Location: Somalia (Garowe)
Closing date: 31 Mar 2008
Job Description

Functional Line Manager: Country Director
Technical Line Manager: Country Health Director
Relationships Internally: All Management and Staff
Relationships Externally: UNICEF, WHO, Governmental and non governmental counterparts, community members/organisations
Location: Garowe with regular visits to project sites in Puntland
Start Date: March 2008
Duration: 12 months
Salary and Benefits: £16,810 - £20,518 per annum plus cost of living allowance of £6,877 per annum, insurance cover, accommodation & flights.

Overall Objective of The Position:
The Zonal Coordinator will represent Merlin in Puntland with overall responsibility for effective and efficient management of the projects on the ground to meet project objectives, consistent with the project management cycle and in accordance with Merlin principles, policies and procedures.

Responsibilities:

Operational Management:
- Preparation and implementation of detailed work plans for Puntland based projects in collaboration with Country Health Director and project teams.
- Assist in drawing up plans, proposals, and budgets for new projects and extensions of projects in conjunction with the country management team.
- Ensure regular communications are maintained between the field sites and Merlin Nairobi.
- Maintain a strong working relationship with the CD, Country Health Director (CHD), Logistics Coordinator and Finance Coordinator.
- Ensure all relevant authorities and partners are included in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the projects.
- Represent Merlin in regular and relevant health forums at District, Zonal and Regional health meetings in Puntland.
- Ensure reports are completed in accordance with deadlines and undertake report editing where necessary. Facilitate and support field missions to Puntland of Merlin staff, consultants and visitors agreed by Merlin.
- Oversee that project resources in Puntland are well utilized and in line with donor requirements and Merlin internal control measures.
- Ensure that appropriate Merlin management, administration, personnel, logistic, finance, and communication systems and procedures are in place.
- Support and supervise all projects implemented by Merlin in Puntland.

Security:
- Ensure field site security guidelines are followed by all staff.
- Ensure all security incidents are appropriately recorded and reported timely.
- Actively monitor field site security and advise the CD about developments
- Act as the security focal point for Merlin in Puntland.

Logistics/Finance/Administration:
- Ensure all projects adhere to Merlin’s systems and procedures
- Ensure that projects implementation meets donor compliance requirements
- Review budgets for submission to donors and provide advice and assistance where necessary
- Maintain an overview of project spend and financial reporting and provide advice and assistance on project spend and budgeting.

Human Resource Management:
- Maintain good team communication, engender good team dynamics and take remedial action when problems occur
- Support team members professionally and monitor and support stress management
- Carry out appraisals according to Merlin’s Human Resource procedures
- In liaison with CD, ensure all new team members are adequately briefed on arrival in the field, and departing team members are debriefed
- Work with CD to maintain up-to-date job descriptions for international staff and prepare and maintain job descriptions for national staff
- Maintain good inter-team communications and engender positive team dynamics.
- Plan national and international staff requirements and liaise with the CMT.
Specific Technical Responsibilities:
- Support and supervise HIV/AIDS activities.
- Support /Supervise the HIV/AIDS Officer in performing his tasks and ensure that workplans and sitreps are regularly updated and disseminated.
- Ensure that the HIV/AIDS activities are documented in a timely manner.
- Supervise and ensure HIV/AIDS activities are integrated within the existing health facilities.
- Support TB Project.
- Ensure that regular visits are conducted to supervise and support the TB centers.
- Ensure drugs and food for the patients is ordered in a timely manner.
- Ensure accuracy of TB data and reports and support documentation of lessons learnt.

Person Specification:

Essential:
- Masters in Public health with extensive experience in disease surveillance and epidemic control at field level with high degree of professional competencies is an advantage.
- A competent trainer with good experience of developing and implementing training plans.
- Hands on project management experience.

Personality traits, Skills and Competencies:
- Should have a consultative and participatory approach to work with the adaptability of working with different clans, communities, social groups and partner organisations/institutions
- Excellent coordination and communication skills
- Willing to travel extensively and working in dynamic work environments
- Should have good documentation and dissemination / presentation skills
- Should be able to live, work and travel in an insecure environment, following strict security guidelines at all times.
- Proficient in use of computers, able to use - Microsoft Word, Excel and relevant data processing software packages.
- Masters in Public health with extensive experience in disease surveillance and epidemic control at field level with high degree of professional competencies is an advantage.

Desirable:
- Experience of Working in Somalia
- Experience of working with NGOs.
Vacancies Contact
Please download an application form from our website www.merlin.org.uk
Completed form should be emailed to applications@merlin-uk.org stating in the subject field the job title, country and reference number (if any).
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. Please note this is an unaccompanied position.