Livelihoods Programme Coordinator - Caritas Austria

BACKGROUND

The crisis in Syria, which started in 2011, is among the most pressing humanitarian disasters in the world today, with over 6.2 million Syrians internally displaced and over 5.5 million displaced in neighboring countries. Caritas Austria, through its implementing partners, has provided humanitarian assistance in Syria and neighbouring countries since 2011. Today, Caritas Austria continues to be actively involved inside Syria with a particular work focus on basic assistance and education. On top, it is now developing an impactful livelihoods programme.  

PURPOSE & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Livelihoods Programme Coordinator will play a key role in developing and then monitoring and supporting Caritas Austria’s livelihooods programme inside Syria. Responsibilities include project development including needs and response analysis, building and maintaining partnerships, sector coordination, and providing technical guidance that enables implementing partners to strengthen beneficiaries’ self-reliance and the recovery of their livelihoods. All aspects of the position are governed by a strong commitment to humanitarian standards and Caritas Internationalis’ Partnership Principles.

The Livelihoods Programme Coordinator is part of Caritas Austria’s Middle East team. She or he reports to the Syria Programme Manager, and coordinates closely with the Vienna-based Livelihoods Technical Advisor, as well as with other members of Caritas Austria’s Middle East team.

Programme Development

Support the operationalization of Caritas Austria’s livelihoods strategy, including:

• Identifying partners/stakeholders and developing relationships;
• Building relationships with relevant working groups and coordination mechanisms;
• Identifying and building relationships with donors;
• Conducting needs assessments and partner assessments
• Keep Caritas Austria up-to-date on gaps, opportunities, approaches, and recommendations within the sector;
• Support the development of proposals;
• Build the capacity of partner and project staff on relevant concepts and methodologies.

Programme Implementation and Reporting

• Provide strategic input to inform Caritas Austria’s llivelihoods programme in Syria;
• Represent Caritas Austria in relevant working groups, coordination mechanisms, and clusters;
• Maintain and strengthen partnerships with local partners;
• Develop and carry out capacity building plans with staff and partner organizations;
• Provide technical guidance to implementing partners;
• Monitor the quality of project implementation and reporting;
• Monitor budget expenditures in relation to approved project budgets;
• Support proposal writing and fundraising efforts;
• Facilitate the information flow to Caritas Austria’s Communications Department;
• Adhere to international standards guiding emergency relief and development work as outlined by Caritas Internationalis, UN organizations, and relevant local and international spheres.

Coordinates with:

The Livelihoods Technical Advisor and members of Caritas Austria’s Middle East Team, implementing partners, Caritas Internationalis Member Organisations, relevant working groups and clusters, other INGOs/NGOs active in the livelihoods sector.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS

• Be a resident of Syria, with the ability to work inside Syria
• Academic degree in Economics, Business Administration, Political or Social Sciences, or a related field from an accredited academic institution
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in project design and management in the humanitarian field
• Experience with key livelihoods concepts and principles (e.g. Sustainable Livelihoods Framework)
• Self-starter, being able to work independently
• Excellent communication and representation skills (both oral and written)
• Experience in liaising with donors, stakeholders, and authorities
• Strong organizational, administration, and reporting skills
• Strong commitment to the principles and mission of Caritas Internationalis:
• Ability to work with flexibility in order to meet tight and shifting deadlines
• Available for regular travel, when/where possible
• Ability to strictly adhere to safety and security protocols
• Fluency in Arabic, proficiency in verbal and written English.