Project Assistant – Cucuta, Norte de Santander, Colombia (National)

Mission

In situations of armed conflict, Geneva Call, as a neutral, impartial and independent international humanitarian organization, endeavors to strengthen the respect of humanitarian norms and principles by armed non-State actors, in order to improve the protection of civilians, while supporting local communities in their efforts to enhance their own protection. Appel de Genève/Geneva Call is a private, not-for-profit, humanitarian organization foundation under Swiss law, founded in 1998.

Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. Geneva Call is an inclusive working environment for all its staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Role

The purpose of the Project Assistant is to provide support to Geneva Call activities in the territory, in various technical areas: administration, logistics, communications, archive and monitoring system, and basic training.

The Project Assistant organizes and delivers their own tasks in accordance with the planning of activities agreed upon for the territory, following the schedule, procedures and standards of Geneva Call.

The Project Assistant shares with the Project Officer the responsibility for the resources used by him/her, and by allies, recipients and other beneficiaries. Knowledge and some administrative technical experience is required. It is expected that it will contribute to guaranteeing the transparent, effective and efficient execution of resources and to monitor the planned activities.

The Project Assistant will contribute to inter-institutional relations, with authorities and ethnic communities, and with leaders and civil organizations in the development of the mission and the action framework of Geneva Call in Colombia. Always in accordance with internal procedures and guidelines, protecting civilians, applying humanitarian principles and complying with national legislation.

An employment contract is offered, which requires a permanent presence in Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, or a neighboring municipality, which allows you to travel daily.

The fees do not include transfers to or from Cúcuta unless meetings are required in another city, and these transfers are contemplated in the Action Plan. Leases, transfer or other housing arrangements of the person who works as Officer are not covered. Therefore, a person who lives in the area or who can autonomously generate conditions to live in it is required.

Core responsibilities

• Support the development of the activities set forth in the Geneva Call Action Plan, by guaranteeing logistical and operational conditions that optimize resources, address risk management and respond to the cultural, protection and confidentiality needs in each case.
• Support dialogue with municipal, departmental and ethnic authorities (with special attention to the binational dynamics of the Barí People), and with allied communities and organizations, through the preparation of content and materials for meetings, follow-up on contacts and agenda, and possible representation Geneva Call delegate.
• Record, file and report on the implementation of activities, products and results, contribute to the consolidation of reports and the necessary documentation as support, adding to its accuracy and delivery on time. Attend to the fulfillment of the requirements of Geneva Call and of each donor.
• Monitor compliance with Colombian legislation regarding prior consultation and sufficient information with ethnic communities, attention to populations with special constitutional protection, and legislation on safety and health at work, including regulations for the control of COVID19.
• In cases of travel and appointment on mission or representation, attend to risk management according to the Geneva Call guidelines and the recommendations of allies in the territory, giving priority to self-care in the established conditions and meeting the criteria of action without harm.
• Ensure conditions of confidentiality of data and reports that require it, apply the system of labels and files, consolidate and permanently share the knowledge acquired, including contact data, documents and their inputs, and project materials.
• Contribute to the collection, recording and analysis of information related to the context, the conflict situation, the humanitarian needs and the potential impact of the work of Geneva Call.
• Nurture the system(s) for monitoring, evaluation, learning and development of alliances, according to the Geneva Call guidelines.
• Carry out activity reports, situation reports, reports on actors and populations, reports on the dynamics of alliances, and monitoring of local media, according to Geneva Call parameters.
• Promote, preserve and develop local alliances and cooperation networks that contribute to the regional development of the strategies established by Geneva Call, with special attention to United for IHL .

Main activities

in information:

• Ensure relevance, perform validation, define sensitivity, and timely communicate documents, alerts, news, and other pertinent information.
• Preserve conditions of confidentiality of data and reports that require it.
• Nurture and apply the system of tags and files.
• Permanently share the knowledge acquired, including contact information, documents and their inputs, and project materials.
• Guarantee the conditions of remote access to data on the area, actively participate in the preparation of documents and analyzes on the territory, with special attention to rapid reports, relevant even for local actors, and following the parameters and formats of the Geneva Call.
• Consolidate and update database of suppliers, experts and contacts of interest, with special attention to local, regional and non-traditional media (especially social networks).

In communications, and awareness and training activitie:

• Support, monitor the quality and guarantee the production, availability and timely distribution of communication materials (print, video, audio, material for social networks), adapted to the local, cultural and social context.
• Contribute to the production, archiving, conservation and use of graphic, audiovisual, printed and testimonial material that accounts for the regional dynamics, project activities and their results, challenges and achievements.
• Monitor trends, audiences and content in conventional media and social networks, in the territory and neighboring regions, with special attention to the border.
• Contribute to the adoption of the vision of civil protection derived from compliance with IHL, by officials, local representatives, organizations and other stakeholders in the project through meetings and dialogue, making use of the approaches, methods and messages established by Geneva Call.
• Develop the communications plan through continuous information to allies and about allies, dialogue with journalists and local and regional media, following the Geneva Call guidelines.
• Be willing and able to facilitate basic IHL workshops and commit to continuous self-training in IHL.

In administration:

• Ensure that office supplies are safeguarded, managed, maintained and recorded in accordance with Geneva Call procedures.
• Manage the inventory and monthly update the reports to the Financial and Administrative Coordinator.
• File all financial documents, income and expense supports, supplier databases, as well as their selection and evaluation process.
• Support logistics actions for the development of activities.
• Participate and contribute to the preparation of financial reports to donors and support the preparation of audits.
• Provide logistical support to activities (purchases, inventories, etc.)

Main qualifications

Education and experience

• Higher education degree (undergraduate) in social sciences, communication, health sciences, administration, human rights, international humanitarian law or related.
• The accumulated experience corresponds to academic titles, according to the criteria of Public Function (Colombian legislation). The experience must include the use of law in the exercise of work.
• Have a minimum of 2 years of work experience with humanitarian organizations, human rights, protection entities, intervention in emergencies or conflicts, public entities, academia and/or with international organizations or organizations.

Technical skills

• Fluent computer skills, especially Office with an emphasis on Excel and Google suite. Ability to read statistical data and other quantitative information.
• Ability to work under pressure, in environments affected by conflict, insecurity and violence. Also, ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Have knowledge on the management of the complete cycle of projects, preparation of content for financial and narrative reports, preparation of situation documents, reports and reports, and experience in archiving and documentation of evidence and other supports.
• Communication skills, basic management of social networks and mass media and experience in exposing and arguing ideas.

Languages

• Good level of writing and oral expression in Spanish, verbal communication skills and experience in report writing.

Personal skills

• Have the ability to work independently, meet agreed deadlines, ability to resolve urgent issues and assertive communication.
• Ability to work in a team and in a multicultural context.
• Knowledge, understanding and commitment to the humanitarian principles, the vision and mission of Geneva Call, and to confidentiality in the work.
• Have strong logical thinking and organization skills, flexibility and adaptability to change and ability to take responsibility, and proactive and efficient positions.
• Have the ability to work in a team, knowledge and experience in action without harm, experience and sensitivity to needs and obligations in care and protection in a multicultural environment.

It is considered an advantage

• Have a higher education degree (specialization and postgraduate) in human rights, international humanitarian law or the law of indigenous and Afro-Colombian peoples.
• Have certified training in gender studies, cultural studies, peacebuilding, human rights, international humanitarian law and the like.
• Have experience in content generation, social media management or graphic design.
• Ability to read and understand English.
• Have previous work experience in Norte de Santander.

Performance management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the GC Performance Management p. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• The Job Description
• The individual Work- and Professional Development Plan
• The Competency Framework

Conflict of interest

Any candidate affiliated to, or openly supporting, one or more interest groups opposed to the Foundation’s principles and values, or whose previous position could engender safety issues for co-workers at Appel de Genève / Geneva Call, will be excluded from this selection process.

Conditions

• Position : Project Assistant
• Type of Contract: Fixed term contract (National position)
• Activity rate: 100%
• Work place: Cúcuta, Norte de Santander, Colombia
• Citizenship card or immigration card that allows you to work legally in accordance with Colombian legislation
• Preferred start date: October 1st, 2022