Country Representative Philippines

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 money. 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 international support for victims of disasters and conflicts and for vulnerable people exposed to hazards. The International Assistance department has opened a vacancy for a:

Position title: NLRC Country Representative

Duty station: The Philippines, Manila

Time period: One year with possible extension

Starting Date: 1st of January 2023

Status: Family posting

Background

The Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) has been present in the Philippines since 2011, supporting the Philippines Red Cross (PRC) with Disaster Response and with longer term resilience projects in the thematic areas of Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Recovery, Health, WASH and Livelihoods. NLRC strives for a cross-sectoral and integrated approach with Climate Change Adaptation as a cross cutting theme. NLRC is supporting several projects, all within the Resilience Framework, ranging from WASH, Livelihood, DRR and Disaster Preparedness and Integrated Risk Management (IRM) to strengthen and protect livelihoods of vulnerable communities.

The NLRC provides its long term support to PRC with the purpose of building resilience in communities in the Philippines that are exposed to man-made and natural hazards. Therefore NLRC and PRC have formalized their long term partnership in a Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA), signed in 2015, valid for a period of five years, with a possible extension of another five years. The primary aim of this Partnership is to increase the operational capacity of PRC to deliver cost effective and sustainable services to beneficiaries and to improve the operational capacity of the programmatic functions at HQ and branch level. This should ultimately lead to increased community safety and resilience.

Position in the organization

As a Country Representative the delegate is leading the NLRC country office in the Philippines; all NLRC office staff and delegates (currently consisting of 5 international staff and 7 local staff members), report to the Country Representative. The Country representative is also the security focal point of the complete NLRC delegation, and therefore responsible for all NLRC employees in the Philippines. The Country Representative has direct lines with IFRC, ICRC (as security focal point) and PRC higher management. The Country Representative reports to the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator (PPC), who is based in the Netherlands, on matters dealing with partnership, strategy, HR, office and portfolio development.

Summary statement of responsibilities

The Country Representative is expected to safeguard and further develop the NLRC long term vision and strategy for the Philippines, and to ensure and facilitate the development of joint projects and programmes accordingly. In light of our long term partnership with the Philippines Red Cross, this needs a close, but critical collaboration with PRC. It also requires maintaining and developing strong relations with other core RCRC Movement Partners of PRC, including IFCR and ICRC, and other important stakeholders such as the Netherlands embassy, companies and donors (DG ECHO and DG DEVCO). The Country Representative is expected to lead the NLRC delegation in such a way that a positive, stimulating and secure environment is created for our team in Manila, fostering a spirit of togetherness and collective responsibility.

Key responsibilities

Partnership development and relationship management

· Safeguard and implement the milestones agreed in the Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) between NLRC and PRC, and initiate the dialogue for a joint review of the partnership towards 2025.

· Monitor the 2-year plan of action designed to practically guide the implementation of the partnership goals as agreed in the FPA.

· Support the partnership development between PRC and NLRC in close cooperation with the Partnership and Portfolio Coordinator (PPC) and with support from the broader team at NLRC HQ;

· Keep oversight of the humanitarian context in the Philippines and lead the identification of possible interventions in line with jointly identified priorities;

· Upon request of PRC and in consultation with the PPC and the Disaster Response Unit (DRU) support humanitarian response in case of an emergency;

· Facilitate and maintain effective working relationships with the PRCS counterparts and leadership, Netherlands Embassy and representatives of other relevant donors, international agencies, the UN and other partners, when necessary and in close consultation with PRCS;

· Establish and ensure effective working relationships with other colleagues and partners, in particular from the ICRC, IFRC and other RC National Societies present in the Philippines;

Project management and portfolio development

· Maintain and develop the joint project portfolio in the Philippines in line with the strategic priorities as agreed between PRC and NLRC, and in order to achieve this identify opportunities for development and submission of project proposals, initiate new and maintain existing partnerships/consortia;

· Support coordination between PRC departments and with other RCRC actors to ensure maximum synergy and complementarity in programming;

· Together with PRC ensure the development and implementation of projects based on agreed planning, log frames and budgets;

· Be accountable for the overall project management towards the donor in terms of administrative and financial management, as well as reporting, in close collaboration with the implementing departments of PRC and with support from the Portfolio Officer (PO), finance team and technical advisors at NLRC HQ;

· Ensure in new and existing projects that NLRC’s Standard Project Approach (SPA) is followed; donor requirements and conditions are met and deviations regarding project objectives and budget control are timely identified, and communicated to NLRC HQ;

· Perform regular monitoring of activities and finances throughout the implementation of the project, and review narrative and financial reports prior to submission to NLRC HQ, and – upon request – provide technical assistance to PRC in the drafting of the reports;

· Foster the use and development of appropriate technologies and sustainable methods to maximise the impact of projects and ensure the delivery of qualitative services with support from technical advisors at NLRC HQ (510 data team, WASH, PMEAL etc.);

· Facilitate learning and knowledge sharing in country and use lessons learned to inform the design of new projects, country/global strategies and the development of NLRC policies and strategies.

Funding and Grants Management

· In line with the above mentioned portfolio development, develop networks and partnerships with national, regional and international institutions in the Philippines, and spearhead donor collaboration and fundraising, with special attention to DG ECHO and DG DEVCO;

· Keep updated with trends within the donor environment in the Philippines and internationally;

· Ensure (potential) donors are updated about the projects being implemented by NLRC/PRC and share regular programme updates with institutional donors and private sector stakeholders;

· Facilitate efficient donor visits, donor meetings, round table discussions and evaluations as necessary and manage expectations of donors visiting the country programme.

Management of the NLRC delegation (including security)

· As the security focal point, the Country Representative is responsible for the security of the NLRC team and visitors, and all travels to the field are communicated to and acknowledged by the CR;

· CR facilitates (field) visits by (NLRC) staff, advisors, consultants and other stakeholders, ensuring regular updates of the Country Security Plan and sharing all necessary information with NLRC field and HQ team, in close coordination with PRC, IFRC and ICRC;

· As the Head of Delegation and manager of the NLRC team, the CR builds the NLRC team and creates a secure and friendly environment for all staff, ensuring that they are able to develop their professional and personal capacity;

· Manages the office budget and ensures that the NLRC office has an excellent financial administration (Winpaccs)

Requirements

· University (Masters) Degree or advanced degree in a relevant field

· Minimum of 5 years’ working experience in South East Asia

· Minimum of 5 years’ working experience in a similar capacity (country representative)

· Minimum of 5 – 10 years’ experience in project cycle management in a variety of development or humanitarian settings

· Experience of working within the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement is an asset

· Experience in working with partners at national and local level and building partnerships

· Track record in programme design and grant writing

· Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting and cost control procedures

· Knowledge of disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and nature based solutions is an asset

· Fluency in written and spoken English

Competencies

· Experience with managing and supporting staff and the ability to empower them

· Cultural sensitive but able to address and relate to higher management

· Excellent intercultural communicator with strong interpersonal and coaching skills

· Able to make sound judgements and decisions

We offer:

· A full time appointment (based on 40-hour work week) for 1 year, with the possibility of extension;

· A flexible and human centered working environment in an international setting;

· Well balanced employment conditions with space for initiative and development.

How to apply

Applications:

Please send your resume in English and letter of motivation with reference to Shelly Jonker, before 30 October 2022 through the apply button or via https://werkenbijhetrodekruis.inhroffice.com/nl/job/250209/apply.

For more information regarding the position, please contact Frederike de Graaf via email at [email protected].

An initial assessment of candidates short-listed is part of the selection procedure.

For more information about the work of the Netherlands Red Cross please go to www.rodekruis.nl. NLRC on Facebook: Facebook.com/rodekruis and Twitter: Twitter.com/rodekruis.