Employment Type: Definite Period

Job Purpose:

The overall purpose of this position is to represent and lead Concern Worldwide’s operations in Tigray Region. S/he will represent Concern towards regional and local authorities, donors, UN agencies, NGO, communities and other relevant humanitarian stakeholders in Tigray Region. S/he will lead and manage the regional team and all operations aspects (admin/log/finance) for Concern Worldwide in Mekelle and programme locations. S/he will be the security focal person and be responsible for security management in the region. S/he will help support existing programs and in the development of new programs and strategies in the region.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Ensure that the teams under the leadership are effective and efficient in their role through setting clear goals, objectives and regular review and feedbacks.

• In consultation with line manager, making timely strategic/programmatic decisions that can affect the success of the team and the organization.

• Ensure that every one of tam members understands their roles and responsibilities and works together on the same objectives

• Cultivating a positive work environment that encourages creativity, productivity, and engagement among team members

• Motivate teams through challenging times and guide individuals through their career progressions.

• Manage individuals to keep teams aligned and working toward shared goals and foster a collaborative culture.

Coordination and Liaison:

• Act as focal contact person and external representative for Concern Worldwide in Mekelle, Tigray Regional State for all government organizations/ departments and other stakeholders.

• Establish and maintain cordial and effective working relationship with partners, local and regional government bodies, NGOs, UN Agencies and other humanitarian/development organizations.

• Ensure regular communication with international donor partners and UN Agencies (WFP, UNICEF & UN OCHA) and others based in Tigray region (proactively coordinating with the PD Emergencies and other colleagues as relevant throughout). 

• Participate actively, represent Concern in relevant regional level sectoral clusters, technical working groups, and other coordination bodies, and report regularly to the PD Emergencies (line manager) for discussion and strategic decision-making.  Some of this work may be delegated if appropriate but the post holder must ensure Concern is effectively represented.

• Act as the regional lead of the Alliance2015 Network of European NGOs (in which Concern is a member), promoting collaboration and joint initiatives where relevant and feasible. Ensure regular meetings take place and agreed actions are implemented.  The postholder will liaise regularly with the Alliance2015 Coordinator based in Addis Ababa.

• Actively promote the visibility of Concern Worldwide in Tigray Region in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures.

Programme Management

• Oversee Concern Worldwide’s projects in Tigray Region and support the Programme Manager in the design, planning, implementation, and monitoring of projects – promoting linking with the relevant PDs and other Concern Ethiopia head office staff as necessary.

• Ensure effective operational support to programme teams is provided and maintained.

• Support the Programme Manager in engagement with Concern partners in projects (consortium members or local partnerships) to ensure efficient and effective project implementation and promote best practices.

• Alert the PD Emergencies (line manager) to any issues, challenges arising regarding programme implementation.

• Monitor the regional context and promptly alert Concern Ethiopia head office to any major developments, challenges, issues arising in the region, especially in relation to humanitarian crises (e.g. conflict, disease, etc. outbreaks, early warning information on droughts, etc.).

• Support in preparing programme reviews and evaluations.

• Submit reports and documents to government, donors and other relevant bodies in the region on a timely basis as required and provide clarification whenever necessary - following review by Concern Ethiopia advisers/management as necessary.

Operational Support

• Security Management:

• Liaising with the CD, SD and line manager, act as overall security focal point for the Tigray region.  Continually monitor and assess the security situation in the region, liaising effectively with key external bodies/individuals as necessary.

• Manage security focal group(s) in Tigray and ensure that routine security meetings are taking place.  Provide regular security related updates and reports to the CD, SD and PD Emergencies.

• Input into the development and revision of Concern’s country level Security Management Plan (SMP) and security standard operating procedures as required.

• Review and approve (or reject as may be appropriate) all travel requests within the region.

• Report immediately (or as soon as possible) any security incident or major unfolding security situation to the SD or CD as soon as possible. Follow up with email etc. as may be necessary, keeping the line manager informed. The post holder is responsible for logging all security incidents, near misses, etc. in Concern’s security incident tracking system (SIRTS).

Human Resources:

• Directly manage the Program Manager,  Senior Protection Officer, Senior System Officer,  and Senior Finance Officer, Security Officer, MEAL Officer (this may be expanded during the employment period).  Conduct regular performance & development reviews (PDRs) with direct line reports and ensure that all managers are doing the same.

• Liaising with the HR Coordinator and colleagues in Concern Ethiopia head office, ensure the proper adherence to and implementation of Concern HR procedures and processes and that all documentation is safely and properly filed.  In relation to recruitment, oversee the process and ensure that Concern’s hiring policies and procedures are strictly followed.

• Report promptly any breaches of Concern’s Code of Conduct & Associated Policies to the line manager / HR Coordinator / Country Director (or via the other communication channels outlined in the polices).

Logistics:

• Ensure that Concern Worldwide’ Logistics policies and procedures are strictly adhered to and followed (transport, procurement & warehousing, IT, Admin., etc.).

• Liaise with head office-based SD, Systems Coordinator, and other relevant logistics staff when needed, supporting the Tigray-based Logistics Officer in this regard.

• Oversee the establishment of procurement committees and ensure roles and responsibilities are clearly understood.

Finance:

• Authorize expenditure within regional budgets and up to delegated authority limits, after ensuring proper and rigorous review of paperwork.

• Liaising with finance teams in Tigray and head office, and the line manager, ensure comprehensive and realistic regional budgets are prepared and monitored regularly.

• Assist and support programme management and teams in the effective tracking and review of grants/budget expenditure.

• Ensure that Concern’s finance policies and procedures are strictly and fully followed.

• Oversee day-to-day finance activities (e.g. petty cash and safe counts, payments, supporting in reconciliations, etc.).

• Review monthly cash requests from projects and produce and submit the monthly funds request for Tigray to Concern Ethiopia’s head office.

• Perform any other relevant tasks as may reasonably be requested by line manager.

Emergency response

Concern is committed to responding to emergencies efficiently and effectively in order to help affected people meet their basic needs, alleviate suffering and maintain their dignity. To this end, when emergencies strike and the Ethiopia Programme is to respond, all staff are required to actively participate in the response, regardless of location and contribute to the efforts aimed at achieving the humanitarian objective of the organization.

• Participate and contribute as necessary towards Concern’s Emergency response.

• Comply with Concern’s health, safety and security guidelines during emergencies

Gender

• Actively promote and ensure awareness of gender and other equality throughout all of Concern’s operations and programming in Tigray, with the support of the head office-based Gender Equality Coordinator and Gender & Protection Officer based in Mekelle.

• Ensure Concern’s Tigray offices are accessible and attractive to female staff and others experiencing inequality/discrimination (e.g. people with disabilities). Work to address issues arising.

• Actively work to improve gender balance in the Tigray regional operation, ensuring HR processes are followed to ensure equal opportunity, encouraging staff, ensuring statistics in reports are disaggregated, creating a culture of equality, etc.

• Work to increase awareness and understanding of equality mainstreaming and other concepts among all Tigray staff and encourage constructive discussion/debate of topics to advance people’s learning in this area and self-reflection.

• Ensure that gender and other equality sensitive indicators and M & E plans are in place and that they are effectively monitored.

Accountability 

In line with Concern’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS): 

• Promote and ensure compliance with the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) commitments and quality criteria.

• Ensure that all staff are familiar with the principles underpinning accountability, safeguarding and Concern's Feedback, Complaints and Response Mechanism (FCRM) and ensure that information about Concern's commitments on accountability and safeguarding are disseminated among programme participants and communities.

• Ensure that the FCRM is functional, effectively implemented, and accessible in all programme locations, enabling safe reporting of both programmatic and sensitive complaints, including safeguarding concerns.

• Ensure that feedback/complaints are welcomed and responded to in a timely, fair and appropriate manner – ensuring full confidentiality.

• Promptly report any sensitive complaints, especially safeguarding issues, to the CD. Handled all complaints made with utmost confidentiality and prioritise the safety of complainants and others affected. 

Safeguarding

• Understand and fully adhere to Concern’s Code of Conduct & Associated Policies (including Safeguarding). Demonstrate your commitment to these policies via your own behaviour and actions.

• Raise awareness and promote full adherence to these policies among direct line reports and wider staff in Tigray.

• Alert the CD (or his delegate) immediately to any suspicions, concerns, actual complaints received of a breach of the Safeguarding policy.

• Develop an understanding of safeguarding, GBV, safety, etc. resources, structures, institutions in place in Tigray and promote strengthening of services and other mechanisms to address safeguarding risk both internally and externally.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor level degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, development/humanitarian studies or a related discipline.

• 6/8 years of related experience with post graduate or first degree respectively.

• At least 4 years of management experience in managing/coordinating area-based operations in an NGO or other relevant managerial level experience within the NGO sector in Ethiopia, and preferably in Tigray Region..

• Experience working in diversified team

• Previous experience of working in the health, nutrition, WASH, or food security programme sectors

Skills required.

• Proven management skills

• Computer literate.

•  Project management experience.

• Donor standard proposal and report writing skills

• Excellent representational skills.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Security management skills and experience.

• Experience in/knowledge of logistics, and particularly procurement processes, HR, Administration, IT.

• Financial management and budgeting skills.

• Strong understanding of/ experience of working with government authorities at different levels and appreciation of government protocol and processes.

• Significant experience of leading, managing and developing individual staff and a diverse team of people from different backgrounds and experiences.

• Ability to follow policies and procedures (administration/ human resource/finance/logistics) and ensure organizational and donor compliance.

• Experience in community engagement and knowledge of participatory approaches.

• Experience in/knowledge of the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and Complaints & Response Mechanisms (CRMs).

Essential:

• Proven external representation and advocacy skills and ability to build strong working relationships with key stakeholders.

• Experience of attending and proactively engaging in high level coordination meetings.

• Excellent leadership and person management skills and experience in managing and working within a diverse team in a complex working environment. Proven ability to support and develop staff across different disciplines and levels.

• Team building skills and developing a culture of learning and problem solving.

• Staff training skills and ability to motivate others and develop capacity.

• Ability to work on own initiative with limited direct supervision while appreciating when it is necessary and useful to seek direction from line manager and others.  Organized, motivated and reliable.

• Flexibility, adaptability, patience, positive attitude and good sense of humour.

• Facilitation and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to identify, analyze and solve problems, employing timely and appropriate decision making to implement solutions.

• Strong knowledge and competence in using computer applications i.e. Microsoft, Word, Excel, Email.

• Excellent English and Tigrigna communication skills (verbal and written).

• Solid Experience in report and proposal writing.

• Ability to work under pressure often to strict deadlines.

• Cross cultural awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences.

• Awareness of and demonstrated commitment to addressing issues of inequality, in particular gender.

• Empathy with and commitment to Concern Worldwide’s ethics and values.

• Experience of remote management and providing support to teams from a distance.

What we offer

• A competitive salary and benefit package

• Excellent medical benefits (100% cover including dependents)

• 20 days annual leave

• 26 weeks (paid) maternity leave, 18weeks (unpaid) parental leave

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send non-returnable C.V., application letter outlining how their experience and education fit this vacancy via online using THIS LINK

 please note that no need to submit your supporting documents at this stage:   

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted

Safeguarding at Concern: Code of Conduct and its Associated Policies

Concern has an organizational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organization, and the standards of behavior expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.                                       

 Women and disable people are highly encouraged to apply!