Job: Head of Rakhine Response Programme

Location: Sittwe, Myanmar 
Deadline: Thursday, 31 October 2013 

Description

Position: Head of Rakhine Response Programme

Location: Sittwe—Rakhine State, with frequent travel to the field offices and Yangon

Duration: 6 Months (possible extension up to one year)

Reports to: Country Director

About RI:

Relief International (RI) is a leading global change organization and home to teams of humanitarian activist-professionals committed to transforming adversity into renewal for the world's most vulnerable populations. By partnering with beneficiaries and communities on the front-lines, RI innovatively bridges the gap between immediate relief and long-term community development. The Head of Rakhine Response Programme will oversee and manage the implementation of all Relief International projects in Rakhine State, including emergency response and longer term development programmes. The Head will be a key liaison between Rakhine project staff, Sittwe-level agency coordination, and the Yangon office. The Head of Rakhine Response Programme will represent Relief International at donor and inter-agency meetings in Rakhine in close coordination with the Country Director; and identify and develop/design new programme opportunities.

Position Summary:

Position Responsibilities and Duties: Program Management

• Manage quality project implementation, including allocation of resources and ensuring that appropriate controls are maintained at all levels, by working with Field staff
• Ensure that team members are effective and efficient and contribute the necessary work to ensure their programs are a success. Provide feedback to staff to ensure optimal performance
• Ensure all Rakhine projects are completed within time, on budget and achieved their objectives
• Provide adequate support to each project including, but not limited to, strategic vision and technical input and advice
• Ensure the proper allocation of resources and maintenance of appropriate controls at all levels with field staff
• Monitor project implementation, communication and report both internally and externally
• Ensure quality and timely reports to the donors are prepared and submitted in coordination with the Yangon office
• Ensure that donor rules and regulations are known and followed by RI teams
• Serve as a link between RI and all project counterparts for example through sector coordination

Program Planning and Development

• Develop, in cooperation with other staff, short, medium and long-range strategic plans maintaining program focus in areas in line with RI's program objectives
• In close coordination with the CD and the GM maintain effective communications with donors by tracking trends and anticipating the likelihood of funding opportunities in Rakhine State
• Assess other implementing organizations' activities to identify gap areas and overlap
• Maintain effective communications with Yangon office, regarding program development, funding agreements and staffing
• Identify, and where necessary, initiate and maintain program partnerships with external agencies
• Research relevant field data for compilation and inclusion in support of project documents while ensuring and verifying that field observations, assessments, and reports are at a level of detail and quality that can be used in project concept notes and detailed proposals and reports to donors.
• Take the lead in the design of new relevant programmes Personnel Management
• Oversee the management of all staff in Rakhine projects
• Supervise all personnel and provide annual or end of contract evaluations for staff
• Promote and organize local staff capacity building and development. Security and Safety
• Ensure the overall responsibility of the safety and security of RI staff and beneficiaries in Rakhine
• Ensure the overall protection of RI assets, equipment and data in Rakhine
• Make safety and security policy and recommendations based on all available information
• Immediately report to Country Director regarding safety and security incidents Reporting and Control
• Ensure the compliance with RI policies and regulations
• Report any break in RI policy, in particular the SEA (Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) and Harassment Policies
• Provide program reports and regular situation reports that are timely, meet information requirements and professionally written as needed by RI and as required by donors
• Ensure all programs are completed within time, on budget and achieve their objectives. External Representation
• Maintain a suitable image for RI in Myanmar and protect RI's interest, image and notoriety
• In close coordination with the CD, effective liaison with donor, governments and other lead agency representatives in Rakhine
• Represent RI at all levels and routine meetings with the Humanitarian and development actors, IOs, and ensure attendance at sector and cluster meetings in Rakhine
• Facilitate donor visits to project sites as appropriate. Financial Management
• Undertake budget preparation and monitoring
• Close follow-up and review of project expenditure in relation to work plans. Other
• Act as the communication link between Yangon main office and the field. Direct all communications up or down, as appropriate
• Undertake additional activities as required by RI

Qualifications & requirements:

Higher education degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a relevant field of study Minimum of five years' field program experience including at least 3 years of management Experience living overseas and ability to adapt and work comfortably in culturally unfamiliar environments Strong verbal and written skills as well as ability to multi-task effectively Experience of working in a humanitarian context Outstanding interpersonal skills, particularly when dealing with national staff and multicultural teams Solid programmatic, financial, and organizational planning skill Proven initiative and resourcefulness Excellent oral communication skills and writing ability in English Familiarity with key international standards for humanitarian work (e.g. CP Minimum Standards, SPHERE, HAP Principles) Knowledge of USAID, ECHO, EC and DFID grantee regulations Past experience on implementing Health, WASH, Livelihood and Peace Buildings programs is a plus Proven ability to work in a multicultural setting, experience in conflict zones preferred Ability to live, work, and travel under difficult environmental conditions and in politically complex areas Previous experience in the East or South Asia, preferably Myanmar Sound understanding of the political and conflict context in Myanmar required Experience of preparing proposals and reports for donors such as the above Demonstrated record in collaborating with local governments, rural communities, other NGOs, donors and United Nations organizations Burmese language ability is a plus

Interested candidates should send their cover letter, CV and names of three referees to Relief International at hla.oo@ri.org quoting 'Head of Rakhine Response Programme' in the subject line. The deadline for submission of applications is no later than 9.00 am Myanmar time on 31 October 2013. Only short listed candidates will be notified.

More Info and Application