Country Representative Trócaire
Description of the unit/department: We are a single office in Ethiopia, delivering a joint programme, for CAFOD, SCIAF and Trócaire, the Catholic Development Agencies for Ireland, England/Wales and Scotland respectively. We support the development work of local NGOs in Ethiopia through financial grants from various donors including our head offices in the UK and Ireland and through technical support provided by our field office. We support both Catholic and non-Catholic agencies, supporting people of all faiths in Ethiopia.
The three agencies working together in Ethiopia bring many benefits: reduced transaction costs for our partners; allowing our own administration to be more cost effective than having separate presence of the three agencies; it also allows us greater flexibility in responding to partners’ capacity needs. As three agencies together we can have more influence with partners, donors and government than speaking separately.
Background to the role: The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) is the official development and relief agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and part of the global Caritas network, a confederation of over 160 Catholic aid agencies. It grew from an initiative taken by Catholic women and was set up as a charity in 1962 by the Bishops of England and Wales, with the task of expressing the concerns of the Catholic community for the needs and problems of the developing world. CAFOD’s mission is to promote human development and social justice in witness to Christian faith and gospel values.
SCIAF is the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, the official aid and international development charity of the Catholic Church in Scotland. SCIAF works in over 20 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America, to help some of the poorest people in the world, regardless of religion, to work their way out of poverty.
Trócaire is the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland. It was set up by the Irish Catholic Bishops in 1973 to express the concern of the Irish Church for the suffering of the world’s poorest and most oppressed people. Trócaire envisages a just and peaceful world where people’s dignity is ensured and rights are respected; where basic needs are met and resources are shared equitably; where people have control over their own lives and those in power act for the common good.
CAFOD, SCIAF and Trócaire have been operating a joint programme in Ethiopia Office managed by a single office since 2000. The Country Representative manages the programme on behalf of the three agencies.
Reporting to: The Joint Agency Group (JAG) has governance and management responsibilities for the CAFOD/SCIAF/Trócaire joint Ethiopia programme. It oversees strategic direction and periodically reviews progress against agreed targets. Line management is provided by the Regional Manager of one of the agencies.
Managing: (Individuals/Team) All staff in the CAFOD/SCIAF/ joint programme in Ethiopia (currently a team of 19 staff). Direct line management responsibility for four staff (Programme Manager, Finance & Administration Manager, Co-financing Coordinator & Communications Officer).
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Contract Duration: 3 years
Grade and Scale: Country Representative Salary Scale of agency issuing contract.
Location of Position Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with frequent travel within the country and to the agencies Regional Offices in Nairobi (CAFOD and SCIAF) and Head Offices in Ireland, England & Scotland.
Scope of the Role:
To implement the country strategy and manage the human and financial resources of the three agencies in Ethiopia, ensuring that our programmes are of high quality and lead to improvements in the lives of poor people. To ensure a positive profile with donors and the government of Ethiopia. To ensure quality relationships which result in the joint programme being a donor partner of choice for civil society organisations. To mobilize additional resources from institutional donors for the joint programme and to contribute to policy, advocacy and media work of the three agencies.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
The role of the Country Representative involves balancing the needs and priorities of three agencies, in relation to a substantial programme of development and humanitarian work. The post-holder will be required to maintain a strategic relationship with the chair of the JAG, working together to facilitate the three agencies to steer a course for the joint programme, making clear recommendations to assist the three agencies to achieve consensus and negotiate around areas of difference.
The following main tasks and responsibilities can be distinguished: Strategy and Programme Leadership, Representation, and Management and Administration.
Strategy & Programme Leadership
Strategy and Programme Development
1. Lead on the development, implementation and review of the Ethiopia Country Strategy.
2. Lead the development and implementation of advocacy interventions, in accordance with the country strategy and the advocacy priorities of the three agencies.
3. Support the Ethiopia Co-financing Coordinator to ensure appropriate resource mobilisation, drawing on capacities available from the Head Offices and Regional Offices of the agencies as well as accessing and managing appropriate local capacities.
4. Complement and enrich fundraising strategies and seek additional funding for programmes in collaboration with HQ co-financing teams and within existing and/or planned capacity of the Ethiopia Team and partners.
5. Contribute to the strategic directions of the overall work of CAFOD, SCIAF and Trócaire, feeding into Regional and Africa-wide processes and policies of the respective agencies and providing ideas, initiatives and information for Development Education, Fundraising, Campaigning and Advocacy work.
6. Support the three agencies in continuously aligning their PCM systems, making sure the Ethiopia programme adapts overall a coherent and efficient M&E system at programme level, which supports learning and accountability.
Programme Management/Coordination
7. Manage the country portfolio of local Ethiopian civil society organisations with the Ethiopia team, soliciting and negotiating proposals from local organisations in line with priorities of the Country Strategy.
8. Ensure that projects and programmes are appraised, monitored and evaluated according to the procedures and partnership values of the agencies.
9. Ensure that the programmes and projects funded are of a high quality; that they lead to improvements in the lives of poor people in Ethiopia; and that learning from the work is disseminated within Ethiopia and beyond.
10. Ensure that the joint programme responds appropriately to identified needs for humanitarian support and that this humanitarian support is in line with the Country and Humanitarian Strategy. Work closely and effectively with CAFOD and Trócaire regional humanitarian teams in humanitarian preparedness and response.
Representation and relationship-building
Pro-active representation
1. Ensure that CAFOD/SCIAF/Trocaire have a high and positive profile within Ethiopia with Civil Society, bilateral and multilateral donors and Government; this includes forging pro-active relationships with key individuals within Irish Aid, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the European Commission and the World Bank.
2. Ensure that Trócaire/CAFOD/SCIAF is known for its collaboration and collegiality within the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and with our CARITAS and CIDSE sister agencies.
3. Pro-actively represent Trócaire & CAFOD & SCIAF in dealings with the Government of Ethiopia, and relevant line ministries at Federal and relevant Regional government level, ensuring that the key directions of the joint programme are regularly discussed and debated with key government personnel and existing relationships are maintained and developed.
Relationship-building
4. Ensure robust partnerships are founded on clear partnership principles and that CAFOD/SCIAF/ Trócaire become the donor partner of choice for civil society organisations in Ethiopia.
5. Ensure that the three agencies are kept informed of all relevant political, economic and social developments in Ethiopia through regular reporting (frequency set by the JAG), and undertake media and communications work as agreed with HQs or as initiated by the joint programme.
6. Ensure that the joint programme helps to build support with our home constituencies by providing stories, opportunities for visits, and other initiatives as well as responding positively to initiatives arising from other parts of the organisation.
Management and Administration
Personnel Management
1. Lead and motivate all staff in the joint programme, so that staff are competent, committed, and confident to implement their jobs to the standard required and within the parameters of the agreed strategy. This includes line managing four members of staff, as well as setting up and maintaining good working relationships with the Programme and Finance Manager at the office. It also includes organizing different team meetings for improving communication and information sharing and to lead on detailed team work-planning, overall annual planning, as well as occasional team building.
2. Model the team as outward-looking with strong relationships with the Ethiopian Catholic Church, the Government, other missionary groups and local and international civil society, so as to create opportunities for new collaboration and initiatives within the programme.
3. Manage the staff according to agreed management standards and the laws of the country, motivating and supporting staff, managing their performance and building capacities to exercise their responsibilities effectively.
4. Manage recruitment processes, inducting new staff, identifying training needs and ensuring implementation of training plans.
5. Ensure all staff with management roles are aware of their management responsibility, what it involves and receive mentoring and coaching to carry it out.
Administration
6. Lead on development, implementation and review of the human resources, financial, administrative and IT systems in the office.
7. Jointly, with the Programme and Finance Managers, prepare and manage programme and administrative budgets within the agreed procedures and practices of the three agencies and the JAG. Ensure timely reporting of expenditure against budget to Regional Offices, HQs and the JAG.
Security Management
8. Lead on the staff security and safety, ensuring all necessary policies and procedures are in place and followed.
9. Ensure security of assets: With support from the Finance manager, oversee and ensure maintenance of the office and support systems, including computer software and hardware, vehicles and other assets; procurement, bank accounts; payroll.
Person Specification – Essential (E)
(E) Qualifications:
- Masters degree in development, international relations or a relevant area.
(E) Experience:
- Substantial experience in programme management at a senior level preferably in a partnership context.
- Experience of managing large programme budgets.
- A proven track record in relationship management and networking at a senior level within the sector, including advocacy, influencing and policy work with Government, Donors and UN agencies.
- Considerable experience of leading development (and humanitarian) programmes at a senior level
- Extensive experience of managing diverse multi-sectoral teams and a field office in at least one country.
(E) Skills:
- Excellent communication and inter-personal skills and an ability to dialogue and negotiate whilst being sensitive to a broad range of people, organisations and opinions.
- Ability to think, lead, delegate, manage and communicate strategically
- Proven ability in strategic planning and capacity strengthening with staff, partners and other relevant organizations
- Ability to identify and get on top of key strategic issues relating to the development and humanitarian sector especially for a faith-based organization in a competitive international NGO context
- Proven ability to lead, manage, inspire and motivate staff to achieve their full potential and build teams that can collaborate effectively.
- Able to work effectively with colleagues at a distance and to manage competing demands
- Proven ability in budgeting and financial management and competence in human resource management.
- Good computer literacy and the ability to use word processing, spreadsheets and databases; and an appreciation of the uses and potential of IT/Internet as a management information and learning tool.
(E) Qualities
- Passionate about global justice, advocacy and gender equity and development issues.
- Sympathetic understanding of the culture of the Catholic Church.
(E) Other:
- Ability and willingness to travel, sometimes at short notice and potentially to insecure areas.
- Practical experience of security management and procedures.
- A commitment to the Mission, Vision and Values of the three agencies is essential for all staff.
Person Specification – Desirable (D)
- Experience of working/living in Ethiopia.
- Experience of managing humanitarian response
- Knowledge and awareness of institutional funding priorities, trends and conditions.
(D) Skills: - Amharic language skills would be an advantage.
(D) Other: - Clean driving license.
The three agencies working together in Ethiopia bring many benefits: reduced transaction costs for our partners; allowing our own administration to be more cost effective than having separate presence of the three agencies; it also allows us greater flexibility in responding to partners’ capacity needs. As three agencies together we can have more influence with partners, donors and government than speaking separately.
Background to the role: The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) is the official development and relief agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and part of the global Caritas network, a confederation of over 160 Catholic aid agencies. It grew from an initiative taken by Catholic women and was set up as a charity in 1962 by the Bishops of England and Wales, with the task of expressing the concerns of the Catholic community for the needs and problems of the developing world. CAFOD’s mission is to promote human development and social justice in witness to Christian faith and gospel values.
SCIAF is the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, the official aid and international development charity of the Catholic Church in Scotland. SCIAF works in over 20 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America, to help some of the poorest people in the world, regardless of religion, to work their way out of poverty.
Trócaire is the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland. It was set up by the Irish Catholic Bishops in 1973 to express the concern of the Irish Church for the suffering of the world’s poorest and most oppressed people. Trócaire envisages a just and peaceful world where people’s dignity is ensured and rights are respected; where basic needs are met and resources are shared equitably; where people have control over their own lives and those in power act for the common good.
CAFOD, SCIAF and Trócaire have been operating a joint programme in Ethiopia Office managed by a single office since 2000. The Country Representative manages the programme on behalf of the three agencies.
Reporting to: The Joint Agency Group (JAG) has governance and management responsibilities for the CAFOD/SCIAF/Trócaire joint Ethiopia programme. It oversees strategic direction and periodically reviews progress against agreed targets. Line management is provided by the Regional Manager of one of the agencies.
Managing: (Individuals/Team) All staff in the CAFOD/SCIAF/ joint programme in Ethiopia (currently a team of 19 staff). Direct line management responsibility for four staff (Programme Manager, Finance & Administration Manager, Co-financing Coordinator & Communications Officer).
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Contract Duration: 3 years
Grade and Scale: Country Representative Salary Scale of agency issuing contract.
Location of Position Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with frequent travel within the country and to the agencies Regional Offices in Nairobi (CAFOD and SCIAF) and Head Offices in Ireland, England & Scotland.
Scope of the Role:
To implement the country strategy and manage the human and financial resources of the three agencies in Ethiopia, ensuring that our programmes are of high quality and lead to improvements in the lives of poor people. To ensure a positive profile with donors and the government of Ethiopia. To ensure quality relationships which result in the joint programme being a donor partner of choice for civil society organisations. To mobilize additional resources from institutional donors for the joint programme and to contribute to policy, advocacy and media work of the three agencies.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
The role of the Country Representative involves balancing the needs and priorities of three agencies, in relation to a substantial programme of development and humanitarian work. The post-holder will be required to maintain a strategic relationship with the chair of the JAG, working together to facilitate the three agencies to steer a course for the joint programme, making clear recommendations to assist the three agencies to achieve consensus and negotiate around areas of difference.
The following main tasks and responsibilities can be distinguished: Strategy and Programme Leadership, Representation, and Management and Administration.
Strategy & Programme Leadership
Strategy and Programme Development
1. Lead on the development, implementation and review of the Ethiopia Country Strategy.
2. Lead the development and implementation of advocacy interventions, in accordance with the country strategy and the advocacy priorities of the three agencies.
3. Support the Ethiopia Co-financing Coordinator to ensure appropriate resource mobilisation, drawing on capacities available from the Head Offices and Regional Offices of the agencies as well as accessing and managing appropriate local capacities.
4. Complement and enrich fundraising strategies and seek additional funding for programmes in collaboration with HQ co-financing teams and within existing and/or planned capacity of the Ethiopia Team and partners.
5. Contribute to the strategic directions of the overall work of CAFOD, SCIAF and Trócaire, feeding into Regional and Africa-wide processes and policies of the respective agencies and providing ideas, initiatives and information for Development Education, Fundraising, Campaigning and Advocacy work.
6. Support the three agencies in continuously aligning their PCM systems, making sure the Ethiopia programme adapts overall a coherent and efficient M&E system at programme level, which supports learning and accountability.
Programme Management/Coordination
7. Manage the country portfolio of local Ethiopian civil society organisations with the Ethiopia team, soliciting and negotiating proposals from local organisations in line with priorities of the Country Strategy.
8. Ensure that projects and programmes are appraised, monitored and evaluated according to the procedures and partnership values of the agencies.
9. Ensure that the programmes and projects funded are of a high quality; that they lead to improvements in the lives of poor people in Ethiopia; and that learning from the work is disseminated within Ethiopia and beyond.
10. Ensure that the joint programme responds appropriately to identified needs for humanitarian support and that this humanitarian support is in line with the Country and Humanitarian Strategy. Work closely and effectively with CAFOD and Trócaire regional humanitarian teams in humanitarian preparedness and response.
Representation and relationship-building
Pro-active representation
1. Ensure that CAFOD/SCIAF/Trocaire have a high and positive profile within Ethiopia with Civil Society, bilateral and multilateral donors and Government; this includes forging pro-active relationships with key individuals within Irish Aid, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the European Commission and the World Bank.
2. Ensure that Trócaire/CAFOD/SCIAF is known for its collaboration and collegiality within the Catholic Church in Ethiopia and with our CARITAS and CIDSE sister agencies.
3. Pro-actively represent Trócaire & CAFOD & SCIAF in dealings with the Government of Ethiopia, and relevant line ministries at Federal and relevant Regional government level, ensuring that the key directions of the joint programme are regularly discussed and debated with key government personnel and existing relationships are maintained and developed.
Relationship-building
4. Ensure robust partnerships are founded on clear partnership principles and that CAFOD/SCIAF/ Trócaire become the donor partner of choice for civil society organisations in Ethiopia.
5. Ensure that the three agencies are kept informed of all relevant political, economic and social developments in Ethiopia through regular reporting (frequency set by the JAG), and undertake media and communications work as agreed with HQs or as initiated by the joint programme.
6. Ensure that the joint programme helps to build support with our home constituencies by providing stories, opportunities for visits, and other initiatives as well as responding positively to initiatives arising from other parts of the organisation.
Management and Administration
Personnel Management
1. Lead and motivate all staff in the joint programme, so that staff are competent, committed, and confident to implement their jobs to the standard required and within the parameters of the agreed strategy. This includes line managing four members of staff, as well as setting up and maintaining good working relationships with the Programme and Finance Manager at the office. It also includes organizing different team meetings for improving communication and information sharing and to lead on detailed team work-planning, overall annual planning, as well as occasional team building.
2. Model the team as outward-looking with strong relationships with the Ethiopian Catholic Church, the Government, other missionary groups and local and international civil society, so as to create opportunities for new collaboration and initiatives within the programme.
3. Manage the staff according to agreed management standards and the laws of the country, motivating and supporting staff, managing their performance and building capacities to exercise their responsibilities effectively.
4. Manage recruitment processes, inducting new staff, identifying training needs and ensuring implementation of training plans.
5. Ensure all staff with management roles are aware of their management responsibility, what it involves and receive mentoring and coaching to carry it out.
Administration
6. Lead on development, implementation and review of the human resources, financial, administrative and IT systems in the office.
7. Jointly, with the Programme and Finance Managers, prepare and manage programme and administrative budgets within the agreed procedures and practices of the three agencies and the JAG. Ensure timely reporting of expenditure against budget to Regional Offices, HQs and the JAG.
Security Management
8. Lead on the staff security and safety, ensuring all necessary policies and procedures are in place and followed.
9. Ensure security of assets: With support from the Finance manager, oversee and ensure maintenance of the office and support systems, including computer software and hardware, vehicles and other assets; procurement, bank accounts; payroll.
Person Specification – Essential (E)
(E) Qualifications:
- Masters degree in development, international relations or a relevant area.
(E) Experience:
- Substantial experience in programme management at a senior level preferably in a partnership context.
- Experience of managing large programme budgets.
- A proven track record in relationship management and networking at a senior level within the sector, including advocacy, influencing and policy work with Government, Donors and UN agencies.
- Considerable experience of leading development (and humanitarian) programmes at a senior level
- Extensive experience of managing diverse multi-sectoral teams and a field office in at least one country.
(E) Skills:
- Excellent communication and inter-personal skills and an ability to dialogue and negotiate whilst being sensitive to a broad range of people, organisations and opinions.
- Ability to think, lead, delegate, manage and communicate strategically
- Proven ability in strategic planning and capacity strengthening with staff, partners and other relevant organizations
- Ability to identify and get on top of key strategic issues relating to the development and humanitarian sector especially for a faith-based organization in a competitive international NGO context
- Proven ability to lead, manage, inspire and motivate staff to achieve their full potential and build teams that can collaborate effectively.
- Able to work effectively with colleagues at a distance and to manage competing demands
- Proven ability in budgeting and financial management and competence in human resource management.
- Good computer literacy and the ability to use word processing, spreadsheets and databases; and an appreciation of the uses and potential of IT/Internet as a management information and learning tool.
(E) Qualities
- Passionate about global justice, advocacy and gender equity and development issues.
- Sympathetic understanding of the culture of the Catholic Church.
(E) Other:
- Ability and willingness to travel, sometimes at short notice and potentially to insecure areas.
- Practical experience of security management and procedures.
- A commitment to the Mission, Vision and Values of the three agencies is essential for all staff.
Person Specification – Desirable (D)
- Experience of working/living in Ethiopia.
- Experience of managing humanitarian response
- Knowledge and awareness of institutional funding priorities, trends and conditions.
(D) Skills: - Amharic language skills would be an advantage.
(D) Other: - Clean driving license.
How to apply
To apply for this position please send completed application forms to Jason Rice, HR Officer, Trocaire, Maynooth, Co.Kildare or email jobs@trocaire.ie. Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 15th April 2011.
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