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Economic Recovery & Development (ERD) Coordinator

Côte d'ivoire

  • Organization: IRC - International Rescue Committee
  • Location: Côte d'ivoire
  • Grade: Mid level - Mid level
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Economics
    • Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
    • Disaster Management (Preparedness, Resilience, Response and Recovery)
    • Food Security, Livestock and Livelihoods
    • Managerial positions
    • Economic Recovery & Livelihood
  • Closing Date: Closed

Requisition ID: req6920

Job Title: Economic Recovery & Development (ERD) Coordinator

Sector: Economic Recovery & Livelihood

Employment Category: Regular

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: Yes

Location: Abidjan,Cote d'Ivoire

Job Description

The IRC has been working on Côte d’Ivoire since 2003 to respond to the humanitarian needs brought about by the civil conflicts
Currently, IRC conducts recovery programming in the West, Center, North and South in the following Sectors: Women’s Protection and Empowerment, Health, Child & Youth Protection & Development, and Economic Recovery and Development (ERD). 
The IRC Côte d’Ivoire’s current goal is to continue to support Côte d’Ivoire's post-crisis recovery process. The IRC will use its in-depth knowledge of the local context and its solid operational capacity to deliver high quality programming based on evidence and will pilot innovative methodologies.
ERD sector in Côte d’Ivoire
ERD activities began in November 2007 in the Western part of the country, and its first projects focused on improved economic and financial assets for vulnerable people through income-generating activities, Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLA), vocational training and entrepreneurship. The sector then developed economic programming across other sectors of IRC (Health, Governance & Rights, Gender-Based Violence, Health, Child & Youth Protection & Development) so as to maximize the impact of interventions and make them more sustainable. 
ERD’s sector objective is to assist the vulnerable (women, youth, the poor) in finding productive livelihood opportunities. This is achieved by an increased access to: 
•Skills and knowledge (though business skills training, specific technical trainings, and continuous coaching); 
•Financial resources (through cash grants, community microfinance, and access to formal banking systems);
•Markets (through diverse market linkage activities, value chain development and public-private partnerships).   
Currently, ERD is implementing the following projects: PRO-Jeunes – E-learning coupled with youth entrepreneurship promotion and PROREFA – financial inclusion of VSLAs.
At the same time, the sector is involved in three multi-sectoral projects: 
•Health/HIV prevention and treatment services within the REVE and SAFER projects: HIV-affected families and populations exposed to HIV are economically strengthened through VSLA and collective IGA activities.    
•Women Empowerment within the SWEDD project: The ERD sector technically supports the creation of income-generating activities by supporting business plan creation and providing grants to vulnerable young women. 
Finally, the sector is developing several approaches to support the Government objective of job creation for youth and women both in urban and rural areas through self-employment. These approaches include microfranchising, small enterprise creation, and value chain development. Discussions are currently ongoing with several donors to develop new projects in the coming months particularly in migration issues (youth aspiring for migration). 
SCOPE OF WORK
As a senior member of the program country team, the ERD Coordinator will have overall responsibility of the ERD Sector. 
The ERD Coordinator will be based in Abidjan. The ERD Coordinator is responsible for the overarching strategy of ERD programs in Côte d’Ivoire in line with the country strategic plan within IRC international priorities, frameworks and policies. S/he is also responsible for the general management of programs and the ERD team in country.  This includes reviewing the grant goals and objectives for the ongoing ERD activities, developing staff capacity, and working with the Country Director and Deputy Director of Programs to roll out and follow up on submission of solicited/unsolicited proposals. 
The ERD Coordinator will travel regularly to the field (estimate of one week per month).
COORDINATION OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Ensure the implementation, the monitoring and the evaluation of ERD sector activities under different projects and in collaboration with different programs and partners:
•Establish clear implementation strategies and planning and monitoring tools for ERD projects / project components.
•Coach and supervise staff to ensure planning and monitoring tools are being followed on schedule and appropriate indicators are being met and tracked.
•Ensure that all ERD projects and activities are implemented, monitored in an effective and timely manner with site visits and direct supervision at the field level.
•When ERD activities are part of a different program, ensure that ERD activities are market-oriented, well integrated and answer to the larger goal and specific objectives of the program.
•Coordinate with other program sectors (Health, Child and Youth Protection and Development, Women’s Protection and Empowerment), to developing integrated economic models.
•Ensure cohesion between different projects and activities that contribute to IRC’s ERD programming in Côte d’Ivoire.
•Ensure that M&E data are analyzed and reviewed.
•Ensure close collaboration with support teams (HR, finance, supply chain).
•Manage project budgets in coordination with Country Management Team.
PARTNERSHIPS
Ensure the durability of the sector through the development of critical and strategic partnerships on a national level:
•Identify, establish and manage existing key partnerships, networking with governments and other local and national institutions.
•Develop new partnerships with the private sector (foundations and/or corporates). 
•Develop strategic partnership with one or more microcredit institutions proposing competitive banking products and services to IRC clients.
ADVOCACY, FUNDRAISING AND PROJECT DESIGN
Advocacy
•Represent the ERD program and maintain effective and cordial relationships with national authorities, district officials, foundations, corporates and other NGOs.
•Attend relevant meetings to represent IRC’s ERD activities in Côte d’Ivoire.
•Participate in inter-agency, multi-sectoral ERD working groups at district, national and international levels.
Fundraising and project design
•Work with IRC’s Deputy Director for Programs (DDP), Grants Coordinator and Technical Units to identify new funding opportunities.
•Develop innovative proposals and budgets that are consistent with the overall ERD strategy, for submission to donors.
•Meet with potential public and private donors and share the vision of ERD program and activities.
•Identify potential private sector partners (Foundations and/or corporates) to promote sustainable business approaches.
STAFF CAPACITY BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT  
•Recruit, supervise and evaluate ERD program staff.
•Identify staff training needs, design and conduct training to improve staff competences.
•Provide direct support to ERD activities in all areas of operation (self-employment, microfinance, VSLA, cash transfer, entrepreneurial skills). 
•Maintain regular communication with economic development staff to provide on-going technical advice and guidance and keep abreast of program and staffing needs, program successes and challenges and new developments.
•Facilitate staff capacity building through training and mentoring as well as exposure to other programs; monitor, evaluate and provide guidance to staff responsible for implementation 
•Identify, recruit, train and retain qualified staff.
•Design ERD training materials, workshops and conferences that support the ongoing professional development of staff in the field.
•Ensure that relevant project managers are interacting effectively in all field sites with communities and ERD actors.
•Reinforce the capacities of staff through professional development activities internally and externally.

Qualifications

Hold a Doctorate (PhD) or a Master’s Degree in international development, economics, or business management. 
•At least 8 years’ experience in design and implementation of economic well-being, business development and business environment improvement projects.
•Good knowledge of job markets and self-employment opportunities as well as development obstacles for micro-entrepreneurs in West Africa (microfinance, value chains, development of entrepreneurial skills, financial inclusion). 
•Credit granting, cash transfer programming, VSLA, e-learning, and vocational training experience is a plus.
•Strong writing skills
•Experience in managing a team
•Proven problem solving and results oriented
•Flexible work attitude – the ability to work productively in a team environment and independently
•Able to respond rapidly to changing environments and work under pressure
•Overseas work experience and experience working in a multi-cultural setting essential
•Must speak fluent French, and be proficient in English
IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.  IRC is an equal opportunity employer.
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This vacancy is now closed.
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