Evidence Action
Description
About Evidence Action
Evidence Action is a global nonprofit organization with an approach distinctive in international development – we exclusively scale interventions that are backed by strong evidence and can be delivered with exceptional cost-effectiveness. Since our founding in 2013, we have reached over 515 million people globally with our interventions. We deliver high impact for every dollar spent, as recognized by GiveWell, The Life You Can Save, and Charity Navigator.
We do development differently: We take a data-driven approach to identifying, scaling, and continuously improving programs which deliver immense impact, ensuring these solutions measurably improve the lives of millions. Our Deworm the World Program has helped governments in Africa and Asia deliver over 1.8 billion childhood deworming treatments, improving health, education, and incomes. Safe Water Now provides sustained safe water access to over 10 million people in Africa, preventing childhood illness and deaths.
We drive innovation:Our Accelerator builds the next generation of exceptional programs, taking an approach most similar to a venture capital model. We are ruthless inexiting programs which do not meet our criteria; those that advance deliver outsized impact for millions of people.
We are global: Across nine countries in Africa and Asia, our 700+ people are united by a tremendous passion for our mission and impact. We are strong because of our diversity of experience, geography, and background – with over 90% of our people in the countries where our impact is focused.
We have big ambitions: Over the next decade, we’re setting our sights higher: We aim to reach over 600 million people globally to fulfill our vision of a world where hundreds of millions of people in the poorest places have better opportunities and their lives are measurably improved. We believe in bold and urgent action – because poverty doesn’t wait, and neither should we.
We need great people:Our success to date is due to the collective work of our amazing staff. To achieve our ambitious goals, we are looking for people who share our passion for evidence, cost-effectiveness, and scale. We seek individuals who take an entrepreneurial approach, enjoy tackling hard problems, and have a bias to action and results. If our vision and approach excite you as much as it does us, we invite you to join us.
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Program Manager Safe Water Now (SWN) the Area coordinator position is a key leadership role based at the field office. Responsible for delivering the Safe Water Now Program to the target communities. The role requires 60% office work and 40% field work in rural communities.
As a middle management level role, the Area coordinator will lead and manage program operations in a designated area.
Duties & Responsibilities
Program implementation Activities
The Area coordinator will oversee the delivery of high-quality Safe Water Now program activities in a designated geographical region; district, TA level and community level to ensure a high performing Safe Water Now program.
The implementation activities may include;
- 4000+ chlorine dispensers and In-Line Chlorination (ILC) devices oversight through a team of field officers.
- Manage the ongoing chlorine delivery and chlorine dispenser and ILC maintenance for all installed dispensers and ILC devices in the designated area to ensure a continuous supply of chlorine to all dispensers and attend to all maintenance issues noted through spot checks/community promoter reports.
- Manage promotion activities through program tested approaches e.g., messaging, promoter calls, reporting and feedback to ensure high chlorine adoption and impact for the Safe Water Now program.
- Manage Data inputs and reports for all Safe Water Now activities ensuring timely submission and reporting in liaison with the Monitoring Department.
The Area coordinator will oversee the implementation of all dispenser program activities in a designated geographical area; district, and TAs. The maintenance activities may include;
- Dispenser installations through comprehensive initial exploratory surveys/activities to indicate appropriateness/suitability of the area for the dispenser program
- Scoping new areas for potential relocation
- Exploratory surveys to ascertain potential of new areas where necessary
- Participate in resource planning for new areas
- Employ the program- wide dispenser implementation activity best practices tool kit to ensure a standard high-quality approach in dispenser implementation activities’ execution.
- Ensure timely submission and management of all data in the maintenance processes.
Human Resource Support
The Area Coordinator will lead a team of Associate Coordinator and Field officers to implement the Safe Water Now activities. The incumbent for this position must be able:
- Lead teams to implement SWN activities through team work, training, coaching and mentorship.
- Coordination of various team activities and promotion of team ownership of all program activities.
- Effective delegation to promote learning and employee career development.
- Effective supervision of the field teams to ensure high quality deliverables for the dispenser activities.
- Effective communication across teams. The Area Coordinator should regularly update all field staff on program work, program performance and any new development through meetings and other avenues.
- Manage people issues, staff leave, and staff attendance.
- Provide leadership and oversight to a team of about 20 staff in different levels.
- Provide direct supervision over Associate Coordinators to ensure that they deliver their KPIs required of that role.
- Ensure a good working environment is created within the spaces and teams in the Location that they oversee.
Financial Management and Planning.
The candidate must be a good planner, numeric and has a bias for cost effectiveness and attention to details. This entails;
- Developing work plans and budgets for the rollout or maintenance of chlorine dispensers in the locations that they oversee.
- Manage imprest requests, imprest returns and approvals at the field level.
- Approve activity budgets, activity costing and reports prepared by Associate Coordinators.
- Manage the allocation of expenses to appropriate donor expense codes
- Follow laid down financial procedures and in a cost-effective manner.
- Ensure compliance to all finance policies in the locations that they oversee.
External Relationships
The Area Coordinator has an important role in ensuring the program maintains a good brand and reputation within the area under his/her jurisdiction. The coordinator will;
- Develop useful relationships with program stakeholders and ensure a good rapport with them.
- Be expected to manage communication between the program and stakeholders in consultation with the policy advisor/Program manager/Country Director.
- Lead the process of signing MOUs with the government in locations they oversee the implementation of the MOU deliverables.
Office Administration, logistics and procurement/Inventory management
- Manage office security, assets, and records and ensure all insurable assets are insured.
- Manage program motor vehicles/Motorcycles use in the field through an effective monitoring and reporting system.
- Manage the hiring of the motor vehicles/motorcycles through the recommended program procedures
- Manage logistics and coordination of all field transport requirements for staff.
- Manage local level field procurement in collaboration with the Administration and/or procurement personnel.
- Manage inventory records of all program assets, equipment, consumables etc.
- Manage good working relationship with landlords, suppliers and other service providers.
Requirements
Qualifications & skills
- Minimum Degree in Water Resource Management, Environmental/Public Health, development studies, management, project management or equivalent from a recognized institution.
- A minimum 3 years demonstrable experience managing field operations.
- High level of integrity and stewardship. This position manages program assets and has a huge financial responsibility.
- Must be detail oriented with a bias in managing field activities of a development program.
- Good conceptual skills with an analytical mind and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent planning and coordination as well as budgeting skills.
- Good communication, people management and leadership skills.
- Adept in leading, nurturing and developing a high performing team. Embraces team work and aspires and supports the ideals of working in a team environment as a team champion.
- Passion to work in a rural community setting. Self-driven and highly motivated to deliver results within tight deadlines.
- Flexible mindset and willingness to take challenging assignments not within the scope of this position.
- Ability to communicate well within the organization and externally with the rural communities and local leaders
- Excellent computer skills/data management skills.
- Proactive and ambitious to support innovation and change in a dynamic working environment
Performance Standards:
As per Evidence Action’s overall performance Contract and strategic plan Key Performance Indicators (KPI) detailed in the employee’s annual work plan.
The candidate must be able to travel by various modes of transportation and must be able to endure long periods of sitting or standing during travel. They must also be able to navigate unfamiliar environments and adapt to different cultural norms.
In addition, the candidate should have the ability to work in less developed rural areas, which may have limited access to modern infrastructure and amenities. This may require the candidate to adapt to basic living conditions, such as limited electricity or running water, and be comfortable with potential challenges such as extreme weather conditions, insects, or wildlife.
The position will be based at our Zomba Field Office directly reporting to the Program Manager while work closely with the in-country program team.
Closing date for receiving applications will be on Friday 22nd March 2024 by 5pm but shortlisting will be done on rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Equal Opportunity Statement
At Evidence Action, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusivity in our workforce. We believe in creating a workplace that is free from discrimination and where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
We do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply for this position at Evidence Action, regardless of their background or personal characteristics. We are committed to providing a fair and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal access and consideration for all applicants. We strive to foster an environment that embraces diversity, respects individual differences, and promotes a culture of inclusion. By embracing a diverse workforce, we believe we can better serve our mission to use evidence to improve global wellbeing