MERLIN Technical Programme Coordinator Job Vacancy in Liberia

Responsible For: Delivery of a Euro2m EU-funded sustainable energy project.
Works With: Government of Liberia, local implementing partner, Merlin Logistics Department in London, Merlin Country Management Team and other stakeholders
Location: Monrovia, Liberia
Contract Duration: up to 28 months (project ends August 2014)
Starting Date: ASAP Salary: £28,720 – £29,470 per annum (dependent on relevant experience)
Benefits: Insurance cover, accommodation, annual leave entitlement of 24 days per annum rising to 30 days at the completion of 12 months of continuous employment with Merlin.
Please note that this is an unaccompanied position.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.

Merlin Undaunted and determined, Merlin saves lives. We deliver medical expertise to the toughest places. And we stay to help build lasting health care.

Our mission is to end the needless loss of life in the poorest countries caused by a lack of effective health care. We help communities set up medical services for the long term including hospitals, clinics, surgeries and training for nurses and other health workers.

We do whatever it takes and we stay for as long as it takes.

Context and Background
Merlin has been operational in various counties throughout Liberia since 1997 and has developed a strong reputation in the health sector. The main focus of Merlin’s programme in Liberia at present is supporting the MoH&SW with the provision of quality primary and secondary level health care services and influencing policy at decision making level. Merlin’s activities include technical and logistical support to the County Health Teams (CHTs), capacity building of CHT staff, and supervision and training of health personnel to ensure improved quality of care in the supported facilities.

Merlin also runs a Reproductive Health /Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) project, cross-cutting four counties to improve maternal health outcomes. HIV and AIDS are incorporated into all Merlin projects as a cross-cutting theme.

Merlin is actively collaborating with the MoH&SW, UN Agencies, local partner NGOs, and other INGOs and agencies.

Sustainable Energy Project Funding has been granted to Merlin to provide sustainable energy to 205 remote heath facilities. This three-year project will deliver sustainable solar power to these clinics so that energy is always available for lighting, cold chain and communications systems. The impact of this project will be to save lives as CHTs will be able to operate during night hours, communicate referrals and emergencies to county hospitals & maintain stocks of medicines and vaccines according to international standards.

This project will be delivered in partnership with a local solar installation company and the MOH&SW Infrastructure Department. A team of installation technicians will be employed for the duration of the project and then transferred to the MoH&SW to form a new permanent maintenance unit for all solar installations at MoH&SW health facility sites.

Main purpose of the role
Merlin offers an exciting opportunity for a dynamic Programme Coordinator (PC), who is experienced in managing technical projects with multiple stakeholders, to work closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoH&SW) of Liberia in the implementation of a challenging project aimed at providing solar energy to an estimated 205 primary health care facilities across all 15 counties of Liberia. This person will work closely with the Ministry, a local partner and the Renewable Rural Energy Agency (RREA) of Liberia.

The PC will coordinate the implementation of the solar energy project. S/he will ensure this geographically wide-ranging project is planned, budgeted, monitored, delivered, reported on and exited from regularly & in line with a known project management methodology. This will require responsibility for the usual elements of programme and project management – including staffing, logistics and security, with the support of the country programme team based in Monrovia and the Logistics team based in London. Sustainability of the project is key, so s/he will ensure a proper phased transition and handing over of all the facilities to the MOH&SW by the end of the project.

Overall Objectives (scope)
• To be an effective and efficient coordinator of the programme consistent with the project management cycle, programme objectives, activities and indicators.
• To develop and maintain an effective installation team.
• To ensure team safety and compliance with security regulations.
• To represent Merlin to the County Health and Social Welfare Team (CH&SWT), the EU Delegation in Liberia, other NGOs, UN agencies, local government bodies and other relevant parties.
• To ensure appropriate administrative, financial and logistical Merlin systems/procedures are in place, maintained and adhered to so that all support functions are carried out effectively and efficiently.
• Ensure partner implementation of project in compliance with Merlin and donor policies and procedures.

Specific Responsibilities
Engineering and Operational Management:
• Take full responsibility for delivery of all aspects of this technical project, through personal qualities/actions and the use of suitably qualified technical staff.
• Provide quality assurance and ensure that all installations meet Merlin’s and MOH&SW standards through regular site visits and inspections, meeting with contractors, MOH&SW infrastructure department, etc.
• Liaise with the Technology Manager (London) as necessary on technical specification matters.
• Proactively undertake such travel to remote project sites as needed to keep abreast of the programme progress.
• Effectively monitor the progress of construction against the given timeline and provide adequate progress reporting as required to the Operations Manager (in line with the relevant donor contracts and compliance requirements).
• Review and revise project plans and budgets as appropriate in coordination with MoH&SW in order to ensure project delivery.
• Develop strong professional relationships with relevant stakeholders to assist delivery of project objectives.
• Act as focal point for communications between Merlin and partners in the project.
• Ensure that all project activities are implemented in close coordination with the CH&SWTs.
• Hold and record regular project review/progress meetings with project manager s from the implementing partner, health sector I/NGOs and with the MOH&SW Infrastructure Director.
• Scrutinise, authorise, control and monitor expenditure of budget (including that of the implementing partner) through the use of BvAs.
• To report to the Head of Logistics and Operational Improvement on the achievement of the programme, producing a comprehensive review of activities, successes and challenges that may help to guide replication of the project in other countries.

Representation:
• Coordinate and lead on donor visits and relevant discussions with donors.
• Represent the project/Merlin to local government authorities and other parties, as necessary.
• In discussion with the CD, and according to Merlin guidelines, be the project’s contact with the local media.
• Ensure all relevant parties are kept informed on broader Merlin Liberia activities, as appropriate.

Grant Management:
• Maintain familiarity with and ensure project compliance with relevant donor rules and regulations.
• In liaison with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Coordinator, edit and compile donor and other internal reports, including input from partners.
• Ensure the donor project reports are in a final draft state by the end of the project.

Logistics/ Finance/ Administration:
• Maintain familiarity with and ensure compliance with donor procedures.
• Work with Merlin Logistics to develop a procurement plan for the project materials and oversee the tendering process for procurement of materials in compliance with Merlin standard contracting policies.
• Coordinate all procurement done by Merlin on behalf of partners.
• Provide logistical support where possible to partners to ensure fulfilment of project objectives.
• Ensure regular communications are maintained between the project team and the support teams in the Monrovia office.
• Prepare and submit projected expenditures each month (cash forecasting).
• Promote systems that ensure good documentation of the project for donor reporting and possible future audit.
• Be responsible for overall line management of the logistical activities on all field sites, including procurement and installation.

Human Resource Management:
• Optimise, in conjunction with other senior team members, the use of human resources and potential to deliver the project.
• Plan national and international staff requirements and liaise with relevant staff at the Monrovia office
• Where relevant, contribute to job descriptions, person specifications, staff selection and recruitment.
• Ensure clearly defined objectives and evaluations of all staff in accordance with Merlin standard procedures.
• Ensure training/mentoring to staff in all pertinent areas including project management and technical areas.
• Maintain good inter-team communications, engender good team dynamics and take suitable action when problems occur.
• Support team members and monitor/ support stress management.

Security:
• Be responsible for the safety of workers on site and the security of materials and equipment during project implementation , ensuring Merlin security guidelines are followed by all team members.
• Pro-actively monitor the political, military and security situation in the project areas and respond accordingly, in liaison with Merlin country security management focal points and procedures.

Person Specification Qualifications, experience and competences
Essential
• High level understanding of the technical challenges and solutions employed in sustainable power generation, storage and distribution.
• Demonstrable experience in project cycle management employing an industry standard PM methodology
• Proven ability to coordinate and develop a multi-skilled, multi-lingual and multi-cultural team.
• Substantial knowledge, understanding, and ability to ensure conformance with engineering design and construction contracts, bills of quantities and specifications.
• At least two years of relevant field management experience in a humanitarian and/or development context.
• Strong proven financial budgeting and management skills.
• Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English
• Ability to work under stressful conditions and to remain flexible and calm under pressure.
• Ability to live and work in a hot and humid environment in remote locations.
• Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Willing and physically able to travel by car and on foot in a rural environment to reach remote project sites.
• An understanding of and commitment to Merlin’s mission and values

Desirable Qualifications, experience and competences
• Professional qualification in electrical engineering .
• Professional qualification in Project Management (such as PRINCE2 or Agile)..
• Previous experience of working in Africa within health care projects.
• Experience of managing compliance to EU grants or EU-funded projects.
• Experience and understanding of public health and community health.

Data Protection
Please note that in accordance with the 1998 Data Protection Act, Merlin will hold and use personal information that you have given for the purpose of recruitment and employment. This information can be stored in manual and/or electronic form. This information may also be disclosed to third parties in accordance with the Data Protection Act. In cases where a job offer is conditional on ensuring that potential employees’ names do not appear on counter terrorism lists generated by the United Nations, European Union or the United States due to donor funding requirements, Merlin will use the information that you have given for checking that your name does not appear on these lists.

How to apply:
To apply for this position To apply for this job, please go to www.merlin.org.uk/jobs and apply using our online recruitment system. In order to apply for a job with Merlin online you will need to complete a short registration process and create an account – the online recruitment system explains how to do this. Once your account has been created, you will be able to save the information that you have entered in your application and re-visit it at any time before you submit it.

If you are unable to apply online for any technical reason, please contact applications@merlin.org.uk.
Please note that we do not accept CVs. Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date: Friday, 08 June 2012