Haiti: Livelihoods Coordinator, Haiti

Location:Port-Au-Prince, Haiti

PURPOSE:The purpose of UMCOR’s Haiti mission is to provide emergency response, early recovery and transitional development assistance in the affected regions of Haiti. The Livelihoods Coordinator (LC) is to oversee the program and technical aspects of all livelihoods, food security, agricultural, and income generation programming in Haiti, build capacity of national staff and to ensure all related program objectives are achieved in collaboration with senior management and the project team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:The Livelihoods Coordinator (LC) will coordinate UMCOR’s livelihood recovery programming focused on both immediate and longer term economic recovery programs for urban, peri-urban and rural environments, with particular attention to the concerns of youth, women and other targeted populations. The LC will lead assessment, project design, work planning and delegation for implementation and grant management, oversee livelihood staff, ensure monitoring and evaluation plan is robustly followed inadherence with UMCOR and donor guidelines and standards.The LC will be the lead technical and liaison person for relations with local government and related key collaborators in the sector, including donors, international and local NGOs, UN clusters/offices, and our sister organization the Eglise Méthodiste d'Haïti (EMH). The LC will supervise service providers. He/she will focus on capacity building of the national Livelihood Manager for greater management responsibilities and eventual nationalization of the Coordinator position.

Primary Responsibilities:

• With the Livelihood Manager prepare clear work plans and delegate work to each member of the Livelihood team to implement the existing UMCOR livelihood program including the monitoring and evaluation plan both urban and rural components.
• Monitor the staff performance and progress toward completion of the tasks assigned to them.
• Manage the Livelihood program budget tracking expenditures and liaise with the Finance Director each month to reconcile the financial report and project cash flow needs.
• Participate in planning and implementation of livelihoods needs assessments and provide clear and detailed recommendations for interventions based on analysis of data collected.
• With the team and stakeholders ensure appropriate targeting criteria are developed and used so that selection of beneficiaries is open and transparent. Ensure special attention is paid to inclusion of vulnerable groups.
• Develop concept notes and project proposals to expand livelihoods program of UMCOR Haiti with focus on food security and income generation.
• Draft terms of reference, participate in procurement committees for selection of service providers, and manage chosen service providers and vendors for related services in compliance with established UMCOR procurement procedures.
• Follow UMCOR procurement policy to the letter and report any anomalies promptly.
• Ensure that UMCOR policies against fraud and other gross misconduct are understood by beneficiaries and stakeholders at the launch of each activity and follow up with refresher awareness raising.
• Participate in recruitment of Livelihoods staff as needs arise following UMCOR recruitment policy and the direction of the UMCOR HR Manager.
• Evaluate the performance of each team member annually and review their progress at midyear.
• Liaise closely with other Sector Coordinators especially Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Project Coordinators of complex projects where their activities include livelihood, income generation components to ensure these are managed by the Livelihood team and there is harmony of implementation, monitoring and evaluation across sectors.
• Ensure Livelihoods team compliance with UMCOR and donor policies and procedures as they relate to personnel, security, financial, and procurement/contractual standard operating procedures.
• Mentor and develop the management skills of the national Livelihood Manager to prepare the incumbent for assumption of greater responsibility and eventual management of the Coordinator role.
• Organize and run brief technical and work management training sessions through assessment of technical weakness in the team.
• Personally visit project sites, monitor activities and projects, and prepare field visit reports.
• Seek out and take part in communities of practice with regards to Livelihood programming. Ensure new ideas and lessons are presented to UMCOR for possible inclusion in improving our work.
• Participate with the Senior Management Team of UMCOR-Haiti contributing to general problem solving, visibility activities, and development of the mission strategy, security planning and other key management work.
• Provide the Deputy Head of Mission – Program and SMT with monthly reports, quarterly reports, project reports and other briefings as required on all major aspects of the livelihood programming.
• Other tasks as reasonably assigned by the Deputy Head of Mission-Program.

QUALIFICATIONS:Postgraduate qualification and experience in a relevant livelihoods, income generation and food security related areas such asagriculture, socio-economic rural development, international development, etc. Minimum 3 years overseas experience working as a project manager with an international humanitarian/ development NGO – preference for those with coordination of complex programs. Proof of strong program implementation, team management and financial management experience required. Significant practical field experience working in post-disaster and humanitarian emergency contexts in the following areas of work and associated methodologies: food security and livelihood assessments, including PRA and other household economy assessment tools; community driven development approach, cash transfer program approach (e.g. cash-for-work, vouchers, cash grants); agriculture and livestock technical and business training programs; income generation programs; market analysis and market support interventions; practical application of SPHERE standards. Must be flexible and willing to work under difficult work and living conditions and able to work independently and carry out duties. Requires pro-active leadership and managing staff working in several locations. Experience with a variety of donors, especially USAID is preferred.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES:Strong work planning and organizational ability; ability to understand the cultural and political environment and to work well with the local authorities in a diplomatic manner; and sound understanding and knowledge of US donor grant procurement procedures are required.Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and French required. Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to lead, influence and motivate others. Strong human resource management skills. Experience in working in insecure environments is essential. Prior experience working with faith-based organizations and in Haiti or the Caribbean is a plus.

If you meet the minimum requirements, please submit your cover letter, resume and complete the position related questions on our website at http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH07/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=GBGM&cws=1&rid=316. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted – no phone calls please. Though applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with hiring at the earliest possible date,those received by July 7^th will receive priority review. UMCOR is an Equal Opportunity Employer.