Project Support Officer

Play an important role in overseeing the running of a Medair base. On a day-to-day basis the Project Support Officer is involved in a wide variety of activities involving coordination, logistics, hospitality, security, finance and staff supervision. This provides valuable support to the programme staff, enabling them to focus on their core activities.

Medair

Medair is a humanitarian organisation inspired by Christian faith to relieve human suffering in some of the world’s most remote and devastated places. We bring relief and recovery to people in crisis, regardless of race, creed or nationality. As signatories of the Red Cross Code of Conduct, we believe that aid should be given to everyone who is in need, regardless of political, social or religious viewpoint. We save lives in emergencies and then stay to help people recover from crisis with dignity—working side by side with communities to leave a lasting impact. We provide a range of emergency relief and recovery services: health care and nutrition; safe water, sanitation, and hygiene; shelter and infrastructure.

Project Overview

In 2013 Medair launched a new WASH project, which should last for 42 months in Maroantsetra and Mananara District. Medair is facilitating the emergence of a private public partnership to help sustain the development of local structures and appropriate innovative technologies for a real improvement in hygiene and access to clean water and sanitation. This WASH project will serve over 128 000 beneficiaries within 9 districts providing over 650 water points and 700 latrines. The Mananara base is the latest base opened by Medair in May 2014.

Workplace         

Mananara, Madagascar. Take a look at Medair’s work in Madagascar.

Starting Date

November 2015

Initial Contract Details

Full time, Minimum contract 18 months

Key Activity Areas

Base Management

• Oversee the day-to-day base support functions including, but not limited to:
• Managing the daily functionality of the base, ensuring utilities, food and other supplies are available, that security routines are monitored and maintained and that all other requirements are in place. Coordinating the routine maintenance of base infrastructure and equipment.
• Liaising with external contacts, such as landlords, utility companies, local tradesmen and contractors, service providers, etc, ensuring services are delivered on time, on budget and to an acceptable standard.
• Supervising daily staff movements by taking into account staff and fleet availability and programme requirements, and by ensuring the most efficient use of Medair resources.
• Welcoming and briefing new Medair staff and visitors to the base.
• Monitor base expenditure, ensuring the correct financial procedures for the base and the project are followed and that all payments are in line with base budgets.
• Coordinate with the different sectors in order to make sure the necessary funds will be available on time.
• Coordinate with relevant authorities and other NGOs, as applicable.

Administration

• Draw up, manage and periodically review contracts between Medair and external suppliers, ensuring they remain valid and relevant and that the terms and conditions are followed.
• Ensure a clear and transparent paper trail is in place for all transactions, that records are kept in an orderly and timely fashion and that the filing (archive) system is in line with Medair and donor requirements.

Communication

• Develop and maintain a transparent, honest and supportive communication structure with line manager (from distance) and other colleagues and to ensure they are kept informed of base-related activities and requirements.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with suppliers, local authorities, other NGOs.

Staff Management

• Manage and oversee the assigned programme support staff including recruitment, day-to-day management, development and training, appraisal, etc.
• On occasions work with casual labour (including hiring, co-ordinating workload and payment) to achieve specific, time-bound tasks.

Qualifications

• University degree in relevant subject or equivalent professional / technical qualification

Languages

• Working knowledge of French (spoken and written)
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written)

Experience / Competencies

• Relevant professional experience in an administrative position
• Problem solving ability; strong administrative skills; good numerical and report writing skills
• Attention to detail; able to oversee multiple tasks, prioritising and delegating as required
• Enthusiastic with a ‘can-do’ attitude; able to build trust and enforce procedures
• Able to develop and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Capacity to work under pressure and manage personal stress levels
• Team-player with good communication and inter-personal skills
• Able to cope with basic living conditions, especially with isolation

Medair Standard Working Requirements for the Field

• Experienced professionals in a relevant field; Overseas intercultural experience
• Committed Christians; commitment to the Medair values
• Strong working knowledge of English, spoken and written
• Working knowledge of French, spoken and written, for French-speaking field programmes
• Single or married (with no children under 18). If married, your spouse must also apply.
• Successful completion of Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC)
• Reflect the vision and values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, external contacts
• Able to live and work in a multicultural team under difficult conditions
• Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, ability to handle stress, cultural and gender sensitivity, honesty, and physically fit

Benefits

• A salary based upon the grade of the position and the experience of the position-holder
• Comprehensive briefing at our Swiss headquarters, as well as an in-country briefing
• Security training for those going to particularly insecure environments
• Accommodation, food, and transportation in-country
• Return flights to and from the country programme (one return flight for every year of service)
• Rest and recuperation (R&R) leave (including travel, accommodation, and food allowance)
• Annual leave; Death and disability allowance
• Contribution matching programme for retirement savings (for experienced relief workers)
• Additional contract benefit allowance for those who commit to longer contracts
• Comprehensive medical and emergency rescue insurance, with up to 60 days post- assignment coverage, including debriefing

Working Conditions  

• This is a field-based position and working and living conditions may be very different to that previously experienced.

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