Country coordinator

Position based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

CONTEXT

Present in Ethiopia since 1988, Inter Aide is involved in the design and implementation of development projects in rural areas, focusing primarily on:

• access to water, hygiene and sanitation and support to the development of public water services (eight programs)

• support for family farming (three programs, including a major program to scale up soil conservation activities).

These programs are implemented in the Southern region of Ethiopia (SNNPR).

In this context, Inter Aide is looking for a country coordinator. He/she will be in charge of administrative, financial and logistics coordination, relations with private and institutional partners, communication with the head office and with the program managers, and will contribute to the strengthening of a local partner organisation (RCBDIA).

MISSION

As the only expatriate in the capital, the Country Coordinator works in close collaboration with the Sector Managers and the Administrative and Financial Managers based in France and the Thematic Coordinators and Program Managers in the field. Through regular missions in the field, his/her main duties include:

Ø The management and coordination of an administrative, logistics and financial support team for the projects implemented by Inter Aide and by the Ethiopian partner RCBDIA.

This project support team is composed of 10 people based in the capital and in the field. It also supports a local partner organization (RCBDIA) which carries out similar actions in the Wolayta area, also located in the southern region of Ethiopia.

In close collaboration with the two Administrative and Financial Managers based at Inter Aide’s headquarters, you will supervise this team in its mission to support the projects:

• Support the Logistics Manager (Addis Ababa (“AA”) and the Senior Logistician (Field) in the processing of purchases for the projects (purchases in Ethiopia and imported). Ensure proper monitoring of procurement procedures and preparation of required documentation;

• Support the Finance and Administration Manager based in Addis Ababa in the supervision of the teams in charge of accounting and the continuous training of the administrative assistants of the different projects. Ensure that the accounting control processes are carried out according to the required rigor and deadlines set by headquarters. Support the preparation of financial audits (annual audits in Ethiopia and ad hoc audits in conjunction with donors);

• Ensure the application of the internal rules of the NGO and the established procedures, and ensure that Ethiopian regulations are respected;

• Supervise and monitor the main logistician to ensure the proper management of an internal garage located in Soddo for regular maintenance of vehicles (ordering and management of spare parts, monitoring of maintenance services and the condition of the vehicle fleet, monitoring of vehicle consumption…). Facilitate the liaison and follow-up with private garages in Addis Ababa for other interventions;

• Follow up on requests to send funds to the various projects, ensure the quality of services provided by the Ethiopian bank, supervise bank transfers, validate the accounting of the support unit in Addis Ababa;

• Make regular visits to the projects to support the teams: ongoing training, ensure the proper filing of contracts and administrative documents, verify that inventory management procedures are in place etc.;

• Develop, with the teams, tools if needed to improve management and logistical and administrative follow-up, and provide support for the management and programming of the partner RCBDIA’s activities. Liaise with and participate in the selection of external support for the country office (lawyer, IT technician, etc.)

Ø Inter Aide’s representation role with institutional, technical and financial partners

The country coordinator will act as Inter Aide’s “Country Representative” and will therefore be responsible for:

• Facilitating links with institutional partners (different Ministries, ACSO, Agence Française de Développement, European Union, French Embassy, immigration services) and technical partners (research centers, platform in the field of water or agriculture, French Center for Foreign Studies, other stakeholders…);

• Supporting the thematic coordinators in obtaining or renewing accreditations from the regional ministries and the ACSO

• Facilitating and sometimes accompanying visits from headquarters or partners in the field;

• Keeping abreast of political orientations and ensuring that Inter Aide’s actions meet Ethiopian policy and guidelines;

• Participating in meetings and gatherings of other actors operating in similar areas or fields in Ethiopia;

• Participating in the preparation of activity reports for Ethiopian institutions in accordance with the deadlines;

• Exploring new sources of funding.

Ø Development of connections with different actors in Ethiopia

This will involve building connections with other NGOs working in Ethiopia, and looking at the possibilities of replicating certain practices that contribute to improving human resources management within the organization (advice on contract management, assessing the possibilities of setting up medical insurance for employees, management of expatriate employment contracts, etc.)

Ø Maintaining regular communication with Thematic Coordinators, Program Managers and Headquarters

• Maintain regular communication with Thematic Coordinators and Program Managers as well as with headquarters

• Develop mechanisms for formal and informal exchanges between programs

• Facilitate the organization of annual meetings (each year, a meeting of the Country Coordinator and Thematic Coordinators is organized. This is the decision-making body regarding internal rules and policies (salary scale, use of vehicles, internal regulations, control mechanisms, etc.)

PROFILE

• University degree (minimum of 3 years of higher education)

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in administrative, logistics and financial management, implementation of procedures, control and audit in similar contexts

• Experience in project management and team management

• Long term expatriation experience in developing countries preferred

• Dynamism, rigor and organizational skills

• Ability to communicate in a multicultural environment

• High degree of autonomy and ability to work with minimal supervision

• Ability to listen and diplomacy

• Mobility (regular travel in the areas of intervention)

• Fluent English essential

STATUS

• Minimum three-year mission

• Remuneration of 1400€ net per month + field allowance (including an additional allowance for living costs in Addis)

• Full social security cover (CFE + mutual insurance) and repatriation insurance

• One round trip air ticket at the beginning and end of the mission + one annual round trip air ticket

• Possibility to leave as a couple / family