor procurement procedures are fully respected.
• Implement and supervise maintenance of a system for tracking and identifying all IRC assets.
• Implement and supervise warehouse management system
• Implement, maintain, and document a procurement system that conforms to IRC and donor protocols.
• Ensure that all contracts with suppliers and vendors are legal and protect IRC to the fullest extent possible.
• Ensure accurate supply chain reports including Assets Inventory, Warehouse/stock inventory, purchase request tracking, fleet and generators management are produced on time.

Other
• Any other tasks assigned by the supervisor

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: 
Position Reports to: Country Director  
Position directly supervises: Program Manager, M&E, finance, supply chain and HR staff

Other Internal and/or external contacts
Internal:  Deputy Director of Operations, Deputy Director of Programs, Finance Controller, Sector Coordinators, Finance, HR and Supply Chain Departments.
External: local and international NGOs, UN Agencies, coordinating bodies, sector group leads, local administrative authorities

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Master's degree (or equivalent work experience) in humanitarian action, conflict or security management or other related discipline
• A minimum of 5-10 years of professional experience in humanitarian management response, preferably in Africa, including field base management and/or supervision of program support services (administration, finance, supply chain and security).
• Ability to think strategically and solve daily problems at the same time.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated systems and process analysis skills and experience in developing strong monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Strong management skills, including project planning, budget management and reporting
• Excellent understanding of humanitarian response and standards such as Sphere
• Strong oral and written communication skills, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment and effective in representation and liaison. Able to plan, prioritize and manage multiple tasks under pressure and deliver tangible benefits to a team
• Human resource management experience, including staff capacity building
• Excellent professional approach, enhanced skills and proven ability to build staff capacity
• Proficiency in English 
• French would be an asset
• Excellent computer skills: MS Word, Excel
• Pidgin English local language knowledge a plus

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: 
Housing: The Field Coordinator will be based in Buea with occasional travel to Yaoundé.  Accommodation is shared with other international staff in a guesthouse with a private bedroom with electricity, internet and cable TV.

Security: Buea is security level orange and the IRC has a curfew in place. The situation is calm though there remains a risk of terrorist attack and kidnap.  

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: