Introduction
Cordaid works to end poverty and exclusion. We do this in the world’s most fragile and conflict-affected areas. We engage communities to rebuild trust and resilience and increase people’s self-reliance. Where poverty, conflict, and exclusion divide societies, we connect people and communities. Cordaid is one of the leading Civil Society Organizations in the Netherlands, working in fragile contexts on Health, Resilience, Private Sector Development, Humanitarian Aid and Security & Justice, Economic empowerment and Food & Nutrition Security. Cordaid has over 1400 staff, working at Global Office in the Netherlands and in offices across the most fragile countries in the world. Within Cordaid we work on the basis of respect, accountability, sustainability and diversity & inclusion.
The Government of Zimbabwe has received funding from World Bank to implement the Zimbabwe Covid-19 Response and Essential Health Services Project– formerly Zimbabwe COVID-19 Emergency Response Project. ZCERP’s development objective is to support the Government of Zimbabwe to deploy and manage COVID-19 vaccines and strengthen related health system capacity for pandemic preparedness, and deliver essential health services, particularly Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Cordaid is the Implementing Entity for the Project.
Cordaid Zimbabwe, with its main office in Harare, is looking for a Country Manager.
1. General objective of the posting
The Country Manager will be a senior manager with experience in managing complex programs, including health programs aimed at improving the health and quality of life of people living in Zimbabwe. He/she will assume overall responsibility for the Cordaid Zimbabwe office.
2. Position & Responsibility
The Country Manager is an employee of Stichting Cordaid, under Zimbabwe statutes. He/she will report to the Regional Director, who resides in the Cordaid ESA Regional Office in Uganda, and who will intermittently travel to Zimbabwe.
The Country Manager will chair a Management Team. He/she will be assisted by a team of local staff including maternal/ reproductive health specialists, safeguarding specialists, finance and administrative support and will be responsible for consultants that intermittently provide specific technical services to the program.
In brief, he/she is responsible for:
• Overall management of the projects in Zimbabwe in a manner that contributes to the realization of set objectives and other performance criteria as agreed between Cordaid, the World Bank and the MoHCC.
• Representing Cordaid as a respected, professional, results focused, accountable and autonomous NGO through networking, representation and dissemination of results achieved.
Specific objectives of the posting; Task description
Programme Management
• Coordinate programme implementation, including allocation of resources while ensuring that appropriate controls are maintained at all levels and all time for optimal accountability.
• Approve contracting by Cordaid and/or third-party local purchasing units in accordance with Zimbabwean and World Bank tender regulations
• Responsible for application of the project M&E cycle throughout all levels of the project
• Responsible for the compilation of (initially quarterly) activity plans;
• Responsible for proper and timely financial and narrative reporting to the MOHCC, the World Bank, Cordaid The Hague and Cordaid ESA Regional office
• Responsible for risk management (programmatic, financial,) at national and local levels
• Responsible for – on a day to day basis – monitoring of implementation of program activities as planned and achievement of targeted outcomes
• Managing local consultants: preparation of TORs, follow up of output of their work
• Facilitation of visits of Cordaid staff, consultants from the consortium and WB staff.
Representation and Coordination
• Act as the responsible Cordaid authority in Zimbabwe
• On behalf of Cordaid, maintain contacts with relevant government authorities at national and provincial/district levels, and particularly strengthen relations with the MoHCC and Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion
• Represent Cordaid at steering/surveillance committee meetings at national and provincial/district levels.
• Maintain functional working relationships with the national and regional World Bank offices under the auspices of the Cordaid ESA Regional Office Director.
• Strengthen relations and ensure coordination with relevant donors, local and international NGO’s, including active participation in relevant (coordination) meetings.
• Sustain good cooperation with Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference, through which Cordaid (initially) operates in Zimbabwe.
• Promote the Result Based Financing (RBF) approach, its main features, ambitions and (would-be) results among relevant stakeholders.
Human Resources Management (Team Management)
• Structure the work of the management team
• Conduct periodic performance evaluation of members of the management team and other staff which report directly to the Country Manager.
• Stimulate and manage team-spirit and team-work of staff
• Coach and support Cordaid staff-members in the work area where appropriate and needed
• Responsible for the recruitment, selection, and dismissal of local personnel.
• Take disciplinary actions in case of misconduct or fraud or any other form of violation of contract in accordance with the Cordaid code of conduct; all such actions should be reported to the Cordaid Global office in the Netherlands.
Reporting
• Progress reporting will be done on monthly basis to the Cordaid ESA Regional Director in Uganda, following a standard monthly programme format
• Progress reporting in accordance with World Bank guidelines.
General (office) Management
• Budget holder for the Cordaid Zimbabwe programmes
• Authorizing payments in accordance with internal procedures and Power of Attorney
• Overall responsible for the proper implementation of the Cordaid Office Manuals (administrative, financial and logistic, HR procedures) while adhering to Zimbabwean laws and regulations.
Security Management
• Security Coordinator for the Cordaid Zimbabwe team and for Cordaid seconded staff, consultants and Cordaid visitors working and travelling in Zimbabwe
• Responsible for the proper implementation of the Cordaid Safety First manual
• Responsibility for all aspects of security, including security risk analysis, reporting, ensuring Cordaid security policy is implemented and the safety of all Cordaid staff is ensured in all decision making, implementation strategies and project operations.
Education:
• Masters Degree in Public Health, Economics, Business/Public Administration, Social Sciences or other subject related to international cooperation.
Experience:
• At least 8 years experience with managing and monitoring health programmes, preferably also with WB / Government funded programmes.
• Extensive knowledge of management styles, institutional donor funded programs, program management, international cooperation with local partners, country/region of the Country Office, techniques, reporting standards and languages.
• Excellent skills in project management, planning and implementation.
• Experience in working with local and international NGOs, bilateral and multilateral agencies and governments.
• Writing skills to clearly formulate strategy proposals and project reports including expected impact
• Experience in reporting requirements of institutional donors.
• Excellent management skills including human resource and financial management, communication and intercultural cooperation skills
Personal skills
• A human centred approach to management and ability to promote teamwork.
• Ability to network and manage partner relations.
• Able to structure work of a team
• Ability to work under stressful and time bound project conditions.
• Good oral and written communication skills in English language.
• Diplomatic and results driven.
• Awareness of external environment, and ability to work in a politically sensitive environment
• Analytical and problem solving mind.
• Flexibility
4. Specifics of station
• The position is based in Harare, with regular travel to project areas across Zimbabwe, and occasional travel to other countries within the Cordaid ESA cluster (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda) or other countries as may be needed.
5. Contract information
The contract period is for one year starting as soon as possible, with the intention to extend for a longer period subject to performance and continuation of the programme.
6. Renumeration
Renumeration package to be disclosed only to shortlisted candidates.
Cordaid does not ask for a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
This advert is open to nationals of Zimbabwe only.
Cordaid is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or job applicant based on race, political affiliation, religion, tribe, national origin, gender, physical or mental disability, health status or age.
Cordaid is fully committed to provide a safe and welcoming workplace to its employees, and to maintain respect and dignity of everyone that comes into contact with Cordaid. Therefore, Cordaid participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. For more information about Cordaid’s work on integrity https://www.cordaid.org/en/who-we-are/integrity-and-code-of-conduct/.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
How to Apply
Qualified and experienced persons are encouraged to urgently apply and attach detailed CVs to: https://cordaid.hrmagic.co/careers/job?id=OTY2 by 23rd of February 2024 midnight.