CUSO 

International

Country Representative

Location: Yaounde, Cameroon

Reports to: Head of Programs for Central and Western Africa

Status: National or International

NOTE: Local nationals will the given preference; should no local national be found successful, international candidates will be considered.

Salary scale 54,774 to 66,579$CAD

Language requirements: Fully bilingual French and English

Must be able to work in Cameroon

SUMMARY

Cuso International is a North American leading international development agency that works through volunteers to overcome poverty and inequality since more than 50 years.

Reporting to the Head of Programs for the Central and Western Africa region, the Country Representative in Cameroon will manage the development, implementation and successful delivery of Cuso International’s development programs. Key to this will be active networking and representation of Cuso International; identifying and securing external funding streams to support and optimize program results; effective management of the Country Program Office staff and operations, ensuring that all key internal and external program objectives, volunteer support, administration and budget deadlines are met.

As well as oversight of the program, the Country Representative has a hands on role in day to day delivery of the program, volunteer placement, management, engagement and support. This is expected to be 50% of the job.

The Cuso International Program in Cameroon focuses on local economic development working in close collaboration with 6 Local Councils in both Eastern and Southern Cameroon and provide remote support to Local Councils in the Far North Province. The program supports socio-economic inclusion of disadvantaged people with promotion of gender equality as a central approach. In addition Cuso International works with a range of National and Local NGO that bring added value to our intervention.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

Program Development & Delivery

Deliverable

A strategic and relevant gender sensitive program, which uses a range of development interventions and actively engages marginalized groups, is successfully delivered, monitored, evaluated and promoted, meeting strategic and operational plan objectives.

Specific responsibilities

• Analyze and maintain an in-depth understanding of the development context and key stakeholders in Cameroon and the region in general.
• Lead on developing and shaping Cuso International’s strategic development plan for Cameroon.
• Working in collaboration and in consultation with Cuso International’s local partners, volunteers and other stakeholders, identify relevant development interventions (eg national volunteering, value chain development, market research, advocacy, partnerships etc) to deliver established strategic and operational plans.
• Wherever relevant, ensure cross-cutting themes of gender equality, governance and environment are mainstreamed in programming initiatives.
• After goals and objectives have been set and agreed to with the Head of Programs, analyze and plan resource allocations for program implementation, including determining placement numbers, volunteer targets, staff priorities and budget allocation.
• Ensure the smooth functioning of placement development and volunteer management systems and processes within the Country Program Office and with other Cuso International employees and teams in the region and in North America.
• Worth with HQ staff to ensure the program is monitored and evaluated and take lead in ensuring gender sensitive MEAL deadlines and milestones are understood and met by team, partners and volunteers.
• Ensure the impact of Cuso International’s development interventions in Cameroon and issues arising are captured and duly integrated into relevant practice and policy debates.
• In collaboration with Country Program Office staff, local partners, volunteers and other stakeholders, foster and promote a culture of ongoing learning.
• Ensure all Cuso International program and volunteer deadlines are met.
• Ensure all reporting requirements to HQ or external donors are understood and complied with.
• Take a lead role in developing, implementing, monitoring and revising restricted and unrestricted budgets.

Partnership and Resource development

Deliverable

Productive partnerships with Government, corporate sector, civil society and donors, are identified and developed. Cuso International’s programming in Cameroon is growing and being supported through multiple sources of funding and key partnerships.

Specific responsibilities

• Take the lead in developing and implementing a funding strategy for Cameroon.
• Seek out and actively participate in Cameroon, regional and other networks, coalitions, alliances, meetings, forums, debates or any other event pertaining to the development work of Cuso International in Cameroon and where possible to champion/represent Cuso International’s programs and projects with donors, other agencies, relevant government officials, partners etc.
• Working in close collaboration with the Head of Programs and field/HQ based funding staff, identify funding and/or partnership opportunities and take a lead role in following these up in a timely manner.
• Lead or contribute to the development of concept notes and proposals.
• Develop realistic program and project plans and budgets, ensuring compliance with donor requirements.
• Actively seek to engage corporate sector in our projects and work with them to identify ways they add value to them.

Volunteer and Placement Management

Deliverables

Cuso International’s volunteers working in Cameroon are adequately and appropriately supported in their placements and working effectively with their local partner organizations. Volunteers are engaged in all aspects of program development, including helping to set priorities, supporting work in seeking funding and partnership opportunities etc.

Specific responsibilities

• Oversee the planning and development of relevant and coherent volunteer placement documentation.
• Ensure relationships and communication between Country Program staff and volunteers are cooperative and professional.
• Ensure excellent communication channels between Country Program staff and other Cuso International staff in the Regional Office, North America offices and elsewhere, so that placement and program information is flowing between all parties and deadlines are being met by all stakeholders.
• Working closely with the Program Support and Finance Officer, participate in the development of volunteer in-country orientations, facilitating some of the learning and orientation events as appropriate.
• Keep abreast of volunteers’ progress and challenges in their placements and support any learning or professional development that they may require to achieve their objectives.
• Engage volunteers in program planning, development and resource diversification, as appropriate.
• Assist the Program Support and Finance Officer in handling any volunteer or partner complaints, conducting investigations where necessary; participate in discussions where policies and procedures do not offer a proper resolution to a volunteer’s concern or situation, involving the Regional Program Officer as deemed necessary.
• Be fully accountable for ensuring an emergency and risk-management plan is developed at the country level and that this is well communicated, implemented and reviewed on a regular basis, covering the safety and security of volunteers and Country Program Office staff.
• Keep the Head of Program and HQ security adviser informed of any potential security threat, whether low, medium or high, at all times.

Line Management

Deliverables

Country Program Office staff have clear job descriptions and ambitious work plans, are supported in setting work objectives and priorities, and are making positive contributions in all relevant aspects of Cuso International’s program.

Specific responsibilities

• Foster a positive, fair, participatory and ambitious professional work culture among Country Program Office staff.
• Ensure our Cameroon team is delivering on annual work plans and that all relevant Cuso and external donor policies, procedures, milestones and deadlines are met.
• Model the expected attitudes, behaviors and work standards expected from Country Program Office staff.
• Be responsible for managing staff performance, providing regular feedback and conducting yearly performance appraisals with each employee.
• Work with each employee to develop key objectives and approve work plans that are revised quarterly.
• Undertake monthly supervisory meetings with each employee to ensure work priorities and any challenges the employee faces, is addressed.
• Ensure Cuso International’s performance management culture is understood across the team.
• Maintain accurate written records of work plans, supervisory meetings and performance appraisals.
• In conjunction with each employee, identify learning and professional development needs and support the employee in getting these needs met appropriately and cost effectively.

Administration, Budgets and Finance

Deliverable

Ensure all Cuso International administration, budget and finance systems are in place understood by staff, kept up to date, operate smoothly, used effectively and related timelines are met.

Specific responsibilities

• Take the lead in developing the annual budget and in the revised budget setting process.
• Ensure performance to budget is tracked on monthly basis and appropriate and timely action is taken to remedy any variance.
• Ensure all Country Program Office based staff are aware of roles and responsibilities in relation to budget and finance issues and procedures and deliver accordingly.
• Ensure all Cuso International administration, health and security, volunteer support and logistic systems are in place, understood and followed by staff, volunteers and partners.
• Feedback and seek to work collaboratively with regional and HQ staff to improve performance and effectiveness of systems and processes.
• Ensure any external donor requirements are understood by staff and adhered to.
• Actively encourage a cost effective and efficient approach to use and expenditure of Cuso International resources.
• Ensure all staff understand and are able to use Cuso Internationals IT systems in an effective manner.
• Oversee completion of the Annual Quality Framework exercise and seek to improve performance of team in any areas of underperformance.
• Ensure Country Program Office compliance with record-keeping guidelines and filing of sensitive employee, volunteer, partner and donor information.
• Other duties
• Participate in regional and other staff meetings, as appropriate.
• Ensure Cuso International activities operate within the legal framework of Cameroon.
• Fulfill any other responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time by the Head of Programs and other senior managers.
• Identify and take steps to develop own professional and personal learning.
• Provide cover for other colleagues as necessary.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

Education

University degree in a field relevant to the position and a relevant combination of education and experience.

Experience

• At least five (5) years’ experience developing planning, resourcing, managing, monitoring and implementing development projects.
• At least three (3) years’ experience working with development programs, at the community level.
• Experience and ability to develop and manage budgets and create financial reports.
• At least three (3) years’ experience of working successfully in a leadership role, supervising and coaching staff and leading them towards common objectives.
• Solid experience in successfully securing external funding for development programs and projects.
• Experience of mainstreaming gender and equality issues within work.

Knowledge

• Excellent analytical and practical understanding of the social, political and economic context of Cameroon
• Good understanding and appreciation of the volunteering, as a contribution to international development.
• Knowledge and experience related to Cuso International’s program in Cameroon, in particular in relation to (eg. national volunteering in local development processes and pro-poor rural economic development, GESI, ISEG, Health – delete/add as necessary)
• Excellent knowledge of the Project Cycle, its tools and phases.
• Knowledge of computer and internet proficiency (all Microsoft Office tools, databases, we research, web-based tools and transactions, etc.)

Abilities

• Ability to think, plan and work strategically and creatively.
• Ability to write coherent and strong proposals and concept notes.
• Ability to work well and respectfully as part of a diverse team and in cross-cultural contexts.
• Ability to use different communication media effectively, including email, telephone, Skype and written correspondence.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and guidance

Skills

• Excellent proficiency in English and French (both written and verbal)
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal and the
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate, persuade coach, mobilize and develop positive relationships with others internally and externally.
• Excellent planning, prioritizing and time management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities, finding innovative solutions to difficult, complex and unpredictable challenges.

Others

• Willingness and ability to travel and to spend up to 8 weeks away from home both within the country and on international trips.
• Willingness to work irregular hours of work and overtime, in order to successfully meet deliverables.
• Valid driver’s license and clear driving record.

Desirable

• Experience of being a volunteering; working with or managing volunteers.
• Knowledge of the development and socio-political context of the region.

HOW TO APPLY

Your application must be written in English and forwarded to hr.westafrica@cusointernational.org, with the competition number: Country Representative Cameroon-2015-39 clearly marked as the subject number. Applications must be received by Friday, November 6th, 2015 11:59 pm Eastern Time. No late applications will be considered. CV must be 3 pages in length maximum and covering letter must be 1 page long maximum.

To be considered, your résumé and cover letter should demonstrate that all of the essential qualifications are met. Applications that do not meet the above requirements will not be considered.