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Reports to: Head of Programs – East Africa
Status: National (International if cannot be filled locally)
Location: Addis Ababa
Language requirements: English essential; Amharic strongly desired
SUMMARY
Reporting to the Head of Programs for the East Africa region, the Country Representative in Ethiopia will manage the development, implementation and successful delivery of Cuso International’s development programs that aim to reduce poverty and inequality. Key to this will be active networking and representation of Cuso International; identifying and securing external funding streams to support and optimize program results; effective management of the Country Program Office staff and operations, ensuring that all key internal and external program, volunteer support, administration and budget deadlines are met.
As well as oversight of the program, the Country Representative has a hands on role in day to day delivery of the program, volunteer placement, management, engagement and support. This is expected to be 50% of the job.
The Federal Government of Ethiopia has both made a concerted effort and has realized impressive gainsin improvingreproductive, maternal and child health(RMNCH) care systems and services across the country over the last decade. Nonetheless, there are significant regional disparities in the quality and accessibility of RMNCH services and each year, an estimated 13,000 women and girls continue to die due to pregnancy related complications. Human resource challenges in the health sector, particularly retaining enough confidently skilled midwives and doctors, remains one of the most critical factors in saving the lives of mothers and newborns. Increasing the quality and quantity of skilled health workers is one of the key strategies of the Ministry of Health in their effort to decrease the rate of maternal, newborn and child mortality.
Cuso International has been supporting RMNCH programming in Cambodia, Tanzania and Ethiopia (through our partnership with Voluntary Service Overseas) over the last decade with a focus on health system strengthening, supporting birth registration and pre/in-service training and mentoring of health workers (midwives, nurses and doctors). Our primary intervention is through the provision of professional international, diaspora and national technical advisors, who work with local partners to deliver development programs. Our technical advisors are highly skilled volunteers, usually mid to late career professionals, who bring strong qualifications, years of post-qualification experience, commitment and new ideas to bear in their role as coaches and mentors.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES
Program Development & Delivery
Deliverable
A strategic and relevant gender sensitive program, which uses a range of development interventions and actively engages marginalized groups, is successfully delivered, monitored, evaluated and promoted, meeting strategic and operational plan objectives.
Specific responsibilities
Analyze and maintain an in-depth understanding of the development context and key stakeholders in Ethiopia and the region in general.
Lead on developing and shaping Cuso International’s strategic development plan for Ethiopia.
Working in collaboration and in consultation with Cuso International’s local partners, volunteers and other stakeholders, identify relevant development interventions (eginternational technical advisors, national volunteering, advocacy, partner forums, distance mentorship initiatives, etc) to deliver established strategic and operational plans.
Wherever relevant, ensure cross-cutting themes of gender, governance and environment are mainstreamed in programming initiatives.
After goals and objectives have been set and agreed to with the Head of Programs, analyze and plan resource allocations for program implementation, including determining placement numbers, volunteer targets, staff priorities and budget allocation.
Ensure the smooth functioning of placement development and volunteer management systems and processes within the Country Program Office and with other Cuso International employees and teams in the region and in North America.
Work with HQ staff to ensure the program is monitored and evaluated and take a lead role in ensuring gender sensitive M&E deadlines and milestones are understood and met by team, partners and volunteers.
Ensure the impact of Cuso International’s development interventions in Ethiopia and issues arising are captured and duly integrated into relevant practice and policy debates.
In collaboration with Country Program Office staff, local partners, volunteers and other stakeholders, foster and promote a culture of ongoing learning.
Ensure all Cuso International program and volunteer deadlines are met.
Ensure all reporting requirements to HQ or external donors are understood and complied with.
Take a lead role in developing, implementing, monitoring and revising restricted and unrestricted budgets.
Partnership and Resource development
Deliverables
Productive partnerships with Government, corporate sector, civil society and donors, are identified and developed. Cuso International’s programming in Ethiopia is growing and being supported through multiple sources of funding and key partnerships.
Specific responsibilities
Take the lead in developing and implementing a funding strategy for Ethiopia.
Seek out and actively participate in Ethiopian, East African regional and other networks, coalitions, alliances, meetings, forums, debates or any other event pertaining to the development work of Cuso International in Ethiopia and where possible to champion/represent Cuso International’s programs and projects with donors, other agencies, relevant government officials, partners etc.
Working in close collaboration with the Head of Programs and field/HQ based funding staff, identify funding and/or partnership opportunities and take a lead role in following these up in a timely manner.
Lead or contribute to the development of concept notes and proposals.
Develop realistic program and project plans and budgets, ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
Actively seek to engage corporate sector in our projects and work with them to identify ways they add value to them.
Volunteer and Placement Management
Deliverables
Cuso International’s volunteers working in Ethiopia are adequately and appropriately supported in their placements and working effectively with their local partner organizations. Volunteers are engaged in all aspects of program development, including helping to set priorities, supporting work in seeking funding and partnership opportunities etc.
Specific responsibilities
Oversee the planning and development of relevant and coherent volunteer placement documentation.
Ensure relationships and communication between Country Program staff and volunteers are cooperative and professional.
Ensure excellent communication channels between Country Program staff and other Cuso International staff in the Regional Office, North American offices and elsewhere, so that placement and program information is flowing between all parties and deadlines are being met by all stakeholders.
Working closely with the Program Support and Finance Officer, participate in the development of volunteer in-country orientations, facilitating some of the learning and orientation events as appropriate.
Keep abreast of volunteers’ progress and challenges in their placements and support any learning or professional development that they may require to achieve their objectives.
Engage volunteers in program planning, development and resource diversification, as appropriate.
Assist the Program Support and Finance Officer in handling any volunteer or partner complaints, conducting investigations where necessary; participate in discussions where policies and procedures do not offer a proper resolution to a volunteer’s concern or situation, involving the Regional Program Officer as deemed necessary.
Be fully accountable for ensuring an emergency and risk-management plan is developed at the country level and that this is well communicated, implemented and reviewed on a regular basis, covering the safety and security of volunteers and Country Program Office staff.
Keep the Head of Program and HQ security adviser informed of any potential security threat, whether low, medium or high, at all times.
Line Management
Deliverable
Country Program Office staff have clear job descriptions and ambitious work plans, are supported in setting work objectives and priorities, and are making positive contributions in all relevant aspects of Cuso International’s program.
Specific responsibilities
Foster a positive, fair, participatory and ambitious professional work culture among Country Program Office staff.
Ensure our Ethiopia team is delivering on annual work plans and that all relevant Cuso and external donor policies, procedures, milestones and deadlines are met.
Model the expected attitudes, behaviors and work standards expected from Country Program Office staff.
Be responsible for managing staff performance, providing regular feedback and conducting yearly performance appraisals with each employee.
Work with each employee to develop key objectives and approve work plans that are revised quarterly.
Undertake monthly supervisory meetings with each employee to ensure work priorities and any challenges the employee faces, is addressed.
Ensure Cuso International’s performance management culture is understood across the team.
Maintain accurate written records of work plans, supervisory meetings and performance appraisals.
In conjunction with each employee, identify learning and professional development needs and support the employee in getting these needs met appropriately and cost effectively.
Administration, Budgets and Finance
Deliverable
Ensure all Cuso International administration, budget and finance systemsare in place, understood by staff, kept up to date, operate smoothly, used effectively and related timelines are met.
Specific responsibilities
Take the lead in developing the annual budget and in the revised budget setting process.
Ensure performance to budget is tracked on monthly basis and appropriate and timely action is taken to remedy any variance.
Ensure all Ethiopia Country Program Office based staff are aware of roles and responsibilities in relation to budget and finance issues and procedures and deliver accordingly.
Ensure all Cuso International administration, health and security, volunteer support and logistic systems are in place, understood and followed by staff, volunteers and partners.
Feedback and seek to work collaboratively with regional and HQ staff to improve performance and effectiveness of systems and processes.
Ensure any external donor requirements are understood by staff and adhered to.
Actively encourage a cost effective and efficient approach to the use and expenditure of Cuso International resources.
Ensure all staff understand and are able to use Cuso Internationals IT systems in an effective manner.
Oversee completion of the Annual Quality Framework exercise and seek to improve performance of team in any areas of under performance.
Ensure Country Program Office compliance with record-keeping guidelines and filing of sensitive employee, volunteer, partner and donor information.
Other duties
Participate in regional and other staff meetings, as appropriate.
Ensure Cuso International activities operate within the legal framework of Ethiopia.
Fulfill any other responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time by the Head of Programs and other senior managers.
Identify and take steps to develop own professional and personal learning.
Provide cover for other colleagues as necessary.
Essential
University degree in a field relevant to the position and/or a relevant combination of education and experience.
Excellent analytical and practical understanding of the social, political and economic context of Ethiopia.
Good understanding and appreciation of the volunteering, as a contribution to international development.
Knowledge and experience related to Cuso International’s program in Ethiopia, in particular in relation to strengthening quality healthcare systems and services for women and children and supporting models of inclusive economic growth, particularly in rural environments.
At least five (5) years’ experience developing planning, resourcing, managing, monitoring and implementing development projects.
At least three (3) years’ experience working with development programs, at the community level.
Ability to think, plan and work strategically and creatively.
Excellent understanding of the Project Cycle, its tools and phases.
Proven track record in successfully securing external funding for development programs and projects.
Ability to write coherent and strong proposals and concept notes.
Experience and ability to develop and manage budgets and create financial reports.
Experience of working successfully in a leadership role, supervising and coaching staff and leading them towards common objectives.
Proven commitment to mainstreaming gender and equality issues within work.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal and the ability to use different communication media effectively, including email, telephone, Skype and written correspondence.
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate, persuade coach, mobilize and develop positive relationships with others internally and externally.
Ability to work well and respectfully as part of a diverse team and in cross-cultural contexts.
Excellent planning, prioritizing and time management skills.
Self-motivated and able to work with minimum supervision and guidance.
Excellent problem-solving abilities, finding innovative solutions to difficult, complex and unpredictable challenges.
Computer and internet proficiency (all Microsoft Office tools, databases, we research, web-based tools and transactions, etc.)
Willingness and ability to travel and to spend up to 8 weeks away from home both within the country and on international trips.
Willingness to work irregular hours of work and overtime, in order to successfully meet deliverables.
Valid driver’s license and clear driving record.
Desirable
Ability to work inAmharic
Experience of being a volunteer; working with or managing volunteers.
Knowledge of the development and socio-political context of the region.
To be considered, your résumé and cover letter should demonstrate that all of the essential qualifications are met. Please indicate your salary expectation in your cover letter.
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