Area Coordinator

• Minimum 5 years’ experience at field coordination position and management roles with an INGO/International Agency
• Masters degree or equivalent degree in relevant field preferred
• Fluency in written and spoken French
• Fluency in spoken and written English (preferred)
• Good interpersonal and motivational skills
• Flexible/motivated
• Experience in budget and programme management
• Ability to work with limited supervision and remote areas with very basic service
• Team player
• Experience in managing staff safety and security requirements and good analytical skills of political and security situations.
• Experience/knowledge of Niger or Sahel region desirable

GOAL has been present in Niger since 2005 mainly responding to the food crises and humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable communities. GOAL Niger has continuously supported the population of Mirriah, Goure, Matamaye, Magaria and Kantache, districts in Zinder Region. Over the years activities have ranged across various sectors of community-based programmes in Nutrition, Agriculture, Food Security, Livelihoods, Environmental management, rehabilitation of schools and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene).

GOAL is scaling up and expanding its programme in Zinder and Diffa Regions in Niger and is looking for a highly competent and committed individual to be an integral part of the GOAL team in Niger.

Overall Objectives of the position:

The AC is responsible for all activities at Diffa and Zinder programme sites; this responsibility covers the operational/support functions (Security, Human Resources, Logistics, Finance and Admin) and direct program activities (Primary Health Care, Nutrition, FSL, WASH, protection and mainstreaming gender, child protection, environment and HIV) and includes representation, coordination, programme planning, monitoring & evaluation and overseeing the day-to-day operations of field staff. The AC is also responsible for managing internal and external coordination with staff, local authorities, cluster, and other actors in the areas respectively.

To ensure good management of GOAL’s programme activities in Diffa and Zinder, the AC is responsible for ensuring that the programmes receive the maximum possible level of support from the operational/support functions. This will involve ensuring:

• Proper planning by the programme departments to ensure programme implementation is in accordance with the donor proposals
• Good, timely coordination between the different programme departments and operational/support functions
• An understanding by all parties of the constraints faced by other departments
• The efficient performance of the operational/support functions
• If required the AC has a role to play resolving any conflicts between the different departments
• Reasonable knowledge of safety and security management

Key Duties

• Representation, coordination and programme planning
• Oversee day-to-day operations of senior field based staff
• Submit weekly, monthly and quarterly reports and provide inputs for donor reports and proposals
• Coordination with the regional Government, UN and NGOs
• Ensure the safety and security of staff in the area of operation
• Oversee HR issues in the programme areas
• Oversee finance department in the fields
• Oversee Logistics functions in the fields
• Implement other tasks as identified by the CD

Representation & External Coordination

• Relationships with open dialogue and mutual respect should be nurtured with all stakeholders. Meetings should include updates on the planned programme direction, and understanding the concerns and promoting ownership of the programme by the various stakeholders
• Liaise with partners at state and locality level; attend all appropriate co-ordination/sectors meetings and share information regarding projects and security where relevant
• Ensure good relations with Niger government representatives and local authorities/line ministries, ensuring that GOAL remains impartial and neutral while responding to humanitarian crisis
• Liaise with Ministry of Health, department of Nutrition, MoAF and others as needed at state and locality level on programme delivery and quality
• Accompany and assist donor representatives and other official visitors, and provide information as required

Security Management

The AC is the Security Focal Point for the programme sites, and thus responsible for the safety of his/her team and at all times in a position to respond to a security incident.

The AC will be responsible for overseeing security in the programme sites, including:

• Implementing GOAL’s Security Guidelines and Procedures
• Periodically review of the sites specific security guidelines
• Ensure all office and accommodation meet basic security standards, including fire prevention, lockdown and evacuation procedures
• Ensure that all staff are familiar with GOAL’s Security Guidelines and with the GOAL evacuation plan
• Provide a security briefing to all staff/visitors arriving into the sites
• Monitor the security situation and provide regular information to the CD or his delegate of any incidents, changes or adverse conditions affecting staff safety or project operations in the region
• The AC should have regular dialogue with local authorities, UNDSS, NGO security focal point and field staff in the facilities concerning the current and expected security situation including threats and concerns

Programme

• Weekly coordination meeting with the programme managers, combined with a robust schedule of site visits to ensure that the AC is familiar with the programme activities
• The AC responsibility is limited in the fact that the technical staff will provide technical direction and support for programme activities. Technical responsibility for the programme activities will always remain with the programme coordinators in the programme site
• The AC must be familiar with the donor contracts and proposals related to the programme sites
• The AC is responsible for ensuring that all visits are successful. This involves receiving a ToR, and discussing the ToR upon arrival of the visitor, and facilitating contact to the relevant staff/etc. where necessary
• Monitor and audit payments made for trainings and for distributions and other day to day expenses
• Ensure partnerships and collaboration with local government, key implementing partners, and local organizations in the areas

Financial

Oversee the Finance department in the programme sites, including:

• Supervise and manage the Finance Officers;
• Work with the Finance team to ensure that GOAL’s Financial Guidelines are adhered to at all times, reporting any breaches to the Financial Controller/CD;
• Monthly review of spending and forecasting;
• Ensure monthly BMT meetings are in place and programme staff actively participates;
• Conduct weekly cash counts;
• Review of Cash book for reasonability of expenditure;
• Review of financial paper work to ensure all transactions are properly authorized and that all required supporting documentation is on file;
• Ensure timely fund request and float forecast is submitted to the Financial Controller on monthly basis;

Logistics

Oversee the Logistics functions in the programme sites, to ensure all logistical requirements are provided in a timely and cost effective manner including:

• On a day to day basis managing field logistics team
• Work with the field logistics team to ensure that GOAL’s logistics procedures are adhered to at all times, reporting any breaches to the General Service Manager or CD
• Coordinate with the General Service Manager on issues related to Logistics
• Ensure the logistics and support functions provide the required support to programmes

Please note that only online applications will be accepted. Please find the application form on our website: http://grnh.se/7e0g6b1