Country Director

Job Description

Position: Country Director
Responsible To: Regional Programmes Manager at London HQ
Location: Ethiopia - Addis Ababa, with frequent field trips to project sites
Contract Duration: 12months
Starting Date: ASAP
Salary & Benefits: ?34,850 - ?35,600 per annum (dependant on relevant experience)
Benefits: Insurance cover, accommodation, additional return flights, and annual leave entitlement of 24 days per annum rising to 30 days at the completion of 12 months of continuous employment with Merlin.
Closing Date: 5:00pm GMT on Wednesday, 9th February 2011

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.

Please note that this is an unaccompanied position.

Merlin International Profile

Merlin specialises in health, saving lives in times of crisis and helping to rebuild shattered health services. Each year, Merlin helps more than 15 million people in up to 20 countries.

Context and Background

In October 2002 MERLIN was invited by the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct a health needs assessment in the context of the most recent drought and the crisis in the health sector. In 2003, Merlin began operations in Ethiopia. Since then programs carried out in different areas of the country have focused mainly on primary health care (PHC) support, malaria prevention, response to Acute-Watery-Diarrhea (AWD) outbreaks, Water-Hygiene-Sanitation (WASH) interventions, and the capacity building for health staff.

Currently, more than 120 MERLIN health and support staff works along with our Ministry of Health (MoH) colleagues in 9 districts of two regions, which are heavily affected by poverty, droughts and internal conflict.

MERLIN’s Primary Health Care interventions in Ethiopia are implemented through a direct assistance to the MoH on its different administrative levels. We are supporting health posts, centers and a district hospital through technical and administrative know-how transfer and material support. In places where the population doesn’t have access to any kind of health facility Merlin’s medical teams provide curative and preventive services through their mobile clinics.

This includes basic health care consultations and care, immunization (EPI), reproductive health (ANC, safe delivery, training of TBAs, PNC), child health including nutritional screening and treatment, health education at facility and community level as well as the strengthening of the referral system to adequate health facilities. Further MERLIN provides the needed essential drugs, increases the diagnostic capacity, helps to strengthen the epidemiological surveillance, and to develop an emergency preparedness and response system on health facility and community level applying a risk reduction approach. The promotion and distribution of LLITN (long-lasting-insecticide-treated-mosquito-nets), appropriate treatment and health education are our main tools in the prevention of Malaria.

MERLIN considers the training of health staff as one of its most important project components to improve health service delivery to vulnerable populations in emergency situations but also in the long-run to increase the resilience of these communities. Training contents are MoH/WHO treatment protocols, health system management and medical data collection and analysis procedures (HIMS). In light of the still high HIV prevalence in the country the instruction on universal precautions (UP) at health facility level is a standard component of all programs.

In case of epidemic outbreaks (e.g. measles or cholera) Merlin organizes the immediate response (vaccination campaigns, treatment centers, hygiene promotion etc.) together with our MoH partners.

MERLIN is aware about the paramount importance of hygiene education and the need for interventions, which use a participatory approach and involve the respective communities. In this sense MERLIN promotes the construction and use of latrines at household level and supports health facilities in the rehabilitation and improvement of existing sanitation facilities.

At the same time the organization supports communities, health facilities and local authorities with technical know-how and material resources in the construction or rehabilitation of existing water sources such as boreholes, wells, rain harvesting systems or spring catchments.

Current interventions

In Oromiya Region Merlin is providing emergency primary health care and nutrition services to 380,000 people in 6 Woredas in Eastern Bale Zone through a combined mobile clinic and health post support approach. In parallel and in the same area a Merlin team of Engineers and Health Educators started last year to work on improvements of the water and sanitation situation of the population, whilst health and hygiene education is provided to communities.

In Somali Region we started working in 2008 in 3 Woredas of Gode Zone. Merlin is implementing an emergency health care programme with a CMAM integrated nutrition programme. In addition and considering severe shortfalls in reproductive and children health care in Gode’s District Hospital Merlin is increasing its support in secondary health care level.

An application for a new project within the Borena Zone in Oromiya region is expected to be confirmed shortly, this would result in a third project site for Merlin Ethiopia.

Outlook

Whilst continuing to respond to epidemic and nutritional emergencies throughout the country Merlin will engage further with the Ministry of Health and develop longer-term strategies to tackle the health crisis in certain parts of Ethiopia. In this sense a 2-years health system development plan will soon be shaped with the Somali Regional Health Bureau and similar initiatives might follow in other parts of the country. In order to achieve more comprehensive and effective interventions partnerships with suitable national and international partners will be developed.

Main purpose of the role

The Country Director will provide overall leadership, strategic direction and operational management in line with Merlin’s vision and objectives as set out in the Strategic Plan for Ethiopia. The Country Director will also assume responsibility for the smooth running and development of Merlin programs through analysis of the humanitarian and transitional context, needs assessments and appropriate responses. The post also includes responsibility for identifying and securing donor funding and an expectation to increase Merlin’s profile through representation to external actors and advocacy on behalf of vulnerable populations.

Overall Objectives (scope)

• Provide leadership and representation for Merlin Ethiopia Country Program
• Review periodically country program strategy and ensure its timely implementation.
• Ensure a human resource plan is in place for the management and support of all program staff
• Support, develop and implement annual work plans for the country and all project sites
• Ensure that Merlin’s policies, systems and guidelines are implemented, used and adhered to specifically logistics, finance and HR
• Review and oversee that the relevant financial structures exist to support program activities and compliance
• Ensure the safety of all Merlin staff and that the security guidelines are reviewed regularly
• Accountable for the results and the quality of Merlin’s project within Ethiopia
• Coordinate, review and update the Ethiopia desk on developments with Ethiopia programme

Responsibilities

Leadership
• Review periodically and maintain a coherent country program strategy that contributes to Merlin's global objectives
• Coordinate and manage the overall planning and direction of Merlin's operations at country level;
• Create a shared vision, among all staff, of Merlin's program's aims and their role in achieving these.

Program Development
• Liaison with Ethiopia desk at head office to develop and secure funding for new programs based on identified needs inline with the country strategy
• Ensure effective and timely coordination of technical inputs (e.g. health, logistics, etc.) in proposal development within country programme and then at head office level
• Develop and maintain Merlin's emergency preparedness response capacity as relevant to the geo-political and humanitarian situation.
• Organise and/or undertake needs assessments as necessary
• Develop and maintain productive working relationships with donors and undertake all in-country negotiation related to programming and contracts
• Update Ethiopia desk at head office on programme development at regular intervals
• Create and advance appropriate partnerships with MoH, INGOs, local NGOs and local partners

Program Management
• Ensure that projects remain within the remit of their initial design, budget and propose and prepare any amendments when necessary.
• Full implementation of Project Management Cycle to ensure adequate planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programs
• Regular review of programme management with the Ethiopia desk at head office
• Support field sites in the fulfilment of their duties according to program design
• Ensure that appropriate systems and plans are in place for dealing with emergencies, and provide leadership for staff and volunteers in emergencies
• Establish systems and standards for assessment and monitoring/evaluation of programs against their strategic aims
• Ensure regular, documented forums / meetings for all key staff to discuss and plan program objectives and plans.

Representation
• Represent Merlin to Local & National Authorities, international donors, and (I)NGOs
• Decide which coordination networks Merlin should invest time in, and commit time to those where participation will yield best results for Merlin.
• Manage external communications in collaboration with the RPM
• Proactively network amongst development and humanitarian donors and potential partners

Staff Management / HR
• Manage staff effectively, including appropriate and systematic delegation
• Co-ordinate and support the national and international staff teams, ensuring that the individuals work effectively together and achieve the program objectives.
• Ensure country has appropriate team structures and it is reviewed according to projects projected needs
• Supervise the development and proper implementation of adequate HR management tools incl. organograms , job descriptions, salary scales, performance evaluations, disciplinary processes as per Merlin policies, etc. (by the HR-Administrator)
• Establish systems for maintaining an overview of all staff activity in pursuit of program aims
• Line manage senior staff, including regular performance management and appraisals (Project Coordinators, Country Health Director, Logistic Coordinator, Finance-Admin-Manager)
• Implement development plans exist for all CMT members, ensure all line managers repeat the sit
• Ensure effective teamwork and communication among staff.
• Supervise the development and proper implementation of policies, terms and conditions following both Merlin guidelines and local employment law
• Ensure that personnel are funded according to programme budgets.
• Take an active part in staff recruitment for the region in coordination with Merlin London HR dept.

Administration and Logistics
• Ensure that appropriate logistic, administrative and financial structures and procedures are established and / or maintained in accordance with the Merlin guidelines.
• Maintain regular communications with head office using the established procedures i.e. communication and other reporting procedures.
• Ensure program activities are carried out within Merlin guidelines.
• Ensure that reports and articles for both internal and external distribution as requested by the desk and as stated in the operational contracts signed with donors, including monthly and quarterly reports.

Security
• Ensure and undertake security networking a all levels
• Responsible for the management and oversight of security of all international and national staff
• Ensure that appropriate security guidelines and procedures are established, maintained / updated regularly and adhered to by the team (under the technical guidance of the Logistic Coordinator)

Finance Management
• Ensure that the appropriate finance structures and procedures are established and maintained in accordance to Merlin procedures
• Oversee budget preparation and budget forecasting setting the parameters and the process
• Ensure that country programs are implemented within their budgets.
• Ensure and anticipate donor reporting schedules, including spending plan projection
• Establish and / or maintain the Merlin field accounting systems
• Oversee the completion and return to London of the monthly field accounts within the agreed deadlines.
• Monthly review and monitoring of all budgets and cash flow

Other
• Carry out any other responsibilities as requested by the Regional Program Manager or Program Director.

Person Specification

Essential

Qualifications, experience and competences
• Extensive overseas experience in an INGO senior management role in both complex emergency and transitional/developmental contexts
• Experience of working within an insecure environment with responsibility for security monitoring and management
• Excellent communication and networking skills and the ability to represent Merlin to a broad range of people and organizations, including donors, government officials etc
• Experience in a range of management tools (including but not limited to Project Management Cycle and Logical Framework) to ensure effective planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programs
• Extensive experience of budget management and donor compliance issues
• Diplomacy and patience in dealing with bureaucracy and authorities
• A relevant qualification (post graduate level)
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Previous experience of proposal and report writing
• Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office
• An understanding of and commitment to Merlin’s mission and values
• Good combination of diplomacy and persistence
• Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures
• Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines
• Experience of proactively identifying and addressing issues

Desirable

Qualifications, experience and competences
• Understanding and experience of public health and health system development
• Experience in the region (Horn of Africa, East Africa)
• Experience of development donors (EC/USAID etc)

Data Protection

Please note, on submitting your application, you are agreeing to Merlin holding and using the information that you have given for the purposes of recruitment and employment – should an offer be made. In order to process your job application, it may be necessary for your application to be sent to the Country Director (in the country you are applying for) for consideration. If you do not agree with this, please state so when applying.

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