Netherlands Red Cross Job Vacancy: Project Manager Response Preparedness - Bamako, Mali

We help to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience by responding to disasters and crises and by supporting community and institutional risk reduction and preparedness.
This is done in the Netherlands with more than thirty thousand volunteers, and internationally with the aid of specialists or by sending relief supplies or money.

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.

The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) seeks a Project Manager to provide technical and programme management support for its response preparedness programme in Mali.

Position title: Project Manager Response Preparedness
Duty station: Bamako - Mali
Time period: 12 months with possibility of extension
Starting Date: As soon as possible
Status: Single posting

**Rationale**

Netherlands Red Cross Response Preparedness Programme

In 2011 the 31st International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent was held. During this Conference the Netherlands government and NLRC agreed to support a selection of National Societies to provide more effective emergency response.[1] This resulted in the so-called ‘RP’ programme, a first full-fledged response preparedness programme implemented from 2012 till 2016 in 5 countries and fully funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

NLRC intended to renew this commitment to strengthening disaster response preparedness during the 32nd International Conference in 2015 and started preparations for a proposal in 2014, which was formally accepted for funding by July 2016. The programme (May 1st 2016 – April 30th 2020) fills a critical gap between current community based resilience and risk reduction programmes and international disaster response by focusing on strengthening national response capacity and linking it to regional and global capacity. It aims at enabling a better prepared response mechanism of the RCRC Movement partners and surrounding stakeholders in case disasters strike and therefore complements community-based resilience and DRR activities. For the Netherlands Red Cross the response preparedness programme contributes to an important part of the organization’s strategic focus on disaster management[2] as laid down in the paper ‘Towards 2020’.

In the second phase of the Response Preparedness Programme (RP2), NLRC will contribute to improved Disaster Response Preparedness in four disaster and conflict prone countries, working closely with the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in those countries-namely Central African Republic, Lebanon (including Palestinian Red Crescent branch in Lebanon), Mali and Zambia-, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Secretariat, and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre (RCCC). RP2 covers core activities that lie at the heart of disaster preparedness of National Societies, but also aims to address capacities that strengthen and facilitate these. This means that RP2 not only focuses on the capacity of the involved National Societies (NS), but also on its specific position within the country’s broader disaster response preparedness mechanism. In addition RP2 will be contributing to global Red Cross and Red Crescent tools and guidelines on response preparedness through the IFRC Secretariat and the RCCC.

In achieving these objectives the following innovative approaches will be set up:

• Forecast-based Financing (FbF);
• Information management (including needs assessments);
• Cash Transfer Programming (CTP) in first response;
• Shelter database;
• Improved sanitation in emergency response.

Summary statement and responsibilities
Specific tasks and responsibilities

• Appraise the annual plans of the Malian government as well as those of the MRCS, whether in line with the objectives and the overall programme description;
• Work closely with the MRCS in order to strengthen its disaster response management and improve its planning processes;
• Support the MRCS implementing its improved action plan to deal with disasters, food insecurity, health programmes and community capacity building;
• Strengthen the MRCS Disaster Management unit by providing guidance on operational structure and member’s roles and responsibilities;
• Ensure effective working relationships with the programme staff as required
• Provide support to all staff in ensuring that cross-cutting themes are considered in interventions at all levels, especially in programme design, work plans, and trainings;
• Conduct regular site visits to meet with programme staff and/or beneficiaries;
• Coordinate the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the RP2 programme in order to achieve all the programme outputs within the allotted timeframe ensuring that interventions adhere to international programme implementation and development standards;
• Ensure that all expected results of the programme are accomplished in a timely manner according to established timeline;
• Assist the MRCS in producing regular, accurate and timely financial and narrative reports for the Netherlands Red Cross and for donors through mentoring and training in programme and financial management as well as reporting;

General tasks and responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Country Representative for Mali, to ensure the successful implementation and monitoring of the Response Preparedness 2 programme in Mali in close cooperation with the Mali Red Cross Society (MRCS).
• Coordinate and communicate with Partner National Societies, regional donors and other relevant Red Cross and non-Red Cross partners involved in Disaster Risk Management activities;
• Establish links and work towards co-ordination and co-operation between relevant stakeholders including other NS’, RCCC and IFRC Secretariat (‘s representatives);
• Suggest improvements, innovations or efficiencies that could be implemented;
• Be familiar with - and be able to represent - the NLRC programme and objectives in the region;
• Provide regular requested and unrequested information and timely reports to the RP programme manager at NLRC Headquarters (The Hague, The Netherlands) with copy to the NLRC Country Representative as well as the Regional Programme Coordinator (RPC) at NLRC headquarters and his/her assistant;
• Consult and collaborate with the RP technical advisor during his/her presence in Mali ;
• Perform other work related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the NLRC Country Representative.

Position in the organization

• The Project Manager reports to the NLRC Country Representative in Bamako. 
• For all programme related obligations and information, (s)he is accountable to the RP Programme Manager at HQ.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in development studies, geography, political science, disaster management or equivalent;
• A minimum of five years of experience of working for a humanitarian aid organization in developing countries (preferably in Disaster Management programming);
• A minimum of five years of field experience internationally in managing operations in emergency and non-emergency settings;
• Experience in project/programme management, design, monitoring and evaluation of multi-sectoral programmes;
• Fluency in French and English, written and spoken required.
• Demonstrated success in (financial) planning and budgeting, programme management and reporting;
• Extensive experience in team management;
• Budgeting and financial, as well as programme supervision experience;
• Excellent practical knowledge of computers (Windows, spreadsheets, word processing, e-mail, Internet)

The following skills would be an asset:

• Experience in managing or supporting Government grants;
• Qualification in coordinating development/emergency programmes;
• Experience within the Red Cross Movement, working in bilateral programmes;
• Experience in giving training and coaching;
• Experience in and/or extensive knowledge on CTP in preparedness, FbF, performing Emergency Needs Assessments (ENA), DRCE, RFL, IDRL lobby/advocacy, simulations, contingency planning, warehousing, and other core RP activities.

Personal Qualities:

• High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct;
• Team player;
• Able to work under security constrained situations;
• Flexible and adaptable to changing working conditions;
• Self-motivated and proactive, with good judgment and initiative;
• Able to prioritize and meet deadlines;
• Be diplomatic and result orientated;
• Strong interpersonal, communication and networking skills;
• Working in a multicultural environment;
• High motivation to work in challenging emergency context with development approach;
• Respectful and patient attitude.

[1] Original Pledge text: ‘The government of the Netherlands and the Netherlands Red Cross herewith pledge that options will be investigated to, during the years 2012-2015, support selected National Societies in strengthening their capacities in emergency preparedness and response’ Source: HERE

[2] Being defined as ‘limiting the impact of emergency situations, strengthening resilience and promoting respect and willingness to help’.

How to apply:

Please send your resume and letter of motivation in English with reference to Annemieke van Teeffelen before 3 October 2016 to Click Here.

 

For additional information related to practical issues of the application, please contact Sophia van Maanen at svanmaanen@redcross.nl.

For more information about the context of the position, you can contact Eva Goes, egoes@redcross.nl

First selection interviews will be held in week 41.

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