ABOUT BSF

Founded in 2007 by the French historian Patrick Weil, Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (Libraries Without Borders) is an NGO that empowers vulnerable populations by sharing culture, education and information. It implements inclusive and innovative projects in 30+ countries, enabling people affected by crises and precarity to educate themselves, dream and (re)build their lives. Thanks to its innovative tools, library of contents and expertise in mediation, BSF and its partners tackle the major challenges of the 21st century such as education, culture, citizenship, community building, health, employment or entrepreneurship.

At BSF, decisions are only based on the applicant’s skills and qualities regarding its needs of recruitment within a respectful and inclusive process. BSF hires and employs individuals regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, cultural or ethnic background, or disability.

MOLDOVA & POLAND PROGRAMS

The Russian invasion of Ukraine led to massive population displacements within the country and in neighboring countries. The issues of protection, orientation, information, and psychosocial support for displaced populations – mainly women and children – are a priority alongside primary needs.

Since March 2022, the Bibliothèques Sans Frontières network in Europe – BSF France, BSF Belgium, BSF Italy and BSF Switzerland – has been mobilized to deploy emergency, reception and integration solutions for Ukrainian refugees in countries bordering Ukraine and since September, in Ukraine.

BSF created Ideas Box Hubs for emergency information, protection and psychosocial support in partnership with local, international, and public organizations. The Ideas Box allowed to quickly deploy safe spaces for children that include psychosocial, educational, cultural and recreational activities. In each Ideas Box, books in Ukrainian, games and applications were selected, as well as digital resources (educational, information, cultural, entertainment videos, websites, applications, etc.) via the offline server.

As part of this response, since early 2022 BSF has deployed several equipment through its local partners in Moldova, Poland and Ukraine (Ideas Boxes, Ideas Cube kits) and conducted multiple trainings. Besides, in Moldova BSF is implementing a project to strengthen socioeconomic resilience and disaster preparedness of local populations. It is currently working at expanding its intervention in Moldova and Poland with a focus on education and protection.

Moldova BSF is looking for a Country Representative covering Moldova and Poland (based in Chisinau,) to support the development of the organization in both countries, and to oversee the implementation of ongoing and new programs.

POSITION IN THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

Under the authority of the Europe Manager (Desk International based at HQ in France), the Country Representative is responsible for the development of BSF’s activities in Moldova and Poland. He/she establishes local partnerships and supervises the implementation of operations in both countries.

MISSIONS

1. Context and stakeholders’ analysis and prospecting

• Analyzes the context, issues, and needs in relation to BSF’s mandate and global strategy; analyzes the humanitarian response and public educational and social policies in the region and map the actors involved;
• Prioritizes contacts with stakeholders: public authorities, companies, foundations, and potential donors for BSF, and respond to incoming requests.

2. Represents BSF in Moldova and Poland

• Is BSF’s legal representative in Moldova with relevant administrative implications. And possibly Poland in the event of registration (BSF is currently represented by a consultant in Poland);
• Coordinates with local and national authorities to secure humanitarian access and build acceptance;
• Represents BSF in relevant coordination spaces and clusters with local authorities, other NGOs and relevant actors;
• Contributes actively to BSF’s reach in Moldova and Poland with regards to local and international actors.

3. Designing of the development strategy, fundraising and partnership follow-up

• Drafts, develops and/or validates thematic, geographic, and partnership intervention strategies consistent with the organization’s mandate, vision, and financial capacities, in consultation with the Operations Department and General Management;
• Builds relationships with potential financial and operational partners to strengthen existing relations and further develop BSF’s strategy and programs for scale-up and future funding;
• Identifies funding opportunities;
• Oversees or develops the response to calls for proposals from donors with the support of the program teams;
• Develops BSF’s network in Moldova and Poland, building links with organizations and institutions and bringing together prominent personalities, friends and supporters of the NGO.

4. Operations management

• Guarantees the quality of operations in the country of intervention;
• Ensures sound budgetary management of projects implemented;
• Ensures budget planning and monitoring of the budget;
• Ensures the feedback and dissemination of information on operations to headquarters and vice versa from headquarters to the field;
• Participates in cross-functional projects led by the Operations Department, aiming to reinforce and model the expected quality standards according to the needs identified.
• Validates reports from financial partners;
• Informs desk at HQ through regular updates and request approvals from HQ whenever necessary;
• Actively contributes to the strengthening of procedures/processes both for programs and in conjunction with other departments (logistics, finance, etc.) in order to comply with donor requirements and ensure compliance with this regulatory and contractual framework in operations;
• Supports the updating of compliance and accountability procedures and ensure that these procedures are respected;
• Ensures compliance with local regulations including regular reports to authorities, compliance with tax and labor laws as well as any other regulations applying to NGOs.
• Carries out diagnostic and monitoring missions in the country, as needed.

5. Structuring the BSF Moldova/Poland office

• Ensures, with the support of HQ, the development and implementation of internal procedures and the optimal functioning of the offices: sets up the HR, administrative, security, logistical and financial procedures of the mission.

6. Security management

• Oversees risk analysis and monitoring of the security environment in Moldova and Poland;
• Oversees the development, review and implementation of mission security plans in coordination with the Europe manager, Director of Logistics & Security, and the Deputy Director of International Operations;
• Is responsible for the implementation of all security management framework-related tools in Moldova and Poland;
• Participates in the crisis management team in the event of a security incident;
• Briefs new staff on security context of the country and the mission.

7. Management (5 staff in Moldova ; 1 consultant in Poland)

• Manages the coordinators and other staff in Moldova and Poland;
• Recruits, onboards, trains and supervises new staff;
• Ensures the respect of local labor laws and support the elaboration of HR policies for national staff (including but not limited to salary scale and contract templates).

PROFILE

Education and experience:

• You have a higher education degree and significant professional experience in an international position involving high-level representation to international networks, institutional donors and private funders. You have a good understanding of the humanitarian environment, and of international cooperation.
• Endowed with great leadership, you have a proven ability to raise funds, drive change, and build support around innovative projects. Recognized for your skills in organizational, transformation and internal structuring, you have experience in mobilizing human, financial, logistical and technical resources.
• Agile and with a great workload capacity, you master English at a professional level as well as the office pack and digital tools. Your relational, communication and writing skills are recognized, as well as your team spirit and good humor. You have a great sense of responsibility, are reliable and rigorous with an ability to organize and manage stress and priorities.

Specific Skills and Qualifications:

• Excellent writing and synthesis skills
• In-depth knowledge of public / international institutions, the private sector and institutional donors, their financing mechanisms
• Mastery the project cycle
• Administrative and financial management/monitoring of projects and contract management
• Ability to work in sensitive and complex political and security contexts and in a multicultural environment
• Excellent listening, negotiation and communication skills
• Respect for BSF’s values and principles
• Mobility in the field is essential
• Fluency in English. Romanian is an asset.

CONDITIONS OF THE POSITION

• Eligibilty criteria: This position is opened for both expatriates and national (Moldovan) candidates
• Type of contract: Expatriate fixed-term contract under french law (Contrat à Durée Déterminée d’Usage) / or National fixed term employment contract under Moldovan law for the candidates with Moldovan nationality.
• Duration of the contract: 10 months (until 31.03.2025)
• Starting date : ASAP
• Remuneration: According to BSF expatriate salary scale and experience.
• Workplace: Chisinau with frequent travel within Moldova and to Poland