Afghanistan: Regional Programme Support - Afghanistan and Yemen

Terms of reference

Job Title: Regional Programme Support - Afghanistan and Yemen

Code: SR-00-968

Duty station: 60% deployed to the assigned missions, 40% home based with planned presence in the HQ or HQ-based (Rome)

Starting date: 01/06/2019

Contract duration: 7 months (with possibility of extension)

Reporting to: Regional Director Afghanistan and Yemen

Supervision of: //

Dependents: //

General context of the project

Yemen has been declared the worst humanitarian crisis, and it could become the world's worst famine in 100 years. This is a man-made disaster fueled by all sides in the conflict. 24 million Yemenis (nearly 80% of the population) are in need of some kind of humanitarian assistance. Yemen is also suffering from a cholera outbreak that has affected over 1.2 million people since April 2017.

The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is steadily deteriorating: conflict is a major contributor to displacements and food insecurity, both of which are further compounded by chronic drought. Afghanistan remains one of the few countries where polio is still endemic. The protracted nature of the crisis has also given rise to long-term needs that challenge traditional humanitarian response and lead to renewed efforts to promote coordination between humanitarian and development actors.

In both contexts widespread attacks to humanitarian principles is the norm: health centers are bombed, aid workers are targeted by fighters, and civilians are starved into surrender. Denial and obstruction of humanitarian assistance, as well as increased hostility towards and attacks on humanitarian workers, also have serious consequences for the civilian population.

INTERSOS is an Italian non-profit humanitarian aid organization that works to bring assistance to people in danger, victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts.

INTERSOS has been operational in Afghanistan and Yemen since 2002 and 2008 respectively, and continues to respond to the needs of the conflict-affected populations through a multi-sectoral response mostly focused on protection, health, nutrition and WASH.

In Yemen INTERSOS remains one of the most important (and only Italian) NGO, having expanded its operations both geographically (working equally in North and South) and in term of sectors since the beginning of the conflict. Bureaucratic impediments and operational challenges remain very high and require continuous efforts from the country team to implement the numerous programmes in time and with quality.

In Afghanistan INTERSOS is consolidating its operations and plans for an expansion of programmes to respond to the high uncovered needs in the Southern region, which remain a challenging area due to access and security constraints.

General purpose of the position

The Regional Programme Support (RSP) is assisting the Regional Director on the management, strategic programming, implementation of activities and achievement of objectives related to the geographic area of competence, as well as in the identification and formulation of new interventions. For the implementation of these tasks, several short-term missions on the field (up to 2 months approximately) could be necessary. The RSP will be dedicated to the “Yemen and Afghanistan” Region.

Main responsibilities and tasks

In the field:

• Support the implementation of ongoing projects in accordance with priorities identified in strict collaboration with Head of Missions (HoM)

• Supervise and assess the level of progress achieved by each project or specific projects. Advise mission in project implementation and monitor the status of the program regularly reporting to HoM and RD

• Meetings with HoM, PMs (+ other key staff) in order to jointly work on and/or review some key project documents (internal or for the donor);

• Support the preparation of reports according to donors’ schedules.

• Represent INTERSOS vis-à-vis donors, clusters, any other relevant stakeholders based on delegation and in strict collaboration with the HoM.

• Carry out field visits to monitor quality if needed

• Train key staff on specific tools according to the needs and competences

• As last resort, and if a project is considered a key one (in terms of life saving activities to be put in place or strategically speaking), ensure a short-term gap filling by replacing PM or any other relevant staff (programme ones)

• Support or lead the design and writing of new projects

• Support HoM and key staffs in defining, programming and planning activities in line with the identified strategy – this could also include support for expansion into new areas in the country

• Support / lead the identification, designing and implementation of specific need assessments according to country strategies and (expected) calls for proposals

• Support / lead the identification of intervention according to needs assessments’ results, country strategies, INTERSOS positioning and presence of other actors.

• Support / lead the formulation of new project proposals, both narrative and financial components, in strict collaboration with in-country staff (HoM, PC / HoB, PMs and CFC), RD and RFC.

• Carry out specific meetings with donors in order to discuss, share and advocate planned interventions – based on assigned delegation from HoM (in-country donors) and/or RD (region or HQ based donors).

• Support to Operations, based on priorities identified in strict collaboration with HoMs

• Support HoM and key staffs in defining, programming and planning operational aspects in line with the identified strategy

• Guarantee, in collaboration with HoM and heads of departments, the respect of INTERSOS Organization Management and Control Model and the application of INTERSOS and donors’ administrative procedures, rules and policies for the efficient and transparent management of projects, offices and countries

• Collaborate to the analysis of HR needs

• Promote orientation and training sessions for the operational staffs of the country. Engage in direct capacity building when/as needed

• As last resort, ensure a short-term gap filling by replacing HoB or HoM

Remotely / in Rome HQ:

• Follow-up on tasks started during the field missions – as required and agreed with HoM and RD
• Contribute, with RD, to the design of the strategies and the identification of the geographical areas and sectors of intervention to be privileged
• In collaboration with HoM and SMT, supervise, analyse and evaluate key variables of the design of projects (constraints and rules of the donors, consistency and technical-methodological congruity, quality of resources, effectiveness of results efficiency). In case of need and under supervision of RD produce requested programmatic documentation (e.g.: proposal, annexes)
• Supervise and assess, through the review of PAT and/or other tools, the level of progress achieved by each project. Advise missions in project implementation and monitor the status of the program regularly reporting to RD
• Support the mission guaranteeing that HoM and SMT submit timely mission documentation and reports to donors and HQ. Control the content of narrative reports, in collaboration with Technical Units
• Regularly update INTERSOS database (IMP) content for the sections of HQ competence on the basis of the information provided by Heads of Mission and Project Managers and verify accuracy of data
• Collaborate with Communication and Fundraising department to promote contents, visibility and awareness of the Organization's work, goals, and financial needs

Required profile and experience

Education

• Advanced university degree

Professional Experience

• At least 3 years of working experience, managing humanitarian programmes for complex emergencies, with minimum of 2 year of field experience

• Experience in program management in at least one of the following sectors: protection, health and nutrition

• Prior professional experience working on Yemen and/or Afghanistan will be considered as an asset

Professional Requirements

• Strong experience in program implementation, including budget management skills and monitoring tools / systems

• Strong experience in project formulation (including needs assessment)

• Excellent writing skills (donors’ proposals and reports)

• Experience with donor and NGO internal compliance (logistic procedures, HR policies, etc.)

• Good representation and negotiation skills

• Compulsory ICT literacy

Languages

• Proficiency in English is required
• Italian is a strong plus

Personal Requirements

• Strong team spirit, comfortable in a multicultural environment

• Excellent analytical skills, observation and analysis capacity

• Strategic thinking

• Attention to detail and structured way of approaching tasks (very organized)

• Ability to plan ahead and output oriented (proactive)

• Able to ensure quick quality delivery in stressful environment (stress-resilient)

• Ability to adhere to deadlines and respect line management

• Very strong interpersonal skills: strong communication and diplomatic skills

• Practical and problem-solver

• Ability to deal with heavy work pressure

For further information and to apply, follow the link below:

https://www.intersos.org/posizioni-aperte/#intersosorg-vacancies/vacancy-details/5c87a22198f90009a70a609f/

In case you encounter difficulties applying through INTERSOS' platform, you can also apply by sending your CV, motivation letter and 2 references via email to recruitment@intersos.org , with subject line: "**SR-00-968 - Regional Programme Support - Afghanistan and Yemen**".

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview.