Area Coordinator

(Please note: the location where the post is to be based may be subject to change in future as the country programme evolves and there will be significant travel to Magburaka and potentially other locations within Tonkolili District and beyond).

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the planning and strategic direction of the Concern programme in Tonkolili District. Working with the senior management team (SMT), programme coordinators, support systems managers, develop and implement strategic and annual plans (financial and human resources) and budgets in relation to the two districts.
• Represent Concern Worldwide to relevant government authorities and other external stakeholders in Tonkolili District (e.g. District Council, line ministries, traditional leadership, community based institutions, NGOs, UN Agencies) to ensure effective dissemination of information on Concern’s programme, contribution to district coordination and planning, and to avoid duplication of effort. 
• In particular, lead the coordination of NGOs in Tonkolili District and represent NGOs at the District Development Coordination Committee (DDCC) chaired by the District Council. 
• Identify key risks at district level and regularly monitor and implement measures to manage these – reporting to and working with the CD and senior management.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of support functions in Tonkolili – finance, logistics (including transport), administration, IT and human resources in line with organizational policy and best practice. Lead planning processes in these functions to continually improve performance and value for money, feeding into overall planning at the country programme level. 
• As a SMT member, contribute to the strategic management of the country programme and provide key district updates and perspectives. 

Programme Implementation Support

• Liaising closely with the PD and relevant Programme Sector Coordinators, support the planning, quality implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programme activities within the agreed budgets, time frames and donor guidelines and requirements.
• Support senior management in the development of new projects, and selection of new districts and chiefdoms for programme interventions when required.
• Produce monthly reports for the district as part of the country programme overall monthly reporting and the districts’ input to the Annual Reports.  Produce other internal and external reports for the districts as may be required.
• Through regular field visits in the district, monitor programmes regularly and support programme managers on a day to day basis, supporting their line managers in evaluating progress as needs be.
• Develop and manage partnerships and collaborative relationships with NGOs and other organizations/institutions in line with Concern’s Partnership Strategy in Sierra Leone and working closely with the PD and relevant Programme Coordinators.
• Support risk & capacity assessment processes with potential partner organizations, including the identification of training needs. This includes ensuring the full adherence by partners to Concern’s Code of Conduct & Associated Policies (or partners’ equivalent policies if these are equally robust). Participate in training and other capacity building measures with selected partner organizations in the districts.  

Programme Quality, Monitoring & Evaluation

• Actively promote and support the integration of equality, HIV & AIDS, environment protection and other Concern cross-cutting themes and the incorporation of How Concern Understands Extreme Poverty (HCUEP) and Approaches to Emergencies policies into Concern’s programming in the districts.
• Ensure compliance with and achievement of Concern’s accountability commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) in programmes and operations. Promote and maintain an effective complaints & response mechanism (CRM) within the communities where we work in the districts.
• Assist the Programme Quality & MEAL Department in ensuring effective M&E and learning processes are incorporated into all programmes and fully implemented.

Staff Management/HR 

• Oversee the HR function at the district level in line with Concern’s HR policies and procedures, engaging with the Senior HR Coordinator and Operations  Director as necessary. 
• Working with relevant management and the Senior HR Coordinator, identify staffing needs for the districts and support in recruiting and inducting staff as necessary.  Ensure that staff organograms are regularly updated and maintained for the districts. 
• Line manage direct reports in Tonkolili District. Conduct regular supervision, objectives setting and regular performance reviews with direct reports. Help staff develop their skills and capacity through training, coaching and mentoring.  Ensure that these processes are carried out by other managers with their staff throughout the districts. 
• Develop and maintain among managers and staff an awareness of Concern’s Performance Development Review (PDR) system and ensure that all staff have a PDR at least once a year with regular follow up and support as needed to meet objectives. Oversee the identification of capacity needs and organization of training etc. to meet these needs – drawing on the support of SMT and other management.
• Reporting to the CD and Senior HR Coordinator and in line with Concern’s policies and Sierra Leone Staff Handbook, manage grievance issues and disciplinary processes as these arise. 
• Maintain staff awareness of and ensure full adherence to Concern’s key policies and guidelines by all Concern staff – especially the Code of Conduct & Associated Policies. Report actual or suspected cases of breaches to the CD and carry out disciplinary action as necessary.

Financial Management, Administration & Logistics

• Together with budget holders, track and monitor district level expenditure and ensure effective budget management in line with Concern and donor financial procedures.  Input to country programme budgeting and monthly cash flow forecasting processes.
• Oversee and support the effective implementation of Concern’s financial management and control procedures (managing bank & cash controls, payment procedures, reporting, etc.) in the districts.
• Report promptly any suspected and actual financial irregularities or fraud to the CD and participate in any investigations and other measures as needed and requested.
• Ensure the proper implementation of all logistics and administration operations in line with Concern’s policies & procedures – procurement, management of stores/warehouses, vehicle management, fixed assets management, IT, general administration, etc.  
• Conduct regular physical checks of cash, stocks (including fuel), condition of assets, etc. as part of control measures and fully document these checks, reporting to the SMT as necessary.
• Lead in the development of comprehensive procurement plans for all programmes/ projects in the districts and regularly follow up to ensure that these are being properly and effectively implemented.
• Oversee the implementation of Concern’s Health & Safety policy and procedures in all of Concern’s offices and accommodation within the districts.

Security  

• Act as Security Focal Point (SFP) in Tonkolili District and manage the Security Focal Group (SFG). 
• Ensure ongoing monitoring of the external context by the SFGs in the districts and report any security issues to the Operations  Director. This includes ensuring the development and maintenance of relationships with relevant local authorities, NGOs and other key stakeholders.
• Implement the country Security Management Plan (SMP) in the district and propose updates as required.
• Ensure that all staff in the district are trained in and fully understand security procedures and protocols and that they adhere to these.

As a humanitarian organisation, all staff are required to engage / support in emergency response work as may be necessary (training and other support will be provided as appropriate).  Actively participate in the periodic updating of Concern in Sierra Leone’s Preparing for Effective Emergency Response (PEER) plan.

Carry out other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

Other:

• Actively participate in collective exercises such as preparation or updates of Preparing for Effective Emergency Response (PEER) plan, Security Management Plan (SMP) and other Concern initiatives.  
• Take active measures to address equality issues, particularly relating to gender, in programme as well as operational activities.
• Ensure the highest stands of accountability through ensuring good communication and information sharing within and outside the organisation.
• Be aware of, understand and comply with all of Concern’s policies and procedures (Code of Conduct and associates policies, finance, logistics, HR, security management etc).
• Contribute to ongoing security management and planning as necessary.
• Actively participate in any emergency response if called upon to do so (within the existing programme area or in a new one).
• Demonstrate leadership on workplace equality, diversity and inclusion and role model a positive safeguarding ethos
• Undertake other related duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Country Director 

• Essential: 
• Bachelor level degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, development/humanitarian studies or a related discipline.
• At least 3 years’ overseas experience in managing/coordinating area-based operations in an NGO or other relevant managerial level experience within the NGO sector.
• Excellent leadership and person management skills and experience in managing and working within a diverse team composed of national and international staff in a complex working environment.  
• Proven external representation and advocacy skills and ability to build strong working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Experience in/knowledge of logistics, and particularly procurement processes.
• Financial management and budgeting skills.

Desirable:

• Masters level degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.
• Previous experience working in the health, livelihoods or education programme sectors.
• Experience in community engagement and knowledge of participatory approaches. 
• Experience in/knowledge of the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and Complaints & Response Mechanisms (CRMs).

• Raising awareness and being updated on HIV & AIDS issues.
• Protecting him/herself and colleagues.

Sharing information with colleagues and avoiding stigma and discrimination.

Therefore, each staff member of Concern is expected to be sensitive to equality issues in their relationships with colleagues and in their work and to participate in implementation of gender mainstreaming plans, both at the workplace and in programmes.

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.