Country director Myanmar

Country Director- Myanmar

Country: Based in Yangon, Myanmar depending on visa availability, with some travelling to projects (if security allows)

Duration: 6 months (renewable upon funding), starting on January 2024

Conditions:

• Executive status
• Monthly gross salary from €3,300 to €4.000 according to experience in the similar position
• Monthly per diem €450
• Medical coverage of 100% + repatriation insurance
• Accommodation, international and local transportation as part of the mission
• Break every 3 months
• No family duty station.

TGH has chosen a deliberately simple and transparent remuneration policy, accessible on our website www.trianglegh.org. The salary levels advertised in our job offers are set within the framework of the salary scale and are not open to negotiation.

Presentation of TGH

“Actor in a sustainable and shared solidarity”

Founded in 1994, TGH is an International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO), registered in Lyon, France. TGH designs, implements and monitors Emergency response, Recovery and Development programs in the following sectors: Water Sanitation Hygiene (WASH), Food Security and Livelihood (FSL), Protection and Education. TGH currently works in 10 countries of Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Context

TGH has been active in Myanmar since 2007 with a large range of Emergency, Recovery and Development programs. It started with Nargis Hurricane Response on the seaside, near Yangon (Basic Emergency Needs & Livelihoods of affected populations). It continued with several recovery projects in the Ayeyarwady Region, as well as EU-funded interventions focusing on disability including in Yangon. From 2012, TGH has developed several FSL projects in Matupi Township, Chin State, bringing Food Security, Livelihoods (income-generated activities) and Natural Resource Management as a very solid and recognized expertise for TGH Myanmar. Following the reopening of a Coordination Office in Yangon (2018), TGH Myanmar extended its activities in Southern Chin, in Paletwa Township for Multi-Sectoral Emergency response to the local population affected to the growing conflict between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army.

Since the military coup of February 2021, and the eruption of violent conflict across the country, TGH’s focus shifted to address needs of conflict affected people in Chin State and adjacent Townships of surrounding regions. TGH, like many INGOs in Myanmar, is facing many difficulties implementing its programs. The rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation and the increasing amount of operational obstacles have drastically changed TGH’s response strategy.

TGH currently works with several national CSOs serving conflict affected people in/from the entire Chin State and the east part of Rakhine State (Kyauktaw) through a localization approach. Local partners are key to assure access to beneficiaries. Taking into account that capacity building of implementing partners is a core component of TGH partnership approach.

Due to strict immigration and visa delivery policies, TGH has an extremely limited number of personnel working from Myanmar, and relies mostly on its local partners to pursue its activities. This limited representation has had an impact, among other factors, on TGH’s fundraising capabilities. TGH also currently recruits a CSO Capacity Building Project Manager for its new project in Myanmar.

Presentation of TGH Myanmar and Projects

Since 2007, TGH implements projects in Myanmar with the financial support of the following donors: European Commission (Europeaid), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Myanmar Humanitarian Fund (MHF), HARP-Facility (DFID) and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Embassy of France (CDCS and AAP).

TGH has 1 Coordination Office in Yangon. The total number of national staff is currently 4.

After the end of the latest project in May 2023, funded by CDCS and consisting in Emergency Assistance and Resilience Building for IDPs and Host Community Children affected by protracted crisis in Chin and Rakhine States, TGH now starts a new multi-sectoral local capacity building project spread over multiple states in Western Myanmar: this project entitled “Improving the capacity of local civil society organisations in Chin State and the surrounding area to better respond to the needs of local people” is funded by AFD for a 3-year period.

The aim of the project is to help build the capacity of Burmese CSOs to respond to the growing needs identified in the context of a multi-faceted health, political, economic and security crisis, particularly in Chin State and neighbouring districts, as well as in the major urban centres. More specifically, TGH wants to strengthen the operational resources of local CSOs in strategic technical areas such as project management, financial management, HR management, communication and logistics through support and training. In addition, TGH wishes to strengthen synergies, whether they already exist or not, between the various players in civil society with a view to better coordination and sharing of knowledge/practice.

Projects perspectives for 2024:

• Continuous support to populations affected and displaced by the conflict in Chin State and surrounding regions of Sagaing, Magway, and Rakhine State,
• Support to IDPs and poorest communities in Yangon, Mandalay and Bago regions and Kayin state,
• Development of TGH Disaster Preparedness Capacity for Rapid Response, especially in Chin State and surrounding townships in Rakhine State and Magway Region.

Job description

Under the HQ-Based Desk Manager, the Country Director will manage directly the Myanmar team (4 national staff and 1 international staff).

The main responsibilities are:

Fund Mobilization and Programs Development

Jointly lead TGH Country Strategy development and implementation, under the supervision and support of HQ Desk Manager.

• Monitor proactively funding/co-funding opportunities for TGH missions in Myanmar and identify potential calls/funds adapted to TGH strategic programming for future projects.
• Actively promote TGH mandate and positions in the country to donors and to potential technical partnerships by meeting them in their local/regional offices.
• Explore new funding opportunities with public and private donors, including foundations and CSR mechanisms in Myanmar.
• Coordinate project programming and take part in the development of Concept Notes and Grant Proposals, with the support of HQ staff members (Desk Manager, technical Advisors, Finance Department) and field staff, , in particular the CSO Capacity Building Project Manager.

External Coordination and Representation

• Maintain excellent relationship with national and local authorities, from Naypyitaw and at field level
• Renegotiate TGH MoU with line ministry and be proactively engaged in regular reports to national authorities
• Enhance TGH visibility within the aid sector in Myanmar
• Attend regular (monthly or bi-weekly) INGO Forum meetings and monthly Humanitarian Breakfasts
• Actively inform and advocate for specific humanitarian issues and project-related needs
• Be an active member of the Rakhine/Chin Country Director Group
• Coordinate TGH representation to relevant Clusters and Technical Working Groups (WASH, Protection/Child Protection, Education in Emergencies, Food Security, etc.) and other regular meetings (HR/Admin Group, Anti-Fraud and Corruption Group, etc.), at national level in coordination with TGH team in Myanmar
• Meet informally with other INGOs and CSOs for introduction and informal learning and for exploring potential (technical or geographic) opportunities for new project consortium.

Security Management

• Ensure TGH PSEA Policy is strictly applied for all TGH and partners staff and in all areas of interventions
• Monitor conflict trends, disaster risks and warnings, as well as public health concerns for staff and partners
• Closely follow up on a daily basis security contexts in the field, with related Field Security Focal Points
• Whenever needed/relevant, take rapid decisions and inform HQ Security Focal Point in case of any growing threat and/or incidents
• Attend INGO Forum Security meetings and coordinate with the Embassy of France and UN for security protocols and updates
• Supervise proper update of TGH Security Tracking Tool in conflict-affected project areas
• Ensure frequent and appropriate update of TGH Security Plan for Myanmar
• Plan refreshing security training and protocols for staff and partners
• Review if external expertise is required for short-term support, when needs be (tools update, training, context analysis, etc.).

Team Management

• Promote safe, innovative and cross-cutting considerations in daily environment of work and to ensure working conditions are optimized
• Be an inspiring and recognized Team Leader for TGH staff and partners in Myanmar, build a shared and enthusiastic vision among all staff, based on TGH principles, image and values and create a productive working environment where alternative viewpoints are heard and considered
• Maintain a friendly and effective environment of work mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Plan and lead staff recruitment
• Manage directly the team in Myanmar and Implement staff performance management in a regular basis
• Develop consultancy roster of external experts for short-term and specific support to TGH Myanmar.

Supervision of logistics and administration/HR/finance departments

• Ensure effective and timely accounting reports to HQ and donors
• Ensure compliance to all administration requirements (rentals, insurances, visas, etc.)
• Make sure TGH administrative, financial and logistics procedures are strictly applied, including all related policies (Code of Conduct, Safeguarding, Anti-Fraud, National Internal Staff Regulations, etc.)
• Strengthen HR conditions, including Capacity Building Plans for staff
• Consolidate readjusted team structures and strengthen team capacity in all possible aspects

Projects Coordination

• Ensure overall project leadership for accountability, alignment to strategies, efficient implementation, targets achievement and quality delivery
• Develop partnership agreements, coordinate and maintain successful relationships with project partners
• Ensure resources are properly allocated to projects, issues addressed and gaps readjusted
• Ensure proper use of funding on a timely manner, with the support of HQ Finance Department, and the respect of all Admin and Logistics internal procedures for projects, including for projects partners
• Coordinate timely and quality delivery of donors reports, in excellent English and/or French languages
• Plan field visits on a regular basis for overall coordination, monitoring and support to project teams
• Follow up Monthly Follow-up (MFU) reports to HQ.

Capacity Building

• Plan and implement institutional and technical capacity building for TGH Myanmar and projects partners
• Take leadership in knowledge management, sharing of experiences and innovative project pilots
• Program internal working groups for learning purposes, including inquiring support from HQ and/or with other TGH Country Offices for learning exchanges.

Safeguarding policies

• Be responsible for ensuring accountability mechanisms are in place and are being managed well.

This includes responsibility for managing any and all reports of corruption, behavior not in line with the code of conduct and the policy of prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.

• Be responsible for the implementation of all internal TGH policies.

This list of Roles and Responsibilities is not exhaustive and can be adjusted based on on-going TGH Myanmar needs.

Security, working and living conditions

The Country Director will strictly follow TGH Security Plan in Myanmar. Yangon’s security status is currently unstable and adjustment of preventive security measures could apply at any time.

The Country Director can share a comfortable apartment in a pleasant urban area of Yangon. As a whole, professional and living conditions are friendly and very much appreciated.

Field visits and other professional travels will be subject to security conditions.

Profile

• University-Level Degree, preferably a Master Degree in the field of International Development, Project Management, Political Studies or other related ones
• At least 3 years of experience with an humanitarian NGO, including project and office coordination
• Former experience in Myanmar or in South/South East Asia is a very strong asset
• Great knowledge of the humanitarian and development sector (INGOs, donors, procedures, etc.)
• Proven management experience
• Excellent oral and written English skills. French is highly desirable
• Great knowledge of M&E Tools, Grants Reporting and Proposal Development, with successful experiences on proposal development for international donors
• Familiar with procedures of some of the following donor agencies: AAP, AFD, MHF, DFID, ECHO/Europeaid, etc.;
• Good knowledge of accounting, financial management and logistics for NGOs
• Proven experience on Capacity Building for National/Local CSOs, including good Training Facilitation and strong Reporting skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work as a team member, in an effective timely and flexible way, under pressure and tight deadlines
• Proven record of self-sufficient and rigorous capacity and excellent multi-tasks and priority planning;
• Proficient user of MS Office Pack. Knowledge of SAGA software will be appreciated;
• Experience in remote work and management is a strong asset.

Application

Please send your resume and cover letter directly on the HR page of our website: www.trianglegh.org, section “join us-rejoignez-nous”