• Employment Type: Definite Period 

• Salary : USD 1641 (One thousand six hundred forty one) & it is to be paid in ETB as per the month exchange rate of NBC

The overall purpose of this position is to provide strategic and operational leadership and represent Concern Worldwide’s programme 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 and other risks management in the region. S/he will play a leading role in the development of strategies in the region, the design of new projects/programmes and support the effective implementation of existing projects/programmes.

The overall purpose of this position is to provide strategic and operational leadership and represent Concern Worldwide’s programme in Tigray Region – towards regional and local authorities, donors, UN agencies, NGO, communities and other relevant humanitarian stakeholders. The Area Coordinator will lead and manage the regional team and be responsible for security and other risks management in the region. S/he will play a leading role in the development of strategies in the region, the design of new projects/programmes and support the effective implementation of existing projects/programmes.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Closely engaging with the Country Director (CD), PD and other relevant Concern staff, play a lead role in developing and implementing a regional strategy for Concern’s work in the Tigray region.

• Lead and support regional teams to effectively contribute to organisational goals and objectives via planning and review processes. Ensure that each team member understands his/her roles and responsibilities and that staff work together as a team to achieve organisational objectives.

• In consultation with the line manager, make timely strategic/programmatic decisions to enhance the achievement of Concern’s programming and other goals in Tigray.

• Cultivate a positive work and learning environment that encourages creativity, productivity, and a mutually supportive strong team spirit among all staff. Manage individuals to keep teams aligned and working toward shared goals and foster a collaborative culture.

• Continually motivate individual and teams and guide individuals in their career progressions.

• Monitor the regional context and promptly alert the 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.).

External Representation, Coordination and Liaison:

• Representing Concern Worldwide in Tigray Regional State, develop and maintain strong working relationships and visibility with all government organizations/ departments, donor institutions, UN agencies, other international and national NGOs, and other stakeholders present in the region.

• Be responsible for ensuring the active participation by Concern in relevant regional level sectoral clusters, technical working groups, and other coordination bodies which are strategically relevant to Concern’s work and objectives. The postholder is expected to ensure effective representation – by personally attending meetings etc. or delegating this work.

• Liaising regularly with the Alliance2015 Strategic Coordinator based in Addis Ababa, 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.

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

Programme Management & Operational Support:

• Oversee all of Concern Worldwide’s projects in Tigray Region and support 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 (procurement, logistics, HR, IT, admin, finance) to programme teams is provided and maintained.

• Supporting the Programme Manager (Tigray) and other staff, engage with Concern project partners (consortium members, local partnerships, etc.) to ensure efficient and effective project implementation and the promotion of best practice.

• Promptly alert the PD (line manager) or CD to any issues, challenges arising regarding programme implementation and operations.

• 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 and following the relevant  approvals as per Concern’s Delegation of Authority framework.

Risk Management:

• Working with the PD (line manager), OD and CD, identify and manage key risks to Concern’s work in the Tigray region. Contribute to the maintenance and review of Concern’s Risks Register for Ethiopia on a regular basis.

• Liaising with the CD, Operations Director (OD) 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, OD and PD.

• 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/reject all staff travel requests within the region.

• Report immediately (or as soon as possible) any security incident or major unfolding security situation to the OD 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 (SIRT).

Operations (Human Resources, Logistics, Procurement, IT, Administration) & Finance:

• Directly manage and conduct regular performance & development reviews (PDRs) with direct line reports (programme manager and other staff covering MEAL, finance, operations) and ensure that all managers are doing the same.

• Leading, managing and supporting relevant Tigray-based staff and functions ensure the following:

• Full and proper adherence to and implementation of Concern’s HR procedures and processes and safe and proper filing of all HR documentation. Oversee management of recruitment processes and ensure that Concern’s hiring policies and procedures are strictly followed.

• Strict adherence to Concern Worldwide’s Logistics policies and procedures (transport, procurement & warehousing, IT, Admin., etc.) and that all necessary processes are efficiently and properly implemented with complete documentation.

• Oversee the establishment and proper running of Procurement Committees, and other procurement processes, and ensure roles and responsibilities are clearly understood and adhered to.

• Authorize expenditure within regional budgets and up to the delegated authority limits as per Concern Ethiopia Delegation of Authority framework, after conducting/ensuring proper and rigorous review of paperwork.

• Liaising with finance teams in Tigray & Addis Ababa Head Office, and the PD (line manager), ensure comprehensive and realistic regional budgets are prepared and effectively monitored and managed on a monthly basis.

• 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 and adhered to.

• 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.

• Proactively engage with and seek support from head office-based Operations Director (OD), Operations Coordinator (OC), HR Coordinator, Country Finance Controller (CFC) and other relevant staff in the above-mentioned functions as needed to ensure full and effective compliance with Concern policies & procedures and effective operations and financial management.

 Equality:

• With the support of the PD (line manager) and Concern Ethiopia head office-based Gender Equality Coordinator,

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

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

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

 Code of Conduct & Associated Policies:

• Fully adhere to Concern’s Code of Conduct & Associated Policies and ensure that staff and teams are fully aware of these policies and procedures and adhere to them.

• Report immediately/promptly any actual or suspected 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) and promptly follow any direction given by the CD or other properly appointed/delegated staff – before taking any action.

• Develop a good understanding of local structures and referral systems in relation PSEA and  gender based.

• Implement and ensure staff and teams carry out programming and operations in a way that minimises the risk of abuse, harm or neglect.

Accountability:

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

• Promote and ensure compliance with the CHS commitments and programme quality criteria.

• Ensure that all staff are familiar with the principles underpinning accountability and Concern’s Feedback, Complaints and Response Mechanism (FCRM) and ensure that information about Concern’s commitments on accountability and safeguarding are effectively 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. Handle all complaints made with utmost confidentiality and prioritise the safety of complainants and others affected.

 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.

• Comply with Concern’s health, safety and security rules and procedures during emergencies.  Ensure that all staff and teams in the region also fully comply with these.

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

Job Requirement

Essential knowledge, skills and experience 

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

• 5-7 years relevant experience, with at least 3 years at a management/coordination level within an NGO – experience in area-based coordination a distinct advantage.

• Excellent leadership and person management skills and experience in managing and working within a diverse team in a complex working environment.

• Demonstrated skills in/strong familiarity with logistics and procurement processes and financial management and budgeting.

• Experience of managing multiple grants funded by different donors.

• Proven external representation and advocacy skills and ability to build strong working relationships with key stakeholders. Excellent networking skills at regional / national level in Ethiopia.

• Training, coaching and mentoring skills and ability to motivate and develop skills of others.

• Ability to work on own initiative with limited direct supervision and as part of a diversified team.  Organized, motivated and reliable.

• Knowledge of Monitoring and Evaluation concepts/approaches.

• Experience in capacity building and quality programme implementation.

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

• Flexibility, adaptability, and patience. Strong facilitation and communication/ interpersonal skills. Positive attitude and good sense of humour!

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.  Solid Experience in report and proposal writing.

• Proven analytical ability and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work under pressure often to strict deadlines.

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

• Good knowledge of computer applications i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, Email.

Competencies

As this is a key leadership position, potential candidates are expected to demonstrate significant ability in the following areas:

1. Focus on people living in conditions of extreme poverty and most vulnerable.2. Leading by example.3. Communicating and influencing.4. Driving performance.5. Motivating and developing.6. Making decisions.7. Managing risk.8. Removing barriers to delivery.9. Leading change

Desirable

• Fluency in Tigrigna language a distinct advantage.

• Masters level degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

• Previous experience working in one or more of the following programme sectors: health, livelihoods or education.

• Track record in proposal and report writing.

• Prior management level experience in an INGO.

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

• Security management skills and experience.

• Experience in community engagement and knowledge of participatory approaches.

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. Please note that there is no need to submit your supporting documents at this stage:

Apply through THIS LINK

We encourage all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, ethnicity or origin, disability, political beliefs, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status to apply to become a part of the organization. Concern is against all forms of discrimination and unequal power relations and is committed to promoting equality.

If this role sounds right for you, please apply with your CV and cover letter. Please be aware we may offer positions before the closing date. Concern reserves the right to interview and select the chosen candidate before closing date for receipt of applications, so early application is strongly recommended.