COOPI is looking for an Area Coordinator in Ethiopia

COOPI started its operations in Ethiopia in 1995, implementing both emergency and development programmes. In 2022, COOPI is implementing 15 projects, in the sectors of WASH, Food Security and Livelihoods, Shelter & Settlement and Energy in the following regions: Oromia, Afar, Ahmara, Benishangul Gumuz, Tigray, Somali and Addis Abeba. COOPI has been responding to emergencies related to both natural and man-made crisis, including internal displacements, floods/droughts, desert locusts and COVID-19 pandemic. COOPI is currently implementing projects funded by AICS, the Italian Ministry of Home Affairs, ECHO, UN agencies, and private donors.

Description of the role

The Area Coordinator is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of COOPI programs in Ethiopia. This role aims to:

• ensure good representation of the Organization with a variety of stakeholders and third parties;
• guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent management of programme, finance and human resources and promote a learning environment for staff and the organization;
• guarantee compliance to Standard Operating Procedures for safety, security and general operations.

Main responsibilities

Programme Management

• Projects management: referring to the Head of Programme and the Head of Mission, he/she directly supervises and monitor projects assigned to him/her, guaranteeing their correct implementation in conformity with contractual obligations and donors’ procedures, and in line with the COOPI’s procedures and management standards. He/she supports PMs in the preparation of projects’ reports and all monitoring documents requested by the coordination/donors. He/she assure the highest technical standards in her areas of expertise (preferably Livelihoods, Internal Displacement, and Emergency Response).
• New opportunities identification: He/she verifies and proposes to the Head of Programme and Head of Mission the intervention priorities to consolidate new opportunities of involvement in the area of expertise. He/she cooperates with the Head of Programme and Head of Mission in the identification of new project opportunities in his/her area of competence.
• He/she supports the elaboration, writing, and necessary documents preparation for presenting new projects, referring to the Head of Programme and Head of Mission.

Coordination of field operations

• Participate directly in work of supervised staff to provide hands-on training and support, inclusive of assistance in handling difficult situations.
• Provide support to Project Managers to solve programs’ implementation problems related to logistics, procurement and security.
• Ensure the compliancy with COOPI procedures (logistic, finance, security).
• Ensure that the procurement, logistic and administration departments are efficiently managed.
• Prepare internal and donors reports and other periodical reports as required.

Staff management

• He/she is responsible for the local staff management and training in his/her area of competence, in close cooperation with the relative functions at Country Coordination level, whose indications he/she follows.
• He/she coordinates the staff assigned under his/her management, monitoring their activities; participates to the staff evaluation, together with the Head of Programme.

Security

• Manage the security implementation plan in program areas in all its aspects.
• Assure that equipment related to security is properly functioning.
• Coordinate regular collection of information from areas of intervention. Prepare Security reports and timely inform the Country Director on security matters.
• Participate to ad hoc security coordination meetings.
• Consult with aid agencies and other relevant stakeholders on the ongoing security situation as well as their security procedures. Assure that COOPI Sudan in the area is actively part of the ongoing security network.
• In coordination with the Country Director, regularly revise and update COOPI internal security procedures in the area.

Liaison and networking

• Upon request of the Head of Mission, he/she manages relations with institutional donors and potential ones.
• In coordination with the Head of Programme and Head of Mission, he/she represents COOPI in its area of competence through relations with institutions, NGOs, local and international organizations, Clusters and partners. He/she is also responsible for the Organization’s reputation in the area.

Requirements

Essentials

• University degree in social sciences, business or technical sciences
• A minimum of five years of relevant working experience is required
• At least three years of demonstrated successful experience in international relief and development in a similar position is required
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication, negotiation skills, multi-tasking and organizational skills
• Experience in working in conflict-prone environments
• Experience in liaising with governmental/local authorities, IOs and NGOs
• Fluency in English and Italian language
• Computer literate
• Proven capacity to work in a team is essential and experience in managing staff
• Demonstrated ability to work in stressful environments and under pressure

Plus

• Familiarity with logistics, procurement and security procedures
• Previous work experience in Ethiopia
• Previous experience with COOPI

We reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the application closing date, once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Please note that only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled, thanks for understanding.

COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian secular and independent humanitarian organisation fighting against all forms of poverty to improve the world. Founded in 1965, today COOPI is present in 33 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East, with both emergency and development projects carried out by expatriate staff – an average of over 270 people per year – and national staff. The main institutional funders are the European Union – ECHO and INTPA – USAID, UN agencies, the Italian Government, local authorities and other European Governments.