Area Manager Mexico

Background

In the past years, the number of refugees and migrants on the move in Latin America have been increasing substantially. Many try to reach the United States and Canada and the growing number of people reaching Mexico is overwhelming border areas, and humanitarian needs are escalating. In 2022, over 2 million people were intercepted by US border forces trying to cross into the US. The recent context developments and changes of US migration policies would likely result in a high number of migrants and asylum seekers stranded in Tapachula (south of Mexico) in need of humanitarian assistance.

NRC North of Central America and Mexico (NCA&M) Country Office (CO) was established in January 2021 and NRC currently operates in four countries: in Honduras, in El Salvador, in Guatemala and in Mexico working through a national partner in the border town of Tapachula. As the magnitude of the humanitarian situation in Mexico kept increasing, NRC is planning to scale-up its programs in Mexico in 2023.

Role

The purpose of the Area Manager position is to lead on establishing the NRC Area office in Mexico. The role to ensure high quality and cost-effective programme/projects implementation within the designated geographical area.

1. Line management for senior project staff and support functions (and Field Office Coordinators) in the area
2. Member of the Country Management Group (CMG)
3. Ensure compliance with and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures.
4. Provide area specific input on Programme Strategies, Country Strategy and Plan of Action.
5. Organize grants opening and closure meetings at area level.
6. Oversee the implementation of projects (including master support budget and coordinating input for donor proposals and reports) in the area, in compliance with contractual commitments (i.e. quality, synergies, timeliness, use of resources).
7. Assess needs, develop emergency response and implement response plans.
8. Ensure optimal use of resources within the allocated project budgets and programmes strategies.
9. Represent NRC and networking on area level.
10. Ensure that capacitybuilding is providedto all staff in the area.
11. Ensure overall securityand safety of staff in the area.
12. Contribute to the development of holistic and needs based programmes, including cash-based interventions and market based programmes
13. Oversee and be responsible of mainstreaming protection in the NRC’s related activities as per NRC’s Safe Programming guidelines and ensure that all breaches/concerns reported are properly resolved.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Receive the referral information related to protection cases on a monthly basis from the related focal points and take proper actions to ensure that the referral system is functioning to the best interest of beneficiaries as per NRC’s referral’s SOPs.
• Overall responsibility of establishing the Mexico Area Office including potential sub-offices
• Ensure internal structure scale up in both programmes and support functions
• In conjunction with the Country Office (CO) and Regional Office (RO), conduct assessments for new areas of operation, outline possible areas of intervention, and develop program strategy for implementation
• Ensure efficient and effective scale up of programmes in the area ensuring those are implemented in accordance with relevant (country/regional/global) strategies, donor rules & regulations and NRC policies & procedures, including but not limited to the Project Cycle Management framework, HR Handbook, Logistics Handbook, etc.
• Recruit staff and set-up administrative and other processes in the area office to ensure efficient and cost-effective operations
• Oversee and manage the timely recruitment of qualified staff for key positions – both existing and newly introduced – in the Area Office.
• Liaise regularly with relevant external stakeholders, including authorities, donors, UN agencies and other humanitarian actors – among others through coordination mechanisms.
• In conjunction with the Country Office, liaise with donors on new funding and operational areas of programming
• Lead on access strategy and its implementation in hard-to-reach areas
• Responsible for security risk assessments for possible new areas of intervention
• Provide input to advocacy initiatives

Competencies:

• Minimum 3 years of experience from working as a Senior Manager in a humanitarian/recovery context
• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Understanding of the context in Latin America is essential
• Fluency in English and Spanish, both written and verbal.
• Demonstrated ability to perform well in a highly fluid environment where both context and organizational structure are subject to continuous, abrupt and substantial change
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Experience with Start-up is an advantage
• Valid driver’s licence

Behavioral Competencies:

• Handling insecure environments
• Strategic thinking
• Empowering and building trust
• Managing performance and development
• Managingresources to optimiseresults
• Influencing

Find more info about this position here.

What We Offer

• Type of contract: 12 months
• Salary/benefits: According to NRC salary scale, terms and conditions (grade 10)
• Duty station: Mexico

Internal candidates are encouraged to apply but we are also open to external applicants who can show a commitment to NRC and being part of a challenging, but important mission to make a difference.

Please note fluency in both Spanish and English is required for this position. Candidates who do not command either of the languages will not be able to be considered.