Senior Programme Coordinator (LAC)

Established in 1977, GOAL is an international humanitarian agency, with a team of 3,000+ personnel, dedicated to alleviating the needs of the most vulnerable communities. Currently operating in 15 of the world’s most vulnerable countries, GOAL delivers a wide range of humanitarian and development programmes, ranging from humanitarian relief in disaster situations, to focusing on nutrition, food security, and building greater resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

GOAL has an annual budget of an estimated €150 million+ and is supported by a range of donors including the Governments of Ireland, USA, the European Union, individuals, trusts and foundations. GOAL values the power of partnership and works with local and international partners to achieve its mission.

Job Purpose: 

The Latin America & Caribbean Programme Senior Coordinator is responsible for coordinating the provision of Head Office support to the LAC Regional Director, Country Directors and senior in-country team for the effective implementation of GOAL’s programmes across the LAC region.

Reporting:

The role reports directly to the LAC Regional Director and also works closely with the Desk Coordinator (HQ) as part of the Global Desk Team. Furthermore, the role requires daily engagement and coordination with Country Directors and their Senior Management teams; Director of International Programmes and HQ Supporting Functions.

 Summary of Key Functions:

1. Provide HQ oversight and support to the Latin America & Caribbean Regional Offices.
2. Represent the LAC region and facilitate cross functional co-ordination in head office
3. Line management of Regional Desk Team – LAC 
4. Manage HQ relationship and communication between LAC region and institutional donors;
5. Contribute to quality and effectiveness of programmes
6. Involvement with Communications team on external engagement and advocacy as it impacts the LAC regional programmes, particularly any emergency response programmes.
7. Provide support to all LAC regional offices’ senior management teams on all aspects of key programming                                     

1. Provide HQ oversight and support to the Latin America & Caribbean Regional Offices.
• Work very closely with the Regional Director and Country Directors (Honduras, Haiti, Colombia and Venezuela) and all senior management teams on all programme and operational issues;
• Strategy & Planning – support the Regional Director and country offices senior management teams to develop and monitor effectiveness of annual country plans;
• Risk Management – Support the RD and CDs to maintain their risk management practices and review and feedback on quarterly risk matrix and ensure actions are followed up;
• Contingency Planning – participate in Contingency Planning for any emergency responses and follow up on relevant actions;
• Support the LAC Country Offices to produce monthly reports for the region which will support learning and monitoring across the region.
2. Represent the LAC region and facilitate cross functional co-ordination in head office.
• Facilitate good working relationships with cross functional teams in HQ for GOAL that support the LAC region
• Convene a regular LAC Operations Group in HQ, ensuring updates, learning and support between logistics, finance, compliance and operations;
• Ensure HQ Senior Management are informed on a timely basis on critical issues in the LAC region;
• Present updates to senior management team and GOAL board/s when required;
• Participate and support all activities related to funding for the LAC region
3. Line management of Regional Desk Team – LAC
• Performance manage the Regional Desk Team (including any Desk Officer/s and Programme Support Officer/s) through regular weekly meetings, feedback and setting up clear performance indicators which will be reviewed through the annual performance appraisal process.
• Provide input on training and development needs and schedule the training and development in conjunction with the Desk Coordinator and HR;
• Regularly monitor LAC region work plan and ensure shared objectives are being reached;
• Oversight of DO/s and PSO/s responsibilities for accurate filing, updating and general management of the grant management system (GMS);
• Delegate specific tasks to the DO/s and PSO/s (such as in reporting reviews, partnership approvals, data management etc) and ensure they have the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively and efficiently perform said tasks
4. Manage HQ relationship and communication with LAC institutional donors.
• In close co-ordination with the Regional Director and Country Directors, maintain HQ relationships and regular communications with LAC key institutional donors;
• Work very closely with LAC RD to ensure there is a strong trusted relationship with all donors;
• Participate in donor meetings and reviews and present on key issue to donors where appropriate;
• Ensure donors are kept informed of any critical issues affecting programme implementation;
5. Contribute to quality and effectiveness of LAC programmes.
• Provide quality timely support to country and HQ teams and ensure good collaboration during the development of proposals and applications for funding to donors
• Develop grant management systems that ensure the development and submission of high quality reports to donors.
• Represents country offices programmes internally at HQ, including in Project Review Committee (PRC) meetings.
• Donor compliance - Review all contracts and letters of agreement from donors and highlight key conditions for field and relevant staff in HQ prior to signing;
• Ensure monthly financial reports are reviewed with HQ Operations Accountant for expenditure levels, discrepancies and gaps; follow up with field informing senior management where there are concerns.
• Participate in key grant management meetings with the Country Office teams and HQ Operations throughout the programme lifecycle;
6. Involvement with Communications team on external engagement and advocacy as it impacts the LAC regional programmes, particularly any emergency response programmes.
• Support the LAC Communications Teams and HQ Media/Communications team on development of internal and external communications
• As appropriate represent GOAL in external sectoral networks – facilitate the exchange of technical information and identify opportunities for cooperative work and joint ventures with other agencies.
• Ensure maintenance of accurate country, project and programme information on the relevant intranet and internet pages.
7. Provide support to all LAC regional offices’ senior management teams on all aspects of key programming.
• Support the LAC regional offices’ senior management teams on key operational management and programming including but not limited to surge support, strategic guidance, risk management, key project design and implementation, integration of learning, representation on tender committee meetings when required, key operational decision making and other ad hoc support as required.

Person Specification: 

Essential

• A minimum of five year’s field experience in emergency humanitarian and/or development programs
• Language skills: Fluent in Spanish and English essential
• A Degree (or higher) in Development or related field;
• Previous experience/knowledge working in LAC region
• Demonstrable experience in Programme cycle management;
• Previous experience managing multiple country desks;
• Excellent proposal development, grant management, analytical and report writing skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills as working with multiple teams is essential
• Strong communication skills: written and oral
• Proven track record in the representation and the management of relationships with institutional donors (including DfID, ECHO, USAID (FFP, OFDA), BPRM, GIZ).
• Proven ability to co-ordinate cross departmental groups and communicate with multiple stakeholders;

 Desirable:

• Previous Management experience working at HQ with INGO
• Specific knowledge or experience of GOAL’s thematic programmes or sectors

Accountability within GOAL 

A commitment to GOAL values and GOAL’s integrity framework is critical to working with GOAL. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 1) 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; 2) Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area; 3) Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner. 

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. 

Equal Employer Statement 

Consistent with GOAL’s core values of humanitarianism; integrity; respect; partnership and courage, we place a significant emphasis on equality in our working environment.  

GOAL is committed to treating all its employees with dignity and respect and values diversity, which it believes enriches an organisation. To reinforce this commitment, all company activities, policies, practices and procedures are to be carried out in accordance with this global standard.  

All employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling GOAL’s commitment to equal employment opportunity and equal treatment. GOAL does not discriminate against any employee or volunteer; or any applicant for employment or volunteering on the basis of age, gender identity, ancestry, political opinion, civil status, medical condition, ethnic background, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.  

GOAL believes that our strong commitment to equal opportunity and equal treatment helps to ensure that there is no unjustified discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, compensation, benefits, retention, and discipline of staff and volunteers. 

GOAL aims to provide a work environment that fosters fairness, equity, and respect for social and cultural diversity, and that is free from discrimination, harassment [and vilification] as determined by applicable laws. 

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 non-disclosure 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.