WeWorld-GVC, recently constituted from the merger of two NGOs, is an Italian secular and independent organization working since 1971 in international cooperation and humanitarian aid. Present in 29 countries with 128 projects, WeWorld-GVC operates in the following areas of assistance: human rights (gender equality, prevention and combating violence against children and women, migration), humanitarian aid (prevention, emergency relief and rehabilitation), food security, access to water, health and hygiene, education, global citizenship education, quality teaching and international volunteering. WeWorld-GVC works mostly with girls, boys, women and youth, actors of change in every community for a fairer and more inclusive world. Supports people overcoming emergencies and guarantees a life with dignity, opportunities and a better future through human and economic development programs, in the framework of the 2030 Agenda. Joining the WeWorld-GVC team means being part of the development of a dynamic organisation where the contribution of each staff member is promoted and valued, working together towards the collective achievement of shared goals and vision. At present, the main donors are Italy (AICS), the EU (DG ECHO), UNICEF, OCHA, and Belgium (DGD).

Position: Country Representative Burkina-Mali

Report to: Head of Regional Unit

Location: One of the two Countries, with frequent missions to the country of non-residence

Type of contract: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

A first 3 (three) month collaboration contract subject to verification of the achievement of specific objectives (these objectives will be agreed together with the Head of Regional Unit upon arrival on assignment); a second collaboration contract of 9 (nine) months renewable, following the positive evaluation of the first three months of contract.

Starting date: Mid/End September 2021

Gross Salary: to be defined according to the candidate’s profile.

Application deadline: 28/07/2021 (Pre-selected candidates will be contacted for interview after mid-August)

Working context

WeWorld-GVC has been active in Mali since 2019. The sectors of intervention are food security and support to resilience, protection with special focus on child protection and they target the most vulnerable groups of population, in particular IDPs. Future activities will enlarge the intervention in the fields of education and school feeding, including cash transfer. WeWorld currently works in the regions of Mopti and Gao. Currently have a national representation office in Bamako, a field office in Douentza and an operational presence in Mopti with the help of the partners.

WeWorld-GVC began its activities in Burkina Faso in 1985. Following a break, it resumed its activities in 2012 focusing on the promotion of women empowerment and support to vulnerable groups to provide emergency relief to the most vulnerable, support displaced populations and to strengthen the resilience of local populations. The sectors of intervention spans from food security and nutrition to protection and local development. WeWorld-GVC currently works in the provinces of Passorè, Oudalam and Soum with offices in Ouagadogou, Djibo and Gorom Gorom.

Purpose of the Role

The Country Representative directs organizational programmes at the country level ensuring quality of the activity in Burkina and Mali, from development through execution, included budget management and Human Resources Management (international and National Staff). He/She identifies programming opportunities and areas where the organization can demonstrate its value and relevance. S/he develops relations with different stakeholders and represents the organization to Donors, Ministries and Local Government Authorities, Local Partners, and s/he is responsible for the security management in the countries. The Country Representative will work under the supervision of the Head of Regional Unit and in cooperation with the Desk Officer.

Main functions and duties

Programme Management and Development

• Oversee the registration of WeWorld-GVC in Burkina Faso and Mali, according to the National Legal requirements
• Lead the development and implementation of high-quality countries strategic plan relevant to the local context and the organizational priorities
• Lead and oversee the grants acquisition of new projects in the countries, ensuring a long-term portfolio and achievement of annual targets
• Lead, guide and supervise the Programs/Projects managers on performance and quality control, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Programs/Projects to ensure the effective and efficient execution of Programs/Project deliverables, in compliance with WeWorld-GVC standards
• Lead and oversee the preparation and implementation of Programs documents (including SOPs, policy briefs, Programs plans and Risk Assessments)
• Oversee the financial and logistic sustainability of programs and operations through effective and efficient resources development effort, outstanding financial ratios, effective budget administration and procurement management (i.e. management and maintenance of project assets and regular inventories)
• Assist the HQ to maintain public/media/donor relations to actively engage their interest/support in promoting and communicating achievements, competencies and interest at global level
• Coordinate the Country Programme participatory annual planning and budgeting as per organisational guidelines
• Promote a participatory approach in programming work and create space in the structure for staff participation and involvement in decision making
• In coordination with the Head of Regional Unit lead the development, implementation and monitoring of research and advocacy plan on issues of relevance in the countries aligned with WeWorld-GVC’s global programmatic and policy priorities
• Facilitate trainings, researches, and learning of cross-cutting relevance to programmes
• Ensure that participatory systems and processes for monitoring activities, results and impact assessment at programme level are in place and involves the team and partners
• Ensure program quality through implementation of countries-specific project review systems and a comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) systems, in collaboration with Policy and Advocacy Department
• Coordinate the production of timely quality programme reports in line with WeWorld-GVC and donor requirements
• Identify and promote common initiatives in the framework of CFA and Joining Forces programming

Strategy development and implementation

• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of the WeWorld-GVC Burkina Faso and Mali Country Programme strategy
• Facilitate the alignment of WeWorld-GVC Burkina Faso and Mali Country Programme to strategic organisational core competencies and accountability mechanisms provided in the WeWorld-GVC programming framework
• Keep abreast on socio‐economic and political changes in the countries and undertake time-ly strategic review ofthe WeWorld-GVC Programme Strategy ensuring continued relevance in the rapidly changing environment
• Maintain close communication with the WeWorld-GVC Head of Regional Unit on relevant factors and changes in the environment

Representation and advocacy

• Represent WeWorld-GVC in the Countries in various fora on programmatic and technical issues, strategic meetings, conferences, forums and other public events and contribute towards consolidating and raising the profile of the organization
• Engage and liaise with relevant national-level stakeholders (government representatives, donors, CSO, multilateral organizations, communities)
• Identify, engage and strengthen strategic in-country partners engaged in child protection, migration and human rights integrated responses, in line with WeWorld-GVC Country Strategic Plan and Regional Strategies, to grow the pipeline of opportunities in Burkina Faso and Mali, through a participatory process
• Identify additional areas of synergy and cooperation with donors, other NGOs, UN agencies and relevant institutions
• Promote WeWorld-GVC's organizational identity and capacity towards all stakeholders and partners in Burkina Faso and Mali and ensure WeWorld-GVC remains relevant to the changing needs of disadvantaged people in the country
• Establish priorities, in consultation with the Head of Regional Unit, for targeted investments in growth and innovation, contribute to the identification and implementation of innovation and continuous improvement, in support of organizational excellence and world-class performance
• Coordinate with HQ, maintaining frequent contact with the Desk Officers, partners and leaders of the project as well as relevant donors, in order to keep a regular update on the implementation of the project and to develop strategic planning
• Represent WeWorld-GVC in Burkina Faso and Mali and be responsible for the management of host country relations and WeWorld-GVC interests in dealing with government, international and local organisations, networks and media in the Country Programme
• Represent WeWorld-GVC in strategic meetings, conferences, forums and other public events and contribute towards consolidating and raising the profile of WeWorld-GVC
• Develop and strengthen relationships with local organisations and networks and establish national and regional strategic relations and alliances with partners and civil society working in common cause with WeWorld-GVC objectives
• Maintain good partnerships relations at National and International levels in coordination with the Head of Regional Unit
• Promote WeWorld-GVC ‘s organisational identity and capacity to all stakeholders and partners in Burkina Faso and Mali
• Maintain and improve relationship with CFA and Joining Forces members present in Burkina Faso and Mali

Human Resources Management and Organizational Development

• Identify and plan Human Resources needs (International and National)
• Timely inform HR HQ about both the present and the future International HR Needs (Annual and 3M updates) in order to facilitate a punctual recruitment process and deployment of the necessary workforce
• Direct and manage staff in the countries, ensuring development of appropriate capabilities and competencies according to the strategic and operational needs of Programs/Projects
• Ensure transparent, equal and inclusive management and training of Human Resources in accordance with Policies and Procedures, and all regulatory requirements (WeWorld-GVC, host countries legislation and donor’s policy)
• Foster an inclusive and diverse work environment, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed
• Organize regular meetings with the senior management team and all staff for the purpose of exchanging information, coordination and learning

Security Management

• Develop a country security strategy based on HQ and country information
• Identify risks and threats and develop systems of early warning flags
• Coordinate in the design, testing and communications of appropriate security and safety plans and programmes
• Develop and document emergency preparedness and disaster evacuation plans and programmes

Funding and Grants Management

• Develop networks and partnerships with national and international institutions in Burkina Faso and Mali and spearhead donor collaboration, fund raising and project development within the country.
• Keep abreast of the trends within the donor environment in the countries
• Undertake diversified local fundraising initiatives to strengthen programme funding and sustainability
• Coordinate the production of good quality funding proposals and respond to calls for proposals in line with WeWorld-GVC SoP
• Facilitate donor visits, donor meetings, round table discussions and evaluations as necessary
• Ensure that effective grant management systems are in place
• Be aware of all donors conditionality in the Country Programme and monitor adherence to donors conditionality

Financial management

• Ensure that adequate internal control mechanisms are in place for budget monitoring and review
• Review accuracy of accounts and carry out periodic checks on financial matters
• Oversee annual and project-specific audit processes within the Country Programme
• Ensure the preparation, accuracy and timely submission of financial reports that comply with grant or contract agreements and ensure compliance with all aspects of WeWorld-GVC policies and donor funding

Information, Communication and learning

• Ensure that the programme is maintaining a coordinated and agreed information exchange both internally and in its dealing with external parties
• Ensure that key programme documents (strategy programme document, projects proposals, research, reports, etc.) are shared with the HQ and agreed upon before communicating to donors and other external parties
• Ensure that all communication infrastructures are set up in the programme and smooth information flow is maintained
• Ensure that experiences and best practices are documented and shared across the organization

The duties and responsibilities set forth above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to perform additional duties.

Essential Requirements

Qualifications and Knowledge

• An advanced university degree or equivalent in the field of Social or Political Science, Development Studies, International relations, Project Management, Human rights
• Good knowledge of MS Office
• Fluent in French both written and verbal
• Working knowledge of English

Professional experience

• Minimum 5 years’ relevant working experience in related fields
• Working experience with international NGOs in management of international cooperation projects funded by institutional, private donors and sponsorship programs
• Proven experience in Project Cycle Management
• Sound project development and proposal writing experience
• Experience in Security Management

Skills and Abilities

• Strong flexibility and capacity to adapt behavior to the needs of the situation
• Capacity to work autonomously and in problems prevention/resolution
• Proven organizational skills and ability to effectively manage multiple tasks while fostering quality, team spirit and positive working relationships with colleagues
• Ability to identify, initiate and maintain good relationships with partner organizations, donors and national authorities including building professional relationships with senior decision-makers and influencers / leaders
• Good communication, negotiation skills and sensitivity in dealing with local institutions on critical issues.
• Cultural, gender, religion, and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Strong commitment to the Mission of WeWorld-GVC, genuine interest for international cooperation development topics

Desirable requirements

• Knowledge and experience in the protection and/or education sector
• Previous experience in similar positions
• Previous work experience in Burkina Faso and/or in Mali
• Fluent in Italian, both written and verbal