Area Coordinator-Matabeleland South || GOAL Zimbabwe

General Description of the Role

The Area Coordinator for Matabeleland South is based in Plumtree Area Office and takes overall responsibility for the implementation of all GOAL’s programming in Matabeleland South, including Food Security and Livelihoods, Nutrition, WASH, and resilience. The Area Coordinator is also responsible to oversee and provide robust leadership to operation departments: HR, Logistics, Procurement, Security and Finance. The Area Coordinator is also a focal person to coordinate and lead partnership issues with government and other partners within the province.

Overall Objectives of the position:

The Area Coordinator is responsible for all activities in the programme site; this responsibility covers the operational/support functions (Security, Human Resources, Logistics, Finance and Admin) and direct programme activities (Social Protection, Nutrition, WASH, Construction and Livelihoods) and includes coordination, programme planning and overseeing the day-to-day operations of senior field staff. Area Coordinator is also responsible for coordination and communication with district and provincial authorities.

To ensure good management of GOAL’s programme activities in the geographical location, the Area Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the programmes receive the maximum possible level of support from the Operational/Support functions.

This will involve ensuring:

• Proper planning by the programme departments to ensure programme implementation is in accordance with the donor proposals and guidelines.
• Good, timely coordination between the different programme departments and Operational/Support functions.
• An understanding by all parties of the constraints faced by other departments.
• The efficient performance of the Operational/Support functions.

Key Duties

Coordination and programme planning of the GOAL teams in Matabeleland South

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the GOAL team in the area.
• Lead weekly staff meeting, organize, and lead quarterly Area SMT meeting and actively participate in Country SMT meeting presenting keys issues for decisions.
• Coordination with the Government, UN, and NGOs in the operational area
• Ensure the safety and security of the staff in the area of operation.
• Oversee HR; Finance; Logistics; Procurement and Security functions in the operational area.
• External coordination and representation
• Implement other tasks as identified by the CD.

External Coordination

• Relationships with open dialogue and mutual respect should be nurtured with all stakeholders. Meetings should include updates on the planned programme direction and understanding the concerns and promoting ownership of the programme by the various stakeholders.
• Liaise with partners at district and provincial level; attend all appropriate co-ordination meetings and share information regarding projects and security where relevant.
• Ensure good relations with local authorities and other implementing agencies/partners.
• Accompany donor representatives and other official visitors, when requested to by the GOAL Country Director, and provide information as required.

Security

The Area Coordinator is the Security Focal Point for the programme area, and thus responsible for the safety of his / her team and at all times in a position to respond to a security incident. Overseeing Security in the programme site, including:

• Implementing GOAL’s Security Guidelines and Procedures.
• Periodically review of the site-specific security guidelines.
• Ensure all offices and accommodation meet basic GOAL safety and security standards.
• Ensure that all field staff are familiar with GOAL’s Safety and Security Guidelines
• Provide a security briefing to staff/visitors arriving at the site.
• Monitor the security situation and provide regular information and feedback to the CD/ SD of any incidents, changes or adverse conditions affecting staff safety or project operations in the province.
• The Area Coordinator should have regular dialogue with relevant stakeholders in the areas and frequent visit to sub-offices in the province.

Programmes

• Weekly coordination meeting with the programme team, combined with a robust schedule of site visits to ensure that the Area Coordinator (AC) is familiar with the programme activities.
• The AC responsibility is limited in the fact that the technical staff will provide technical direction and support for programme activities. Technical responsibility for the programme activities will always remain with the country programme coordinators.
• The AC must be familiar with the Donor contracts and proposals related to their programme site. They must be aware of the different activities and indicators contained in the proposals and on the progress made towards achieving those targets.
• The AC is responsible for ensuring that all visits are successful. This involves receiving a ToR, and discussing the ToR upon arrival of the visitor, and facilitating contact to the relevant staff/etc where necessary. The AC should meet the visitor at the end of the visit to discuss the findings of the visit and any recommendations.
• Monitor and audit payments made for trainings and for distributions.

Logistics

Overseeing the Logistical department in the programme site, to ensure all logistical requirements are provided in a timely and cost-effective manner including:

• On a day-to-day basis managing the field Logistics Officer.
• Working with the Logistics Manager to ensure that GOAL’s logistical procedures are always adhered to, reporting any breaches to the Systems Director.
• Coordinating with the Procurement and Logistics Managers on issues related to Logistics.
• Ensuring that the logistics department provides the required support to programmes.

People

Overseeing HR issues in the programme site, including:

• Implementation of GOAL Zimbabwe HR Manual.
• Ensure all new hires are properly authorized and contract of employment issued.
• Monitor and approve all field staff annual leave. Ensure that an annual leave calendar is in place and followed through.
• Review of monthly payroll.
• Coordinating with the HR Manager on issues related to HR.
• Ensuring that the HR office provides the required support to programmes.
• Ensure implementation of staff appraisals
• The AC is responsible for ensuring that the day to day living and working conditions in the field sites is of an acceptable standard or that plans are in place and being implemented to bring the location up to the required standard.

Financial

Overseeing the Finance department in the programme site, including:

• On a day-to-day basis managing the Finance Officer
• Working with the Finance Officer to ensure that GOAL’s Financial Guidelines are adhered to at all times, reporting any breaches to the Financial Controller/CD.
• Monthly review of spending and forecasting
• Weekly cash counts.
• Review of Cash book for reasonability of expenditure.
• Review of financial paperwork to ensure all transactions are properly authorized and that all the requited supporting documentation is on file.
• Coordinating with the Financial Controller and/or Donor Compliance Officer.
• Ensuring that the Finance office provides the required support to programmes.

Requirements

• Advanced University Degree in Management, Health, Water or Civil Engineering, Social Sciences, or related fields
• A minimum of 4 years senior management experience and practical working experience in programme and operation management, work in development or humanitarian context.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills with a wide range of audiences, able to translate complex information and technical detail into simple understandable language, and to develop relationships with key stakeholders.
• Experience of building, working within, and managing budgets.
• Ability to work under pressure and with minimum supervision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Experience in security management
• Experience in programme management
• Good interpersonal and motivational skills

Desirable

• Speaking Shona and Ndebele
• Project management qualification
• Logistics and Finance/Admin management background
• International work experience (outside of home country)
• Advanced MS office skills including effective use of SharePoint and cloud working tools.

Safeguarding

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

Accountability within GOAL

Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:

• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area.
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

General Terms and Conditions

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document.

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure the

maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a

confidentiality policy ensuring the nondisclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and

business of GOAL, acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organisation without authority, except

in the normal execution of duty. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these

policies any job offer made is also subject to police clearance. GOAL is an equal opportunities employer.

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this

document. Any published closing dates are estimated. Due to the nature of GOAL’s work we aim to fill

vacancies as quickly as possible. This means that we will close adverts as soon as we have found the right

candidate and this may be before the published closing date. We would therefore advise interested applicants

to submit an application as early as possible.

TO APPLY

Click here to apply