Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Closing Date: 10th January 2021
Islamic Relief Worldwide is an independent humanitarian and development organisation, serving humanity for over 35 years. With an active presence in over 40 countries, we strive to make the world a better and fairer place for those effected by poverty, conflicts or natural disasters.
Our Birmingham, UK office is currently recruiting for the position of a Regional Desk Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa and East Europe (MENA-EE) who will provide support to allocated country offices in delivery effective programmes according to the Country Programme and Regional Strategies and raising the profile amongst donors and potential funders. The post holder will keep an up to-dated overview of operational matters in the Region, with knowledge of IRW activities in Country Offices.
Key Accountability 1: PROGRAMMES DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION
Keep an up to-date overview of operational matters in the Region, with knowledge of IRW activities in Country Offices.
Critically appraise project proposals submitted by field offices to ensure that they have clear sense of purpose and direction and to report any major deviations to the Head of Region.
Ensure that the quality of proposals and budgets consider value for money which fit into the overall country and regional strategy and that all parties involved understand this need.
Assist field offices to produce high-quality project proposals for funding from both IRW and institutional donors through field visits, etc. (Executive role in the final draft and sending of donor documents. Contribute towards the review of the final draft. Data collection done at the field level)
Actively identify potential institutional funding and link up field offices to institutional donors and support in securing funding on behalf of the country programme where necessary.
Key Accountability 2: LEADING, MANAGING AND DEVELOPMENT OF STAFF
In conjunction with the Country Director, manage, lead and develop several key staff to ensure the effective management and delivery of work in country including persons responsible for administration, finance and programmes.
Ensuring that staff in country carries out the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes.
Key Accountability 3: PLANNING & BUDGETING
Participate in the development of country, regional and global strategy and in policy development based on IR experience in respective Country.
Draw up and monitor annual action plans and business plans with programme managers and heads of programme.
Ensure that the country offices submit project’s quarterly, annual and external audit reports on time.
Work with finance staff in the development of project and country budgets
Key Accountability 4: REPORTING, ANALYSIS, INNOVATIVE THINKING & PROBLEM SOLVING
Analyse and appraise donors/partners reports submitted by Country Offices to ensure they are of high quality
Follow up with Country Offices to ensure that donors and partners reports are submitted on time and in correct format.
Analyse Country Office budgets to ensure value for money and ensure that programme support cost remain reasonable.
Analyse the security situation and humanitarian space in a country and whether it is capable of taking the offer of funds.
Resolve issues of non-compliance with directives and policies through investigation and make recommendations for dealing with.
Resolve or refer challenges to Programme delivery
Anticipates future requirements and development needs
Key Accountability 5: COMMUNICATION
Collate and compile reports and produce data which feed into the Annual Report of IRW.
Communicate with a range of IR partners, institutional and private donors and other international NGOs related to issues concerning respective countries and regarding the implementation of projects.
Network, advocate and build relationships with people with similar roles/positions in INGOs (e.g. Oxfam, CAFOD), donors (e.g. DFID, ECHO) and UN agencies as requested.
Work closely with the media department to ensure that the FOs information in internet and websites are up to date (project profiles, case studies, photos, desk filing systems and archiving of documents and reports)
Spearhead fundraising efforts to market projects both within Islamic Relief Worldwide partners and externally (in coordination with Islamic Relief Fundraising mechanisms).
Key Accountability 6: MONITORING AND EVALUATION AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
Undertake monitoring and assessment field visits to Country Offices and Country Programmes to ensure programmes are implemented as proposed, contracted and per donor guidelines and standards
Undertake field visits to support and facilitate quarterly and annual programme and project reviews and lesson learned workshops to ensure programmes are progressing well, delivering the planned outputs and are having the necessary impact.
Monitor country office programmatic and administrative systems including IRQMS activities to ensure field offices are operating to IRW policies and standards
Undertake risk assessment of field offices and projects and advise on mitigation approaches
Ensure field office annual accounts and programme evaluations are externally audited and necessary actions followed up on.
Key Accountability 7: OTHER
Travel to IRW Country/Field Offices for 40% of the year. Each visit may last for up to 45 days.
Carry out, where possible, any other duties of IRW surge capacity that is in line with the job purpose as requested by the line-manager.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
It is essential that the post holder shows a good understanding and empathy with the Islamic Relief values and principles as well as commitment to IRW’s vision and mission.
ESSENTIAL: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
• A graduate degree or equivalent experience in development/humanitarian areas
• An in-depth understanding of international development issues Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
EXPERIENCE
• Proven track record of working in a similar role with an International NGO.
• Proven track record of field work experience with INGOs in developing countries in rehabilitation; development and emergency contexts
• Experience of successfully fundraising and dealing with institutional donors and international donors
• Experience of and commitment to a participatory, supportive, open environment to ensure the learning and development of all.
• Proven experience in monitoring and evaluation of programmes; use of quantitative and qualitative research data collection in support of programme development.
• Proven experience and knowledge of effective budgetary control and grant management.
• Strong and well developed analytical skills coupled with experience of writing quality proposals and reports
• Experience of distance management
PERSONAL QUALITIES
• Good interpersonal skills including the ability to listen, sensitivity to others’ views and perspectives, and conflict resolution.
• Problem solving skills
• Culturally sensitive
• Able to work with the most vulnerable groups including women and children,
• Good team work skills with the ability to work with different and sometime conflicting agendas
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Abide by IRW Code of Conduct and other related Codes of Conduct.
• Willingness to travel at very short notice.
DESIRABLE
• Experience of organisational development
• Experience of working on emergency and/or disaster preparedness programmes in developing countries
• Experience of a specialised areas e.g. livelihoods projects, WATSAN, Nutrition etc.
• Experience of advocacy and communications work.
• Ability to analyse and assess complex situations and develop policies.
• Written and spoken command of regional languages
- Full details of the job description can be found on our website.
How to apply:
Please Note: Interviews are expected to take place mid-January. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Pre-employment Checks:
Any employment with Islamic Relief will be subject to the following checks:
- Screening clearance
- Proof of eligibility to live and work within the UK
- Receipt of satisfactory references
Please note, for UK based roles, we are only able to accept applications from candidates who are eligible to work in the UK. We are unable to progress applications which would require sponsorship.
Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer
Islamic Relief promotes equality and meritocracy, and seeks individuals who are sympathetic to the IR values of; Sincerity*,* Excellence*,* Compassion*,* Social Justice and Custodianship together with our policy standards on Anti-Bribery, Child Protection and Code of Conduct. If you would like to be a part of an organisation striving to make a difference in the world and are looking for a meaningful career, we will be glad to hear from you.
Our values and commitment to safeguarding
IRW is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom IRW engages. IRW expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.
The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme
In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.
By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.
Applicants should be sympathetic to the values of Islamic Relief:
(Sincerity, Excellence, Compassion, Social Justice and Custodianship)
Islamic Relief is an equal opportunities employer