Background
Swedish Red Cross has supported humanitarian activities in Bangladesh since 1971 and the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) is one of SRC’s prioritized long-term partners globally. SRC’s current focus is on Disaster Risk Management programmes implemented by BDRCS through IFRC and through consortium with the British Red Cross and Australian Red Cross. In addition SRC supports BDRCS’ and IFRC’s emergency response operations.
Country Representative
The Country Representative serves as the Swedish Red Cross (SRC) representative in Bangladesh. He/she works closely with e.g technical advisors including assigned project controller in Stockholm and is line managed by the Head of Asia Pacific Unit.
This is a dual assignment where the Country Representative has a technical support role in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience programming. He/she will use this expertise to assist the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) in the SRC supported (and beyond as time allows) DRR programmes as well as to function as a surge capacity to the IFRC and BDRCS in times of emergency operations as per identified needs with a focus on several thematic areas including shelter and relief.
The Country Representative is responsible for the strengthening of the SRC partnership with the BDRCS and the cooperation with other partner national societies (PNS), the IFRC and ICRC, and for contributing to successful implementation of SRC supported programmes in Bangladesh. He/she will establish, develop and strengthen the relationship with the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) in Bangladesh as well as with other relevant actors such as the European Union.
In particular, the Country Representative will assist the BDRCS in coordination and implementation of programmes supported by the SRC, including supporting the BDRCS in annual planning, monitoring and reporting of those programmes. The Country Representative should also actively be engaged in the planning of any evaluation related to the SRC supported programmes. He/she is will ensure compliance with SRC priorities, directions and timeframes.
Duties and responsibilities:
Management and Programme
- Facilitate the BDRCS-SRC partnership development and manage SRC’s strategic planning for Bangladesh in collaboration with the SRC team (Head of South Asia desk & Senior Technical Advisors)
- Develop and manage partnerships with PNS, IFRC, ICRC and other relevant actors.
- Explore funding opportunities. Identify and formulate programme proposals, including development of concept notes, Terms of Reference, applications, programme documents and Agreements/Memoranda of Understandings
- Ensure financial control of all programmes supported by the SRC in Bangladesh, including development and monitoring of the budget for SRC programme support, monitoring of expenditures according to plans, monitoring of the BDRCS financial procedures being in accordance with good practices
- Ensure proper monitoring of SRC supported programmes, including facilitation/participation in monitoring missions, quality assurance of reports and follow-up on Agreements/Memoranda of Understandings
- Monitor the quality and timely delivery of reports according to SRC standards and set deadlines
- Produce timely and qualitative reports, updates and information material as required from SRC management
- Report to the SRC HQ on the implementation of this JD
- Recruit, contract and manage SRC office local staff and/or consultants in agreement with SRC HQ
Disaster Risk Reduction
- Technically support the DRR and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and innovative programmes (potentially including Green Response), Emergency program when relevant and Gender and Diversity initiative/component at the country level.
- When relevant, participate in assessments and coordination meetings within the Movement
- Keep SRC informed about natural disasters and humanitarian crises in the country, advising on an adequate SRC response in support to BDRCS.
- Support response activities and advise/orientate the SRC Disaster Management and Policy Unit on relevant SRC contributions
- Participate in assessing recovery needs and related potential SRC bilateral programme interventions.
Representation
- Nurture good donor relations (Sida, EU, Musikhjälpen, Radiohjälpen) and networking in general
- Multilateral coordination and liaison with PNS-partners, IFRC and ICRC
- Contribute to relevant advocacy activities, communication and serve as media contact (on request and in agreement with the SRC HQ)
Position requirements
Essential competence
Qualifications/knowledge
- Relevant academic degree (e.g. in political science, International relationships, disaster Management) or equivalent knowledge
- At least five years of experience in a similar role with minimum three years relevant experience at field level in a humanitarian context
- Good understanding of participatory approaches used in community-based programming
- Very good written and spoken command of English
- Driving license (manual)
Experience
- Documented experience from working with disaster risk reduction, Climate Change and Resilience approach
- Experience from working with and capacity enhancement of local partner organizations in the field
- Experience in programme management, implementation, planning, budgeting, reporting and application writing
- Experience in gender and diversity mainstreaming
- Experience and understanding of the audit process
- Experience from external representation and fundraising
- Experience in security management required
- Experience of work in a multicultural environment
Personal competencies
- Good analytical skills (quickly understands and analyzes complex issues and problems)
- Ability to simultaneously be result and process oriented
- Utilizes networking skills to achieve objectives
- Team player (collaborates, shares knowledge, experiences and information, supports other in the pursuit of common goals)
- Good communication skills (communicates clearly, speaks with conviction)
- Executive ability
Desired competence:
- Experience from working within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
- Experience of bilateral cooperation preferred including management of staff
- Good knowledge of the humanitarian, political and social context in Bangladesh and the South Asia region
- Knowledge of RCRC emergency funding mechanisms and processes
- Knowledge IFRC Framework for Community Resilience
- Good written and spoken command of Swedish
Dates and information
Place of assignment: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Desired starting date: February 2017
End of assignment: 2-years contract preferred
Type of posting: International delegate, non-family posting
Other: Please note that the position requires extensive travel and the willingness to work and live in complex and potentially dangerous contexts
In selecting candidates Swedish Red Cross use a competency based model and all candidates will be assessed on the above requirements.
Closing date is 1 December 2016. Please note that only applications made through our website will be considered.
Interviews with final candidates is planned to be held in the middle of December.
For more information about the position, please contact:
Nina Paulsen, Regional Representative Team Asia, Swedish Red Cross
Direct phone: +46 8 452 46 09
E-mail: nina.paulsen@redcross.se
HOW TO APPLY:
Only applications made through the Swedish Red Cross website will be considered.
Direct link to CLICK HERE
