Handicap International is recruiting. A Tibet Program Manager. Based in Lhasa (TAR), China

Transcription

1 Handicap International is recruiting A Tibet Program Manager Based in Lhasa (TAR), China Please send CV and cover letter to jobs@handicap.be by Sunday December 2 nd (application deadline) Country China City/site Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) Department / project Tibet Program Number of employees FTE (full-time equivalent), including 4-5 expatriates Title of the position Tibet Program Manager N+1 HI China Operational Coordinator N+2 HI China Country Director Direct team management around 12 persons Indirect team management around 3 persons Budget responsibility Yes Contract 1 year with possibility to extend for a second year Basic salary TBC Other advantages Expected date of arrival March 2013 Duration of the mission 1 year with a 6-month probationary period and the possibility of renewal for a second year International travel Yes Travel between sites Yes Possibility of a couple Yes (but no possibilities to get a job for the accompanying person) Possibility of children Yes (but no access to an international school which makes schooling difficult; no local initiative for foreign children schooling) Specifics High altitude (3600 m); Weather conditions difficult, cold in winter; Accommodation in a hotel; Social isolation, rare entertainment and difficulty travelling out of the city (permits required); Tense political situation; Very few other expatriates living in the area Context The Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) remains one of the least developed areas in China. Given the natural and socio-economic level of the region, the situation of disabled persons in general and children in particular remains precarious. Very few services or specialized facilities for people with disabilities are available in the field of rehabilitation and the needs remain tremendous in terms of detection and diagnosis, special care, physical rehabilitation, technical aids, integrated education, vocational training, information, counseling, awareness and social integration. Description of the programme and the projects The recent "Second China national sample survey on disability" estimates that more than 75 percent of people with disabilities in the country are living in rural areas where they often represent the most vulnerable group with difficult access to basic health care, rehabilitation and education. Although the Government has set up very concrete and ambitious objectives for the coming years to improve the situation, measures taken by the China Disabled Persons Federation and its branches at provincial level do not reach yet people living in rural areas. In these areas, the level of knowledge of the local authorities and the general public on disability is still extremely limited and disability 1

2 management skills are almost inexistent. In this context, Handicap International has initiated disability programs in 5 provinces/regions of the country (Guangxi, Tibet, Qinghai, Yunnan and Sichuan). Handicap International has been operating in the TAR since 2001, in cooperation with its partner, the Tibet Disabled Persons Federation (TDPF) and its branches at prefecture levels. 7 different projects have been implemented since then: - Support in the set up and management of orthopedic workshops in Lhasa and Chamdo cities, provision of on-site orthopedic services in Shigatse prefecture, and delivering physiotherapy services at the 3 centers; - Community-based rehabilitation and inclusive development for persons with disabilities in Lhasa Urban District, 2 rural counties of Lhasa municipality, namely Medrogongka and Qushui; Shigatse and Chamdo; - Support to the set up and capacity building of the Disabled Persons Associations (Deaf, Blind and Physical). - Delivery of Vocational Training, internships and job placements of PWD from TAR. This project has been extended with a livelihood project (employment and grants for PWD). - Inclusive Education for children with disabilities in mainstream schools and kindergartens in Lhasa and Shigatse prefectures; - Social Protection and Security for persons with disabilities in health, education and employment in TAR; - Mother and Child Health prevention project in Lhasa (end on Dec 2010). For 2013, the 6 first projects will continue being implemented, for most the project will be in the third year of their project cycle (and possibly last year). Some work (currently Social Protection until mid 2014; Livelihoods until May 2014; and DPO until 2015) will continue into 2014 and a new strategic plan is currently under development (to be finalised May 2013). History, context and evolution of the job The Tibet program has continuously grown over the last 10 years. Given the size that the program has (6 projects, 9 different donors, large local and expatriate team) and the lack of local management competencies, the position has to be filled by an expatriate staff. It is likely that the program will not grow in coming years but from 2014 possibly be reducing down. Managing change therefore will be an important aspect of the job. Interaction with HI headquarters The field teams work in close collaboration with their desk, based in Brussels. Run by a head office Desk Officer (who is also the Programme Director s line manager), the Brussels office represents different technical or management competencies (finance, logistics, human resources, institutional funding and methods, techniques & quality ). The desk follows-up on the field s activities and gives advice or instructions, according to the subject and its importance. The desk in turn reports to the HIF Development Department (DAD) based in Lyon and they also have technical support staff available to support the field teams. The Tibet Program Manager (TPM), along with the overall Operational Coordinator for China, as the Country Director (CD), encourages interaction of her teams with the desk at head office, with particular attention to follow-up and evaluation by the head office as well as monitoring of risks and hazards. The TPM also ensures that the recommendations made by the desk officers are implemented. Responsibilities The Country Director is the official spokesperson of the HIF in China; the Tibet program manager represents Handicap International (HI) in the Tibet Autonomous Region. In general, the Tibet Program Manager has an overall vision of the projects in his/her remit and ensures the correct implementation and attainment of the programmes objectives and activities. S/he ensures that the project teams are effective in their operational delivery. S/he is a member of China s management team, which is comprised of the CD, the Operational Coordinator, the Tibet Program Manager, the Finance Manager, the Communications & Fundraising Manager and the Technical 2

3 Coordinator. S/he is the direct line manager of the project managers and advisors working in Tibet. S/he is in charge of all the following aspects: Programming and conception (identification, formulation) - Monitor the relationship as defined with the partners in the renewed Memorandum of Understanding May May 2014 (and start negotiations for the new MOU in late 2013 as it can take 6-12 months to finalise the whole process!) - Liaise with Government departments, international and local NGOs and any other relevant stakeholders in Tibet in order to keep an updated view of the context, needs and existing activities in the HI current or potential fields of actions. - Coordinate the exploratory missions and any other arrangements to implement the extension of the projects. - In constant liaison with the CO, pilot and coordinate the identification and formulation of new projects that do fit in the overall country strategy. (And input into any review or modifications required to the development of the new country strategy as necessary) Implementation and supervision The Program manager is responsible to ensure the quality and overall strategy of the projects through coordinated support and monitoring: - Coordinate and supervise the project managers and local partners in the 1. Implementation of the projects - provides them and technical advisors with support and information. 2. Monitoring of progress of activities in each project according to the budgets, logical framework, monthly and quarterly work plans. 3. Facilitating any external monitoring and evaluation missions. - Assist the project managers and the partners staff in the review and development of the monthly and annual work plans. - In consultation with the operations coordinator and the country director, develop and implement changes in the program s structure, objectives and major activities, which may contribute to the general running and development of the projects. - Ensure effective coordination and consolidation of the different projects. - Involve closely the partners in the management and running of the activities, position HI s role in a supportive perspective and not in the direct implementation of the care for beneficiaries. - Identify with the team, organize and animate the cross-cutting activities of the 6 projects within the Tibet mission and ensure that this is linked, where appropriate with cross-cutting activities in other parts of the China program (in coordination with the OC and technical coordinator) - Provide a regular technical report to the desk and to the MTQ sector, in collaboration with the CD, Operational Coordinator and Technical Coordinator Fundraising - In coordination with the operations coordinator and the country director, represent HI with donors organizations, for purposes of coordination and fundraising. - In coordination with the country director and operations coordinator, identify new funding opportunities and elaborate project proposals. - Write, with the support of local project managers and advisors, the requested donor s project reports. Representation, meetings, communication - Represent HI in the TAR. - Liaise with local partners, local authorities, public bodies, NGOs and foreign agencies; - Take care of external visitors and delegations. - Provide briefings and information about activities to local authorities and partner organizations, such as foreign affairs department, TDPF - Participate in the different meetings that are linked with the different projects, or delegate project managers, and/or advisors. 3

4 - Develop links with other stakeholders active in Tibet. - Organize weekly program coordination meetings, including cross-cutting meetings. - Ensure HI Tibet internal communication flows and also good communication flows with the rest of the China program and the TAR program, including regular participation in Operational meetings. - Ensure the staff external professional communication are political correct and non-religious oriented. - Assist COM manager and CD in Beijing to develop useful external communication / awareness raising kits to increase HI and project profile Finance, logistics, HR - Build-up the capacity, manage and supervise HI Tibet team, including international and local staff; - Assist the project managers, advisors and partners staff in managing the human, material and financial resources of the projects - Supervise the financial officer in the budget forecast and budget follow-up - Assist the financial officer, project managers, advisors and partners staff in preparing financial reports and proposals - Supervise the financial officer, project managers and partners staff in preparation of annual budgets and monthly and quarterly budget-follow-ups. - Evaluate the project managers, financial officer, administrative assistant, program assistant and expatriate technical advisors. - Work with the human resources department in Brussels and HR manager in Beijing in looking for new expatriate positions (project managers or technical advisors). - Work with the HR Manager in Beijing and the project managers in recruitment and selection process of key local staff and consultants - Oversee, recommend, sanction or dismiss key project staff based in Tibet - Oversee the purchase of new equipment with the support of the Beijing office and ensure proper inventory and procurement processes are followed and properly documented. - Always put efforts with assistance of HR manager and OC to explore the national technical/experts resources to support project development Reporting, miscellaneous - Prepare donor reports and plans of activities on regular basis. - Prepare mission reports and plans. - Supervise briefing papers for each project with the project managers/advisors. - Supervise drafting of components of the annual reports and other reports, particularly donor reports relating to the TAR projects. - Prepare ad hoc monitoring reports and any other special reports on different aspects of the projects. - Supervise proper filing and documentation of projects by project managers. - Design and prepare evaluation visits. Planning, strategy, general management of the mission Besides his/her duties specifically related to the operations, the program coordinator will participate to the general decision making process of HI China, in close coordination with the country director and the Operational Coordinator, the Finance (& logistics), HR and Communications, and Technical Coordinator team in Beijing, as they are a member of the country s senior management team. Security management The Country Director has overall responsibility for security management within the programme. S/he may delegate certain practical aspects or the follow-up of security policy to the Tibet Program Manager and the Operations Coordinator particularly in relation to managing the security in TAR. To contribute to the revision and updating of the «security guidelines» Ensure that each member of the team is aware of these guidelines Ensure the security measures are applied and adhered to Refer all questions relating to security to the Country Director 4

5 In accordance with the HIF s documents, assist in the setting up of rules and procedures for the running of the programme Knowledge Management Knowledge Management is a process of enhancing knowledge and practices allowing the organisation to respond to its mandate in the most pertinent and efficient way. The Tibet Program Manager will ensure that the learning/knowledge management process is in place for each project developed. This includes: Identification of priority subjects for knowledge management Definition of a structural and organisational framework of reports /process Organisation and centralisation of key documentation relating to projects Drawing up end of mission reports S/he will ensure that process is systematically carried out for each project developed. S/he will also look to facilitate the exchange learning and recommendations with other teams and projects across the HI China program. Advice and support can and should be gathered from the advisors and particularly the Technical Coordinator. Travel Limited international travel anticipated. Regular travel within Tibet and between Tibet and Beijing. Profile required for the job Handicap International welcomes applications from people with disability. Knowledge - Degree(s), diploma(s): any relevant university degree (e.g. MA, MPH) - Language(s) English (French is an advantage as many of the donors are French speaking as are HQ staff); Knowledge of Chinese and/or Tibetan languages a strong advantage Skills - Proven previous experience (3-5 years) managing a large, complex program, including planning, monitoring and evaluation, personnel management and budgeting/accounts - Strong financial management skills - Excellent organizational skills and ability to deal with a heavy workload - Management qualifications - Excellent language skills (English), written and spoken - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - Proven computer skills - Flexibility and ability to work in a changing and challenging environment - Good diplomacy skills, patience and negotiating skills required - Able to cope with stressful situations - Be able to motivate staff, including coaching local project managers and promote teamwork during a period of organizational change - Handicap International experience is an asset - Knowledge of Tibetan culture and local political context are a strong asset Personal qualities - Capacity to adapt to different cultural contexts, respectful and open-minded - Psychologically strong, able to cope with difficult social and political environment and harsh natural conditions - Patient - Mature - Ability to work in autonomy, with limited guidance - Well organized, efficient and able to work under pressure - Motivation for the development sector - Adheres to Handicap International s vision. 5