Program Coordinator

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) is one of the ecumenical aid organizations of the German Evangelical Church, one of the largest social welfare organizations in Germany. To ensure the effectiveness of its aid, DKH works closely with local partners. DKH works in humanitarian aid all over the world. It supports people who have been victims of natural disasters, wars and expulsions, and who are unable to overcome this critical situation on their own. It helps everyone, regardless of race, ethnic group, religion, gender, age or nationality.

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe is looking for a Program Coordinator for its new multi-country office in Yaoundé (Sahel Office). Your role will be to support partner’s program implementation in the region in accordance with DKH and donor standards and procedures.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Area of Responsibility: Program Coordinator

Work Location: Yaoundé-Cameroon with multiple support missions to DKH partners in the countries covered by the DKH Sahel offices, especially in Chad, CAR, Burkina Faso and Niger

Estimated travel : 30 % of the time.

Working under the supervision of and in close collaboration with the Head of Mission, the Program Coordinator is responsible to undertake the following tasks:

Responsibilities:

Program Management Support

• Support and advise local partners throughout all stages of the PCM, from design and planning to implementation and closure;
• Monitoring and Evaluation of projects through field visits and remotely for a successful and smooth implementation;
• Ensure all projects are implemented according to logframe, work plans and budget;
• Ensuring that reports are prepared in accordance with the requirements and regulations of third party donors and DKH.
• Overseeing reporting schedules and supervising the development of narrative and financial reports;
• Following the administrative and other preparatory work for the planning and implementation of project components including procurement procedures, documentation, financial and work planning of partners.
• During monitoring visits to projects implemented by local partners, advising or supporting the partner in managing records, files, folders, and other project documentations, as necessary.
• Organize and participate in donor monitoring visits to projects.
• Drafting quarterly or monthly progress reports to be submitted to DKH Regional Office and HQ, indicating project status and planned versus actual comparisons including target figures and photo documentation.
• Identifying gaps and challenges in the management of projects and actively supporting or advising local partners in undertaking action for their improvement.
• Ensuring that cooperation agreements are signed upon approval of proposals and all relevant documentation (admin/finance, logistics, etc.) are obtained from the donor and adequately filed.
• Support in developing and revising finance plans;
• Planning, coordinating and evaluating the operational and project budgets and producing monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports, as required in agreements and according to DKH format
• Preparing Cash Transfer Requests to DKH HQ and ensuring that appropriate balances are maintained in banks to facilitate project implementation and operations in the field.
• Ensuring that local partners are oriented in terms of DKH and backdonor regulations (ECHO, AA, BMZ, and other relevant backdonors);

Strategic Planning and Coordination

• Supporting the development of country strategies and annual action plans for focus countries and the region of West and Central Africa, where appropriate
• Representing DKH in relevant networks, donor and partner meetings, towards media and other stakeholders whenever needed.
• Liaise with DKH Regional Office and HQ, whenever needed, third party donors regarding project matters.
• Promoting collaboration of all stakeholders of DKH in the field, from staff of DKH and local partners to target communities and other aid agencies and institutions active in the same area of operation.
• Attending coordination meetings in sectors that are relevant to DKH sectors of operation, when possible.
• Provide information to coordination platforms and networks in country wherever needed and

Appropriate on delegation of the Head of Mission

• Establishing and maintaining good contact with the ACT Alliance members and Forum in each focus country, if available.
• Monitoring the political, economic, social and humanitarian context in the focus countries and changes in the security situation in assigned focus countries and beyond;
• Continuously analyzing the context and steer the institutional and programmatic development of the DKH Sahel Office yearly action plans.

Capacity Building

In close cooperation with the DKH Capacity Building Program Coordinator:

• Assessing organizational capacity of local partners and identifying their capacity building needs in accordance with the partners
• Designing and managing capacity building programs, where needed.
• Preparing and updating training modules for PCM and delivering or supporting the delivery of trainings if needed.
• Providing sector specific input and guidance within prevention, preparedness and response.

Emergency preparedness and response

• Supporting the development of DKH’s emergency preparedness plan for the West and Central Africa region
• Where needed, carrying out one or more of the following tasks in the aftermath of a disaster in West and Central Africa region:
  • needs assessments
  • designing emergency relief and recovery operations and writing project proposals
  • setting up and staffing of field offices in a disaster zone
  • identifying local partners and involving them in the relief and recovery operation
  • establishing and reviewing institutional structures in field offices
  • conducting impact evaluation studies of relief and recovery programs

Other tasks, as necessary

• Coordinate with Project Officers in the development of project implementation plans or its components outlining key actions, milestones and timelines to ensure achievement of project objectives.
• Provide to the Country Representative regular project monitoring updates, with key results and challenges, on the status of projects and its components, identifying areas for improvement and recommending improvements.
• Supervise the Project Officers and work closely with the MEAL Coordinator.
• Review and adapt data collection tools and procedures, and propose them to teams and train teams on their use.
• Ensure that the M&E system in place allows for easy evaluation of the project.
• Prepare Monitoring Review sessions.
• Ensure that aspects of accountability are integrated into the program, good governance, and that beneficiaries take ownership of the projects implemented by DKH’s partners.
• Ensure the quality and consistency of data collected.

DKH reserves the right to alter the responsibilities according to programmatic demands and needs in line with the objectives of the office.

QUALIFICATION, EXPERTISE & SKILLS

Technical expertise and work-related qualifications

• A higher education degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) such as in Agricultural Engineering, Project Management, Development Studies, Humanitarian Studies, Social Sciences or other field studies directly relevant to the position.
• Strong writing and communication skills in French and English. knowledge of local languages is an asset
• Experience required: At least 10 years’ proven experience in managing and leading program teams in humanitarian and development contexts, with development contexts, with proven experience in project procurement as well as experience in project management and support to program staff throughout the project cycle, evaluation.
• Previous experience in climate change programs would be an asset.
• Good knowledge and experience in partnering with major international donors engaged in humanitarian and development programs.
• Strong fundraising skills to broaden and diversify funding sources, supported by quality program delivery and operational excellence.
• Demonstrable knowledge of requirements of humanitarian donors, EU, USAID, BMZ, German Foreign Office (AA) and UN agencies.
• Good computer skills PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Knowledge of Sahel Region is an advantage.

Abilities and skillset

• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution abilities, excellent written and verbal communication skills in both French and English.
• Able to maintain highest level of confidentiality regarding work-related information.
• High ethical standards; Commitment to the values of Humanitarian sector.
• Proactive working attitude with excellent problem-solving skills
• Team player with outstanding personal attitude: especially sense of responsibility, diplomacy, concern for quality, result orientation.
• Outstanding personal values: integrity, commitment, respect for diversity, patience, and sense of humor.
• Ability to work efficiently under pressure, meet deadlines, prioritize workload.
• Ability to work in an unstable security environment
• Mature work practices, highly motivated and demonstrated sound judgment.
• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with colleagues, partners, and donors.
• Team player with outstanding personal attitude: especially sense of responsibility, diplomacy, concern for quality, result orientation