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Deputy Country Director
Source: Merlin - UK
Jackelyne Weeks
| Deadline: | 23 Aug 2008 |
| Organisation: | Merlin - UK |
| Location: | Sudan |
| Type: | temporary |
| Salary: | 40-50 (000's USD) |
| Description: | Programme: North Sudan
Responsible To: Country Director Location: Based in Nyala Start Date: ASAP Duration: 12 Months Allowance: £19,282 - £22,990 per annum dependant on relevant experience, an annual cost of living allowance insurance cover, accommodation and return flights. Please note that this is an unaccompanied position. 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. Merlin International Profile Merlin is the only UK specialist charity which responds worldwide with vital healthcare and medical relief for vulnerable people affected by natural disasters, conflict and healthcare collapse. Each year, Merlin assists more than 15 million people, in up to 20 countries, through working with local healthcare actors including government, community groups and NGOs. For more information about Merlin, please visit our website at www.merlin.org.uk. Merlin currently implements primary healthcare programmes in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, and the occupied Palestinian territories. The current portfolio of global programs can be characterized as a continuum from emergency relief projects, transition PHC programs to longer term development programs. Institutional donor support includes OFDA, DFID, ECHO, Global Fund, DEC, Rockefeller Foundation, Austcare, DCI, BUZA, UN, Japanese Government, USAID, JOA, Futures Group, Finnish Government and Band-Aid. Merlin In Sudan The goal of the Sudan mission is to address humanitarian and health crises within Sudan, with particular focus on Darfur (Western Sudan) while increasing capacity of local structures to deliver effective and quality primary health care services. Over two million people are now thought to have been displaced since the commencement of hostilities in the Darfur region, many of whom continue to be in acute need of emergency assistance. These needs are further exacerbated by seasonal rains & food shortages due to interruptions of agricultural cycles. Developments at the peace process level may initiate population returns in certain areas, while other areas continue to experience displacement. Merlin has been working in Darfur since late 2004, and currently runs 3 projects across South Darfur. Merlin's primary health care interventions provide quality services through both static and outreach mobile clinic services. Activities increase community-level access to health care by establishing static primary health clinics in former mobile clinic locations, and starting new mobile sites where population movements indicate severe need. The programme will also extend health education: Merlin believes that preventive health care has significant impacts on health status. This is embedded in a context where Merlin collaborates closely with Sudan's Ministry of Health and other government agencies for material and human resource support for projects. The focus for 2008 will be the continuation of the primary health care provision within the areas Merlin is already supporting with the addition of nutritional support on a CTC basis. Core Responsibilities General To deputize for the Country Director (CD) in the CDs absence To manage the day-to-day programme operations in Darfur, review management systems, and make appropriate improvements To play a key role in maintaining a good Merlin's profile in Darfur To monitor and maintain compliance with administrative and logistics procedures To work closely with CD and the safety monitor in the monitoring of safety and compliance with safety guidelines To assist the CD in all expatriate and national staff recruitment and management Operational Management Assist in drawing up plans, proposals, and budgets for new projects and extensions of projects in conjunction with the capital and field sites teams To assist the CD in identifying new areas of need and potential areas for project development and donor funding in Darfur and in other areas of Sudan Ensure regular communications are maintained among the field sites, and between the field and the capital Maintain a strong working relationship with the Country Management Team: CD, Country Health Director (CHD), Logco, and Finance and Administration Manager (FAM). Ensure adherence to timelines for all proposals and review proposals as necessary. Ensure reports are completed in accordance with deadlines and undertake report editing and review where necessary. Assist in assessment or evaluation planning and execution in Merlin field sites. Line manage all Project Coordinators to ensure that appropriate Merlin management, administration, personnel, logistic, finance, and communication systems are in place. Travel to the project in country as per the Sudan mission needs. Security Ensure field site security guidelines are reviewed at least quarterly Ensure all security incidents are appropriately recorded and reported by project coordinators to relevant parties Actively monitor field site security and advise the CD about developments Act as the security focal point for Darfur in the absence of the safety monitor Notify CD, international, and national staff of any increases oroutbreaks of insecurity and advise on specific actions that should be taken. Logistics/Finance/Administration Ensure all projects adhere to Merlin's systems and procedures Ensure that project implementation meets donor compliance requirements Review budgets for submission to donors and provide advice and assistance where necessary Maintain an overview of project spending and financial reporting and provide advice and assistance on project spending and budgeting Human Resource Management Maintain good team communication, engender good team dynamics and take remedial action when problems occur Support team members professionally and monitor and support stress management Carry out appraisals according to Merlin's Human Resource procedures In liaison with CD, ensure all new team members are adequately briefed on arrival in the field, and departing team members are debriefed Work with CD to maintain up-to-date job descriptions for international staff and prepare and maintain job descriptions for national staff Review international staff applications and conduct interviews for short-listed candidates Provide support to administrative team in the recruitment process for national staff Ensure international staff leave requests are processed and HR files regularly updated Ensure procedural compliance for: o International staff appraisal deadlines for anyone immediately managed by the Project Coordinators. o Staff movements, ensuring all relevant parties are informed in a timely fashion Maintain good inter-team communications and engender positive team dynamics. Plan national and international staff requirements and liaise with the CMT and the Human Resource department in London with approval of the CD Representation In coordination with the CD, represent Merlin in Darfur and occasionally at the capital level to donors, local and national health authorities, other NGOs, and any other parties as required. Support the CD's strategic co-operation initiatives with international and national NGOs active in Darfur. Other Provide coverage for other posts when needed and carry out any other responsibilities as requested by the Country Director. Person Specification Essential Excellent spoken and written English Extensive field humanitarian experience in a management role Strong experience of project management skills and tools Extensive knowledge of donors formats and requirements as well as report and proposal writing and donor compliance Strong knowldege of donors compliance such as ECHO and OFDA Understanding and experience of logistics Extensive security management experience in highly complex environment Strong leadership skills with good communication skills Proven problem solving and organisational skills Flexibility and the ability to remain calm under pressure Experience of conducting needs assessments and project development Experience of financial and administrative coordination Experience in HR management Ability to work under stressful conditions Good team-worker and able to live and work closely with a team Computer skills (word for windows, excel, email) Ability and willingness to undertake frequent travel to field sites and to live and work in insecure remote locations Commitement to Merlin values and mission Desirable Previous experience of working in East/Central Africa Experience in the health sector To apply for this vacancy Please download an application form from our website www.merlin.org.uk Completed applications should be emailed to applications@merlin-uk.org stating in the subject field the job title, country and reference number (if any) of the vacancy you have applied for. |
Contact Details
| Name: | Jackelyne Weeks |
| Email: | applications@merlin-uk.org |
