Country Representative, Haiti

We help to strengthen resilience of vulnerable people exposed to hazards and crisis situations and we respond to disasters and conflicts to save lives and alleviate suffering. In the Netherlands with more than thirty thousand volunteers and internationally through technical assistance, supplies and financial support. Together we act before, during and after disasters to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people.

We do this without regards to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinion. Our seven principles guide our humanitarian work: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The International Assistance department is responsible for all Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) international support for victims of disasters and conflicts and for vulnerable people exposed to hazards. The Focus of the International Assistance department is on two main areas: Disaster Response and Community Resilience.

The International Assistance (IA) division has opened a vacancy for a:

Country Representative, Haiti

Position title: NLRC Country Representative Haiti

Duty station: Port-au-Prince (PaP) (starting from Santo Domingo. Relocation to PaP as soon as the security context allows.

Position type: Single and R&R

Time period: 12 months, 40 hrs/week

Desirable starting date : ASAP

Purpose of the position

The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) is looking for a Country Representative in Haiti who will:

• Develop, implement and safeguard the NLRC long term strategy and vision for Haiti
• Maintain and further develop relationships with Red Cross Partners, Donors and other Stakeholders
• Lead the NLRC Country Team in Haiti
• Monitor and assess the security context, inform the country/HQ teams and take measures accordingly
• Manage and coordinate the administration of the NLRC delegation
• End responsible for all NLRC supported projects in Haiti

The Netherlands Red Cross and the Haitian Red Cross in Haiti.

The Netherlands Red Cross has a long history in providing humanitarian aid in Haiti and dates back to the late 1990s with an increased presence in the country since the earthquake in January 2010. The current NLRC delegation includes 2-4 delegates and around 50 local staff.

Over more than two decades, the National Societies have collaborated in addressing acute needs of vulnerable people of Haiti through implementation of a wide-range programmes in the areas of primary health care, water and sanitation, food security and livelihoods support, climate change and community resilience, and local capacity building. The organizations, guided by the Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement Fundamental Principles and in line with their strategies and mandates, work hand-in-hand to alleviate sufferings and strengthen capacities of the most vulnerable groups of the population in Haiti.

The Haitian Red Cross was founded May 29, 1932 and currently has 50 staff with 5,000 volunteers throughout the country. The HRC is recognized as an auxiliary body, well linked, for coordinating and collaborating purposes, to the government. HRCS and NLRC are currently implementing a number of programmes in the Southern Department.

Position in the organization

The Country Representative is leading the country team in Haiti, consisting of 2-4 delegates and around 50 local staff. The Country representative is the direct line manager of the delegate staff and local staff based in Port-au-Prince (5 staff).

The Country Representative reports to the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator (PPC) for Haiti, who is based in The Hague, The Netherlands.

The Country Representative will work closely with staff based at NLRC HQ, including the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator (PPC), Portfolio Officer (PO) for Haiti, technical advisors, PMER and financial team etc.

Key Responsibilities

Vision and Strategy development

• Safeguard and Implement the Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) agreed between NLRC and HRCS.
• Take the lead in further developing NLRC’s long term vision and strategy for Haiti.
• Maintain and develop NLRC’s portfolio for Haiti.
• In the processes described above ensure inclusion of HRCS, the NLRC field team and NLRC HQ (desk, advisors, unit lead).
• Act as the primary resource person within NLRC Country Office, for sharing and providing information on NLRC’s vision and strategy and projects in Haiti.

Partnership Fostering and Development

• Maintain effective working relationships with HRCS as well as other Red Cross Partner National Societies in country and movement partners in the region.
• Maintain and foster in country relations with Donors.
• Maintain relations with Netherlands Embassy in The Dominican Republic and inform the Embassy about NLRC supported projects.
• Engage and actively participate in relevant networks, coalitions, alliances, meetings, forums or any other event related to the activities implemented in Haiti.
• Represent the NLRC in coordination meetings with other Red Cross partners.
• Undertake regular strategic and operational meetings with HRCS Senior Management Team to ensure work priorities and address any challenges the in country NLRC team is facing.
• Take the lead in identifying funding and or partnership opportunities in Haiti which are in line with strategies and priorities of HRCS and NLRC.

Project Development and Delivery

• Analyze and maintain an in-depth understanding of the development context and key stakeholders in country.
• Work in collaboration and consultation with HRCS, identify relevant interventions in line with HRCS and NLRC International Assistance Department Strategy.
• Work in close collaboration with Project Delegates in development of new proposals, monitoring and revising budgets and activities.
• End responsible for ensuring quality project management and financial control of the portfolio of NLRC projects in-country as the line manager of project delegates.
• Safeguard and implement NLRC’s Standard Project Approach (SPA), Financial Management guide and NLRC’s Procedures for International Procurement.

Human Resources, Line management and Office

• Foster a positive, fair, participatory and ambitious professional work culture among in-country staff.
• Ensure all Delegates are delivering on work plans and that all relevant external donor policies, procedures and deadlines are met.
• Oversee management of in-country project budgets for Delegates in agreement with the PO.
• Oversee management of in-country office in agreement with the PPC and other relevant HQ teams.
• Ensure all delegates adhere to NLRC’s Standard Project Approach, use the right (budget) formats, follow all NLRC procedures (e.g. Logistics, Security Guidelines) and use the right administrative systems.
• Responsible for managing employee performance, including providing employees with regular feedback, (conducting a Mid Term review and a yearly performance appraisal.
• Maintain accurate written records of work plans, Management Team meetings and performance appraisals.
• Develop Job Descriptions for new staff of the Country office, process recruitment and hiring in close consultation with the PPC.
• Ensure that Delegates comply with staff regulations and that breaches are documented and the PPC is notified.
• Organize missions for the NLRC, other Red Cross National Societies and external consultants upon request alongside the relevant project delegates. Develop terms of references for these missions.

Security Management

• Ensure that updated Security Regulations are in place and that all staff (local and International) are aware and follow the regulations.
• Develop on a yearly basis a country security document in close collaboration with the security advisor at HQ.
• Disseminate information on security threats to staff in a timely manner.
• Regularly analyze context, identify risks and validate security rules.
• Maintain proper documentation of security incidents.
• Conduct security briefing for NLRC visitors to Haiti and arrange security briefing for these visitors.

Requirements

• Master degree in Social and Political Sciences, International Development, Business Management or other relevant fields.
• At least 5-8 years’ experience in the development and/or humanitarian field.
• Experience in similar positions within the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement is preferable.
• Fluent in spoken and written of French and English.
• Strategic thinker with a strong track record in programme design and grant writing.
• Demonstrated ability for high level representation (e.g. donor liaison).
• Experience in the area of capacity building and development of non-governmental organisations.
• Experience in programme management, including programme identification, formulation, management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Able to work in politically complex and challenging environment.
• Experience in working at managerial level in an international organization.
• Excellent narrative and financial reporting and proposal writing skills.
• Working experience in Haiti is preferred.
• Practical knowledge of computer Skills (Microsoft Office, Document Management programmes) and financial systems.

Competencies

• Able to make sound judgements and decisions.
• Good social/diplomatic skills and culturally sensitive, flexible and creative.
• Able to work independently, as well in a team with the guidance of the PPC.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

We offer

• A full time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for 1 year, with the possibility of extension
• A flexible and human centred working environment in an international environment with a variety of international organizations.
• Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development.