Sierra Leone

What we expect from you

We look for a person with capacities and skills as follows:

Education

• University degree in financial management, accounting, economics or business administration.

Experience

• Working experience in the fields of project financial planning and management
• Professional experience in financial management, project audits etc.
• Working experience in projects financed by European Union an asset
• Working experience with Red Cross/IFRC/ICRC an asset
• Experience in facilitation, training, and negotiation is an asset

Skills and knowledge

• Excellent inter-personal skills and good communicator
• Eye for detail while also minding the bigger picture
• Diplomatic and inter-cultural skills
• Ability to work with a minimum supervision
• Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and be flexible to changing work environments

Languages

• Fluent written and spoken English and French.

Competencies

• National Society relations
• Communications
• Teamwork
• Results focused and accountability
• Analytical skills
• Professionalism
• Managerial effectiveness

What we offer you:

You will be a part of the world's largest humanitarian organization and multicultural professional team, reaching the most vulnerable people in their local community. We offer you a chance to learn and grow as a professional with some of the best experts on the field.

We offer you a compensation package according to Finnish Red Cross terms of employment for international delegates. Compensation package includes salary based on your job description, accommodation, insurance package, travel and per diems. You will benefit from a comprehensive training package and receive briefings and debriefings prior as well as during and after your mission. Medical check-ups and psychosocial support are included in your assignment.

How to apply

Contact

For more information, please call FRC Head of International Finance, Jussi Lares tel. +358 40 643 3578, on Friday 2nd June between 9:00 and 10:00 am Finnish time (UTC/GMT +3 hours) or on Thursday 8th June between 15:00 and 16:00 pm Finnish time (UTC/GMT +3 hours).

Apply

To apply, kindly send your CV and a brief cover letter in English as soon as possible, but on Monday 12th June at the latest to recruitment@redcross.fi Mark your application “Regional Finance and Administration Delegate, Sierra Leone, FRC, Your name”.

The Finnish Red Cross is seeking a Regional Finance and Administration Delegate for the West Africa team. The position will be for two-years fixed-term and placed in Sierra Leone. Starting date is negotiable, preferably as soon as possible. Fluent written and spoken English and French is required. This regional position requires frequent travel within the region (Burundi, Niger, Burkina Faso).

Purpose

The Regional Finance and Administration Delegate (RFAD) will work with the Finnish Red Cross (FRC) programme/project delegates and the National Society (NS) counterparts, enhancing the accountability and transparency of FRC-supported projects/programmes in the region. The RFAD will provide operational services and guidance for accurate and timely financial management, planning and reporting as well as financial risk management in programmes/ projects supported by FRC. Together with other FRC delegates, RFAD supports and advises the NSs in planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the FRC supported programmes/projects with special regard to financial and administration issues.

For this specific RFAD position, we are looking at stationing the person in Sierra Leone, where there will also be a local finance staff working for FRC. The RFAD will also cover Burundi and Burkina Faso (bilateral cooperation between FRC and the National Society), and Niger (working through the Danish RC). This implies that this job requires frequent travelling – an estimated 4 visits per year to Burundi, 3 to Burkina and 2 to Niger. Hence, this position requires a perfectly bilingual person, French and English.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Provide operational services and guidance for accurate and timely financial planning, implementation and reporting in programmes/ projects supported by FRC, including quality assurance of partners’ financial reporting and preparation of financial reporting to back-donors
• Provide operational services and guidance for accurate and timely financial and risk management in programmes/ projects supported by FRC
• Provide finance development and capacity building support, as agreed with the NS and FRC HQ, to NS in the region in order to establish a solid cooperation and programme management framework
• Other duties and responsibilities
  • Representation: As agreed with the Head of Region and Programme Delegates, represent FRC towards NS, IFRC, ICRC, PNS, other humanitarian partners, donors and other stakeholders at the country and region levels in all relevant forums where the presence of the FRC is desired/necessary. Represent FRC in technical discussion on finance management, administration and risk management.
  • Partnership: In close collaboration with the Head of Region and other delegates strengthen the dialogue with the NS regarding present and possible future cooperation both in relation to development and relief interventions. When a new bilateral or multilateral funding proposal is developed, take lead and/or support the NS and/or other partner in preparation of budgets for funding applications. Contribute towards a well-functioning coordination mechanism with all relevant stakeholders at country level. Together with other delegates ensure that the partnership cooperation falls in line with the set agreements: MoUs and Project Contracts.
  • Operations: In case of disaster situations, be available at short notice to provide necessary support to FRC programme delegates on the development of bilateral emergency funding proposals and the set up for their implementation. If necessary, provide in-country support to NS in the management of these operations for a limited period of time.
  • General: Support the FRC regional teams on any other tasks assigned by the Head of Region and agreed with the FRC Head of International Finance and Adminstration. If necessary, be available to support and exchange experiences with other FRC regional teams.
  • Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

 

• You hold a Master's degree in clinical psychology or Bachelor's degree with knowledge and experience in technical support for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support programs (MHPSS), or you hold a Master’s degree in public health with a strong knowledge and experience on MHPSS project management
• You have minimum 4 years of experience in development, coordination/management of projects in the field of community or human rights based mental health and psychosocial support
• You have experience in representation to donors and international organizations
• You have experience in development, administrative and financial management of projects
• You have knowledge of MHPSS framework and references
• You have a strong experience in capitalization and continuous learning
• You have experience in results monitoring & indicators and project evaluation
• You have experience in research, in planning and coordinating qualitative and quantitative surveys, with dissemination of results
• You have excellent skills in proposal and narrative report writing
• You have excellent command of written and spoken English and French
• You are able to work under pressure and without constant supervision
• You have excellent reactivity and flexibility skills
• You have strong interpersonal and intercultural skills, you are resilient to stress and uncertainty
• You are a good team member and keen to participatory approach

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is an independent and impartial aid and development organisation with no religious or political affiliations operating in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable people to help meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.
Since the organisation was first founded in 1982, we have set up development programmes in more than 60 countries and responded to many emergencies. Today we have a budget of around 150 million euros, with 3500 employees worldwide.
HI is engaged in an employment policy in favour of disabled workers.
For further information about the association: www.hi.org.

JOB CONTEXT:

The “Touching Minds Raising Dignity” program (or MHPSS component of the AFD CPP – multi-annual partnership agreement) will implement a new phase of activities for the next 4 years (2022-2025) in the current four countries: Lebanon, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Togo. It aims at improving the quality of life, well-being/positive mental health of people in psychosocial distress and/or suffering from a mental health disorder, through the development of prevention strategies and community-based responses.

DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION:

Under the responsibility of the Country Director and with the support of the MHPSS Global Specialist at HQ, the Chief of Party will have for main missions to:

1) Support with technical expertise in mental health and psychosocial support the HI teams in the 4 intervention countries of the TMRD program (Lebanon, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Togo) – 15%

The strength of the TMRD program is its crosscutting approach, which enables progress to be made on fundamental projects in mental health/psychosocial support: MEAL in MHPSS, including monitoring, research and evaluation processes, communities of practice and exchange seminars, development of e-learning, rights, ethics and the role of users.

This technical support must maintain and reinforce the effort to support the field teams, to analyse the care practices of our projects and to include the field teams in the issues of the mental health and psychosocial support sector - Rights and ethics, psychiatry/psychology, deinstitutionalization, recovery, etc.

2) Leading and animating the Touching Minds, Raising Dignity program (MHPSS component of the CPP AFD), in particular its transverse axis – 85%

The TMRD activities include national/communities activities and transverse activities targeting the four country of intervention. The TMRD Chief of Party will be responsible of the steering of the program and the implementation of transverse activities.

The steering of the program involves:
• The global and strategic vision of the MH/PSSS component of the CPP AFD (overall operational, technical and financial consistency)
• The strategic, technical, operational and financial management of its transverse axis
• Management of reporting mechanisms and good governance of the program and the CPP AFD

Your main responsibilities will be:

1/Management

2/Standards and Expertise
-Provide technical guidance and support to the four country teams
-Develop a mechanism for learning and documenting current practices in mental health and psychosocial support in the four TMRD countries
-Manage and lead the result 4 of the project

3/Operational management
-Ensure the proper implementation of the project, in collaboration with the relevant services and in line with general standards and procedures
-Ensure data management of the project
-Coordination management
-Contribute to steering organization transformation, in particular through managerial and work practice change and continuous improvement of working processes
-Develop HI's external influence (forums, operational & strategic alliances, etc.) and the organization's external representation

4/Emergency Preparedness and Response Responsibilities
-Lead the emergency preparedness actions in TMRD program
-In case of emergency, support the project managers to reorganize the priorities according to the humanitarian imperative, in order to ensure HI’s quick and efficient response

SPECIFICITIES OF THE POSITION:

The overall situation in Sierra Leone is calm, however there are some factors that should be considered from a security perspective, in particular:
-the population’s vulnerability to external shocks
-the health system is generally deficient in Sierra Leone.
The position is based in Freetown but some visits to the Sierra Leone bases in the Provinces would be expected.
The Office and the international staff houses/apartments are comfortable.
Freetown is less developed than the main capitals in West Africa but people are very friendly.

JOB CONDITIONS:

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission. https://hi.org/en/join-the-team

• 4 years International contract starting from April 2022
• The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:
o Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals
o Pension scheme adapted to the situation of our employees: If you already have a personal pension scheme HI will contribute at the same level of your personal monthly contribution with a maximum of 272.53€/month ; If you do not have a personal pension scheme, we will open a private pension account with your contribution of 272.53€/month and a contribution of HI of the same amount
o Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution
o Repatriation insurance paid by HI

• Salary from 2869 € gross/month upon experience
• Perdiem: 518,03 € net/month - paid in the field
• Paid leaves: 25 days per year
• R&R: 1 day per month
• Position: open to families
 a child allowance of 100€ per month, per child (from the second child) paid in the field
 Contribution to school registration fees for children over 3 years
 Family-wide health coverage
• Payment for travel costs (air ticket & visa) and transport of your personal effects
• Housing: individual taken in charge by HI

If you are resident in the country: local package

• You hold a degree in physiotherapist
• You have at least 5 years of experience in the field of rehabilitation including experience in low-to-middle income countries
• You have experience in burn management & capacity building, working collaboratively with multiple external stakeholders
• You have excellent reactivity and flexibility
• You are able to work under pressure without constant supervision
• You demonstrate strong interpersonal and intercultural skills
• You are fluent in English

HI has been working closely with the Government of Sierra Leone, international and national partners in the country since 1996, supporting vulnerable groups and people with disability.  Program sectors include capacity building in rehabilitation; advocacy and rights, mother and child health, economic empowerment, mental health, protection and inclusive education. HI is currently implementing 5 projects for the promotion of inclusive education, emergency response, mental health and protection.

On 5th November a fuel tanker collided with another truck, and exploded 45 minutes after, at Wellington PMD Junction, on the main road through Easter Freetown. In the interim, some community members rushed to the scene and took advantage of the leakage to scoop fuel and store it in nearby makeshift structures. In the course of scooping the fuel, the explosion occurred that resulted in the fire disaster that occurred. The severity of the fire led the Government of Sierra Leone to declare the incident as level 2 (national emergency response). The fire was reported to have rapidly affected nearby traffic, as well as those attempting to collect fuel. This incident led to the death of at least 138 people. Around 200 people are being treated in hospitals and clinics across the city, some with burns up to 75% of their body, which indicates that the death toll will increase highly in the coming days. To respond to this emergency, HI is implementing an emergency project focus on MH/PSS and rehabilitation support to the victims, their family and front-line workers. A first rehabilitation specialist from HI emergency pool has been mobilized since the 19th November. The rehabilitation specialist will continue the activities set up by the emergency physiotherapist.

 

YOUR MISSION:

Under the responsibility of the Operation Managers and with the support of the physiotherapist global specialist at HQ, the physiotherapist contributes within the country where he/she is based to the implementation of the mandate and the 10-year strategy of Humanity & Inclusion.

Responsibility 1 – You support the medium-term physical rehabilitation of the injured of the explosion (80%)

A Rehabilitation specialist from the HI Emergency pool has been deployed in Sierra Leone to support HI staff, physiotherapists, medical and nurses staff providing adequate rehabilitation to the burn patients. Indeed they need to be supported by a physiotherapist experimented in burns during at least one to two months. They have a lack of training, especially on specialized rehabilitation care for burn people (respiratory care, positioning, splinting, progressive mobilization …). They also required sensitization towards the benefit of early rehabilitation. HI is ensuring the referral to physiotherapy service which is tailored to each individual to prevent complication and improve the functional and physical wellbeing. At least 50 to 100 injured will receive functional rehabilitation services. Functional rehabilitation services is also include provision of appropriate assistive and mobility devices (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches) and splints to improve the functional movements of beneficiaries. The objective of this position is to cover the medium-term physical rehabilitation of the injured. Indeed, once the emergency phase will be over, it is essential that the functional rehabilitation for burn victims continue until they recover the maximum of mobility. This phase can last from 12 to 18 months. A 6-month project has been secured for now that needs to be covered prior supporting long-term recovery.

Responsibility 2 – You contribute to HI’s expertise in rehabilitation sectors in Sierra Leone (20%)

Rehabilitation is one of priority of HI in Sierra Leone for the next 3 years. The rehabilitation specialist will contribute to influence rehabilitation priorities in the country and develop new project.

-You ensure technical support to projects in line with the global technical frameworks and standards

-You ensure technical learning from projects

-You ensure compliance of the technical proposition with nexus stakes

Influence

-You contribute to the local external prestige and influence of HI’s expertise

Business Development

-You contribute to the context analysis in Rehabilitation sector in Sierra Leone

-You contribute to the design and writing of new projects in Sierra Leone or Liberia

-You identify & transform major opportunities in Sierra Leone under rehabilitation

-You contribute to the conception of project in rehabilitation sector in Sierra Leone and Liberia

-You identify & develop local partnerships and/or consortium with NGOs, institutions, companies on technical priorities

 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION:

The overall situation in Sierra Leone is calm, however there are some factors that should be considered from a security perspective. In particular:

• The population’s vulnerability to external shocks (which could be, for example, increasing food prices; increasing of importation taxes; negative impact of changing US exchange rate, etc.).
• Health situation: generally speaking, the health system is deficient in Sierra Leone.

The program currently operates only in Sierra Leone but aims to re-start activities in Liberia (the program closed the office in December 2017 at the end of the project). The position is based in Freetown but some visits to the Sierra Leone bases in the Provinces would be expected and if required to travel to Monrovia.

The office and the international staff houses/apartments are comfortable. The power supply is erratic but all houses have generators and air conditioning and drinking water is supplied. Freetown is less developed than the main capitals in West Africa and food variety can be limited but most items can be found in supermarkets if you have time to shop around (be mindful about the variation of prices between shops). People are very friendly and there are some lovely local beaches which are relatively easy to access. Mobility restrictions within the city and the adjacent beaches are subject to evolution of COVID-19 in the Country.

 

CONDITIONS:

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission. https://hi.org/en/join-the-team

• 4 to 5 months International contract starting from January 2022
• The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:
  • Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals
  • Pension scheme adapted to the situation of our employees: If you already have a personal pension scheme HI will contribute at the same level of your personal monthly contribution with a maximum of 272.53€/month ; If you do not have a personal pension scheme, we will open a private pension account with your contribution of 272.53€/month and a contribution of HI of the same amount
  • Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution
  • Repatriation insurance paid by HI
• Salary from 2757 € gross/month upon experience 
• Perdiem: 518,03 € net/month - paid in the field
• Paid leaves: 25 days per year;
• R&R: 1 day per month
• Unaccompanied position
• Collective housing taken in charge by HI

If you are resident in the country: local package

In order to be successful you will have:

• A university degree in Public Health or any of the social sciences.  A post graduate degree will be considered as an added advantage
• At least 6 years of relevant programming experience, with 5 of these in management roles: adolescent pregnancy, SRH, SGBV, child protection, youth, livelihoods, and related topics.
• At least five years of experience working with an INGO, preferably in the Sierra Leone or West African context.  Experience in more than one country is an advantage.
• Proven experience in all aspects of programme management, including design, planning, implementation, and monitoring/evaluation.  Experience in adaptive programming is an advantage.
• Proven experience with financial management; management of programme grants and budgets of over 1 million USD is an advantage.
• Experience in managing programme teams, including managers, across multiple geographic sites, including staff development, coaching, and performance management.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation, use of qualitative and quantitative data to analyse progress in programmes, and the use of logical or results frameworks, theories of change, etc.
• Substantial experience and skills in establishing and maintaining external relations with government, community stakeholders and civil society.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; excellent documentation and report-writing skills.
• Proficiency in computer e.g.  MS Word, MS Power Point and Excel. 
• Experience in working with local/national civil society partners, managing partner contracts and relationships, mutual capacity building, joint monitoring, etc.
• Child participation: experience in implementing programmes or activities directly with/for children.
• Experience in integrating gender, diversity and other power related issues into programme activities.

 

LOCATION: Freetown (Western Urban) with frequent travel to western area rural- Waterloo

CONTRACT LENGHT: 12 months

The Organisation

 We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. 

 We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated

 We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

 

Application Information:

Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations.  A copy of the full role profile can be found at https://www.savethechildren.net/careers/apply

 

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

 Applicants are advised that Save the Children International does not require any payment or expense during the entire recruitment process. Any request in this direction should be immediately reported as contrary to the values and practices of our organization.

Female Applications are strongly encouraged.

The Opportunity  The “Genda Bizness” project is an anticipated two-year project that seeks to address adolescent pregnancy in urban areas of Sierra Leone using a multi-sector integrated approach, which will be funded by Irish Aid.  The “Second Chance” Project is a 4-year DANIDA-funded project (2018-2021) that aims to improve access to support and services for adolescent mothers in urban areas. The Programme Director will provide overall leadership and direction of both projects, ensuring high quality delivery, complementarity, integration and learning as important models of Save the Children’s adolescent pregnancy prevention programming in urban areas.  The Programme Director is accountable for the effective financial and operational management of both projects, including human resources, technical approaches, learning and adaptive components.  He/she reports to the Western Area Manager and works in close collaboration with all other departments and programmes in Sierra Leone, in the coordination and in the Western Area offices.