Disaster preparedness program manager

Background

ACTED (Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development) is an independent international NGO based in Paris. It is a private and apolitical non-profit organisation.

Since its foundation in 1993, ACTED’s mission has been to save lives, assist vulnerable people and bring hope for a better future to those in need. Every year ACTED implements approx. 150 projects in 7 zones of intervention in Central and South Asia, Middle-East, Balkans, Central America/ Caribbean and Central Africa. With a network of almost 2,500 staff working in 16 countries, one of ACTED’s long-term objectives is to contribute to poverty alleviation by providing support to victims of disasters, both man made and natural.

In Nicaragua, ACTED is operating Disaster Preparedness programs through the capacity building of local authorities and communities in terms of prevention, mitigation and preparation

Post profile

Assignment
The Project Officer is in charge of the management, supervision and development of Education and Economic Development activities of ACTED.
- Supervise the project cycle management
- Ensure external representation for ACTED in relevant sectors
- Manage the project staff and security
- Provide technical expertise
- Identify best practises and capitalize experience

General Functions
Supervise the project Cycle management
Project implementation:
• Plan the various stages of project implementation;
• Guide the implementation of the project and the methods of follow-up;
• Manage project finances, logistics and materials;
• Liaise with all internal and external counterparts of the project;
• Assess the activities undertaken and ensure efficient use of resources;
Project reporting requirements:
• Set up a clear timeline of reports to be submitted to project Donors;
• Draft narrative reports and contribute to the development of financial reports through regular budgetary follow up;
• Ensure adherence to FLAT procedures.

More generally, communicate systematically to the relevant Country Director or Area Coordinator on project progress and planning.
Ensure external representation of ACTED in relevant sectors
Representation vis-à-vis provincial authorities:
• Participate in technical and sectoral meetings to ensure visibility amongst local authorities;
Representation vis-à-vis Donors:
• Participate in technical and sectoral Donor meetings and pass relevant information to the Country Director;
Representation vis-à-vis international organisations:
• Participate in technical and sectoral meetings and working groups involving NGOs and UN Agencies (OCHA, PNUD, UNICEF, FAO, etc.) and all other inter-governmental institutions;
• Contribute to the creation of reports, ensuring the quality and accuracy of technical information provided as well as the confidentiality of internal information as required;

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.
Provide Relevant Technical Expertise
Ensure that technical quality and standards are considered during project implementation:
• Collect technical information and analyse associated opportunities and risks;
• Identify relevant technical authorities and partners, and propose formal partnership and/or contracts.
Undertake quality control:
• Analyse technical added-value and project impact;
• Set up technical evaluation exercises during and following implementation.
Oversee Project Staff and Security
Guide and direct project staff:
• Organise and lead project coordination meetings;
• Prepare and follow work plans with each project member;
• 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 project personnel according to the project development;
• Undertake regular appraisals of directly supervised colleagues and pass appraisal forms to the Country or Area Administrator with recommendations (new position, changes to contract or salary etc.);
• Ensure a building of capacity amongst technical staff in the relevant sectors.
Contribute to the recruitment of expatriate staff:
• When requested by HQ, undertake interviews to assess technical abilities of expatriate candidates living in the country.
Oversee staff security:
• In cooperation with the relevant Security Officer, monitor the local security situation and inform the Country Director or Area Coordinator and Country or Area Security Officer of developments through regular written reports;
• Contribute to the updating of the security guidelines in the project area of intervention;
• Ensure that security procedures are respected by each member of the project team.
Identify Best Practices and Lessons Learned
• Collect information and tools employed for project implementation;
• Draft memos detailing lessons learned and best practices identified during the project;
• Share such memos with internal and external partners;
• Communicate such information to the Country Director or Area Coordinator, to Regional Support Offices and to HQ Reporting Department.

Qualifications and skills

• At least 1-2 years of professional experience in humanitarian and/or development organisations;
• Master degree preferably in a development related field
• Diplomacy is required for all interactions.
• Impartiality, objectivity and confidentiality are imperative
• Good organizational and communication skills with international and national staff
• Flexibility and adaptability are essential, as well as the ability to plan, take initiative and organize work independently.
• Spanish fluent