Job Title:                          Consortium Coordinator

Reports to:                       Country Director

Terms:                               Fixed Term (12 months), Full time, Unaccompanied

Location:                          N’Djamena (approx 30% travel to programme locations)

Salary:                               Grade GB6 (€45,457- €50,509)

Requirements:                Frequent travel to Concern’s areas of operation: Sila, Wadi Fira and Ouaddai Provinces (30%)

About Concern:               Established in 1968, Concern is a non-profit, non-governmental humanitarian organisation, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern’s vision, our mission and our work are all defined by one goal – ending extreme poverty, whatever it takes. Concern strives for a world free from poverty, fear and oppression.

Our culture is values driven and we believe that our people are central to all that we do and are key to delivering on our goal of Reaching the Furthest Behind First. We are committed to ensuring a workplace where everybody feels valued and are enabled to succeed in their work and contribute to delivering on our mission.

As one of the leading INGOs in the country since 2007, we are working hard to combat suffering and build resilience in Chad. We are doing this by expanding our humanitarian response to reach the most vulnerable communities and establishing programmes, which improve livelihoods and food security, build economic resilience, reduce conflict, promote gender equality and encourage peaceful cohabitation.

Role Purpose:  

Concern Worldwide is the lead agency in a Triple Nexus consortium comprising three international NGOs and three national NGOs implementing integrated interventions in the fields of humanitarian aid, development and peacebuilding in eastern Chad. The programme Economic and Social Resilience of Eastern Populations in the Face of Conflict and Climate Change in Chad (RESPECCT) is being implemented from 2023 to January 2028 with funding from the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The programme’s objective is to strengthen, in the short, medium and long term, the resilience of communities affected by forced displacement, climate-related hazards and community conflicts in eastern Chad.

This role requires a dynamic individual who has demonstrated the ability to deliver results in a demanding and constantly changing environment, as well as solid experience in managing integrated programmes and working in partnership.

The Consortium Coordinator will lead and manage the Consortium Coordination Unit (CCU) and will be responsible for the overall supervision of the RESPECCT programme. In this role, he or she will ensure the effective management and implementation of the programme, through the supervision of grant management, risk management and financial resources, reporting and relations with funders, as well as the implementation of learning, knowledge transfer and communication plans.

The job holder will also represent the programme externally to high-level stakeholders, coordinate and maintain effective working relationships with consortium members and government authorities, whilst ensuring compliance with Concern Worldwide’s policies and procedures as well as donor requirements. Finally, he or she will be responsible for strengthening coordination with other actors operating in the target areas, as well as with other programmes implemented by Concern Worldwide in Chad.

Responsibilities:

The job holder will report to the Country Director of Concern Worldwide and will have direct line management responsibility for the Consortium’s Finance Manager and the Consortium’s MEAL Manager, both of whom are assigned to the RESPECCT programme. He/she will work closely with the Programme Director, the Operations Director, the Country Financial Controller (CFC), the Area Coordinators, as well as with technical advisers and relevant departments at Concern Worldwide’s head office, to ensure the quality, consistency and compliance of programme implementation. Whilst reporting to Concern Worldwide’s management structure, the post holder will carry out their duties with an appropriate level of autonomy. He/she will ensure that working relationships based on partnership are maintained with all members of the consortium and will provide technical supervision to the six member organisations of the consortium.

We would like you to start as soon as possible.

Strategic management and coordination of the consortium:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the programme, in line with the strategic priorities of the consortium and the donors, as well as the programme’s design and objectives.
• Support consortium members in the planning and implementation of activities, by providing technical assistance and contributing to the terms of reference (ToRs) for activities and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure, in coordination with the Consortium’s MEAL and Finance Manager, that effective systems are in place to support the monitoring of results and expenditure.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with consortium members by maintaining regular communication, negotiating the scope of work, monitoring compliance with programme work plans, agreeing on any revisions to programme work, and addressing any issues that may arise.
• Effectively manage coordination with stakeholders working in the same sector/programme and with local authorities.
• Represent the consortium at public events/activities and relevant coordination forums, and report on key decisions and outcomes to the relevant consortium groups.
• Maintain communication with donors (AFD/EU/SDC) regarding programme implementation and the challenges encountered.
• Facilitate regular consortium meetings (monthly operational monitoring committees, quarterly reviews, annual review and planning workshops) to monitor progress, ensure joint planning and set action points. Continuously improve the format of these meetings by incorporating feedback from the various partners.
• Promote the harmonisation of approaches and methodologies amongst consortium members, encouraging synergies and complementarity of interventions where relevant.

Learning, communication and fundraising:

• In collaboration with Concern’s Communications Manager and the Consortium’s MEAL Manager, ensure the implementation of RESPECCT’s communication and learning strategies.
• Lead the development and dissemination of communication briefings, success stories, factsheets and learning notes on the programme to support knowledge-sharing and inform national programming. This will help generate best practices and approaches that can be replicated and scaled up in Chad, across the region and in other countries where Concern operates.
• In collaboration with the MEAL Manager, oversee internal and external evaluations as well as studies and research aimed at measuring and documenting the programme’s impact, and analyse best practices, specific themes and the approaches implemented.
• Contribute to resource mobilisation efforts and the development of new funding opportunities for RESPECCT, including identifying funding opportunities and drafting proposals with consortium partners.

Grant management, finance and logistics:

• Ensure compliance with donors’ rules and regulations, particularly in relation to financial management, contractual matters and compliance.
• Ensure that contractual obligations relating to the programme’s expected outcomes are met.
• Consolidate the narrative reports from consortium members into a single report and coordinate the submission of reports to donors.
• Ensure the timely production and submission of financial reports and audits, in accordance with donors’ requirements.
• Oversee and monitor programme risks overall (including financial, logistical and support systems, as well as security and safeguarding issues) and escalate any issues in a timely manner to the Country Director at Concern Worldwide.
• Ensure that the procurement of goods and services is carried out efficiently, transparently and on time, in accordance with the work plan and donors’ guidelines.
• Coordinate the updating of procurement plans by all partners, in accordance with the formats required by donors.
• Ensure that procurement processes comply with donors’ rules, by coordinating the submission of partners’ tender documents to donors for approval where required.
• Participate in Concern Worldwide’s logistics processes as required.

Human Resources, training and capacity building:

• Play an active role in the recruitment and induction of staff involved in the programme.
• Plan, in collaboration with line managers and senior management, the necessary induction and information sessions for new programme staff.
• Manage staff under the direct responsibility of the CCU to create an environment conducive to the effective implementation of programme activities.
• Ensure that Concern’s human resources policy and procedures (security, finance, logbook) are adhered to, particularly regarding Concern’s code of conduct and associated policies.
• Contribute to the overall design of a capacity-building plan for Concern staff involved in the programme, as well as for staff from other consortium members.

Accountability:

• Support the implementation of core humanitarian standards across all programmes and with partners (promoting accountability and ensuring compliance with core humanitarian standards).
• Actively promote meaningful community participation and consultation at all stages of the project cycle (planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation).
• Collaborate with relevant colleagues to ensure that the feedback, complaints and response mechanism (FCRM) is operational and accessible, and that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed.
• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure that information on the FCRM, safeguards and expected staff behaviour is disseminated amongst programme participants and communities.

For managers:

• All managers are responsible for upholding and promoting Concern’s values, demonstrating leadership on workplace equality, diversity and inclusion, and role modelling a positive safeguarding ethos.
• All managers are required to actively participate in any emergency response as and when required.

Role Holder Requirements:

Essential:

• Appropriate qualification at Master’s degree level, such as public management, development, administration or a relevant social science.
• Proven experience in managing or coordinating large grants (>€15m), preferably in relation to complex and multisectoral programme and/or implemented through a consortium model of working.
• Proven experience in the management and coordination of humanitarian or development programmes
• Proven experience of working in an emergency setting or in a complex emergency. Preferably in sub-Saharan Africa and/or the Sahel.
• Experience of working with major international donors, particularly AFD, EU and SDC.
• Proven experience of working within coordination mechanisms with multiple stakeholders, preferably within a consortium structure.
• Excellent communication skills (written and spoken) in French and working capacity in English.
• Significant experience in external representation with institutional donors and government.
• Excellent diplomacy and representation skills.
• Significance knowledge of project management and monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEAL).
• Good knowledge of administrative, financial and logistic procedures in the framework of complex programming.
• Strong experience of financial management and donor compliance processes.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with senior representatives of donor, INGO and Government structures and to represent the consortium at national or international level fora.
• Experience of working under stress and according to tight deadlines
• An understanding of accountability as applied in the context of humanitarian and development programmes.

Desirable:

• Expertise in the field of climate change in the Sahelian context, and knowledge of small business development and/or access to microcredit, loans and savings, are considered an asset.

• Experience in the field of research and/or communications.
• Previous experience of working in Chad.

Competencies:               

For GB2 – 6 Roles:

Identify the 3-4 priority competencies required to be effective and successful in the role.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate abilities in the following priority competency areas (highlight 3-4 competencies in bold as appropriate):

We encourage all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, ethnicity or origin, disability, political beliefs, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status to apply to become a part of the organisation. Concern is against all forms of discrimination and unequal power relations and is committed to promoting equality. 

To apply:  CVs should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by the closing date.

Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be shortlisted on a regular basis and we may offer posts before the closing date. 

If you have any concerns about our recruitment process and need particular assistance - for example if you have a visual impairment or are neurodivergent - please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you. 

Important information:

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct with three Associated Policies: The Programme Participant Protection Policy, the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy accessible here. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisations, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in their work, in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Consequently, working or volunteering with Concern may be subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking. 

During this job application, you will provide Concern with your personal data. Concern takes its responsibilities towards this personal data very seriously and is committed to complying with all relevant data protection legislation. 

Concern has an organizational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy accessible here. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organization, and the standards of behavior expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking. 

Your Personal Data 

During this job application, you will provide Concern with your personal data. Concern takes its responsibilities towards this personal data very seriously and is committed to complying with all relevant data protection legislation. 

For additional information please consult our web site or contact the Human Resource Division in our Head Office. 

You have certain rights under data protection legislation. For more information on how to exercise those rights please visit www.concern.net/about/privacy 

Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.