INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Programme Strengthening Coordinator

Code: SR-35-9603

Duty station: Home-based, with possible field visit to Yemen

Starting date: 01/11/2024

Contract duration: 4 months

Reporting to: Deputy Regional Director – ME

Supervision of: Functional supervision of the Deputy Head of Programmes

Type of duty station: Non-family duty station

General context of the project

INTERSOS is an international humanitarian organisation, which operates on the front line in contexts of war, violence, extreme poverty, natural or man-made disasters, protecting the most vulnerable people and providing medical care, basic necessities, and offering emergency shelter.

In the Middle East, INTERSOS implements its humanitarian programmes in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Yemen across Protection, Health, Education, WASH and Shelter Sectors.

Yemen remains on of the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and aid operations. Over 9 years of war and armed conflict killed and injured tens of thousands of civilians, causing immense suffering for the Yemeni people. The economy and the currency continued to collapse as foreign reserves were depleted and the government was unable to subsidize food and other commodities for which Yemen is 90% import-reliant. As a result, millions more people cannot afford to meet their basic needs. A fuel crisis in the North, part of a dispute over the use of revenues, led to chronic fuel shortages and price hikes. Government capacity to regularly pay salaries and pensions to public employees has been hindered and public services have been degraded. Yemen is also vulnerable to natural hazards. Heavy rains and flooding regularly devastate communities, causing deaths and injuries, again destroying infrastructure and livelihoods, and increasing diseases spread and displacement. The impact of the drivers of the crisis is most visible in the growing risk of famine and acute severe malnutrition, disease outbreaks, conflict casualties, forced displacement (4 million IDPs) and reversal of past development gains. In addition, the conduct of the parties to the conflict has had a profound impact on the aid operation – particularly humanitarian access, aid delivery and independent data collection/assessments.

INTERSOS works in Yemen since 2008, originally focusd on protection programming for Somali refugees. Gradually, INTERSOS evolved with a raising scope in terms of population target groups, geographical span and sectors. INTERSOS works today in Sana’a, Aden, Shabwa, Taiz, Ibb, Hajja, and Lahj; INTERSOS is implementing multi-sector and integrated programming, with its main sectors being Protection, integrated Health-Nutrition, Livelihoods, and WASH.

General purpose of the position

The overall scope of the consultancy is to support the Middle East Regional Office and Yemen Mission in the achievement of 2 main objectives:

Strengthen the program department in Yemen through on the job training and dedicated mentoring sessions

Support the development of the Yemen country programme

Support the close monitoring of projects funded by key donors (i.e., DRA, BMGF) in Yemen

The consultant will work closely with both the Mission and regional teams and will cooperate with different departments and units (program, grant, finance, log, HR) based on the specific tasks assigned.

Based on needs and when relevant for the assigned tasks, the consultant will be involved in key coordination mechanisms at regional level.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Objective 1:

• Support the Deputy Head of Programme (HoP) in Yemen in the organization and implementation of key programmatic processes at mission level.
• Monitoring the use and implementation of INTERSOS guidelines & tools for the development and implementation of the projects, liaising and coordinating with the DRD and relevant departments and units (grant, finance, technical units, etc.)
• Support the Deputy HoP in ensuring proper sharing and archiving of key projects documents in coordination with the Regional Grant and Reporting Officer.
• Support the Deputy HoP in the definition and implementation of the capacity strengthening plan of the Project Managers at mission level
• Mentoring sessions with key senior Programme staff in Yemen, in line with INTERSOS procedures and SOPs.

Objective 2

• Lead effective and streamlined communication regarding the proposal development processes of the assigned funding opportunity, sharing progresses and updated on a regular basis
• Validate and monitor the internal proposals development plans in coordination with other regional and mission teams, ensuring full accountability of the proposed deadlines from the involved stakeholders
• Review the proposals documents and check the consistency of the key programmatic elements of the assigned proposals with the strategic ones agreed at regional level.
• Whenever needed, directly support the writing process of the narrative sections in line with donors’ requirements and INTERSOS strategy and in coordination with the mission and regional teams
• Coordinate with the Finance Department to ensure harmonization between narrative and financial proposals documents
• Ensure that prior to the submission, all the relevant parties have reviewed the proposal
• Raise alerts to the DRD for any programmatic risk identified during the proposal development process

Objective 3

• Monitoring the activity plan of the assigned projects in coordination with the mission Senior Programme staff and provide guidance in case of specific challenges
• Raise alerts to the DRD for any programmatic risk lined to the implementation of the projects
• Monitor and support the financial planning exercises and ensure that regular BvA meetings are conducted and documented
• Monitor the progress of the indicators and in case of challenges propose corrective measures
• Support the project review of the assigned projects and ensure that action points are followed up
• Support the review of key reports and documents to be submitted to the donors

Required profile and experience

Education

• Master degree in a relevant field

Professional Experience

• 5+ years of experience in the humanitarian aid sector
• Proven experience in programme management and projects proposals development
• Experience with INTERSOS programme cycle management tools preferable

Professional Requirements

• In-depth knowledge of Project Cycle Management
• Coaching skills
• Institutional proposal writing

Languages

• English mandatory
• Arabic desirable

Personal Requirements

• Flexibility
• Active listening