Programme Coordinator- Syria NES (Local Position)

Function prerequisite:

The Programme Coordinator will assist the Programme Manager and the Syria Development Team of Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) with programmes related to Civil Society, Democracy, CVE, Women empowerment, and Human Rights in Syria.

The Programme Coordinator is responsible for and reports to the Programme Manager.

Planning and implementation of the programme are carried out in coordination with PM, Project Managers, the Finance team, and other support units and under the overall responsibility of the CD.

The position is based in NES, Syria with travel to other areas of operation as required, and to the Eribl office.

Note that travel to other provinces will be essential.

Responsibilities:

General description:

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager, the position holder will be responsible for the management and monitoring of the projects related to civil society, democracy, women empowerment, and human rights, in line with NPA’s overall strategies, plans, and policies.

• In coordination with the PM, ensure coordination with all relevant stakeholders, local and national authorities, and other organisations engaged in the development initiatives and working groups in Syria.
• Assist the PM in the process of partner identification and verification, due diligence, and partner dialogues.
• Guide the Project Managers to maintain active coordination and cooperation with local partners, I/NGOs, and other stakeholders.
• Closely follow up on the status of CSOs, conflict dynamic, and political context in Syria and keep the team updated accordingly.
• Under the guidance of the CD Iraq, and in cooperation with the PM, ensure adequate risk management in NPA project activities, including streamlining integration of risk and security management perspectives in all strategic and programmatic processes.

Specific duties and responsibilities:

• Support the Programme Manager with the day-to-day management of the programme and relevant projects.
• Follow up with project managers in managing projects and provide necessary support.
• In coordination with the Project Managers and programme team, support the PM to oversee the implementation of the project activities in accordance with plans and budgets.
• Coordinate with, and support Project Managers in developing and monitoring work plans, budgets, and progress report that NPA donors require, as well as all reports required from partner organizations.
• Contribute to monitoring the project expenditures with the PM and finance, and develop monthly expenditure projections.
• Contribute to monitoring grant agreements and sub-agreements with partners.
• Work with the PM to monitor and revise budgets as needed.
• Close coordination with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Department, to prepare and regularly update the Project Monitoring Plans (PMP).
• Participate in grant opening meetings, conduct required preparation for the meeting and strictly follow up the decisions made in the meeting.
• With the Project Managers, support the partner organizations in the process of proposal writing, budgets, logical framework and implementation plans. Review and provide input regarding partner application, contracts and budgets (originals and amendments).
• Support Project Managers in organizing project kick off meeting and Steering Committee Meetings on quarterly basis, providing materials to partners and organizing the agenda in liaison with PM.
• Oversee management of contracts with partners with Project Managers, ensuring full compliance, timeliness and quality of implementation and reporting in both financial and narrative reports, and in cooperation with the other NPA units. Follow up with Project Managers on partners’ budget spending and assist with payment requests for installments.
• With the filed team, conduct regular visits and follow up on communication with partners to follow up project activity implementation and provide support.
• Coaching and mentoring Project Managers when required.
• Contribute in conducting assessment meetings with potential local partners, for soliciting their proposals and concept notes to NPA.
• With Project Managers, Capacity Building Coordinator conduct necessary assesments for partners’ capacity building, and developing capacity building plans and tools, and appropriate follow up.
• Support team and partners in financial and narrative proposal and report writing to ensure good quality, timeliness, accuracy, achieve donor demands and improve project implementation.
• Review and provide inputs on project proposals, reports and information material.
• With or on behalf of the PM represent NPA in formal events such as conferences and meetings conducted by stakeholders.
• Other duties assigned by the Programme Manager and/or Country Director in relation to programme issues.

Programme and Thematic Responsibility:

• Assist the Porgramme Manager in strategic planning of programme and provide inputs with the aim to set high quality technical and performance targets, ensuring adherence to sectoral standards, best practices, NPA strategic objectives, Programme Handbook and donor guidelines.
• Coordinate to ensure implementation of adequate procedures for partner relations management, programme management and follow-up and integration of financial management.
• Assisit the PM and support the team to regularly assess the strategic partnerships and partners in the programme in order to ensure relevance, impact, compliance, transparency and congruence with NPA’s Partnership Policy, Partnership Agreement as well as NPA’s strategic objectives.
• Based on partner`s inistitutional assessment ensure the necessary plans for capacity building of partners and oversee and guide the technical and financial assistance to partner organisations.
• Together with MEAL Team ensure high standard monitoring, evaluation, reporting and information management, identify areas for improvement and take charge of necessary reviews in the programme.

Authority/ Decisions:

Typical decisions the holder of the positions makes

Reference is made to the NPA Regulation for Delegation or Authority, Quality Management and Guidelines for the NPA Iraq Office.

Required qualifications:

Education:

Must have:

• University degree in political science, human rights, development or law, or equivalent experience in relevant sectors with reputable INGO or UN.
• Excellent English language skills, both written and oral.

Experience:

Must have:

• At least 5 years of proven experience in development programming including 3 years of project management experience, in one or more of the following sectors: Civil Society, CVE, Political Processes, Freedom of Expression, Women Empowerment, Human Rights, Media and Access to Information, Natural Resource Management, SGBV, Social Political/Social Cohesion, Community Participation etc.
• Strong budget and programme management and leadership skills and proven experience, with the ability to inspire and build competence of staff and achieve results through others, especially in local partnership.
• Excellent analytical and needs assessment skills, experience with capacity development of local organisations.
• Good communication, organizational and analytical skills and ability to work well in a team.
• Written and verbal proficiency in English is essential, as well as Arabic verbal proficiency.
• Experience as a successful project manager in an international context working with local partners.
• Experience of long distance (remote) management tools and working with local NGO partners, including capacity building and organizational support to partners.
• Strong knowledge of cultural and political contexts and development issues in the Syria and the NES.

Other qualifications:

• Strong technical and coordination skills, with the ability to lead, inspire and build competence of implementing partner staff and achieve results through others.

Personal Competencies:

• Self-driven with integrity, initiative and ability to think and work independently
• Strong communication, networking and interpersonal skills

Additional Considerations:

• The Programme Coordinator is to abide by the policies and personal code of conduct by the Norwegian People’s Aid and represent the organization in a loyal and responsible manner.
• All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks including vetting and due diligence.