Central African Republic: Operations Manager
Country: Central African Republic
Closing date: 31 Oct 2013
Location: Central African Republic, Bangui, with Extensive Travel to Field SitesLine Manager: Country DirectorResponsible for: Project CoordinatorsWorks with: Country Management Team, Medical Coordinators and Partners (e.g. Government of CAR, Ministries, National and International NGOs, etc) among othersStart Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 3-6 months Salary: £32,440 - £33,190 per annum (dependant on relevant experience) inclusive of additional Cost of Living Allowance Benefits: Insurance cover, accommodation, R&R , return flights, and annual leave entitlement of 24 days per annum rising to 30 days at the completion of 12 months of continuous employment with Merlin.
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.
Please note that this is an unaccompanied position.
Merlin International ProfileMerlin is an international health charity, saving lives in the world’s toughest places. Merlin responds with healthcare, when people are overwhelmed by natural disaster, conflict or disease and in need of immediate help. We focus on treating those who are beyond the reach of existing health services. After the immediate crisis, Merlin stays on to assist recovery. Using our expertise, we support health workers and strengthen existing health services. We build resilience by helping those at risk of future health disasters, to be better prepared.
We think everyone should have access to lasting healthcare. We believe good health is fundamental to transforming people’s lives, that’s why Merlin is A Force for HealthAs of 16 July, Merlin is joining Save the Children to create a world-class humanitarian health force for children and their families living in some of the toughest places in the world. By combining Merlin’s unique network of frontline health workers with Save the Children’s life-saving work in over 120 countries, more children affected by disaster or conflict will be reached.
Both organisations are really excited by this opportunity to dramatically increase our reach and impact for children and their families.
For those teams transferring as part of this plan, our expectation is that there will be a phased transition of Merlin’s overseas programme operations and head office teams to Save the Children, which we are aiming to complete within 18 months. During this time Merlin’s life-saving work for children and their families around the world will continue
Context and BackgroundThe UN has described the situation in CAR as “the world’s most silent crisis.” Following a decade of coups and mutinies which have destroyed infrastructure and shattered the economy, the resurgence of armed conflict in October 2005 between the government and rebel forces in the north of CAR sparked a humanitarian crisis. The most affected areas were the prefectures of Bamingui-Bangoran, Vakaga, Nana-Gribingui, Ouham, Ouham-Pende and Nana-Mambere.In response to this situation Merlin conducted an assessment in CAR in May 2007 which identified significant unmet needs in the health sector. Merlin subsequently set up a primary health care (PHC) project in Kaga Bandoro, the capital of Nana Gribizi prefecture as part of a 3-year strategy to increase access to and the capacity of government health services in CAR.In March 2013, the Seleka Coup, ousting the Bozize Government, severly hampered the operational capacity of the humanitarian community. Looting was widespread, especially in Bangui, and humanitarian space restricted throughout the country.Merlin continued throughout the crisis in Batalimo and Obo, providing health services to those affected. The wider programme has comprised of curative, inpatient observation, reproductive health services in 4 prefectures of CAR. It includes expanded programme on immunisation (EPI) preventive and promotive health services, disease surveillance, capacity building and HIV/AIDS awareness in the community. Merlin’s work in CAR is continuously adapting to the situation on the ground and recent developments have led the organisation to focus its activities in Nana Mambere prefecture, in the west of the country and Bangassou in the south east. Merlin started a programme in August 2008 in Bouar, Nana Mambere, and its surroundings supporting 14 health facilities. Merlin have scaled up in this region in to 22, continuing its work on primary health care and nutrition programme.Merlin is currently running an Emergency response to displaced persons in the Mbomou prefecture and extending further into Haut Mbomou prefecture in the South East of the country as a result of rebel forces. Merlin shall work with the MoH in setting up a temporary static health centre for the IDPs and conduct mobile clinics to the IDPs of Mbomou with vaccination, maternity services and a community based treatment of malnutrition to be organised within the camp with volunteers.Main purpose of the role As the Operations Manager, you will oversee the implementation of actual field activities that aim at achieving the strategic objectives of the country programme. You will provide supervision to the Project Coordinators to ensure the timely implementation of donor-funded projects based on the Merlin Project Management Cycle (PMC).
Duties & ResponsibilitiesGeneral• Manage all programme operations, review management systems and make appropriate improvements.• Co-ordinate activities between the field sites and the capital office.• Monitor and maintain compliance with standard Merlin procedures and guidelines.• Play a key role in developing Merlin’s position within CAR.• Maintain a strong working relationship with other Country Management Team members and all Project Coordinators• Represent the Country Director when required.• Play a key role in the implementation of the Counterpart Approach/Partnership for Health System Strengthening to working with the Ministry of Health Country Health Teams
Operational Management• Overall responsibility for effective and efficient management of project implementation at all project sites, consistent with the project management cycle, program objectives, activities and indicators.• Coordinate the drawing-up of plans, proposals, and budgets for new projects & extensions of projects in conjunction with the other Country Management Team members and the field sites’ teams.• Ensure project monitoring systems are in place and that reviews are undertaken periodically in conjunction with the team, the country Director, project partners and relevant local stakeholders.• Initiate regular project team meetings at all field sites to ensure project time-line fulfilment and donor/ Merlin compliance.• Ensure reports are completed in accordance with deadlines/ compliance requirements; and undertake report editing where necessary.• Pro-actively contribute to programme development and strategy.• Monitor the evolving humanitarian situation in the project regions and consider strategic and immediate responses.• Line manage Project Coordinators to ensure that appropriate Merlin management, administration, personnel, logistic, finance, and communication systems are in place.• Undertake regular travel to all field sites as dictated by the needs of the project, security and staff etc.
Logistics/ Finance/ Administration• Ensure appropriate administrative, financial and logistical Merlin systems/ procedures are in place, maintained and adhered to so that all support functions are carried out effectively and efficiently.• Maintain familiarity with donor compliance issues, ensuring all projects are compliant with donor and Merlin procedures/ requirements.• Ensure appropriate documentation of projects for transparency and future donor inspection/ audit.• Assist the Logistics Manager in follow-up and coordination of logistical issues with field sites• In coordination with the Log Co undertake logistics systems monitoring/ review.
Human Resource Management• Undertake expatriate staff appraisals for Project Coordinators and others under direct line-management.• Where relevant, contribute to job descriptions and staff selection.• Support team members professionally and monitor/ support stress management.• Maintain good inter-team communications & engender positive team dynamics.• Monitor staff welfare in the field sites and ensure appropriate steps are taken to improve living and working conditions where necessary.
Communication/ Representation• Ensure regular communications are maintained between the field sites and the Country Management Team, acting as the focal person for communication.• Represent field site teams at the Country Management Team meetings, and the Country Management Team in the field sites.• In coordination with the Country Director, represent Merlin to government officials, donors, NGOs, local and national health authorities, and any other parties as required.• Support the Country Director’s strategic co-operation initiatives with the MoH, and international community active in CAR.
Security• Acting as the key safety and security focal point (SSFP) for all safety and security issues within the CAR programme• Gather and disseminate information on security issues to relevant staff: namely CD and PCs in each field location• Ensure country and location-specific safety and security plans and guidelines are updated• Ensure that all Merlin staff CAR are adequately briefed on safety and security• Carry out training of PCs and other key line management staff, of security plans, and support them in implementation• Ensure that all Security Incidents are reported through the correct channels, and that analysis is passed to the CD• Attend all security related meetings at national level and represent Merlin CAR in these forums• Specific duties as detailed in the Safety and Security Management Toolkit
Other• Provide coverage for other posts when necessary and carry out any other responsibilities as reasonably requested by the Country Director.
Person SpecificationEssentialQualifications, experience and competences• Previous Relevant previous experience in an overseas post-conflict or development environment.• Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken French and English• Strong international project coordination and management experience, including:? Project needs assessment? Project proposal development? Logical framework development? Report and proposal writing? Security management? Personnel management• Experience of representation/ liaison with government officials, local authorities, NGOs, civil society groups and donors.• Ability to write and edit quality project proposals and reports • Proven administrative, problem solving and organisational skills.• Proven experience in budget and grants management• Understanding of logistics systems• Diplomatic and effective communication skills• Strong leadership skills and a supportive management style• Experience of managing large teams situated in multiple geographic locations• Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office • Team player with experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions, cultures and political environments• Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines• Experience of proactively identifying and addressing issues • An understanding of and commitment to Merlin’s mission and values
Desirable• Experience of different donor funding mechanisms • Experience in basic and preventative health care• Previous working experience within Africa
How to apply:
To apply for this positionTo apply for this job, please go to www.merlin.org.uk/jobs and apply using our online recruitment system. In order to apply for a job with Merlin online you will need to complete a short registration process and create an account – the online recruitment system explains how to do this. Once your account has been created, you will be able to save the information that you have entered in your application and re-visit it at any time before you submit it.
If you are unable to apply online for any technical reason, please contact applications@merlin.org.uk.
Please note that we do not accept CVs. Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
