Ireland: Project Coordinator Technical Assistance for European Caritas Organisations in Humanitarian Aid (TEACH)

Trócaire is one of Ireland’s leading INGO’s, with over 40 years’ experience in the Humanitarian and International Development sectors. Trócaire works through partners in over 20 developing countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East to bring about lasting change and is a member of the worldwide network of Caritas Internationalis. Humanitarian Response is one of three priority areas of work for Trócaire and the organisation is growing its expertise base in the sector.

The Project Coordinator - Technical Assistance for European Caritas Organisations in Humanitarian Aid (TEACH)** is an exciting new role within a new two-year EU Aid Volunteers (Technical Assistance) project led by a Caritas partner organisation. The overall objective of the project is to strengthen technical capacities in the areas of humanitarian standards and volunteer management within six European Caritas Organisations in Austria, Czech Republic, Ireland, the UK, Romania as well as Caritas Europa based in Brussels. The project activities will be implemented over a period of 24 months from February 2018 to January 2020.

The project is focussed around three objectives: 1) building strong volunteer management systems 2) strengthening knowledge and capacity in humanitarian technical and quality standards and 3) strengthening capacities in awareness raising and public campaigning.

The Project Coordinator will support the implementation of the project in line with EU and Trócaire standards and in particular lead on the second objective.

This role requires an individual that combines humanitarian experience with strong facilitation, coordination and grant management skills. The role will be responsible for managing the Trócaire’s work plan and budget within the project, maintaining strong relationships with other Caritas partners on the project, designing, planning and coordinating a programme of learning for project partners including the development of an online platform and learning modules. The role includes regular travel in Europe.

This role will work in close collaboration with the EU Institutional Funding Officer, the International Accountant, the EU Aid Volunteer Coordinator[1], the six consortia partners involved in this project, the wider Humanitarian Team and colleagues working in Trócaire’s public engagement division.

For the candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, Trócaire offers a competitive package of salary and benefits.

Reporting to the Head of Humanitarian Programmes (with a dotted reporting line to the Project Manager within Caritas Austria), this is a Fixed Term Contract for two years and is based in Maynooth, Ireland[2].

Safeguarding[3] Children Policy:

Trócaire is committed to Safeguarding people within our Programmes from Exploitation and Abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. Any candidate offered a job with Trócaire will be expected to sign Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policies and Global Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. Specific roles may require police/ garda vetting.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Project Coordination

· Finalise Trócaire’s project work plan and budget in consultation with all stakeholders

· Co-facilitate the project start up workshop

· Oversee Trócaire’s project implementation as per approved proposal/ work plan

· Manage Trócaire’s project budget in line with EU regulations/ requirements

· Ensure quality project narrative and financial reporting in line with EU regulations/ requirements

· Coordinate with and (re)present the project key partners and stakeholders in Ireland and Europe

· Develop and roll out a monitoring plan for the project – including refining an organisational self-assessment tool

Project Activities

· Organise a 5 day introductory workshop on humanitarian quality standards measurement (e.g. CHS & EUAV certification criteria).

· Support participating partners with self-assessment to identify strengths and critical gaps in meeting standards and improvement plans developed

· Coordinate the development of an online portal

· Coordinate the development of learning modules

· Organise exchange visits between participating agencies

· Organise a series of four 5-day training workshops on critical gap areas over the course of two years e.g. accountability and complaints handling, safe guarding of vulnerable groups, security management, duty of care as per gaps identified in organisational self assessments etc.

· Work with Trócaire public engagement team to facilitate learning for other participating agencies

· Contract technical services from subject matter experts where required

· Support progress assessment by each agency

Project Learning and Development

· Ensure appropriate learning and development support throughout project implementation

· Ensure adequate documentation, utilisation and dissemination of project learnings

· Undertake ongoing reviews with participating agencies and co-facilitate an end of project learning review

Person Specification – Essential Requirements

(E) Qualification

· Graduate level qualification in Development Studies, Humanitarian Aid, Social Science, or related area.

(E) Experience

· A minimum of three years’ experience in the overseas development or humanitarian field.

· Solid understanding and experience of humanitarian issues, principles, technical and operational standards and of implementing humanitarian standards e.g. HAP, Sphere, CHS

· Experience managing EU (preferably EACEA) funded projects

· Solid understanding and experience of working in partnership/ consortia.

· Designing and delivering training, including development of training modules and assessment tools

· Working in a multi-cultural environment

· Budget management and financial reporting experience

· Experience in developing a learning portal

· Good knowledge of Caritas network

(E) Skills

· Good knowledge humanitarian standards

· Strong coordination and facilitation skills

· Excellent communication and writing skills in English; ability to convey ideas clearly and succinctly

· Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders all levels (including from a distance)

· Computer proficiency, including in the use of MS Excel

(E) Qualities

· Self-motivated with proven ability to take the initiative.

· Culturally sensitive and diplomatic.

(E) Other

· Willingness to travel regularly in Europe

· A commitment to justice, equality and fairness

[1] The EU Aid Volunteer Coordinator will lead on the implementation of another EU Aid Volunteers project, focusing on deployment of European volunteers to contribute to local capacity strengthening.

[2] As this post is based on the Island of Ireland, non EU / EEA nationals will require current and valid permission to work and reside in the Island of Ireland as work permits are only issued in exceptional

[3] All offers of employment with Trócaire may be subject to Garda Vetting/PSNI clearance. All new hires are required to complete a Self-Declaration Form and sign up to our Code of Behaviour contained in our Safeguarding Children Policy. For additional information please consult the Human Resources Department in our Head Office.

To apply, please click on https://www.workable.com/j/8F4FC31C20 and complete the application form.