Posted in Gaziantep (Turkey) + field missions in neighboring countries and Europe

Expertise France - EF-(formerly FRANCE EXPERTISE INTERNATIONALE – FEI, created in 2002), is a public agency created on 1st January 2015 and merging 5 French public agencies under the supervision of the French Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy and Finance with a strong inter-ministerial vocation. EF offers project engineering and technical assistance by developing and implementing international cooperation actions worldwide. EF operates in various fields of development and institutional cooperation including safety and security reform, post-crisis/ stability, public health, human rights, strengthening of institutions and NGOs and governance. Carrying out large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects, EF can ensure the cooperation between individuals, teams and institutions with very different statuses, cultures and specialties. Besides, EF has acquired a sound experience in administrative and financial management of large-scale international projects. EF is accredited by the European Union for the management of delegated Community funds.

I. Context

The Syrian conflict is having a devastating and lasting impact on Syria and across the region. With the conflict entering its fourth year, the needs of the affected populations for assistance, including 9.3 million people inside the country and more than 2.7 million refugees plus their overstretched host communities in neighbouring countries, are of an unprecedented scale. The number of conflict-related deaths has surpassed 150,000 individuals.

In 2013, the Syria crisis has transformed itself from a humanitarian emergency to a multidimensional and protracted crisis directly affecting several countries in the region - mainly Lebanon and Jordan, but also Iraq, Turkey and Egypt - whose social and economic capacity to deal with the ever growing influx of refugees is all but exhausted. All actors involved in the response agree that this massive challenge requires a comprehensive regional response not only including humanitarian aid but also longer-term structural support to host countries and communities, especially as no political solution to the crisis is in sight in the short-term.

At present, it is particularly those who live outside of Government of Syria controlled areas who are facing at best irregular humanitarian supplies and quickly deteriorating public services and infrastructure. Local councils have been formed in many places as makeshift governance structures to maintain or rebuild a minimum of basic services.

In that context, and since 2013, Expertise France (formerly France Expertise Internationale) has developed and manages direct assistance projects to conflict affected communities in Syria, including through support to civilian structures. These projects target non-humanitarian, in-kind assistance in the health and food security sectors. Expertise France is to expand its activities during the first quarter of 2015. In view of this operation, EF is recruiting a Programme Coordinator (M/F).

II.Description of the Programme Coordinator mission

1) Mission goal

The Programme Coordinator will be responsible for the day to day implementation, fundraising and continued development of EF’s programme in Syria, based in Turkey. He/she will also be responsible for the overall management of the staff, for representing the organization and for ensuring the security of the mission.

He/she will be responsible for both direct operational response and to work closely with in-country partner organisations and local authorities from Turkey and Syria.

The Programme Coordinator is under the authority of EF’s General Director and reports to the Head of Security and Stability Department. He/she will be backstopped by EF’s Operations Project Team based in Paris, France.

2) Description of the tasks involved

Program management

• To ensure the overall programme implementation;
• To ensure that projects remain within the remit of their initial design, budget and purpose, and prepare any amendments when necessary;
• To ensure EF’s procedures are respected, especially with regard to procurement;
• To ensure that appropriate systems and plans are in place for dealing with emergencies;
• To follow up and enhance systems and standards for the monitoring and evaluation of programmes against their strategic aims;
• To work with EF HQ to manage relations with donors and ensure that EF meets all contractual obligations and achieves high quality donor reporting;
• To ensure that donor reports are submitted on time and are of high quality;
• To ensure that the programme is implemented in a consultative, participative and gender sensitive way;
• To develop and maintain a coherent medium to long term strategy that contributes to EF's global objectives;
• To monitor the humanitarian situation in Syria and Turkey and work with Project Managers on the appropriate course of action;
• To ensure context changes are included and reflected in the EF’s strategy and project implementation.

Staff Management / Human Resources

• To provide leadership and management to the Programme coordination team based in the field (Turkey);
• To coordinate the staffing structure and ensure the roles are filled when funding is secured, for programme implementation to start and expand;
• To ensure required resources are mobilized and appropriate to the programme goals/size and review staff levels as the situation evolves. Ensure that personnel are funded within the frame of programme budgets;
• To ensure line management, including regular performance management and appraisals;
• To support national and international staff, ensuring that the individuals work effectively together as a team to achieve the programme objectives;
• To ensure the transfer of knowledge and skills development.

Representation

• To represent Expertise France at a local and national level with government authorities (Turkish and Syrian), partners, the European Commission, UN organisations, NGOs and other donor Agencies and stakeholders when needed;
• To support media and communications work as required.

III. Requested profile

Essential:

• Knowledge, understanding and experience in the Middle East.
• Minimum 10 years of responsible management experience in emergency/post-crisis contexts- specifically a management position in an insecure environment and/or humanitarian programme management.
• Demonstrated security management skills; familiarity with remote management necessary.
• Evidence of project cycle management experience, including strategic planning, monitoring & evaluation. Management of projects funded by the European Commission will be an asset
• Solid experience with financial management, administration, and logistics.
• Experience with integrated project management (multi-sectors)
• A strong ability to collaborate, network and negotiate with Local partners; Governments, donors and NGOs.
• Excellent written & spoken English and Arabic
• Relevant educational background (e.g. political or social science, international development, economics) or equivalent experience.
• Good communication skills.
• Representation & advocacy skills; diplomacy

IV. Location, Duration and Arrangements for performance

Location: Gaziantep, Turkey

Duration: 4 months from the contractual start date (15th March 2015) with a 18-month extension upon funding confirmation;

Type of contract: fix term contract;

Salary: to be defined according to profile

Benefits: pension, medical plan and insurance; 40 days of paid vacation per year, return ticket provided, once a year (only for the country of origin);

Non family duty station