With over 70 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

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Employee Contract Type:

Local - Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term)

Job Description:

JOB TITLE:  Start Network Crisis Financing Country AdvisorLOCATION: Harare x1

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

To provide operational support to Start Network activities in the implementation of its flagship Disaster Risk Financing (DRF) programme and in supporting the members in raising alerts to Start Fund I Zimbabwe. The post holder will play a vital role in working to advance locally-led action in Zimbabwe and will provide technical advice to the members and stakeholders; supporting Start Network members to plan and implement timely anticipatory and early action activities. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIESProgramme management, coordination and partnership brokeringHold responsibility for the development, agreement, and management of workplans, protocols, budgets, reporting, and coordination structures to ensure the development and maintenance of the national DRF system in Zimbabwe in line with the Building Blocks.Lead the development of contingency planning, operational arrangement, and prepositioned financing requests to Africa Risk Capacity) ARC Replica Start Ready and Start Fund alerts. Support with applications for Start Ready prepositioned financing, and its administration.Lead in the coordination of ARC and Start Ready trigger or Start Fund alert activation when successful, to ensure that operations are delivered in a timely manner with humanitarian principles applied throughout. Ensure the timely implementation of activities and delivery of project results.In coordination with the Technical Advisor and Crisis Anticipation and Risk Financing team, provide technical advice and support to Start Network members to ensure adequate levels of preparedness, ongoing monitoring of forecast information using applicable models and local data sources, timely disbursement of funds following activations, and delivery of effective emergency response.Support the wider Start Network activities in Zimbabwe as required, for example due diligence processes, raising of alerts and/or the development of anticipation capabilities linked to the global Start Fund.Lead in the development or review of the ToRs for the local programme governance groups. Manage the effective coordination of different stakeholders including NGOs, Government counterparts, consultants, and local civil society, to ensure that the appropriate stakeholders can support different parts of the programme.Support in capacity strengthening activities of Start Network members, working alongside the Training and Capacity Building advisor and Regional Advisor to identify gaps and opportunities to increase knowledge of DRF and AA.Enhance collaboration amongst AA stakeholders in Zimbabwe including UN agencies, Red Cross and other stakeholders working on AA initiatives 

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Support with evidence gathering activities, contracting discrete pieces of research, communication, and advocacy about the initiative.  Support the Zimbabwe programmes monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) function and in donor reporting and compliance.Strengthen emergency preparedness and response capacity of Start Network members and its partners including through training, lessons learned and knowledge management. 

Advocacy and engagement with members and wider stakeholders Raise awareness of Start Network early action initiatives among Start Network members and other stakeholders in Zimbabwe.  Build and maintain relationships with relevant early action and coordination platforms, tools and mechanisms in Zimbabwe where appropriate. Represent Start Network, including Start members, and support Zimbabwe members to actively participate in these platforms. Support the Start Network Resource Mobilisation team with donor communications, through partaking in meetings and presentations as required.Engage in regular exchanges between crisis Financing Advisors in other countries in order to share learning and technical knowhow, spot efficiencies of scale, exchange best practices, and promote cross-network innovations 

KNOWLEDGE/ QUALIFICATIONSMaster's Degree in Disasters Management, Programme/Project management, International Development or in a related humanitarian or development field. Additional experience may substitute for some education.Minimum of 5 years of work experience in coordinating or supporting light to moderately complex programmes required in Zimbabwe.  Project management experience in humanitarian context is highly desirable.Experience engaging with partner organizations and multi-stakeholders.Experience contributing to the development of technical proposals.MEAL skills and experience preferred. • Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems.  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities  Strong critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with culturally diverse groups. • Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to write reportsProactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented 

ALL QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. SHORTLISTING WILL BE ON A ROLLING BASIS

Applicant Types Accepted: