Regional Humanitarian Coordinator Cordaid, Burundi, CAR, DRC

Cordaid believes in a world without poverty and exclusion. We strive for a just and sustainable society where every person counts. We stand for knowledge and talent sharing between North and South, between farmers and businesses, between activists and policymakers. Where poverty, conflict and exclusion divide societies, we connect people and communities. We stand for professionalism, expertise and solidarity across borders. We make a difference where it is most needed.

Together with more than 800 organizations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America we structurally improve the living conditions of the poorest and most excluded populations - the bottom billion. We do that where natural disasters strike, where conflicts tear up communities and where underdevelopment keeps families in extreme poverty. In the Netherlands we are known as Cordaid Memisa, Cordaid Mensen in Nood, Cordaid Kinderstem, Cordaid Bond zonder Naam and Cordaid Microkrediet.

Introduction

Cordaid has a longstanding program in the region with partners and country offices in Burundi (Bujumbura), DRC (Kinshasa and Bukavu) and the Central African Republic (Bangui and different prefectures). Programs and offices used to be largely focused on development programming especially in health care. Related to ongoing and growing crises in the region in the past years humanitarian programming of Cordaid has increased in the mentioned countries. Especially in the CAR Humanitarian programming has increased considerably in the past two years. Cordaid is the lead in the joint response of the Dutch Relief alliance in CAR. In DRC disaster preparedness program as well as disaster response activities have been rolled out with Bukavu office and partners in Eastern-Congo. Related to the recent political crisis in Burundi, Cordaid is supporting preparedness and response capacity of Caritas Burundi.

In the coming months and years, Cordaid intends to invest in disaster preparedness of the country offices in Burundi, DR Congo and the Central African Republic, to increase our capacities for humanitarian response in these countries. Cordaid cooperates within the International Caritas network and with National and regional Caritas agencies in all three countries.

Position

To support humanitarian response activities of Cordaid in the region and to support disaster preparedness in these three countries, Cordaid is looking for a Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for Burundi, Democratic Republic Congo and Central African Republic

Responsibilities

The coordinator will answer and report to the manager humanitarian aid in Cordaid head office in The Hague. The coordinator will work closely with the Cordaid Country Directors and offices in Burundi, CAR and DRC as well as with the humanitarian team in The Hague.

In case of an operational or interim assignment for a specific country office when the coordinator will be part of a country team, the country director will be the line manager for the coordinator for the agreed period of the assignment. Such to be agreed in a specific TOR between the manager humanitarian aid and the country director.

In case of conflicting demand of the different country offices the manager humanitarian aid will decide on priorities.

Location

The Coordinator will be based in Cordaid office Bujumbura, with frequent travel to CAR and DRC.

Due to the insecure situation in the region, this is a non- accompanied position.

Contract Type

The contract period is for six months starting as soon as possible, with the intention to extend for a longer period, depending on results achieved and funding availability, starting date as soon as possible.

We offer a Cordaid contract with a competitive salary and a benefit package which includes R&R, a comprehensive insurance cover, social security and pension contribution, a holiday allowance, 13th month, hardship allowance and cost of living allowance (if applicable).

Objectives

General objective of the posting

The humanitarian coordinator will enhance disaster preparedness and response capacity of Cordaid in the three countries. The advisor will support country teams and HO to have clear and agreed strategies, planning and capacity to timely and effectively respond according to international standards after crisis or disaster. Networking and donor relations are therefore an important component of this job. After disaster or crisis the coordinator can, according to need, be deployed to provide operational support to the set-up, implementation and coordination of the Cordaid and Caritas response.

Specific objectives

The coordinator will work in close cooperation with the Cordaid country teams and HO humanitarian team on the following specific objectives:

Disaster preparedness

• Work with Cordaid teams on preparedness and response strategy and ensure before December 2016 strategy and preparedness plan is in place at all head offices in Burundi, CAR and DRC. The plan includes agreement with HO on support in case of disaster;
• Assist Cordaid teams to develop or strengthen their network and (donor) relations supportive to disaster preparedness and response;
• Ensure teams have knowledge on Cordaid, DRA and SHO procedures, formats and demands in Humanitarian aid;
• Advice on and provide (support to trainer during) trainings to staff in Humanitarian Response where relevant and necessary.

Program development

• Provide up to date information on trends and opportunities in Humanitarian Aid in the region of the Great Lakes; identify opportunities and advice Cordaid HO;
• After disaster or crisis assist Cordaid teams and partners with assessment analysis and program design in humanitarian response according to International Quality Standards;
• Advise on strategy development for linking interventions and programs in Relief, Recovery and Development (LRRD) and /or linking response to DRR.

Program implementation and coordination

• Upon request participate in Cordaid and/or Caritas assessment teams and in Caritas ERST team;
• Upon request of teams and/or HO represent Cordaid in relevant Caritas, UN, OCHA, and other humanitarian coordination / thematic cluster meetings;
• Regularly visit humanitarian project sites to advice on program improvements;
• Upon request function as short term interim for humanitarian project management;
• Build and maintain good relations with key persons for Humanitarian Aid at Cordaid country offices.

Fundraising and acquisition

• Assist the Cordaid teams with donor mapping and humanitarian financing strategy;
• Promote and support Cordaid’s ECHO partnership and FPA;
• Identify opportunities for funding from ECHO, the UN system( WFP, FAO, OCHA, UNHRC, OIM, etc) and other international donors/sources (CHF, (Dutch) Embassies, EU funding);
• Support and promote other Cordaid fundraising activities (institutional, private and corporate fundraising) and upon request assist teams with writing proposals.

Capacity development

• Identify gaps in capacities of the teams and partners relating to the implementation of their response strategy and preparedness plan and help them to address capacity gaps;
• Advice teams in capacity development of partners in preparedness and response.

Communication

• Upon request support communication on Cordaid humanitarian response in the region or in the Netherlands;
• Support good communication and profile Cordaid with relevant stakeholders in the different sectors of intervention and within the Caritas network.

Qualifications

• Humanitarian aid studies or other relevant studies on master level;
• At least 3 years proven experience with developing, managing and monitoring disaster preparedness and humanitarian response programs in conflict settings/fragile countries;
• Experience with the implementation of Linking relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRD) and/ or Disaster risk reduction (DRR);
• Experience in rapid needs assessments and project cycle management;
• Experience in working with the International humanitarian coordination system (UNOCHA, clusters) and in using relevant international humanitarian standards;
• Experience with Institutional donors such as ECHO in particular with proposal writing;
• Experience in working with local NGOs and other structures at local or national level, preferably with communities in conflict-affected states;
• Experience with the Caritas network and/or Cordaid is an asset;
• Excellent French and English language writing and communication skills are required;
• Experience in working in security sensitive environment in complex (post)conflict situations;
• Flexible and able to quickly adapt and respond to changing needs and context;
• Diplomatic, culturally sensitive and result-oriented.