Programme Coordinator, Harare, Zimbabwe

Cordaid combines more than 90 years' experience and expertise in emergency aid and structural poverty eradication. We are one of the biggest international development organisations with a network of almost a thousand partner organisations in 36 countries in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe and Latin America.

The counterpart organisations work on various themes, including health care, quality of urban life, access to markets and peace and conflict. Each year around 170 million euros is spent on initiatives in the South. Of that, over 30 million euros is available for emergency aid. A small part is spent in the Netherlands on lobby, public support and consciousness-raising.

For the new field office in Harare,Zimbabwe, Cordaid is looking for a Programme Coordinator

Country: Zimbabwe                            

Duty station: Harare

Vacancy number: 142/10479   

Introduction

Zimbabwe presently has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world and a large proportion of the population is dependent on food aid. Hit by frequent droughts, HIV/AIDS and economic meltdown, Zimbabwe over the last few years has been in the grip of a huge humanitarian crisis. Unemployment is sky-high (said to be over 80%), galloping inflation made basic foodstuffs, fuel, health and school unaffordable for many. In an effort to stabilise the economy, the US$ has been introduced as official currency. Millions of Zimbabweans have fled to neighbouring countries in the past years, some are (trying) to return now.

As the year 2009 brought some signs of positive changes for the country, Cordaid investigated in possible engagement in Humanitarian Aid and Early Recovery.

Next to running a ECHO food security program, Cordaid is looking for further possibilities to facilitate the needs of the population. In this way, out of solidarity, Cordaid will try to facilitate engagement of many communities in the various emancipation processes: morally, by investment of time and efforts of people, financially, through linking agendas, joint lobby and advocacy and ensuring that the voice of the groups at the heart of these emancipation processes are being heard at international levels and responded to by Dutch and European Civil Society, thus contributing to common efforts in Global Communities of Change.

Cordaid has the overall coordination and responsibility for the ECHO program and is an actor for part of the program. Possibilities for program extension need to be developed for 2010. Capacity building of partners in implementing the programs will be an important component of the program.

For these purposes, Cordaid has opened a small office in Harare.

Position & responsibility

The Program coordinator reports to the programme officer of the Humanitarian Aid Team of the Sector Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation at Cordaid headoffice in The Hague.

General objective of the posting

To coordinate the activities of the Cordaid Humanitarian program in Zimbabwe.  

Specific objectives

Programme management

• responsible for overall coordination (planning, monitoring and evaluation) of the Cordaid program;
• responsible for implementation of the Cordaid part of the ECHO program;
• capacity building of local partner organisations;
• responsible for narrative reports (a.o. of local partners, to HQ, backdonors);
• advise Cordaid programme officer on the policy of the programme under his/her responsibility;
• responsible for identification and formulation of new projects and for acquisition of external funding;
• perform any other tasks related to programme management, planning and implementation.

Representation

• establish and maintain contacts with donors, local and international NGO's and relevant UN agencies, local government officials (city councils, ministries);
• liaise and coordinate with Cordaid partner organisations, Caritas Member Organisations and CIDSE network.

Human resources management

• responsible for HRM of the international and local Cordaid staff and for the recruitment, selection, and dismissal of local personnel;
• as security coordinator responsible for formulation, implementation and adaptation of a local security plan and local evacuation plan.

Qualifications

Competences: Business orientation, Goal orientation, Cooperation

- academic degree in health, business/public administration, social sciences or other subject related to international cooperation

- excellent in English 

- relevant experience in management of an international field office in a complex humanitarian setting

- proven experience in:  

• - project cycle management in an NGO setting
• - with early recovery programs, preferably on food security / livelihood
• - with financial analysis and management
• - in implementing security policy in insecure, unstable areas
• - with representing to (national) authorities and (I)NGO's and in working with faith based Caritas organisations

- experience in working in Zimbabwe and knowledge of Cordaid procedures is an asset.

- valid driving licence

- excellent communication skills

- analytical ability, creative, flexible, sociable and pro active personality

Specifics of the base station

The Program Coordinator will be based in Harare, Zimbabwe, with frequent travel to the project areas and local partners.

Contract information

The contract period is for a year starting 1 december 2009. 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 and a holiday allowance.

An Introduction week at Cordaid HQ will take place before assignment in Zimbabwe will start.

Further information & how to apply

For additional information, please contact Josée van der Beek, recruiter. Phone: +31 70 3136 300.

Applications including a motivation letter and extensive CV in English, including the contact details of at least three professional references, should be forwarded before 15 October 2009 under reference of the vacancy number. Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this position, that applications will be reviewed on a regular basis in the meantime and that given the necessity to fill this position as soon as possible, we may offer this post before the closing date. An assessment will be part of the procedure.

Please note that we accept applications through our website only: (>English>Working for Cordaid).