HEAD OF OPERATIONAL CELL Do you want to be part of an interesting and exciting project with prospects and potential for personal growth in Médecins sans Frontières OCBA?
We want you on board! We want your expertise and your commitment towards MSF! We want your contributions to build an innovative and exciting project in which you can learn, develop and grow along with MSF OCBA .
Background
The decentralization of the management of operations is one initiative amongst the many that are part of IONI (International Operational Network Initiative). In a few words, IONI is the very big frame in which we will invite new stakeholders to help us define, execute and govern the next operational project in a network approach as opposed to a central (OC) approach. Consistent with that, we will manage operations through a decentralised model within the bigger frame.
The objectives of the decentralization of operations are: to deliver high quality and relevant operations fed by diverse thinking and meaningful partnerships; to increase reactivity to respond to needs of population thanks to an agile and effective decision-making process; to make informed decisions more adapted and flexible to environmental changes and finally to allow the organization to grow in scope and number of programs.
OCBA visualizes a medium term construction with operational units in two regions of the world. - One unit will be based in Eastern Africa (Nairobi) at the end of 2011 after a few months in Barcelona to do the corresponding handover and to consolidate the knowledge on HQ dynamics. - One unit is already working in Barcelona and after, taking into consideration the lessons learned from the first decentralised unit in Eastern Africa, it will be decentralised in Latin-America sometime in 2012.
At the moment, the Cell included in the Unit of Eastern Africa, manages four missions: Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Uganda.
What would your mission be? The Head of the Operational Cell (RECO) is responsible for overseeing the different phases in the cycle of missions and projects in the field (opening, follow-up, orientation and closing) and ensures that quality standards are duly maintained and MSF’s humanitarian and deontological principles respected in the projects within his/her portfolio (4-6 mission countries), within the framework of Executive Plan, Operational Policy and operations annual orientations plan, in order to perform relevant, high-impact operations.
S/he is hierarchically under the Operational Director.
The Operational Cell is a matrix-like “team set-up” integrating members of the different services or departments of MSF OCBA as the basis for direct support and guidance to the missions within the Cell’s portfolio. Each OC is made up of a person in charge of the Cell (RECO), one Deputy RECO, one Health Advisor (TESACO), one Logistics Advisor (TELOCO), one Finances Advisors (FINOCO) and one Human Resources Advisor (REHUCO).
What are we looking for? Degree from University or Higher Institute (in medicine, nursing, bio-medical sciences, social sciences, political sciences, economy, judicial sciences…). Medical or paramedical background is considered as an asset.
Minimum of 3 years experience with MSF in coordination positions. Highly knowledgeable of and interested in the international humanitarian context. Fluent in English, French and Spanish (at least two languages). IT knowledge as advanced user. Competencies: Identification with MSF, Strategic Vision, Results and Quality Orientation, Planning and Organising, Leadership, People management, Teamwork.
Which will your responsibilities be? Participate in the organisational strategy contributing to the reflection on positioning and the role of MSF OCBA regarding humanitarian crises and related dilemmas, protection issues and operational strategies within portfolio and beyond, through organising, promoting and participating in debates, analysis and reflection exercises. Provide operational input to contribute to the definition of the strategies of the rest of the Departments, taking into account their contributions when defining Operations’ plans to strengthen transversal planning and boost integration. Participate in the Operations Coordination Team. Identify and report situations in which the implementation of OCBA policies and procedures is not viable or may hinder the achievement of operational objectives, propose adaptations and exceptions to these in the appropriate forum, and apply the exceptions when necessary as long as they are justified. Hold Services accountable for the quality of their support, proactive monitoring/analyses of policy implementation/adaptation, and timeliness in raising issues with the operational line and be accountable for the implementation of strategies and policies of MSF OCBA. Contribute to the definition of OCBA operational vision. Contribute to reviewing the MSF OBCA’s Operational Policy, operational annual orientations and security policies. Define the strategy of missions within portfolio, conducting context analyses. Lead the reflection on positioning and the role of MSF OCBA in relation with the Operational Policy with regard to humanitarian crises for the CPP of missions. Define missions, projects and interventions in portfolio, guaranteeing their pertinence compliance with the Operational Policy. Ensure the promotion and participation in the proposal, planning and follow-up of exploratory missions and all phases of the project cycle. Planning and budgeting of missions and contribute to the planning and organisation of the Operations Department. Supervise, analyse and provide support in the implementation when implementing the CPP and annual operational plan in the projects within portfolio, according to quality standards and to MSF’s humanitarian and deontological principles, with the primary objective to meet population’s needs. Ensure that MSF role on humanitarian action and “témoignage” is effectively executed by identifying related medical-humanitarian dilemmas, defining lobbying, advocacy and communication strategies. Ensure support and supervision for all aspects of management of the missions, projects, exploratory missions and interventions in the assigned portfolio, based on the annual operational orientations. Ensure the deployment of a pool of Humanitarian Affairs Officers in the field. Ensure adequate security management through supervision for portfolio’s missions, projects and interventions in line with the security policy, rules and guidelines of MSF OCBA. Ensure the analysis and evaluation of the implementation of lobbing, advocacy and communication strategies within portfolio. Lead, provide support, and coach the cell team in their functioning and decision making process, to ensure that objectives be achieved. Be responsible of the selection process of the cell team (taking the final decision on selection of candidates) and carry out their follow-up and evaluation, in order to ensure their adjustment, coverage of their training needs and future development. Promote knowledge management, collaborating with the Training Unit in the definition of the contents of MSF-OCBA courses, facilitating them when needed, to adapt them to the Organisation’s needs. Manage internal communication channels and represent MSF OCBA at MSF international level and towards external actors (international organisations, NGOs, institutions, donor agencies, diasporas, civil society) and the media, for the missions of the assigned portfolio, on humanitarian crises, inter-agency operational coordination, and for fundraising.
This Job Description may undergo some changes in the future depending on the decentralized new setup.
What are we offering?
Based in Nairobi OCBA Office, after a short initial period in Barcelona. We offer a very competitive annual gross salary in the Kenyan Market: between 5,419,530 and 6,193,748 KES, plus secondary benefits based on the OCBA salary policy. For international applicants we top your salary with a reward package which includes a bonus (in Euros) between 28% or 54% of the salary base depending on the chosen package, e.g.: if Spanish or European contract we foresee a bonus of 28% of the salary base; if local contract we offer a bonus of 54% of the salary base. The document about the salary and working conditions for the position will be sent to all candidates in this position who meet the requirements. In the middle time the position could lead to a higher responsibility position. Full time job. Travel to the projects 25-30% of the time. Moral commitment: 3 years. Starting date: as soon as possible.
How can you apply? Applicants should send their CV and a covering motivation letter under the reference "HEAD CELL NBO" to: recruitment-bcn@barcelona.msf.org Closing date: 16th October 2011 Replies will only be sent to short-listed candidates.
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