Country Representative - ( 0521 )

Oxfam Canada - Addis Ababa, Ethiopia based
Deadline: May 21, 2007

National Office: 400 ¡V 250 City Centre AvenueOttawa, Ontario, Canada K1R 6K7FAX (613) 237-0524 Email: employment@oxfam.ca

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POSITION TITLE: Country Representative - Ethiopia
LOCATION: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
STATUS: Full-time, 2 year term with possibility of extension (unionized, CUPE Local 2722)SALARY RANGE: $50,334.69 - $66,237.03

Oxfam Canada is an international development agency committed to the equitable distribution of wealth and power through fundamental social change. We work in relationships of solidarity and partnership to eradicate poverty and injustice, with a focus on women¡¦s rights and gender equality.

SCOPE:

Working under the general direction of the Program Coordinator of the Horn of Africa Program (based in Ottawa), and within the framework of Oxfam Canada¡¦s Strategic Plan, the Country Representative provides programmatic leadership and management oversight to OC¡¦s development and humanitarian program in Ethiopia.

Supported by Head Office, the OC Country Representative provides leadership to program definition and development, proposal preparation and funding, project management, monitoring and evaluation. The OC Country Representative is responsible for the administration and management of the Country Office, including staff, assets and grants. She/He represents OC to a wide range of agencies, including local and international NGOs, local, state and national governments, and bilateral and multilateral institutions. She/He also engages with partners and allies in the definition and implementation of advocacy campaigns on a range of issues in an often complex policy environment.

The Ethiopia program of Oxfam Canada has a strong focus on building capacity of partner NGOs, developing and convening civil society networks, as well as promoting and implementing innovative community development approaches (such as asset-based approaches). With a new Oxfam Canada strategic direction focusing on Women¡¦s Rights and Gender Equality, the Ethiopia program is expanding and reinforcing its gender programming plans for the next few years.

Oxfam Canada¡¦s program in Ethiopia is implemented by a small team of local professionals, field staff and administrative personnel, working in close collaboration with local and international NGOs, including other national affiliates of Oxfam International.

MINIMUM REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Five years of international development experience including proven ability to design, manage and evaluate development projects. Experience in reporting to and liaising with a range of funding agencies (bilateral, multilateral, private, etc.) is considered an asset.
• Three years of overseas program management experience with an international development agency which includes program, staff and budget management, preferably in Africa. Work experience in emergency-prone / conflict-affected regions is considered an asset.
• Strong analytical understanding of development issues as indicated by post-graduate education or equivalent professional experience, including training and work experience on gender issues. Training and/or work experience on rural livelihoods and humanitarian responses are also strong assets.
• Excellent written and spoken English and demonstrated ability to prepare documents and presentations that exhibit strong analytical ability. Experience in writing project/program reports an asset.
• Demonstrated skills in the preparation, monitoring and management of budgets.
• Demonstrated capacity in staff management and office administration.
• Ability to be self-directed and to work collaboratively with colleagues, partners and counterparts in a complex and often demanding environment.
• Ability to meet multiple demands and tasks, often competing in priorityPlease visit our website www.oxfam.ca

• The salary and benefit package for this position is in accordance with Oxfam¡¦s policies supplemented by the standard set of provisions related to overseas deployment.

• We thank all those who apply, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Oxfam Canada practices employment equity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

(This is not an exhaustive list of the duties to be performed)1. Programme Development

Work with Horn of Africa Team members to maintain and further develop a Horn of Africa Programme which is in accordance with Oxfam Canada and Oxfam International (OI) programme frameworks, goals, and criteria and which includes the funding of overseas programmes linked wherever appropriate to policy, advocacy and education initiatives. In particular the Country Representative will:

develop recommendations for programme support to overseas counterparts;

facilitate the development of programme proposals for implementation by Oxfam Canada and its partners,

work with the Horn Team to monitor and contribute to a programme plan that is based on the needs and priorities of the region and is integrated into the Oxfam Canada and OI Strategic Plans,

increase the use and understanding of Results Based Management methods for monitoring and evaluation to improve overall country programme management and organisational learning,„X manage Oxfam Canada¡¦s response to disasters and emergencies when appropriate,„X participate in developing appropriate mechanisms for providing information to Oxfam Canada¡¦s Fundraising Team,

participate in Oxfam International¡¦s Regional Strategy Team working groups, which includes bringing Oxfam Canada¡¦s perspectives into the process as well as integrating the process into Oxfam Canada¡¦s programming,

participate in, and provide support to, advocacy initiatives appropriate to the programme.2. Programme Management and Implementation

Maintain on-going contact with programme counterparts through communication and regular field visits, including frequent travel for consultations, programme monitoring, accompaniment and related activities.

Facilitate links among overseas counterparts and between overseas and Canadian counterparts.

Contribute to Oxfam Canada¡¦s policy work particularly related to overseas programme.

Responsible for programme implementation and management and the financial management of Oxfam Canada¡¦s programmes including responsibility to: o arrange disbursements to overseas counterparts in accordance with approved programmes and budgets,o ensure the preparation and execution of funding agreements as required,o prepare reports and ensure that these are submitted on time and in accordance with requirements,o ensure programmes are monitored in accordance with contracts and expected results are achieved.o Manage approved emergency response initiatives.

Manage the operation of the field office in Addis Ababa including responsibility to:o supervise the work of locally engaged and other field staff (if any);o execute contracts for office space and equipment, recommend the in-country administrative budget, o authorise expenditures, and monitor performance to budget, and o ensure that Oxfam Canada operates in Ethiopia in accordance with Ethiopian laws and its agreement with the Ethiopian Government.3. Policy, Advocacy, and Educationo Feed information about current affairs, changing development priorities based on analysis of local determinants of poverty, and the activities of our partners which may affect Oxfam Canada¡¦s policy and advocacy work to key staff members.o Advocate on behalf of Oxfam Canada and counterparts, and act as a representative of Oxfam Canada with foreign governments, multi-lateral agencies and NGOs within the region, as well as with Canadian government and CIDA offices overseas.4. Programme Fundingo Contribute to the preparation of the Horn of Africa portion of Oxfam Canada¡¦s core funding application (CIDA-IPF).o Prepare funding applications for development and or emergency programming. 5. Programme Maintenance„X Maintain a general understanding of the Horn of Africa region, including:o the overall political, economic, social, cultural and environmental realities as they affect regional, national and local determinants of poverty,o relevant current Canadian government policy and aid programmes, o the work of other NGOs, International Agencies and Oxfams in the field.„X Oversee or directly provide support and orientation to visiting monitors, delegations, missions or other programme initiatives involving Oxfam Canada programmes or programmes that Oxfam Canada manages including occasional official visits by Canadian government officials.„X Respond to local or international media attention on issues and events in the region related to the programme and assist in developing media strategies in support of the programme.„X Using established protocols and procedures, ensure that Oxfam Canada Canadian Programme and Fundraising staff are kept informed of programme activities and developments related to the work of overseas partners „X Ensure agreements in effect for the region are adhered to.6. Institutional Development and Maintenance„X Contribute to policy generation and debate on issues related to the Horn of Africa region or of organizational development importance to Oxfam Canada. In so doing, contribute to the improvement of overall programme directions development and management through strong and effective organizational systems, greater cost effectiveness, and increased programme impact.7. Other related duties as required.