Malawi: Malawi ECHO Project Delegate

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 money. 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 international support for victims of disasters and conflicts and for vulnerable people exposed to hazards.

The International Assistance department has opened a vacancy for a Project Delegate on “Early Warning, Early action” in Malawi.

Position title: Project delegate “Early warning, early action” Malawi

Duty station: Lilongwe with frequent travels to Karonga district

Time period: One year, with possible extension until end of project (July 2020)

Starting Date: Immediate deployment

Status: Accompanied posting

Rationale

The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) has been working in Malawi since 2003. The aim of this partnership is to contribute to effective and sustainable programme service delivery by the MRCS through its branches to communities and beneficiaries which will ultimately lead to strengthened community resilience. NLRC has a small office in the MRCS HQ building in Lilongwe, consisting out of 2 persons: the project delegate and the financial administrator.

Currently, NLRC supports a DG ECHO funded project called “Preparedness for Response and Early Action in Malawi” in Karonga district. The project is a consortium of the NLRC (as the lead), Belgian Red Cross-Flanders (BRC-Fl), Danish Red Cross (DRC) and Malawi Red Cross (MRCS). Furthermore, NLRC is supporting MRCS to make their service delivery more effective by the use of data. In that light, NLRC supports 3 projects in which local staff are being trained to use data for analysis and service delivery. The data team is also instrumental in the implementation of the ECHO project. Together with the other core partners of MRCS, NLRC has been involved in two former ECHO projects in Malawi, and might play a role in the next HIP2019, through our data-team capacity.

The Malawi Red Cross is currently engaged in a process of re-structuring their organization (“Turn Around Strategy”). Due to that fact, several capacities are limited. To ensure a high quality of project implementation and accountability, NLRC and MRCS have agreed detailed risk mitigation measures. The NLRC project delegate will ensure all these measures are being followed, and the project is being implemented as planned.

MRCS core partners (Danish Red Cross, Belgian Red Cross -Flanders; Swiss Red Cross and Netherlands Red Cross) have recently held a “core partners meeting” in The Hague, where several short and long term agreements were made in regards to MRCS’s “Turn Around Strategy”. An accountability framework is being developed and will need strict implementation. The Danish Red Cross is leading the coordination among the core partners.

Summary statement and responsibilities

The Project delegate is responsible for the implementation of the ECHO project to fully reach its objectives. As indicated above, NLRC is and has been one of the stakeholders in the ECHO projects in Malawi, and leading the dialogue with the Technical Advisor of DG ECHO in Nairobi. Although NLRC will not take a lead in the new HIP2019, and is also handing over the lead in the dialogue with the TA, the delegate will ensure an active engagement in the discussion with the core partners and contribute to a possible application, if NLRC can add value (e.g. Open Data capacity). In light of our partnership with MRCS and ECHO it is therefore important that the Project Delegate maintains a high standard of the project implementation and this includes a 100% financial accountability of the actual costs.

Since MRCS and NLRC have agreed several risk mitigation measures to ensure high quality project implementation and accountability, the Project Delegate is responsible to safeguard these measures and that MRCS is for 100% compliant to their contractual obligations. The project delegate reports back and consults with the NLRC Head Office on a weekly basis. The ECHO project should not take more than 75 % of your time.

Besides the responsibilities in regards to the ECHO project, the delegate will also provide project management support to the data team of MRCS (510). This will take on average not more than 15 % of your time.

The Project delegate is also responsible to run the NLRC office and to account monthly for the office costs, with support of the financial administrator, who reports to the Project Delegate.

Finally, the project delegate, will be involved in the core partners meetings in Lilongwe, and play its role in the safeguarding of what has been agreed in the Hague (October 2018). This and the above responsibility should not take more than 10% of the time.

Position in the organization

The Project Delegate will support the MRCS ECHO project staff throughout the full project cycle. He or she will be responsible for ensuring 100 % accountability of the project, best practices, providing ongoing technical advice to MRCS and implementing capacity building initiatives within the project staff members. The Project Delegate supports the 510 team of MRCS by providing project management advise where needed. The Project Delegate reports directly to the NLRC Partnership and Projects Coordinator (The Hague) and has direct communication lines with the NLRC project administrator (The Hague), NLRC Projects Officer (The Hague) and NLRC Financial Roving Delegate (Zambia based). Financial missions to Malawi by NLRC Finance Controller require a close follow up from the Project Delegate. The Project delegate is the line manager of the Financial Administrator, who reports to him (administration), but who also has a direct line with NLRC Roving Financial delegate and NLRC HQ Financial Controller.

Key Responsibilities

ECHO Grant Management:

· Strict monitoring and oversee a 100 % compliance by MRCS and NLRC of the financial management measures agreed between NLRC and MRCS.

· Strictly Coordinates with MRCS, BelgRC Flanders and Danish Red Cross about donor specific regulations, and internal policies and procedures.

· Ensure planning, reporting and monitoring, throughout the project cycle, according to ECHO and NLRC procedures and the MOUs / grant agreements signed.

· Ensures 100% that MRCS applies all guidelines and formats for administrative, financial, logistic and accounting -internal and donor- procedures.

· Review project progress, together with MRCS, ensuring the tracking of project progress against targets, and reviewing quarterly program reports and financial reports with senior management.

· Provide accurate and up to date information to the NLRC HQ regarding progress and deadlines.

· Coordinate program reviews, including internal and external evaluations, audits and field visits by donor and NLRC.

· Follow and facilitate continuous learning from past project experiences and new developments together with MRCS.

· Provide guidance, management and capacity building of MRCS national staff involved in the project (financial management, grant management, among others).

· Adhere to the visibility and communication plan for all partners involved in the project.

· Generate and share ideas with MRCS and its core partners for future projects, collaborating in the identification of needs, project ideas and development project proposals.

General Duties

· Work towards the achievement of MRCS and NLRC goals in Malawi through effective managerial and lateral relations and teamwork.

· Support a well-coordinated and complementary Movement approach, taking into account the agreements made during the core partners meeting in The Hague (which includes the accountability framework)

· Represent the NLRC where necessary.

· Ensure understanding of communication channels, roles, responsibilities, lateral relationships and accountabilities.

· Perform other work related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the supervisor.

· To uphold the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and comply with the Code of Conduct and policies.

Requirements/Qualifications

· University degree or similar professional qualification in International Development or related field.​

· Five or more years related Project Cycle Management experience at a senior level including at least three years in developing country contexts.

· Minimum three years of experience managing Disaster Risk Management (DRM) programmes.

· Three years of experience with DG ECHO donor requirements including narrative and financial reporting.

· Financial accountability skills are a must

· Strong leadership, team building, negotiating, influencing and relationship building skills.​

· Easily able to understand and adapt an organisational culture and way of working according to standards and procedures.

· Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

· Fluent written and spoken English.

· Experience in working with the Red Cross is an advantage

Key competencies

· Punctual and precise

· Strong communication skills

· Cultural sensitivity

· Results oriented

· Planning, monitoring and reporting

· Initiator

We offer

• A full time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for one 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.

Please send your resume in English and letter of motivation with reference to Annemieke van Teeffelen before 30 November 2018 via our online application system: https://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/nl/Vacancy/Postulate/115343

An initial assessment of candidates short-listed is part of the selection procedure.

For more information of the work of the Netherlands Red Cross please go to www.rodekruis.nl. and www.rodekruis.tv. NLRC on Facebook: Facebook.com/rodekruis and Twitter: Twitter.com/rodekruis

Acquisition for this vacancy will not be appreciated.