Country: Haiti
Closing date: 11 Mar 2018
We help to strengthen resilience of vulnerable people exposed to hazards and crisis situations and we respond to disasters and conflicts to save lives and alleviate suffering. In the Netherlands with more than thirty thousand volunteers and internationally through technical assistance, supplies and financial support. Together we act before, during and after disasters to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people.
We do this without regards to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinion. Our seven principles guide our humanitarian work: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
The International Assistance department is responsible for all Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) international support for victims of disasters and conflicts and for vulnerable people exposed to hazards. The Focus of the International Assistance department is on two main areas: Disaster Response and Community Resilience.
The International Assistance (IA) division has opened a vacancy for a:
Country Representative, Haiti
Position title: NLRC Country Representative Haiti
Duty station: Port au Prince
Position type: Single
Purpose of the position
The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) is looking for a Country Representative who will:
Safeguard, develop and implement the NLRC long term strategy and vision for Haiti
Maintain and further develop relationships with Red Cross Partners, Donors and other Stakeholders
Lead the NLRC Country Team in Haiti
End responsible for all NLRC supported projects in Haiti
Be the project manager for the Partners for Resilience project
Background
Due to its geographical position, at the center of the "hurricane belt" and in an active and high-risk seismic zone, Haiti is considered one of the countries with the highest exposure to natural disasters, mainly hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and drought. In 2015, the El Niño phenomenon has worsened climate related hazards. Hurricane Season begins June 1 and ends November 30. The entire Haitian territory is vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes and though about 2,5% of the population are directly exposed to the storms, they generally affect a larger number of people and can cause a lot of economic damage. Hurricanes usually provoke flooding which imply the loss of people’s lives, homes and livelihoods. Low lying areas, coastal areas and estuaries (which represent 20% of the territory) are especially vulnerable to floods. Moreover, Haiti is prone to flash floods. As a consequence of deforestation and the uneven landscape, water from rainfall runs off mountain slopes while soil can’t absorb it for it is already saturated, dry or eroded. Normally there are two rainy seasons, one from April until June and one from August until October. The loose soil and rocky formations on the hillsides are a major cause for landslides in many hilly areas of Haiti. Due to deforestation the soil does not firmly hold together and triggers such as earthquakes and heavy rainfall may cause large pieces of land to slide of hillsides. The areas on mountain slopes and hillsides are most at risk. The whole country is at risk to landslides because of the mountainous terrain. Landslide risk is higher from March until December.
The Netherlands Red Cross has a long history in providing humanitarian aid in Haiti and dates back to the end of 1990s. The NLRC responded immediately to the January 2010 Earthquake: Assistance in cash, staff deployment and distribution of food and non-food items. In September 2010 an emergency-early recovery program started consisting of providing water and sanitation reducing the spread of water-borne disease in Jacmel and Leogane. Cholera response programme after the outbreak of October 2011 and three long-term programmes were implemented: DRR and Livelihoods, Capacity development of the Haitian Red Cross and HIV/Aids.
NLRC has opened a new sub-delegation in Sud Department in Les Cayes few days after Hurricane Matthew in October 2016. Serious needs were identified in food security, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, early recovery, shelter and non-food items distribution. Access to drinking water was limited and hygiene options and practices at lowest level, making the population vulnerable to diseases. Cholera cases increased and became of a serious concern. The NLRC focused its relief interventions in the Disaster Risk Response, WASH sector – water and hygiene promotion and livelihoods recovery.
Over more than two decades, the National Societies have collaborated in addressing acute needs of vulnerable people of Haiti through implementation of a wide-range programmes in the areas of primary health care, water and sanitation, food security and livelihoods support, climate change and community resilience, and local capacity building. The organizations, guided by the Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement Fundamental Principles and in line with their strategies and mandates, work hand-in-hand to alleviate sufferings and strengthen capacities of the most vulnerable groups of the population in Haiti.
The Haitian Red Cross was founded May 29, 1932 and currently has 200 staff with 10,000 volunteers throughout the country. The HRC is recognized as an auxiliary body, well linked, for coordinating and collaborating purposes, to the government. HRCS and NLRC are currently implementing a number of projects in the Southern Department.
Position in the organization
The Country Representative is leading the country team in Haiti, consisting of three delegates and local staff. The country representative is the direct line manager of the in-country expatriate staff and local staff in Port au Prince.
The Country Representative reports to the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator (PPC) for Haiti, who is based in The Hague, The Netherlands.
The Country Representative will work closely with staff based at NLRC HQ, including the Portfolio Officer for Haiti, technical advisors, PMER and quality officers.
Key Responsibilities
Vision and Strategy development
Safeguard and Implement the Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) agreed between NLRC and HRCS.
Take the lead in further developing NLRC’s long term vision and strategy for Haiti.
Maintain and develop NLRC’s portfolio for Haiti.
In the processes described above ensure inclusion of HRCS, the NLRC field team and NLRC HQ (desk, advisors, unit lead).
Act as the primary resource person within NLRC Country Office, for sharing and providing information on NLRC’s vision and strategy and projects in Haiti.
Partnership Fostering and Development
Maintain effective working relationships with HRCS as well as other Red Cross Partner National Societies in country.
Maintain and foster in country relations with Donors.
Maintain relations with Netherlands Embassy in The Dominican Republic and pro-actively inform the Embassy about NLRC supported projects.
Engage and actively participate in relevant networks, coalitions, alliances, meetings, forums or any other event related to the activities implemented in Haiti.
Represent the NLRC in coordination meetings with other Red Cross partners.
Take the lead in identifying funding and or partnership opportunities in Haiti which are in line with strategies and priorities of HRCS and NLRC.
Project Development and Delivery
Analyze and maintain an in-depth understanding of the development context and key stakeholders in country.
Work in collaboration and consultation with HRCS, identify relevant interventions in line with HRCS and NLRC International Assistance Department Strategy.
Work in close collaboration with Project Delegates in development of new proposals, monitoring and revising budgets and activities.
Coordinate the Partners for Resilience project in Haiti
End responsible for ensuring quality project management and financial control of the portfolio of NLRC projects in-country as the line manager of project delegates.
Safeguard and implement NLRC’s Standard Project Approach (SPA), Financial Management guide and NLRC’s Procedures for International Procurement
Human Resources, Line management and Office
Foster a positive, fair, participatory and ambitious professional work culture among in-country staff.
Ensure all Delegates are delivering on work plans and that all relevant external donor policies, procedures and deadlines are met.
Oversee management of in-country project budgets for Delegates in agreement with the Portfolio Officer.
Ensure all delegates adhere to NLRC’s Standard Project Approach, use the right (budget) formats, follow all NLRC procedures (e.g. Logistics, Security Guidelines) and use the right administrative systems (SPACE 2.0, Winpaccs, etc).
Undertake regular strategic and operational meetings with HRCS Senior Management Team to ensure work priorities and address any challenges the in country NLRC team is facing.
Responsible for managing employee performance, including providing employees with regular feedback, (conducting a Mid Term review and a yearly performance appraisal.
Maintain accurate written records of work plans, Management Team meetings and performance appraisals.
In conjunction with each employee, identify learning and professional development needs and support the employee in getting these needs met e.g. approving their participation in courses, coaching them, providing them with “on-the-job” experience that will enhance their knowledge, etc.
Develop Job Descriptions for new staff of the Country office, process recruitment and hiring in close consultation with the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator.
Ensure that staff compensation and benefits are fair and understood by all employees.
Ensure that Delegates comply with staff regulations and that breaches are documented and the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator notified.
Develop the NLRC office budget, taking into account existing program budgets and request for approval by NLRC HQ.
Organize missions for the NLRC, other Red Cross National Societies and external consultants upon request alongside the relevant project delegate. Develop terms of references for these missions.
Security Management
Ensure that updated Security Regulations are in place and that all staff (local and International) are aware and follows the regulation.
Develop on a yearly basis a country security document in close collaboration with the security advisor at HQ
Disseminate information on security threats to staff in a timely manner.
Regularly analyze context, identify risks and validate security rules.
Maintain proper documentation of security incidents.
Conduct security briefing for NLRC visitors to Haiti and arrange security briefing for these visitors.
Requirements
Master degree in Social Science, International Development, Business Management or other relevant field
At least 5 years’ experience in the development and/or humanitarian field
Strategic thinker with a strong track record in programme design and grant writing
Demonstrated ability for high level representation (e.g. donor liaison)
Experience in the area of capacity building and development of non-governmental organisations, preferably of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Able to work in politically complex and challenging environment.
Experience in working at managerial level in an international organisation.
Experience in programme management , including programme identification, formulation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, preferably within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement
Excellent narrative and financial reporting and proposal writing skills.
Working experience in Haiti is preferred, as is knowledge on the political, economic and socio-cultural climate of the Caribbean, specifically Haiti.
Able to adhere to policy and procedures of the NLRC whilst effectively managing programmes and people
Able to make sound judgements and decisions.
Good social/diplomatic skills and culturally sensitive, flexible and creative.
Able to work independently, as well in a team with the guidance of the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator;
Fluent in spoken and written of French and English;
Strong interpersonal skills.
Practical knowledge of computer Skills (Microsoft Office, Winpaccs, Document Management programmes).
We offer
A full time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for 1 year, with the possibility of extension
A flexible and human centred working environment in an international environment with a variety of international organizations.
Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development.
How to apply:
Please submit your CV and motivation letter in English with reference to Annemieke van Teeffelen before 11th of March 2018 using our online application tool through the following link: https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/en/Vacancy/Apply/95978
For further information regarding the position please contact Wassim Beaineh via email at wbeaineh@redcross.nl
Please note that an assessment is part of the selection process.