Jordan: REACH Project Manager
Country: Jordan
Closing date: 21 Oct 2013
Department: Programme
Position: REACH Project ManagerContract duration: 6 months Location: Jordan
Starting Date: ASAP
I. Background on ACTED
ACTED is an independent international, private, non-partisan and non-profit organization that operates according to principles of strict neutrality, political and religious impartiality, and non discrimination.
ACTED was created in 1993 to support populations affected by the conflict in Afghanistan. Based in Paris, France, ACTED now operates in 30 countries worldwide, with over 200 international and 3000 national staff. ACTED has a 100 million € budget for over 350 projects spanning 8 sectors of intervention; including emergency relief, food security, health promotion, economic development, education & training, microfinance, local governance & institutional support, and cultural promotion. For more information, please visit our website at www.acted.org
REACH was born in 2010 as a joint initiative of two INGOs (IMPACT Initiatives and ACTED) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNOSAT). REACH’s purpose is to promote and facilitate the development of information products that enhance the humanitarian community’s decision making and planning capacity for emergency, reconstruction and development contexts, supporting and working within the framework of the humanitarian reform process. REACH facilitates information management for aid actors through three complementary services: (a) need and situation assessments facilitated by REACH teams; (b) situation analysis using satellite imagery; (c) provision of related database and (web)-mapping facilities and expertise.
II. Country Profile
Capital Office : AmmanNational Staff : 250 (July 2013)International Staff : 36 (July 2013)Areas : Amman, Mafraq, Za’atari, Azraq, Azraq Refugee CampOn-going programmes: 9Budget : estimated $25m (2013)
REACH in Jordan is implementing information management programs across the host communities, as well as refugee camps in response to the needs as a result of the Syrian refugee crisis. The program is to support the information management needs in the host communities, including assessment of Jordanian communities, vulnerable Syrian refugees and local coping capacities / resilience across all major sectors (e.g. WASH, health, education, protection, livelihoods, shelter, etc). In addition, the REACH programs in Za’atari refugee camp (120,000 people), and with the potential for expansion to Azraq refugee camp (expected 50,000 people) will operate simultaneously but separately.
III. Position Profile
Under the supervision of the ACTED Country Director and IMPACT HQ in Geneva, the REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) is responsible for the implementation of assessments related to the host communities in Jordan, including their preparation, implementation and follow-up. He/she will also be responsible for advising on the assessment methodology, approaches, data collection tools, data analysis, reporting, liaising with GIS/DB, oversight of data collection (primary and secondary), attending coordination meetings (internal and external), and the like documentation. Technical guidance and support for the assessment teams as well as supporting the coordination will be expected.
SummaryThe REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) shall be responsible for:• In coordination with ACTED Country Director and REACH Regional Focal Point, design and implement REACH assessment strategy and methodology related to the host communities;• Manage the budget, contract, human resources, and associated project inputs to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the project cycle;• Keep track of all projects and programmes assessment schedules and work with field staff to design and implement REACH assessment procedures;• Provide technical support in assessment methodologies, including the preparation of sampling methodologies, designing of data collection tools, monitoring / evaluation frameworks, data analysis (both qualitative and quantitative), and reporting thereof. • Follow up with country REACH Assessment Officers / teams to ensure the management of REACH assessment field staff to ensure a smooth and timely implementation of activities;• Coordinate and ensure timely data collection, analysis and, in partnership with GIS/DB team, mapping of datasets, ensure that all collected data are geo-referenced; • Ensure the writing of timely and accurate assessment reports, desktop reviews and factsheets;• Supporting the development/revision of assessment / programme strategies, reports or new proposals;• Identify opportunities and information gaps to support project development; • Liaising with programme staff of other ACTED departments to ensure close coordination and information sharing is maintained;• In coordination with REACH Regional Focal Point, REACH Regional GIS Manager and ACTED Country Director, external representation of REACH with Donors, Partners and the wider Aid Community through clusters and sectoral working groups;• Coordinate timely and accurate reporting to IMPACT Headquarter.
- REACH Assessment Management and Coordination
- Objective 1.1: Project ManagementThe REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) is responsible for designing the methodology and tools associated with each assessment, according to REACH requirements and principles. He/she will manage the planning, implementation, and follow-up of all REACH and projects specific assessment activities conducted in country. The REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) is required to oversee to the preparation and follow up of the Project Management Framework and ensure that activities are properly coordinated and implemented as per the Project Cycle Management.
The REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) will ensure that project cycle management tools, including the PMF are developed and regularly updated. He/she will ensure that project implementation is conducted within the parameters of the PMF and that this reflects the proposal objectives.
The REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) shall manage logistics, financial, administration and HR processes directly related to REACH and liaise accordingly with the relevant ACTED counterpart. He/she is directly responsible for the implementation of proper ACTED FLAT procedures in all REACH interventions.
Objective 1.2: ImplementationThe REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) is responsible for contributing to the implementation of assessment projects, providing support to the development of assessment, database and GIS tools with the REACH team. This will specifically include, (a) with the assessment team, designing of data collection tools (household surveys, focus groups, and more); undertaking desk top reviews; collecting and consolidating macro data sets; ensuring workplans on primary data collection in the field are implemented in a timely manner; undertaking primary data analysis using qualitative and quantitative approaches; (b) with the GIS/DB team, development or review of databases; contributing to GIS data collection procedures and mapping thereof through ARC GIS and other ESRI products in particular; and analysis of spatial and other information to contribute to reports and the like; and (c) with the reporting team, ensuring final products such as reports, fact sheets, communications, maps, and other are up to the highest standard and ready in a timely manner.
Objective 1.3: CoordinationThe REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) shall provide technical support to the relevant ACTED department in terms of the preparation of new project proposals, development of programme strategies, implementation of project activities, and any other required REACH input to ACTED projects for added-value.
The REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) shall liaise with other REACH Officers in the region and throughout IMPACT Initiatives’ and ACTED’s networks to provide and receive support in the expansion of REACH globally.
- REACH ReportingThe REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) is responsible for consolidating all analyses and conclusions from each assessment into REACH products such as desktop reviews, factsheets, reports and briefs using standard formats. This will include the finalization of external documentation to be reviewed internally. He/she will liaise with Geneva, Regional Assessment Manager, and Regional GIS/DB Specialists in order to represent data in interactive web map or static map format, as relevant.The REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) is responsible for following the designated timeline of reports to be submitted to project partners and donors. He/she must ensure the writing of timely and accurate assessment reports and factsheets, ensuring the quality and accuracy of technical information provided as well as the confidentiality and protection of collected information. He/she will ensure that assessment reports contribute to aid coordination and planning and add to the general base of field knowledge in the country for all organisations working in the areas.
He/she will also manage the drafting of narrative reports and contribute to the development of financial reports through regular budgetary follow-up.
The REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) will also store, organize and disseminate assessments, project documents and best practices among ACTED and IPs. He/she will coordinate timely and accurate reporting to IMPACT Headquarter.
- REACH HR ManagementStaff Management The REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) is responsible for oversight of the day-to-day management of project and field staff both directly and remotely. He/she is expected to guide and direct REACH staff and prepare and follow up workplans with each staff member that directly reports to him/her. The REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) will be required to take the lead in the recruitment of REACH assessment staff in coordination with the ACTED HR Officer. This will include the preparation of ToRs, observation of recruitment procedures by planning recruitment needs in advance, and undertake interviews.
The REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) will ensure that all field teams are comprehensively briefed on the objective, expected outputs and that the overall implementation strategy of any given activity is clearly understood. He/she will ensure that project/field staff are given training and complete all the necessary documentation in line with program requirements set by REACH.
- Representation Representation of ACTED/REACH in cluster and multi-sector meetings/ technical working groups in country and follow up on technical issues identified in cluster meetings in other parts of the country. This specifically will include liaising with external partners to identify potential for data sets to be integrated into existing databases and mapped to support the coordination of the broader humanitarian community.
The REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) will further represent ACTED/REACH vis-a-vis current and potential donors and communicate relevant information to the ACTED Head of Program Development, Monitoring and Evaluation and Country Director. He/she will participate in inter-NGO meetings and those of UN agencies and any other relevant inter-governmental institutions at the national or provincial level.
More generally, the REACH Project Manager (Host Communities) is expected to contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of ACTED’s mandate, ethics, values and stand-point with regard to other actors.
Accountability to Communities and BeneficiariesThe staff member is responsible for ensuring that all relations with the communities we work are conducted in a respectful and consultative manner. Due attention must be paid to ensuring that communities are adequately consulted and informed about ACTED programme objectives, activities, beneficiary selection criteria, and methodologies. This is the responsibility of every ACTED staff member.
IV. Qualifications:
- Excellent academic qualifications, including a Master degree in relevant discipline;
- Excellent analytical skills of qualitative, quantitative and geo-spatial data
- At least 5 years of relevant working experience in humanitarian settings;
- Excellent communication and drafting skills for effective reporting;
- Excellent team management skills;
- Ability to operate in a cross-cultural environment requiring flexibility;
- Familiarity with the aid system, and understanding of donor and governmental requirements;
- Prior knowledge of the region an asset
- Fluency in English required, Arabic an advantage
- Ability to operation Microsoft Word, Excel and Project Management Software.
- Ability to operate SPSS or related statistical programming
- Ability to operate qualitative data analysis programmingAbility to work independently.
V. Conditions:
- Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
- Additional monthly living allowance
- Free food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse/or housing allowance (depending on contract length and country of assignment)
- Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
- Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package
How to apply:
RPM/JOR/SA
