Project Coordinator

Merlin Job Description 1
Job Description
Position: Program Coordinator
Responsible To: Country Director
Location: Garowe – Puntland, Somalia
Contract Duration: 12 months
Starting Date: 1st May 2013
Salary: £26,670.00- £27,420.00 per annum (dependant on relevant experience)
Benefits: Insurance cover, accommodation, R&R, annual leave entitlement of 24 days per annum rising to 30 days at the completion of 12 months of continuous employment with Merlin.
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.
Please note that this is an unaccompanied position
Merlin
Merlin is an international health charity, saving lives in the world's toughest places. Merlin responds with healthcare, when people are overwhelmed by natural disaster, conflict or disease and in need of immediate help. We focus on treating those who are beyond the reach of existing health services. After the immediate crisis, Merlin stays on to assist recovery. Using our expertise, we support health workers and strengthen existing health services. We build resilience by helping those at risk of future health disasters, to be better prepared.
We think everyone should have access to lasting healthcare. We believe good health is fundamental to transforming people's lives, that's why Merlin is A Force for Health.
Context and Background
Merlin has been working in Somalia since 2004 and is currently implementing HIV/AIDS, TB and emergency preparedness programmes in Puntland State of Somalia; health and nutrition programme in Ceelbuur district in Galgadud region; and health and nutrition programme in Zeila district in Awdal region of Somaliand.
The goal of the Somalia mission is to address humanitarian and health crises within Somalia while increasing capacity of local structures to deliver effective and quality health care services.
Merlin Job Description 2
Main purpose of the role
The Program Coordinator will have the overall management and administration in accordance with Merlin's internal procedures. S/he will provide direct support for the management and documentation of project implementation, accounting, logistics and administration activities in support of Merlin's humanitarian intervention
Overall Objectives (scope)
 General coordination
 Operational Management
 Security
 Programme Development
 Logistics, Finance and Administration
 Human Resource Management
 Stakeholder Representation
Responsibilities
General
 To oversee the set-up of the field office and support the overall Merlin response in
Puntland, consistent with the project management cycle and Merlin procedures
 To coordinate with the project partners and relevant local authorities and other sector actors working locally as necessary
 To assist in rapid needs assessments as required
 To draw up plans, proposals and budgets for new projects in conjunction with the relevant staff
 To assist in the recruitment/induction of program staff for field sites
Operational Management
 Overall responsibilities for the management of project activities other programmatic activities
 Work closely with the partners to ensure efficient and effective response to health needs in the area
 Initiate and maintain regular project team meetings
 Ensure reporting in line with the relevant donor contracts and compliance requirements
 Ensure monitoring systems are in place and that project reviews/audits are carried out periodically in conjunction with the team, country manager, local stakeholders and project partners
 Monitor the evolving humanitarian situation in the project region and consider strategic and immediate responses to it
Security
 Ensure team security and safety in a highly changeable and volatile security environment
 Proactively monitor the political and security situation in the project areas and update the Country Director accordingly
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 Ensure security guidelines are implemented and regularly updated for all project locations.
 Amend the guidelines following consultation with the Country Management Team
Programme Development
 Ensure all relevant authorities and stakeholders are included in the planning and implementation of projects as appropriate
 Maintain a good and proactive collaboration with the local authorities and partners
 Draw up plans, proposals and budgets for new projects/extensions of projects in conjunction with the relevant team, medical and financial staff
 Proactively contribute to programme development and strategy
 Coordinate technical support with Country Health Director and senior health staff
Logistics/Finance/Administration
 Ensure familiarity with donor compliance issues, ensuring all projects are compliant with these and Merlin procedures
 Ensure appropriate administrative, financial and logistical Merlin systems/procedures are in place, maintained and adhered to so that all support functions are carried out effectively and efficiently
 Ensure Merlin complies with all legal and bureaucratic requirements in country
 Ensure regular communications are maintained between the different departments and act as a mediator when necessary.
 Responsible for the preparation of projected expenditures each month (cash book Management)
 Responsible for accurate budget control and overall responsibility for financial management at the project site in line with project proposals
 Monitor expenditure and budget compliance on a regular basis, report any concerns to the Country Director and develop plans to mitigate any under or over expenditure at project level
Human Resource Management
 To be responsible for the well-being of all team members; conduct regular team building activities.
 Responsible for national staff selection, recruitment, and disciplinary and grievance procedures
 Maintain good inter-team communications, engender good team dynamics, and take suitable action when problems occur
 Support team members professionally and monitor and support stress management, including regular documented team meetings for planning and reporting purposes
 Carry out appraisals as per Merlin standard requirements and procedures
 Ensure all new team members are adequately briefed on arrival in the field, and departing team members are debriefed
 Responsible for capacity building and training of national personnel
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Representation
 Carry out representation with other NGOs, UN agencies, local and national government bodies and other relevant parties
 Participate on a regular basis to all relevant meetings and be collaborative and build a strong relationship with all health partners in the area.
 When relevant and with the Country Director approval, represent Merlin to donors, authorities, NGOs and other parties as necessary.
 Ensure local authorities and MOH are kept informed of Merlin activities as appropriate
 Ensure a good level of accountability through the program implementation, staff management and representation
Other
 Provide cover for other posts when needed and carry out any other responsibilities as requested by the Country Director
Person Specification
Essential
Qualifications, experience and competences
 Relevant field experience in a humanitarian context, preferably in implementing emergency health and nutrition programs
 Previous experience in project proposal development, logical framework development, report and proposal writing, personnel management
 Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English
 Experience of financial, budget and administrative management
 Experience and understanding of logistics systems
 Relevant university qualification in management, MPH or other relevant subject
 Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines
 Ability to work under stressful conditions and to remain flexible and calm under pressure
 Experience of proactively identifying and addressing issues
 Strong problem solving and organisational skills in day to day and crisis situations
 Experience of security management at the field site level
 Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures
 Willing to live and work in challenging conditions
 Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office
 An understanding of and commitment to Merlin's mission and values
Desirable
Qualifications, experience and competences
 Previous work experience in Somalia
 Fluent in Somali
 Experience and understanding of public health issues
 Experience of donor liaison
Merlin Job Description 5