Area Coordinator Job in Mandera, Kenya

Department: Coordination

Position: Area Coordinator 

Contract duration:6 months 

Location: Mandera, Kenya 

Starting Date ASAP

I. Background on ACTED

ACTED is an independent international, private, non-partisan and non-profit organization that operates according to principles of strict neutrality, political and religious impartiality, and non discrimination.

ACTED was created in 1993 to support populations affected by the conflict in Afghanistan. Based in Paris, France, ACTED now operates in 30 countries worldwide, with over 200 international and 4000 national staff. 

ACTED has a 110 million € budget for over 370 projects spanning 8 sectors of intervention; including emergency relief, food security, health promotion, economic development, education & training, microfinance, local governance & institutional support, and cultural promotion. 

For more information, please visit our website at www.acted.org.

II. Country Profile

Capital Office : Nairobi National Staff : 28 Areas : 2 (Pokot, Middle Juba) On-going programmes : 6 Budget : 1.3 M

ACTED launched its Kenya mission in January of 2008 with an emergency assistance program for residents in Nairobi slums affected by the post election violence. Since 2009, Nairobi has been the home base of ACTED’s relief operation in Southern Somalia aimed at supporting vulnerable famers affected by recurrent droughts. 

In 2010, ACTED’s mission in Kenya/Somalia sought to address the needs of pastoralist and farmer communities of North Central Kenya and South Somalia arising from multiple shocks such as adverse climatic conditions and disease outbreaks, through emergency food and non-food items distribution. 

In the wake of this emergency context, ACTED also promoted the adoption of sustainable community-based solutions, emphasizing livelihood strengthening and diversification, natural resource rehabilitation and management, good hygiene practices and access to sanitation facilities. 

ACTED is developing its programs in South Somalia, focusing on building capacity to respond to emergency outbreaks, as well as ensuring local populations are integrated into longer term projects aiming at improving their livelihoods. This will occur in the form of food, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and livelihood support to vulnerable agro-pastoral and riverine communities. 

Today, ACTED's teams and resources are mobilized on the front of dire needs in our areas of intervention in Somalia and Kenya, as well as other areas in the Horn of Africa.

III. Position Profile

The Area Coordinator is responsible for the implementation of ACTED’s global mandate in the relevant area, and for the scope of activities developed within this mandate. 

1. Ensure ACTED Representation in the area of activity 

Representation vis-à-vis provincial authorities: 

• Participate in official meetings to ensure maximum visibility vis-à-vis provincial authorities. 

Representation vis-à-vis Donors: 

• Establish and update contact details of potential Donors active in the area of activity; 
• Participate in Donor meetings at provincial level and communicate relevant information to the Country Director; 
• Circulate the Annual Report. 

Representation amongst other international organisations: 

• Participate in inter-NGO Coordination meetings and those of UN Agencies (OCHA, UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, etc.), and any other relevant inter-governmental institution at provincial level; 
• Ensure maximum visibility of the Agency amongst the NGO community at provincial level; 
• Lead the production of reports and ensure the timeliness and accuracy of information provided, as well ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information.

More generally, the project manager is expected to contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of ACTED’s mandate, ethics, values and stand-point with regard to other actors. 

2. Contribute to the development of a global intervention strategy and to support its implementation at provincial level

Analyse the context and develop strategic plans, in consultation with the Country Director: 

• Gather and analyse information regarding opportunities and risk; 
• Define an operational strategy for finances and HR. 

Implement the financial strategy: 

• Oversee drafting of projects and budget development; 
• Lead fund-raising and negotiations with Donors in the area of intervention; 
• Lead the application and adherence to contract terms and requirements; 
• Supervise overall financial commitments and financial risk. 

Implement the operational strategy: 

• Supervise Project Managers of the area of intervention in project implementation; 
• Help the various teams in negotiations with provincial/local authorities and partners; 
• Ensure global coordination and complementarity amongst projects within the area of intervention; 
• Assess activities and ensure efficient use of resources. 

Oversee reporting procedures: 

• Develop a reporting schedule with regard to Donor deadlines; 
• Plan and supervise the development of narrative and financial reports; 
• Ensure adherence to FLAT procedures.

More generally, communicate systematically to the Country Director the development of the area strategy and its implementation. 

3. Oversee Staff and Security 

Guide and direct the staff of the area of intervention: 

• Organise and lead coordination meetings; 
• Prepare and follow work plans; 
• Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics (solve out potential conflicts); 
• Promote team working conditions in the limit of private life; 
• Adapt the organigramme and ToRs of personnel according to the area development; 
• Undertake regular appraisals of directly supervised colleagues and pass appraisal forms to the Country Administrator with recommendations (new position, changes to contract or salary etc.); 

Contribute to the recruitment of expatriate staff: 

• Follow recruitment procedures: plan recruitment needs in advance; draft ToRs for open vacancies; if necessary undertake phone interviews with candidates; 
• When requested by HQ, undertake interviews of expatriate candidates living in the area of intervention. 

Oversee staff security: 

• In cooperation with the Area Security Officer, monitor the local security situation and inform both Country Security Officer and Country Director of developments through regular written reports; 
• Update the security guidelines in the area of intervention; 
• Ensure that security procedures are respected by the whole staff.

IV. Qualifications:

• Master Level education in a relevant field such as International Relations or Development
• Project management experience (management, planning, staff development and training skills) in development programmes
• 2-5 years previous work experience in a relevant position
• Proven capabilities in leadership and management required
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, and flexibility in cultural and organizational terms Ability to work well and punctually under pressure

V. Conditions:

• Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
• Additional monthly living allowance 300$
• Free food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse/or housing allowance (depending on contract length and country of assignment)
• Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
• Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package

How to apply: 

VI. Submission of applications:

Please send, in English, your cover letter, CV, and three references to jobs@acted.org Ref: AC/KEN/SA

ACTED Att: Human Resources Department 33, rue Godot de Mauroy 75009 Paris FRANCE

Fax. + 33 (0) 1 42 65 33 46

For more information, visit us at http://www.acted.org

Closing date:  15 Aug 2012