SIDA Project Coordinator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to those forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

BACKGROUND: IRC is working with SIDA through the Humanitarian Framework Agreement to implement an ambitious multi-country project which contributes to IRC’s Sahel Strategy. This project, implemented in three countries, seeks to Enhance the capabilities and build the resources of populations affected by conflict, natural hazards, and environmental and economic shocks and stresses in order to prevent and mitigate crises, manage change and enhance their self-reliance.

SCOPE OF WORK The SIDA Project Coordinator is a unique position in IRC, designed to provide oversight and coordination to a multi-country (Chad, Mali and Niger) project. With the overall objective of achieving high quality results for our clients in all three countries, the main goal of this position is to support and coordinate project implementation, learning, grants management (including compliance requirements and reporting), internal and external communication and partnership processes and procedures.

The SIDA Project Coordinator will report to the Deputy Director of Programmes (DDP) in Mali with a dotted supervision line to the DDPs in the other two implementing countries. The post will receive support and oversight from the Deputy Regional Director of Programmes (DPDP) based in the IRC London office. The postholder will be expected to develop strong working relations with in country grants and programme coordinators, in addition to technical staff in field offices and HQ.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with the DDPs in Chad, Niger and Mali to coordinate and maintain a coherent workplan and M&E plans across three countries
• Maintain regular communications with IRC UK (and NY on request) and via them with SIDA to update on progress and adaptation of the project as necessary
• Act as focal point, facilitating regular communications (including monthly calls, chatter discussions, email updates) between the three implementing countries and UK/HQ to ensure regional coherence and coordination
• Together with the Grants Coordinators, provide oversight to monthly grant review meetings and prepare related minutes and follow-up points (ensuring a regional perspective on project developments, issues).
• Undertake regular field visits in three countries to follow progress of grant implementation, and coordinate learning fora (face to face or through virtual groups) to inform implementation and development of follow on project across sectors ( health, economic recovery, nutrition, women’s empowerment, youth and child protection)
• Lead on the planning and preparation of the learning workshop planned for all three countries (and involving HQ and partners as appropriate). 
• Coordinate the content of proposal for years 2 and 3 of the project.
• Coordinate project adaptation if contextual factors change in the region.
• At the request of the DRDP/RD, represent IRC at regional fora in Dakar or elsewhere.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Master in Development; International Affairs; Public Health or related subject.  
• Three to five years experience working in relief or development programs, prior experience working in emergency settings or insecure environments.
• International experience; knowledge and understanding of the Sahel region will be an advantage
• Previous successful experience developing projects and writing proposals and/or managing grants for public donors
• Previous experience with promoting learning and knowledge management systems/flows with concrete results
• Experience of working with SIDA or other institutional donors
• Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison
• Detail oriented and able to manage competing urgent requests and priorities
• Strong project management experience in development/humanitarian contexts with concrete and positive results
• Works well in and promotes teamwork; great inter-personal skills; comfortable in a multi-cultural environment; flexible and able to handle pressure well
• Excellent computer skills: MS Word, Excel, Power Point
• Fluency in French and English required

WORK ENVIRONMENT This position will be based in Bamako, with frequent travel to Niger and Chad, and occasional travel to Senegal and possibly to the UK/US. While security in Bamako is generally calm, civil conflict is ongoing elsewhere in the country, and travel outside Bamako will be restricted to essential work related journeys and closely monitored. Strict adherence to security guidelines is requested of all IRC staff. This position will be provided with comfortable shared housing in Bamako. This position is non-accompanied.