Cameroon: Field Coordinator - Southwest Region, Cameroon

Job Title: Field Coordinator

Work Base: Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon

Responsible to: Program manager

Duration: 4 months

Start date: ASAP

Closing date: until suitable candidate is found

Fee: USD3500 to USD4000 depending on experience

The Mentor Initiative, is about to start the implementation of a very challenging program in two health districts in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. Since late 2016, Anglophone regions of Cameroon (Southwest and Northwest) have endured turmoil and violence in what has since become a man-made humanitarian crisis.

This crisis has led to killings, destruction of properties, sexual harassment and massive population displacements. More than 437.000 people, the majority of which have remained in the Southwest Region have left their homes in search for protection. In line with health cluster needs assessments in the Southwest Region, the assessment conducted by the MENTOR INITIATIVE has confirmed the deteriorating public health situation in this very volatile conflict zone. As a result of a dramatic decrease in access to health services, both at facility and community level and the mass displacement of populations, mostly into the forest areas, and the added lack of shelter and low access to drinking water, have created precarious hygiene conditions and exposed these populations to the increased risk of epidemics.

The Field Coordinator manages a very challenging program that is meant to be the start of a longer-term presence of the MENTOR/Solidarités partnership in the Anglophone Regions of Cameroon. The very volatile security situation, leading to serious limitations in humanitarian access, further aggravated by very cautious and sometimes suspicious actors, turning service delivery at times in very delicate operations.

The main responsibilities of this post include the following:

1. Security Management

In close collaboration with CD, the field coordinator is responsible for overall security management:

• Ensure solid networking and in depth and regular information collection on the situation in and around the area of responsibility.

• In coordination with the logistics team, oversee that security related logistical support for the operations is adequate and functional.

• Brief the CD on a daily basis on the security situation in the area of responsibility and provide input to the MENTOR Initiative security guidelines for Cameroon.

• Oversee and manage any security incidents in the area of responsibility – including evacuation or hibernation.

• Ensure the strict respect of general security rules (vehicle usage, curfew, appropriate behaviour etc) by all MENTOR team members present in the base of his/her responsibility.

• Programme support:

With technical support from the health program manager (HPM), the Field Coordinator is responsible for organising and supervising malaria and other disease control activities in the target area. This includes:

• In close collaboration with HPM, oversee programme implementation and monitoring and evaluation of the network of 50 Community based Health Workers (CHW). This includes regular active participation in individual and supervisory sessions for CHWs and 6 health facilities.

• Assist the HPM in health facility support to 6 facilities.

• Ensure an efficient supply chain of commodities for the CHWs and the health facilities

• Direct line management of MENTOR local programme supervisors and ensure that work schedules and action plans are developed and adhered to.

• Oversee that data collection and data entry is carried out in a timely manner.

• Support the supervisors and CHWs to ensure standardised health seeking messages for use in IEC campaigns are developed appropriately.

• In close collaboration with the MENTOR technical coordination team, provide active support during large scale prevention campaigns.

• If required, support with the implementation of operational research studies in the areas under his/her responsibility.

• Close collaboration with other health stakeholders in the target area.

• Participate in regular progress reports and discuss planning outlines and related operational support needs at weekly, or more frequent (as needed) planning meetings to ensure full support from all team members.

• Operational support and general base management:

With support from the Logistics Coordinator, the Finance Coordinator and the CD, the Field Coordinator ensures that the Buea base operates on the basis of MENTOR’s existing standardised systems and procedures within all aspects of operational support:

• Assist the Finance Coordinator and the CD with the proper implementation of finance field systems to ensure that timely and accurate financial reporting is sent to the country team in Yaounde, as required as well as oversee adequate cash flow and regular follow up on budget expenditure and planning.

• Oversee that standard MENTOR administrative procedures and forms are adhered to and used for regular administrative matters and, in particular, in regards to the initial set up of the field base including registration of the organisation and/or setup of MoUs with relevant local authorities.

• In close collaboration with the Logistics Coordinator and the CD, ensure proper implementation of logistics procedures for warehousing and asset management, fleet and fuel management, communications systems and maintenance, local procurement and overall programme logistics support for programme activities.

• With the assistance from the Finance Coordinator and the CD, ensure that HR management systems for the MENTOR mission in Cameroon are adhered to through transparent recruitment procedures, respect of internal rules and regulations, performance reviews, complaints systems, salary scale, local payroll etc.

• With support from the CD, overall responsible for the respect and adherence by expat and local team members present in the base to the MENTOR code of conduct including policies in regards to sexual harassment.

• Communication

• Internal:

o Organise regular general team meetings, technical meetings as well as operational support meetings

o Provide input to MENTOR internal situation reports

o Provide input to the MENTOR regional network (Chad, CAR, DRC, Nigeria) if needed

• External:

o Assist the CD with field related information for external reports and/or donor proposals.

o Participate in external meetings related to general or security context in the areas of responsibility.

o Organise and participate in technical meetings with health stakeholders in the target area.

o Ensure a transparent and efficient exchange of data, context reports etc with relevant stakeholders.

o Provide support during agreed media related field visits as required by the CD

CV and letter of motivation to be sent to recruitment@mentor-initiative.net

Additional information on this particular job and its many challenges can be discussed either over phone, e-mail or skype with the emergency response coordinator of The Mentor Initiative.
Hans van Dillen (emergency.coordinator@mentor-initiative.net). Skype: hansvandillen