Project Coordinator

DanChurchAid- South Asia Regional Office

Project Coordinator Gorkha, Nepal

DanChurchAid (DCA) is a faith-based, non-missionary organization. We work for the poor, vulnerable and socially excluded communities and believe in life before death. Our everyday work with development and relief aid strives to help the oppressed, neglected and marginalized groups in our focus countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America to strengthen their possibilities of a life in dignity. In Nepal, we areinvolved in several thematic areas with focus on disaster risk reduction,climate change and humanitarian response,resilient livelihoods and food security, activecitizenship and migrants’ rights, amongothers.

On April 25th and May 12th Nepal suffered from two major earthquakes killing over 8000 people and causing huge damage to shelter and WASH infrastructure. DCA in association with their partners in the ACT Alliance, NCA, ICCO and Church of Sweden has been responding to the crisis. DCA and its partners have been active in shelter, cash, livelihoods and early recovery and are aiming to ensure a successful development orientated humanitarian response.

In order to do this DCA is seeking to hire a project coordiantor to act as the main focal point between the DCA head office in Kathmandu and the partner organisations in the field. The Project Coordinatorwill be offered a 10  months contract that could be renewed based on theorganisational need.The position will be based in the Gorkhawith frequent travel to the field and with occaisional trips to Kathmandu for coordiantion meetings.

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for:

• Management and guidance to partner organisation/s on humnaitarian response project implementation across all programme areas including WASH, Shelter, Livelihoods and early recovery 
• ACT as the main point of contact between the implementing partners and the Emergency Team Leader (based in Kathmandu)
• Support the partner organisations on all aspects of programming implementation including, planning, procurement, logistics, programme implementation
• Liaising with the DCA/NCA  national and international specialists on humanitarian coordination, cash, shelter, livelihoods and early recovery 
• Represent DCA in operational level humanitarian coordination forum/meeting and disaster management activities in the local area of operation including attending Cluster meetings, advocating on behalf of DCA with International Organisations, INGOs and other 
• Develop good programme/finance/procurement and other contractual monitoring tools and other requirements with support from DCA team members
• Ensuring project compliances including good visibility plans according to guidelines, taking inputs from DCA and all implementing partners
• Developing quality reports on the basis of reports from all implementing partners as per the required guidelines including reporting on project mielstones and achievements on a regular basis 
• Support development of humanitarian response projects in Nepal together with Emergency Team Leader  and other DCA/NCA  team members as relevant
• Liaise with appropriate government officials, donor agencies and other INGOs as and when necessary

Applicants for the job must have the following qualifications:

• Postgraduate in disaster management or master in development or social work
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Nepali (please note this position is open to Nepali nationals only)
• Minimum 5 years of experience in development work with minimum five years’ experience in humanitarian response and disaster risk reduction in a project leadership or coordination role, ideally within an INGO
• Solid knowledge and experience of development work from Rights Based Approach, gender sensitive perspective and general approach that promotes Peace, Justice and Diversity  and how it build on the humanitarian response work
• Solid understanding of the disaster contexts, disaster rick reduction and humanitarian response programme in Nepal, knowledge of one of the following sectors would be appreciated – WASH, Shelter, cash distribution, livelihoods. Please note experience of responding to, or preparing for, emergencies within the Nepalese and South Asian context (floods, landslides, earthquakes) would be considered an advantage
• Strong facilitation skills in building capacity of partner organization and the community members
• Knowledge of procurement, logistics and reporting mechanisms for International NGOs
• Proven analytical abilities, good documentation skills
• Proven leadership quality to facilitate the target groups/ networks in relevant national/regional forums and strong network with state and national government 
• Familiar with and abide by humanitarian laws,  international frameworks and other regulatory codes like SPHERE standards, HAP
• Experience of working through partners and in a community facing role in rural Nepal is a must 

The candidate must have personal commitment to social equity and equal rights and opportunities and adhere to the staff policies of DCA on Sexual Harassment and Anti Corruption. DCA Regional Office needs people with excellent interpersonal communication skills and a good sense of humour and team spirit. Willingness and ability to extensive travel and be flexible is essential. 

Candidates should send their applications with CVs to dcasouthasia@dca.dkby 6th July 2015. Please mention the position you are applying for in subject line.

DanChurchAid is an independent Danish faith-based organisation working on humanitarian; rights based development; emergency response, information and advocacy in partnership with national faith and rights based organisations. DCA is committed to promoting equal opportunities for women and men from different caste, ethnic and religious backgrounds and encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds to apply for all our positions. For information about DCA visit www.danchurchaid.org

Women, Ethnic and Religious Minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Job title: Project Coordinator - Gorkha

Working hours per week: 40 hours per week

Contract period: 10 months

Reports to: Team Leader – Earthquake Emergency Project (TL – EEP)

ManagesNot applicable

Location: Gorkha, Kathmandu 

Last revision: 29th June 2015

Purpose of the job (brief)

• To ensure the quality interventions following procurement procedures, financial management and reporting.
• ACT as the main point of contact between the implementing partners and the Emergency Team Leader (based in Kathmandu)
• Coordinate implementation of DCAemergency response project
• Management and guidance to partner organization/s on humanitarian response project implementation across all programme areas including WASH, Shelter, Livelihoods and early recovery 
• Participate in need assessments jointly with other humanitarian partners during emergency and as required
• Support development of humanitarian response project/s in Nepal together with Emergency Team Leader(TL – EEP) and other DCA/NCA  team members as relevant.
• Liaising with the DCA/NCA  national and international specialists on humanitarian coordination, cash, shelter, livelihoods and early recovery 
• Represent DCA in operational level humanitarian coordination forum/meeting and disaster management activities in the local area of operation including attending Cluster meetings, advocating on behalf of DCA with International Organisations, INGOs and other 
• Manage the relationship with humanitarian programme partners through regular visits and undertake project appraisal, monitoring and evaluation including financial and ensure quality of humanitarian response is maintained adhering HAP standards;
• Manage and support to improve the quality of psychosocial interventions;
• Responsible for various narrative reporting and budget monitoring of humanitarian response projects
• Support TL – EEP to meet  donor contractual obligations
• Participate in annual planning and reflection & learning workshops related to humanitarian response programme’
• Conduct training need assessment and organize training of partner staffs as per their organizational requirement 
• Participate in and contribute to DCAs organizational learning regarding humanitarian response and DRR
• Collect information, developing problem analysis and developing initiatives on humanitarian response and DRR in Nepal
• Manage and guide to partner organization/s on humanitarian response project implementation across all programme areas including WASH, Shelter, Livelihoods and early recovery 

Main Task: Provide critical and constructive DCA support to Partner

Short Description: 

• Provide support and advice to the implementing partner to ensure that the project is implemented according to DCArequirements. 
• Visit response operations in coordination with the project implementation team of partner
• Monitor timely implementation of the project as well as the management of budget and finances of the project together with the partners staff
• Ensure submission of monthly overview of expenditure and implementation reports in cooperation with the management of the implementing partner
• Assist the partner in developing adequate monitoring and impact-reporting skills
• Represent DCA and participate in coordination meetings in the project location 

Main Task: Coordinate and Represent DCA in various forums

Short Description: 

• Participate in annual planning and reflection & learning workshops related to project
• Participate in planning, preparation and field level monitoring of project implementation.
• Ensure critical analysis of the ongoing works from interaction with communities, stakeholders and duty bearers 
• Interact with relevant government agencies and line ministries on disaster preparedness, contingency planning and risk reduction for the development of community
• Network with civil society and likeminded organizations and INGOs

Main Task: Report project progress and monitor project activities

Short Description: 

• Draft quality reports on project progress
• Organize and participate in monitoring visits from donors, if required
• Conduct training need assessment and organize training of partner staffs as per their organizational requirement 
• Co-facilitate project review workshop in coordination with DCA team members and partner representatives

Main Task: Contribute and participate constructively to the development of DCA organization and team and to undertake given tasks in flexible manner according to needs identified 

Short Description: 

• Provide continuous quality support and feed back to DCA on issues pertaining the partner, the region and Civil Society Organizations
• Extend support to other DCA programs in building program linkages and synergies and on other reporting and financial matters on a regular basis.
• Participate in Programme related events and platforms as and when necessary and expected

Other tasks and duties

• Ensure technical and coordination support for developing a suitable quality monitoring plan and system together with partner organization in cooperation with DCA team for humanitarian projects and  be a part ofproject monitoring visits,
• Conduct assessments of training needs of partner team, organizing capacity building and ensuring follow up actions,
• Share field monitoring reports ( key points) along with general monthly activity report to communication lines in the first week of every month
• Ensure coherence between audits and program reports as guided and supported by DCA financial management team
• Create a learning environment among humanitarian partners in India and DCA
• Work closely with all DCA humanitarian partners in Nepal and possible new partners – as an when opportunities/needs arise Support and participate in networks of humanitarian actors in Nepal
• Support organisational humanitarian and related interventions or initiatives in India focusing on psycho-social, nutrition, food security, etc – facilitating assessments, studies, ensuring quality of reports, presenting them to relevant stakeholders etc
• Support TL – EEP and  other DCA/NCA  team members for liaisoning, networking and establishing collaboration with other humanitarian donors/actors in the country like USAID/OFDA, DFID and their stakeholders

Communication and Reporting lines

The Project Coordinator-Gorkha reports to Teal Leader – Earthquake Emergency Project on all issues related to personnel management & general management. The District Project Officerwill be

• Provided programmatic and technical support by the Team Leader - EEP on all issues related to programmatic and thematic content of project. The TL - EEP will be the Line Manager.
• Provided technical supported by the TL - EEP on all issues related todonor reporting, liaising and communication with DCA HQ
• Provided overall financial management support by Head of Finance
• Provided office admin and financial support by NepalFinance and Procurement  Officer

Professional skills and qualifications needed in the position

• Postgraduate in disaster management or master in development or social work
• Minimum 5 years of experience in development work with minimum five years’ experience in humanitarian response and disaster risk reduction in a project leadership or coordination role, ideally within an INGO
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Nepali (please note this position is open to Nepali nationals only)
• Solid knowledge and experience of development work from Rights Based Approach, gender sensitive perspective and general approach that promotes Peace, Justice and Diversity  and how it build on the humanitarian response work
• Solid understanding of the disaster contexts, disaster rick reduction and humanitarian response programme in Nepal, knowledge of one of the following sectors would be appreciated – WASH, Shelter, cash distribution, livelihoods. Please note experience of responding to, or preparing for, emergencies within the Nepalese and South Asian context (floods, landslides, earthquakes) would be considered an advantage
• Familiar with and abide by humanitarian laws,  international frame works and other regulatory codes like SPHERE standards, HAP
• Strong analytical, conceptual strategic planning and negotiations skills 
• Strong coordination, leadership and interpersonal communication skill
• Fluency in oral and written skills in English and Nepali
• Strong facilitation skills in building capacity of partner organization and the community members
• Knowledge of procurement, logistics and reporting mechanisms for International NGOs
• Proven analytical abilities, good documentation skills
• Proven leadership quality to facilitate the target groups/ networks in relevant national/regional forums and strong network with state and national government 
• Proven experience in working as responsible reporting officer with back donor funded project
• Working experience from INGOs sector on value based development work
• Experience of working through partners and in a community facing role in rural Nepal is a must 
• Clear understanding and commitment to partnership modality as applied by DCA
• Ability and willingness to work in team and to work under pressure and in remote/difficult circumstances
• Committed to rights based and gender sensitive work, pro-poor, committed and strong civil society organizations and social mobilization.  

Personal qualifications needed in the position

• Committed to rights based and gender sensitive work, pro-poor, committed and strong civil society organizations and social mobilization.  
• Commitment to basic values and policies of DCA 
• Work according to the objectives of DCA South Asia Program
• Able, willing and committed to work with people of different backgrounds 
• Contribute constructively to a working environment based on mutual respect, trust and commitment
• Able to cope with stress and work under difficult circumstances

Commitments needed

The employee agrees with the basic values, vision and mission of DCA and agrees to adhere to the policies of DCA annexed to the DCA South Asia Staff manual provided by the organization. The Project Coordinator will be based in Gorkha with frequent visit to the fields and will respect to the workplace policies and norms of DCA and partners.