Chad: Project Coordinator

Project Coordinator

Location: Chad

Application deadline: 25 November 2016

Starting date: 1st January 2017

Duration of Initial Contract: 12 months. This position is, however, open to candidates who will be able to commit more than two years.

Reporting to: National Coordinator, Regional Director, & COO.

Background

RET International (www.theret.org) headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and with offices in Africa, Latin America and Asia, was founded in December 2000 by Mrs. Sadako Ogata, then United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. RET was established in response to a crying, but barely addressed need, for greater access to post primary education for refugees, returnees and internally displaced youth. RET is an independent, impartial, non-partisan organisation, with no religious or political affiliation, purposefully set up to be independent from UNHCR. Although financially independent from UN agencies, RET has strategic alliances with UN agencies.

In Chad, RET has been operating since 2005 and has worked in all the 12 Sudanese refugee camps in the Eastern Chad. Currently, RET has presence in the six refugee camps in the East. This year (2016), RET International has expanded its operational area to the Southern Chad where it implements local level peace building strategies to mitigate tensions in conflict prone areas in the Moyen Chari and Logone Oriental regions.

In January 2017, RET will expand its operations to the Lake Chad region, where it will implement a community stabilization programme. RET is therefore looking for a Project Coordinator to take the lead of this project.

Summary of Position

Under the guidance and supervision of the National Coordinator based in Ndjamena, the Project Coordinator will be responsible for managing the implementation of a 12-months project which aims to create a space for dialogue around conflict issues and strengthening community stakeholders’ capacities to collaborate with one another in addressing conflicts.

S/he will work closely with local authorities, and local and international humanitarian assistance providers as well as community stakeholders. The project coordinator will oversee day-to-day operations and implement the project’s activities, ensuring that the program is on-time, within budget, and delivers high-quality results. The Project Coordinator will be expected to network with local government officials, international and local agencies as well as community stakeholders. The project coordinator will be responsible for managing RET International local staff and resources devoted to this project in conformity with RET International’s internal operating practices. S/he will also collaborate closely with trainers and technical experts working on the project to ensure the implementation achieve the intended results within the project cycle.

Responsibilities / Key Results Expected

· Organize and plan meetings with project staffs and key partners to develop work plans and corresponding budgets with clearly stated milestones corresponding to the project outputs;

· Lead the development and updating of work plans, proposals, and budgets;

· Provide technical support for the design and implementation of the activities agreed within the work plan with support from the National Coordinator, as they relate to supporting local level conflict mechanisms in selected areas and strengthening the role of community groups in conflict prevention;

· Lead the identification of main local actors, build relationship with them and conduct profiling of host villages targeted by the project;

· Prepare Terms of Reference for required inputs with expert technical support as required and follow up with the Consultants recruited and other companies;

· Follow up on a daily basis on the several activities implemented;

· Follow up and monitor the work of the different field project assistants and officers in the different locations;

· Confirm and attest to the timeliness of submission and the quality of goods and services procured for the project pertaining to all the outputs linked with the provision of educational materials;

· Organize workshops and training events, in particular: (a) field visits and meetings related to the establishment of local peace clubs in the project targeted are- as and (b) thematic consultations with refugee and host communities prior to the organization of discussion groups;

· Monitor project progress against annual and quarterly work plan and budget plan;

· Support, monitor and evaluate activities undertaken with partners;

· Develop and maintain proactive, positive and professional relationships with the partner organization, other NGOs, donors, politicians, key government officials, civil society groups, religious groups, media outlets within the targeted zones;

· Implement the financial and administrative systems necessary for the execution of the project in the field;

· Ensure compliance with RET International Operations Manual policies and procedures;

· Oversee the management and reporting on project activities, ensuring timely reporting and compliance with contract and donor guidelines;

· Ensure necessary prior arrangements are made for training activities organized by local and international trainers;

· Prepare project progress and final reports on project activities and finances, against set targets and indicators;

· Maintain responsible media coverage of project events and issues related to RET International mission in the region; Develop and maintain project records such as databases, reports and records of decisions;

· Maintain close communication over all operational issues as well as strategic opportunities arising from project implementation;

· Perform other substantive duties that are in line with the above key responsibilities as requested by the National Coordinator.

Requirements and Qualifications

Education:

· Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s Degree preferred) in social science, sociology, political science or any other related field, preferably with specialization in conflict studies and/or peace-building.

Experience:

· Minimum of five (5) years of program management experience, including project financial;

· Experience working with local level actors, public institutions and civil society organizations;

· Experience working with youth; training experience an advantage;

· Proven knowledge and experience in peace building, conflict analysis and management. Specific experience with designing and delivery of training in conflict resolution, conflict management and or similar trainings;

· Familiarity with civil society development mechanisms, refugee problematic and response and the Southern Chad context in particular.

Skills:

· Proven ability to negotiate multiple relationships with various partners;

· Dynamic leader with creative problem solving skills, particularly in challenging situations;

· Excellent interpersonal and networking skills

· Spoken and written fluency in French and English;

· Cultural sensitivity and adaptability;

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Excel;

· Strong organizational skills and attention to-detail;

· Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, handle multiple tasks simultaneously and proves a high level of flexibility;

· Ability to work in multicultural environments and spend time in different and diverse locations all over the country;

Period: 12 months (Renewable depending on performance and financial availability)

Salary: competitive with an attractive benefits package

How to Apply:

· Only online applications will be considered.

· Please send a cover letter/letter of application, resume, salary requirements and projected start date, by 25 November 2016 with the subject heading: Project Coordinator to: recruit-che@theret.org.

· Please, include the name and contact of at least two references.

· Only the short listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

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· Only online applications will be considered.

· Please send a cover letter/letter of application, resume, salary requirements and projected start date, by 25 November 2016 with the subject heading: Project Coordinator to: recruit-che@theret.org.

· Please, include the name and contact of at least two references.

· Only the short listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.