PROJECT COORDINATOR SUPPORT

FOR MSF MOBILE EMERGENCY TEAM

•     Position status: Full time 
•     Location:  Sana’a (Frequent field visits)
•     Contract duration: one year contract possibility of extension based on the fund and performance.  

Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, humanitarian, non-governmental organization providing assistance to people in need as a result of natural and man-made disasters, irrespective of race, religion, ideology or politics.

MSF Project Summary

Emergency response constitutes one of the core activities of Doctors without Borders. MSF Switzerland is recruiting a Project Coordinator for its Mobile Emergency Team (MET) project that responds to emergencies such as epidemic of infectious diseases, response to nutritional crisis, population displacement or increase of war-wounded in different governorates. The MET is implementing projects in different governorates of Yemen. 
The team is based in Sana’a, but all team members are required to work where the MET intervention is being implemented. The deployment in different governorates could be as high as 80-90% of working time, depending on the level of emergency response in a particular year.

Main Purpose

Providing support to the Project Coordinator in the security management and the coordination tasks, ensuring a smooth relation with local and national authorities and contributing to the context analysis and follow-up according to MSF protocols, standards and procedures in order to ensure the smooth running of the project

Accountabilities

• Representing MSF externally together with the Project Coordinator (PC) or alone (when delegated) and negotiating on behalf of the project coordination in close cooperation with the PC and based on beforehand agreed messaging. Assisting in safeguarding and promoting MSF’s image externally
• Monitoring, analysing and reporting on key issues (security, risk, etc.) to the Project Coordinator and providing contextual information, through a sound knowledge of counterparts, parties, actors, authorities, in different administrations/parties and governorates/districts in order to improve understanding and decision making processes. Maintaining the security database and providing a biweekly context analysis based on recent incidents and developments
• Assisting in exploratory missions and assessments as needed and participating in the development of security plans
• Assisting the Project Coordinator in Internal and External Communication sessions and events about MSF (for National staff, the Ministry of Health staff, as well as local authorities, community leader,) in order to improve awareness, understanding of MSF principles and services and public opinion adhesion. Write meeting minutes and contribute to the meeting logbook.
• Ensuring the continuity of relations/networking with local actors (other NGOs, UN agencies, local authorities, media, etc.) and filing and updating field contacts and correspondence in order to ensure information sources accuracy and its availability on regular basis. Organizing advocacy contacts and appointments for the Project Coordinator. 
• Translating and reviewing documents and acting as an interpreter when needed. Assisting the Project Coordinator in the drafting of correspondences with authorities and counterparts (government officials, community leaders, UN agencies, NGOs, etc.) in order to ensure fluent and accurate communication flows.
• Preparing and conducting context, cultural briefings on the project context to new employees (national and international) in order to facilitate their integration and within the project environment. Ensuring regular briefings/trainings of assessment team, drivers, and guards in consultation with the Project Coordinator.
• Being contactable by phone and available to assist the Project Coordinator with important context and operational issues that may occur outside of regular working hours unless otherwise agreed with the PC (e.g., holidays)
• Performing assigned additional responsibilities or tasks as required by the Project Coordinator

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

• Serve as liaison with local and central authorities for MET-related matters, acting as a key contact point for coordination and communication.
• Provide translation (verbal, written) of communication with external actors and documentation.
• Support the Project Coordinator in context, access, and security analysis, including timely information sharing on relevant developments.
• Participate in exploratory and assessment missions as needed to support operational planning and emergency response.
• Contribute to emergency surveillance and alert reporting, ensuring relevant information is communicated promptly to the Project Coordinator.
• Support the preparation of monthly reports and other operational reporting related to MET activities.
• Contribute to the development of concept notes and other planning documents during emergency interventions.
• Provide back-up support to the Project Coordinator on delegated tasks and during periods of absence or increased workload.
• Support administrative follow-up for travel permit requests at governorate level in coordination with the FinHR Assistant and other relevant departments.
• Participate in negotiations and coordination with external stakeholders, including authorities, service providers, and suppliers, when required.
• Monitor and follow up on context developments affecting operations, including conflict, displacement, access constraints, and humanitarian needs, and escalate key issues to the Project Coordinator.
• This is an emergency project and the availability of the staff should be 24/7.  
• Any other relevant tasks assigned by the line manager

Requirements

Education    

• University Diploma Level, preferably in the field of Social Sciences (Political Sciences, International Public Law, Anthropology, Economics, etc.)

Experience    

• Essential: Experience in and exposure to working in a complicated political, security and humanitarian environment
• Essential: Experience in data collection, reporting and analysis
• Desirable two years previous experience in similar jobs in the field of humanitarian aid with MSF or other NGOs
• Desirable: Management experience

Languages    

• English and Arabic language essential (high level command oral and written

Knowledge    

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel, Internet/social media)
• Excellent understanding of MSF’s principles and values
• Knowledge of and interest in humanitarian issues
• In-depth contextual knowledge and analysis skills
• High level of knowledge of local culture and customs

Competencies    

• Results and Quality Orientation L2 
• Teamwork and Cooperation L2 
• Behavioral Flexibility L2 
• Commitment to MSF Principles L2 
• Stress Management L3