Field coordinator Marsabit (F/M) – Kenya

For more than 40 years, Médecins du Monde, a campaigning medical organisation committed to international solidarity, has been caring for the most vulnerable populations here and abroad. It has continued to bear witness to obstacles that exist in accessing healthcare and has secured sustainable improvements in health-for-all policies.

Those working for this independent organisation do not solely dispense care and treatment but condemn violations of human dignity and rights and fight to improve matters for populations living in precarious situations.

MdM France currently works in 30 countries across all continents to facilitate access to healthcare through 6 political battles:

• Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
• Migration, Exile, Human Rights and Health
• Harm Reduction
• Environment and Health
• Humanitarian Space

For several years running, the arid and semi-arid lands of northern Kenya have suffered the consequences of a long drought. This had a direct impact on the living conditions of the pastoral populations, with a lack of access to water for both people and livestock, leading to a drop in milk production, the emaciation and even death of livestock, and an increase in malnutrition rates.

During 2023, some rains and a humanitarian response helped to improve the nutritional situation, moving the IPC from a state of emergency to a state of crisis.

However, the climate remains threatening (e.g. the El Nino phenomenon), the situation of the population is very precarious and the health system is failing.

It is against this backdrop that Médecins du Monde has launched a programme to strengthen the health system in Marsabit county, in northern Kenya. The aim of the programme is to improve access to primary healthcare and sexual and reproductive health rights, and to support the authorities in preparing for and responding to health emergencies (epidemics, malnutrition).

Job description

In the context of mission opening, the field coordinator will be specifically in charge of the following :

Base management

• Ensure adequate information flow within the different departments (program, administration/finance, logistics)
• Oversee and coordinate the general functioning of the base
• Oversee office space allocation for all staff in the MdM Marsabit office
• Support guesthouse management including rooms allocation for new expats and visiting staff

Program coordination

• Coordinate and lead the assessments and the analysis of the general context, problems and needs in Marsabit
• Ensure the implementation of the project according to the assessments results, MdM priorities and strategy
• Ensure data collection and reporting are done as per deadline
• Continuously assess the needs & adjust when necessary
• Contribute to the definition/revision of MdM strategy in Marsabit
• Draw up scenarios and proposals and support the budget creation/revision for future/new activities
• Support the identification of program risks and mitigation measures
• Perform regular field visits to area of implementation

Logistics/Finance/Administration

• Ensure familiarity with donor compliance issues, ensuring all projects implementation
• Ensure appropriate administrative, financial and logistical MdM systems/procedures are in place
• Ensure regular communications are maintained between the different departments and act as a mediator when necessary
• Be responsible for accurate budget control and overall responsibility for financial management at the project site
• Ensure that financial needs are well planned according to activities workplan

Team management and capacity building

• Recruit the staff under your direct or technical management
• Ensure proper induction, capacity building and on the job training to team members
• Develop individual action plans and proceed to regular professional evaluations
• Participate in disciplinary processes
• Define, roll out and supervise the whistleblowing policy and tools

Safety and Security Management

• Ensure team security and safety
• Proactively monitor the political and security situation and update the country security and access
• Ensure that appropriate security guidelines are developed, communicated, adhered to, and regularly reviewed
• Ensure timely and accurate security / incident reports are sent to the country security and access officer / general coordinator

Representation & Reporting

• Represent MdM to donors, authorities, NGOs and other parties, as necessary
• Participate to the monthly mission’s situation report
• Participate to proposals & reports to donors

Profile

• Higher education in project management or general field of study (five years post-secondary education).
• Minimum three-year experience in a similar position with an international NGO working in emergency contexts, preferably within the health sector, or previous field experience with MdM in different contexts.
• Experience of security management at the field site level.
• Analyze the issues and challenges in the region.
• Discuss, present arguments, negotiate and convince authorities and partners.
• Analyze the context and the consequences of an intervention, assess the risks and constraints, and identify priorities.
• Analyze the external risks and threats to the security of teams, report on this.
• Manage and follow a budget.
• Good Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Word etc.)
• Languages : English is mandatory (oral and written), knowledge of Swahili is an asset
• You embrace the core values and support the proactive philosophy of Médecins du Monde.

Conditions of employment

• Contract: Fixed-term contract
• Duration: 4 months
• Starting date: September 2024
• Gross monthly salary: 3,570 euros
• Premium equal to one month salary paid in two instalments – minimum of 6 months seniority required
• Expatriation bonus (10% gross salary per month)
• Transportation cost, vaccines and visas covered
• Guesthouse housing
• 22.5 recovery days per year
• 5 weeks of paid leaves per year
• Health insurance (60% covered by MdM)
• Insurance (repatriation…)

As part of our measures to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism, any selected candidate may be subject to a background check on international sanctions lists (UN, the EU, France, the United States…). This information is handled confidentially and stored on a secure server. For more information on the processing of personal data throughout this process: http://bit.ly/3CSTDYO

TELEPHONE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Médecins du Monde reserves the right to fill the vacancy before the closing date for applications.

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