Flying Program Coordinator – Moldova / Poland

BIBLIOTHEQUES SANS FRONTIERES/ LIBRARIES WITHOUT BORDERS

Founded in 2007 in France, Libraries Without Borders / Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (LWB/BSF) is today one of the leading NGOs working in knowledge and culture-based development in the world and supporting libraries in developing countries. We believe that access to information and the dissemination of cultures are two key – yet under-invested – components of human and economic development, and the enforcement of human rights.

BSF achieves this through 3 pillar approach:

• Innovative tools, to reduce material barriers in access to information & education
• Tailor-made and curated content, to respond to the identified needs of the targeted populations
• Facilitation and training, to maximise impact of the programs and tools

Implementing programs and developing partnerships in over 20 countries, BSF supports local initiatives of libraries creation to promote education, access to information and culture and the conservation of cultural heritage. Through creating and reinforcing libraries, training librarians, donating books when relevant, supporting the local publishing industry, developing library networks and creating innovative programs for the promotion of access to education and information, LWB/BSF actively promotes access to knowledge throughout the world. For more information visit www.bibliosansfrontieres.org

To join us means becoming part of a human-sized, young, dynamic and growing structure and above all participate in innovative projects with social impact. Our Human Resources management policy focuses on the career development of our employees (training, collaborative work environment, etc.).

UKRAINE RESPONSE PROGRAM

The rapid deterioration of the security situation in Ukraine following the Russian invasion is leading to massive population displacements within the country and in neighbouring countries. The issues of protection, orientation, information and psychosocial support for displaced populations – mainly women and children – are a priority alongside primary needs.

Since March 10th, the Bibliothèques Sans Frontières network in Europe – BSF France, BSF Belgium, BSF Italy and BSF Switzerland – have been mobilized to deploy emergency, reception and integration solutions for Ukrainian refugees in countries bordering Ukraine and since September in Ukraine.

BSF created Ideas Box Hubs for emergency information, protection and psychosocial support at the Polish border with Ukraine. Working in partnership with local, international, and public organizations, the Ideas Box allowed to quickly deploy safe spaces for children that include psychosocial, educational, cultural and recreational activities. In each Ideas Box, books in Ukrainian, games and applications were selected, as well as digital resources (educational, information, cultural, entertainment videos, websites, applications, etc.) via the offline server.

As part of this response, BSF has also set up two Ideas Box in Chisinau, Moldova and three others in Poland. Theses media libraries have been deployed to create information, protection and psychosocial support hubs for refugees fleeing from Ukraine. The Coordinator is responsible for the implementation of the projects, for the development of partnerships and for the general functions of BSF’s missions in these two countries.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

BSF is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Program Coordinator who will play an essential role within our team to support the development of BSF operations in Moldova and Poland and to ensure a high-quality program implementation.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct responsibility of the Ukraine Response Coordinator based at HQ, the Program Coordinator is responsible for the development and proper implementation of BSF’s program in Moldova and Poland in collaboration with our partners in country. He/she drives all stages of the program’s implementation and ensures expected outcomes, in line with BSF’s strategy and procedures. He/she manages 2 Ideas Box facilitators in the field (local staff).

1/ Program implementation

• Ensure timely and proper implementation of the Ukraine response program, meeting quality and accountability standards, and in line with the project documents & donor contracts
• Manage the Ideas Box partnerships at country-level, including by supporting the partners in their management and use of each Ideas Box
• With HQ support, develop and oversee a monitoring and evaluation framework for the program
• Manage the writing of narrative reports
• Contribute to the budget monitoring of projects and the validation of financial reports in collaboration with HQ

2/ Strategy & development

• Contribute actively to design the program strategy, to suggest new areas of intervention or partnerships
• Prepare evolving operational plans and strategies to adjust the BSF intervention to the evolving context in Moldova and in the region
• Participate and contribute to relevant sector working groups and coordination meetings (Education, Protection…)
• Contribute to project design and writing of funding requests (concept notes, proposals, budgets, etc.) for new partnerships

3/ Set up and manage BSF team in Moldova and Poland

• Set up the BSF team in Moldova: definition of needs and recruitment
• Manage the BSF team in Moldova and Poland, and in particular their evolving locations, roles and tasks (depending on Ideas Box projects, partners and needs)
• Liaise with HQ to ensure the proper support and training of BSF teams in the field

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (International Relations, Social Sciences, etc…)
• A previous significant and successful experience in a similar coordination position within an International NGO.
• Experience managing a team
• Knowledge of main institutional donors and of the humanitarian architecture
• Good command of the project cycle and finance reporting
• Languages: Fluent in English; French, Romanian, Polish and / or Russian would be a strong asset

Skills

• Flexibility, adaptation and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage priorities
• Thorough, organized, and reliable, with the ability to work autonomously
• Excellent writing skills
• Strong interest for BSF’s mandate and vision
• Ability to withstand pressure
• Interest for digital education and new technologies is appreciated
• Great sense of humor and good team member!

CONDITIONS

Status: French CDD contract (d’usage expatrié) – 5-months fixed contract, renewable

Start date: As soon as possible

Location: Chisinau in Moldova – with regular movements to Poland (Warsaw, etc.)

Salary and benefits: salary based on experience and BSF salary scale

Benefits include per diem, insurance, accommodation

This is an unaccompanied post.