ACTED Area Coordinator Job in Kenya

Department: Coordination
 

Position: Area Coordinator
 

Contract duration: 6 months
 

Location: 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 34 countries worldwide, with over 200 international and 4000 national staff. ACTED has a 117 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.
 

II. Country Profile
 

Capital Office: Nairobi
 

National Staff: 64
 

International Staff: 14
 

Areas: 3 (West Pokot, East Pokot, Maralal)
 

On-going programmes: 8
 

Budget: 1.8 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 also been
the home base of ACTED’s relief operation in Southern Somalia.

In 2011, ACTED responded to the worst drought in Kenya in the past sixty years, providing vulnerable agro-pastoralists in Northern Kenya with emergency water and sanitation assistance, cash injections and destocking. 

ACTED facilitated dialogue and peace negotiations among and between conflicting communities, enabling pastoralists to peaceably access and share scarce water resources and pasture at the height of the crisis. 

Capacity-building and input support for agro-pastoralists in the beginning of the year sought to improve animal health and marketing, strengthen income-generating activities and aid in sustainable management of resources, protecting livelihoods from the impact of the drought and building community resilience.
 

In 2012, ACTED remains poised to respond to emergency needs in Northern Kenya.

ACTED also continues enhancing community and government capacity to prepare for and manage drought, building stronger, more resilient livelihoods in Samburu county and East Pokot district.
 

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

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