Country: Senegal
Closing date: 08 Sep 2016
Alliance 2015 EU Aid Volunteers Deployment
Closing date:
08/09/2016
Junior
— 1 position
Africa
Western Africa
Senegal
ACTED are looking for talented people with a relevant technical skillset who are committed to longterm service in the humanitarian / development sector who can demonstrate an outstanding ability to adapt to difficult circumstances, remain positive, motivated and productive.
Successful EU Aid Volunteers will benefit from:
• Experience of volunteering in a 12 month field placement in the ACTED Senegal country programme
· Hands-on learning in a 12 month field placement with ACTED
• Opportunity for continuous self-development with the help of a mentor, line manager and learning and development tools.
DESCRIPTION
Description:
ACTED has implemented seasonal social safety nets in Matam Region (North-east Senegal) for the last three years. Local analysis shows that, as such, these social safety nets are insufficient to consolidate autonomous food security for the most vulnerable populations of the region. With this in mind, ACTED has secured a three years funding for a project aiming at increasing the food security and nutrition baseline state for the most vulnerable populations in Matam Region.
This project is funded by the Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa
The project is set up around three core activities:
Micro-subsidy to households aiming at improving conservation and consolidation of staple crops production in order to stabilise household productive capital over time. (year 1 and 2 – 3000 beneficiary households)
In kind grants aiming at setting up/strengthening off-season vegetable production with the purpose of improving diet diversity and consolidate households’ productive capital (year 2 and 3 – 600 beneficiary households)
Micro-subsidy and support in order to strengthen the sustainability of community driven initiatives aiming at improving nutrition (year 2 and 3- 30 community driven initiative)
While focusing on these three core activities, the project will also be the core around which ACTED will develop its strategy in Matam Region in the coming years. Within three years, partnerships will therefore have to be developed with technical and financial actors, as well as with state agencies and local governance structures in order to create added value to the trust fund activities and setup an integrated territorial strategy.
Operational information:
This project will be implemented mainly through two local NGOs and in close coordination with the members of the collective for the strengthening of the response to food and nutrition insecurity in Senegal (CORRIANS – ACF, CECI and the Senegalese Red Cross) as well as AECID.
ACTED Senegal is a small size mission, with a permanent office in Dakar and a seasonal office in Matam. The human resources setup ranges from 2 to 4 expatriates supported by national staff. The project will therefore have to be managed with a high attention to financial and logistical efficiency.
Time share between Dakar and the field will be established in order to maximise work efficiency.
Operational details & security context:
On a daily basis, main security concerns in Senegal are road incidents and petty theft. This risk is managed through basic safety measures and individual behaviour.
Although Senegal has not yet been directly affected by actions from armed groups present in the region, there are little reasons to think that this could not happen. Taking into account modi operandi observed in recent major security incidents in the region, a precautionary principle is applied to expatriate activities during and outside of office hours. On the field, the personal will be encouraged to develop an information network in order to monitor local situation. Local regional authorities actively monitor cross-border activities with Mauritania and Mali and can be useful informants. In any case, they will have to be informed of expatriate presence on the field and will release warning as specific risks are being identified.
TASKS
Project Planning
a) Develop overall project implementation strategy, systems, approaches, tools, and materials
b) Organize project kick-off and close-out meetings
c) Plan the various stages of project implementation and set direction by prioritizing and organizing activities and resources to achieve project objectives
d) Support local operational partners in planning their activities related to the project
Project Implementation Follow-up
a) Oversee and manage the implementation of the project ensuring that technical quality and standards are considered and respected during project(s) implementation
b) Organize regular project coordination meetings with project team and local partners
c) Ensure budget utilization and physical target achievements are reviewed at least once a month as per work plan
d) Ensure project implementation is on time, target and budget, using effective M&E systems to reach desired impacts
e) Ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with relevant ACTED technical guidelines and standards
f) Anticipate and mitigate risks and trouble-shoot any unforeseen challenges during the project implementation
g) Regular update the work plan, output tracker, PMF and other documents relevant for effective project management
Finance
a) Review the BFU(s) and provide accurate forecasts with BOQs
b) Forecast monthly cash requirements of the project and submit to AC
Logistics
a) Contribute to the development of Procurement plans
b) Send accurate and precise order forms in a timely manner
c) Contribute to quality checks and procurement committees to finalise suppliers’ selection according to applicable scenario
d) Confirm quality of material selection if and when applicable
e) Ensure a proper management and use of the project assets and stocks
f) Plan team movements based on available fleet and applicable policies
Administration/HR
a) Participate in the recruitment of technical staff (development of organigrams, ToRs, elaborating the tests and reviewing them; interviews etc)
b) Ensure that project staff and local partners understand and are able to perform their roles and responsibilities
c) Follow-up the work plans and day-to-day activities of the project staff and local partners
d) Manage the project staff in cooperation with Area Coordinators
e) Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics
f) Undertake regular appraisals of staff and follow career management
g) Manage interpersonal conflicts
h) Ensure capacity building among staff in relevant sectors
Transparency
a) Ensure project records and documents (Flat files, beneficiary list, donation certificates, attendance sheets etc) are adequately prepared, compiled and filed according to ACTED procedures
b) Ensure staff awareness of, and respect of, ACTED’s code of conduct, accountability guidelines, and FLATS procedures
Security
a) Ensure that each member of the project team is aware of security issues, policies, SOPs and they follow them accordingly
b) In cooperation with the relevant Security Officer, monitor the local security situation and inform the Country Director or Area Coordinator and Country or Area Security Officer of developments through regular written reports;
c) Contribute to the updating of the security guidelines in the project area of intervention;
External Relations
a) Support, facilitate or undertake communication and liaison activities to actively consult and involve beneficiaries, key informants, actors, partners and stakeholders in all stages of project design and implementation
b) Cultivate good relations with key humanitarian actors – local and international, including government authorities and non-state actors, through regular attendance at technical meetings and bilateral meetings
c) Ensure that at all times contact with beneficiaries is conducted in a sensitive and respectful manner
d) Where relevant, liaise with donors and work closely with partners on project updates, site visits and other communication
e) Identify opportunities to collaborate and coordinate efforts with other organizations to ensure our activities build upon - rather than replicate - the work of others
Quality Control
a) Assess the activities undertaken and ensure efficient use of resources;
b) Undertake regular field visits to provide technical guidance and supervision as well as regularly monitor the progress of project activities
c) Ensure lessons learned are documented, shared and reflected in project planning and decision making
d) Advise on, and assist with, project reviews conducted by AMEU
e) Ensure quality control, analysis of added-value and impact, identification and capitalization on best practices and lessons learnt and provide relevant feedback for new project development
f) Identify and analyse gaps, ACTED’s added value, synergies and opportunities in the areas the project(s) is /are implemented and pass relevant information to the N+1
Reporting
a) Provide regular and timely updates on progress and challenges to supervisors and other team members
b) Draft (internal) narrative reports and contribute to the development of financial reports through regular budgetary follow up.
c) Contribute to drafting of (external) project progress reports, ensuring the quality and accuracy of technical information provided
Required competences:
Transversal competences:
l Demonstrating leadership/Volunteering mind-set/Autonomy/Accountability
Specific competences
l Understanding the humanitarian context of the EU Aid Volunteers initiative and applying humanitarian principles
l Managing projects in humanitarian contexts
Technical competences
l Food, nutrition and health
SELECTION CRITERIA
Minimum Requirements:
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in food security, agriculture, international development studies or a related field
• Fluent French (written and spoken), excellent writing and communication skills;
• Prior work experience with an INGO in the food security sector
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment;
• Good organisational and prioritisation skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office;
CONDITION OF SERVICE
Working and Living Conditions:
EU Volunteer benefits include: subsistence allowances (450,43 euros per month), coverage of all accommodation in the ACTED guesthouse, travel costs, a luggage allowance of 100 kg, provision of medical, repatriation, and life insurance, reimbursement of visas and vaccinations costs, and resettlement allowance.
SELECTION PROCESS
Shortlisting and Interviews:
Candidates will be shortlisted and invited to take part in a Skype or face-to-face interview (depending on location).
Interview Process:
Two-interview process with relevant stakeholders from HR and Program departments and staff based in the field.
Expected date decision on outcome: 26th September 2016
TIMETABLE
Date of training: October 2016
Pre-deployment preparation and induction: October or November 2016
Deployment: October 2016 to September 2017
Post-deployment activities: October to December 2017
Sectors: Food and nutrition
How to apply:
HOW TO APPLY
Please send, in English, your cover letter and CV tojobs@acted.orgbefore September 8th 2016.
The recruitment team will update the selected applicants on the specific steps of the process.
Ref: FSLEUAV/SEN/SA