Democratic Republic of the Congo: Project Support Manager

Key to the efficient and effective running of the country programme. This varied and challenging role involves coordinating and managing the main support functions including general administration, base management, finance, human resources, logistics and security. With line management responsibility for staff involved in support roles the Project Support Manager also represents Medair at relevant meetings with contractors, local authorities, NGOs and other stakeholders.

Project Overview

Emergency health projects targeting displaced, war affected and vulnerable populations in NE Congo. Developmental typed projects aimed at long term and sustainable behaviour change in general population and state health employees to improve public health outcomes.

Medair

Medair is a humanitarian organisation inspired and motivated by Christian faith to relieve human suffering in some of the world’s most remote and devastated places. We bring relief and recovery to people in crisis, regardless of race, creed or nationality. As signatories of the Red Cross Code of Conduct, we believe that aid should be given to everyone who is in need, regardless of political, social or religious viewpoint. We save lives in emergencies and then stay to help people recover from crisis with dignity—working side by side with communities to leave a lasting impact. We provide a range of emergency relief and recovery services: health care and nutrition; safe water, sanitation, and hygiene; shelter and infrastructure. Internationally recruited field and headquarters staff lead the organisation, supported by nationally recruited staff to implement programmes locally.

Workplace

Beni town, Beni Territory, D.R. Congo. Take a look at Medair’s work inD.R. Congo**.**

Starting Date

As soon as possible

Initial Contract Details

Full time, minimum 12-24 months contract

Key Activity Areas

Project Support Management

• Ensure the smooth running of the assigned base including set-up, staff supervision, security, maintenance and liaison with landlords, contractors and suppliers.
• Supervise all financial activities to ensure all cash management needs, reporting deadlines and internal and external audit requirements are met.
• Ensure all internal financial controls are in place and that Medair and donor guidelines are followed.
• Oversee all human resource activities, supporting line managers as required in areas such as recruitment, induction, training, appraisals, disciplinary action, etc.
• Provide logistical support to programme staff and field bases, including managing the supply chain, vehicles, assets, IT and communication equipment and the training of logistics staff.
• Ensure accurate and efficient procedures are maintained in logistics, particularly in the areas of procurement, storage and transportation.
• Work with field managers and HQ staff in the preparation and development of budgets for support and shared costs, ensuring they meet all relevant Medair and donor requirements.
• Manage and track expenditure of assigned budget(s), ensuring spending is in accordance with donor requirements and time frames and notifying the relevant field managers of any necessary adjustments.

Security Management

• Ensure security procedures are in place, guidelines are kept up-to-date and staff receive relevant security information. This includes reviewing security arrangements on a regular basis, maintaining communication, providing briefings and ensuring the availability of emergency equipment.

Administration

• Submit accurate and timely internal reports as required by field management and HQ and contribute on request to external reports.

Staff Management

• Manage and oversee the assigned programme support staff including recruitment, day-to-day management, development and training, appraisal, etc.

Communication

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with suppliers, local authorities, other NGOs and any other stakeholders, representing Medair and ensuring good co-operation and partnerships.

Quality Management

• With relevant managers’ review, develop and implement (as applicable) systems to improve transparency and to detect and ultimately prevent loss or fraud. Carry-out regular inspections and spot-checks, both on systems and on-going work, to ensure the best use of Medair assets and resources.

Field - Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Live, work and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings.
• Instigate and contribute to prayer times within internationally recruited staff and HQ teams.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international programmes and HQ prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organisational needs.

Qualifications

• University degree in relevant subject or equivalent professional / technical qualification
• Professional qualification in business administration/accounting/human resources/logistics desirable

Languages

• Strong working knowledge of English and French, spoken and written

Experience / Competencies**

• Post-qualification management experience in a relevant profession
• Experience working in a cross-cultural setting, preferable in a support role
• Supervisory management experience, preferably in the NGO sector desirable
• Able to oversee multiple tasks, prioritising and delegating as required
• Strong leadership skills; able to build trust and enforce procedures
• Problem solving ability; excellent communicator
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels
• Good understanding of cross-cultural issues
• Able to cope with basic living conditions in the field and during field trips
• Team-player but also able to work independently
• Able to develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Profiles sought for Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS) roles in the field

Relief experience

• Professionals with 12 months or more relevant relief or development experience (Experienced Relief Workers)
• Professionals with less than 12 months relevant relief or development experience (New Relief Workers)

Professional

• Experienced professionals in a relevant Medair sector of expertise
• Overseas intercultural experience

Values

• Fully committed to the Medair values; to reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, and external contacts

Language

• Strong working knowledge of English, spoken and written
• Working knowledge of French, spoken and written, for French-speaking field programmes

Personal qualities

• Able to live and work in a multicultural team under difficult conditions
• Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty, and physically fit

Availability

• Single or married (with no children under 18). If married, your spouse must also apply.

Final selection

• All potential candidates for field positions must successfully complete the Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC). Information, dates and related costs can be found via this link.

The benefits package provided to all Internationally Recruited Staff (IRS)

• Comprehensive briefing at our Swiss Headquarters, as well as an in-country briefing
• Security training for those going to insecure environments
• Accommodation, food, and transportation in-country
• Return flights to and from the country programme (one return flight for every year of service)
• Rest and recuperation (R&R) leave (including travel, accommodation, and food)
• Annual leave
• Comprehensive medical and emergency rescue insurance, with up to 60 days post-assignment coverage, including debriefing
• Disability insurance

Specific benefits for Experienced Relief Workers (IRS)

(Applicants with 12 months or more relevant relief or development experience)

• A salary based upon the grade of the position and experience of the position-holder, starting from USD 1,700 per month
• Contribution matching programme for retirement savings
• Additional contract benefit allowance for those who commit to longer contracts
• Highly subsidised contribution to Medair ROC travel and accommodation costs

Specific benefits for New Relief Workers (IRS)

(Applicants with less than 12 months relevant relief or development experience)

• USD 300 per month
• As soon as 12 months relief work or its equivalent has been completed, a salary based upon the grade of the position, starting from USD 1,700 per month, and other experienced relief worker benefits

Field Working Conditions

• This is a field-based position and working and living conditions may be very different to that previously experienced- See more at: http://relief.medair.org/en/jobs/positions/project-support-manager-cod-beni/#sthash.dVvq7n7h.dpuf

Application Process Follow this link:

www.medair.org/work-with-us, check if you are an Experienced or New Relief Worker in one of our professional sectors, and that you fit our standard working criteria, then:

a) apply for this Medair ROC (where we can try and match your competencies to our vacancy needs), or

b) apply for a vacancy that matches your profile.

Please do not make multiple applications. We will not review email applications. Only English-language applications / CV’s will be reviewed.

Medair does not set closing / deadline dates for applications; recruitment is on-going until the position is filled.