Field Coordinator(Head Of Office)

Background/IRC Summary:

Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to serious humanitarian crises around the world and helps victims to survive and rebuild their lives.

For over half a century, Tanzania has been a country of asylum, hosting one of the largest refugee populations in Africa. Currently, the country hosts approximately 287,903 Burundian and Congolese refugees, many of whom arrived in 2015 as the crisis in Burundi increased. To date, refugees continue to co-exist with the host communities in Kigoma region expressing multiple reasons and needs. Within this context, IRC provides protection and basic assistance in the areas of Safety (comprises of Protection and Rule of Law, Women Protection and Empowerment, and Child Protection), Health (mental health and psychosocial support services and reproductive health), and Education.

Job Overview:

The Field Coordinator (FC) is the lead representative of IRC in Kigoma region, ensuring that IRC’s work and activities are well delivered and well represented internally and externally.

The FC is directly responsible for all operational issues, including oversight of Human Resources, IT and Administration, Supply Chain, Finance, Grants and Program Management in collaboration with relevant technical leads at Country Office level. They will play a key role in supporting, coordinating, and supervising the implementation of the IRC programs for Kigoma region. Working closely with technical coordinators to promote cross-sector integration and support the delivery of IRC's overarching Strategic Action Plan in Tanzania. Additionally, will work with the sector coordinators to provide field level input in strategy and cross-sectoral program issues. They will provide technical support to the Deputy Field Coordinator (DFC) sitting in Kibondo sub office to deliver activities in Kibondo and neighbouring Districts. Generally, they will be responsible for day-to-day management of Staff Safety and security during all phases of field operations.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Finance

• Lead all aspects of the financial management of field office operations by the Program Managers, and the Finance staff, including cash management, issuing, and tracking advances, ensuring complete and correct use of all finance forms; timely notice to Dar Es Salaam of cash transfer needs, as well as ensure compliance with IRC and donor finance guidelines.

Security

• In collaboration with Senior Country Safety Manager, serve as IRC’s lead for security, monitor the security situation in the region and ensure the SMT and all staff are continually updated and informed of developments with implications for staff safety and for program implementation. Take leadership for field level response to security incidents including field level staff evacuations should they be required.

Risk

• Lead operational teams in anticipating, identifying, and mitigating risks in liaison with sector managers, coordinators, and directors.

Emergencies

• Serve as the national emergency focal point, working with a core steering group that includes IRC T directors to develop emergency preparedness plans. To act as the primary focal point at the time of a new emergency intervention and facilitate implementation of EPP workplan, monitor and report on hazard indicators and facilitate capacity building of Roster team on emergency.

Programme Coordination

Work closely with the Deputy Director of Programs and technical and program coordinators to support and coordinate the following areas:

Grant management

• Ensure quality and timely implementation of grants by staff with specific focus to the program support sections of each respective grant. Oversee the development of detailed project work plans for all programs and operation and all budget expenditures in the IRC and ensure they are allowable and allocable according to IRC and donor regulations.
• Ensure accurate budget spending and tracking by program managers and program support functions and lead the field team in the Review of Monthly Budget vs. Actual reports with program staff, make recommendations on the basis of these and ensure that appropriate action is taken in a timely fashion.

New Program Development

• Identify new program possibilities in collaboration with field- and Dar Es –Salaam based staff, specifically the Country Director, Deputy Director Programs, Grants Coordinator, and the Technical Coordinators. Provide field input into the development of new proposals by program staff based on the needs and be responsible for budget development.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Ensure appropriate M&E activities are carried out regularly by program staff in all sectors (data collection & analysis, monitoring of project progress against established work plans, monitoring of established indicators and utilization of results to advise program (re-)design).
• Support in Identifying gaps in M&E systems and make recommendations for improvements.

Program Implementation

Support the Deputy Director- Programs with a focus on field integration of program activities to create coherent, quality, and complimentary programming; Specific focus to ensure strong integration of program support functions with direct program related activities. Participate in workshops at field level to establish and supervise annual operating plans for the strategic plan. Ensure that all project activities are consistent with established standard methodologies and IRC’s Program Framework principles.

 KEY RESULT AREAS

Strategic Leadership in effective program design and implementation, grant compliance

Effective representation of the IRC in key forums (Government of Tanzania, Partners, Stakeholders, donors) articulating IRC programming, country strategies and seeking to strengthen coordination/partnerships.

Optimal and effective resource utilization in the overall IRC operations through implementation approaches in both programming and operations

Contribute towards development of the IRC policies, procedures and ensure adherence and compliance by all Kasulu, Kigoma and Kibondo Office staff.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

The position is based in Kasulu, a district town in Kigoma Region. The town is popular with staff, with sufficient shops, local restaurants, and small hotels. It has a pleasant climate and friendly population. It is an hour from the regional capital, Kigoma with more extensive facilities and a two-hour flight from Dar es Salaam, where IRC’s head office is located.

The role requires frequent travels within Kigoma region and regularly elsewhere in Tanzania, particularly to Dar es Salaam. Occasional international travel will also be expected.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to Deputy Director of Operations

Position directly supervises Deputy Field Coordinator and sector/department managers sitting in Kasulu office.

Other Internal and/or external contacts: Sector Coordinators, UN agencies, NGOs and local authority.