Assistant Area Coordinator, Tanzania

Assistant Area Coordinator (Tanzania)

• Reports to:Country Expansion Manager
• Project:Dispenser for Safe Water (DSW)
• Location:Tanzania (Station or exact city location yet to be determined)
• Field Transport: Driving of motorcycles may be required in the execution of some field work
• Working Conditions: A mix of field and office work, depending on the needs of the project
• Deadline to apply: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
• Desired start date: As soon as possible

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), is an international non-profit research organization. Based in New Haven, CT, with offices in Washington, D.C. and worldwide, IPA works with development partners and academic researchers to create and evaluate approaches to solving development problems, to communicate 'what works' in development and to scale up successful projects in a variety of fields, including health, education, microfinance, governance and agriculture.

About Evidence Action

There is a gap between what research shows is effective in development and what happens in practice. Evidence Action bridges the gap, translating research into tangible results at scale.

A sister organization of MIT's Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) and Innovations for Poverty Action, Evidence Action is a new organization committed to scaling up proven, cost-effective, and sustainable interventions. Evidence Action was just selected by GiveWell as one of the top 3 charities of 2013.

Position Summary:

A coordinator is charged with ensuring that Evidence Action is well represented to the public and the partners we work with. It is expected that each individual coordinator will maintain good relations with our local partners, provincial administration and local communities that we interact with. Feedback and dissemination of relevant information to the said group is important in ensuring that communication is efficient and effective.

Program Summary:

Dispensers for Safe Water is one of Evidence Action's two major initiatives. Dispensers for Safe Water combines an innovative chlorine dispenser technology with on-going service delivery to provide safe water in East Africa, reducing diarrheal disease by 40% and costing less than $0.50/person at scale. Dispensers reach over one million people now, and the program plans to scale to 25 million people by 2018 through innovative financing mechanisms.

Responsibilities:

Assistant Area Coordinator Role and Expectations.

Programme Management

• Design and implement operational plans according to programme design needs
• Strategic leadership with regards to meeting programme dates and objectives
• Communication and coordination with headquarters about programme implementation and ongoing operations
• Report writing about operations activities

Logistics management

• Oversee the management of field resources
• Transportation, supplies, etc.
• Coordinate routine maintenance of both field and office equipments

Financial management

• Impresses, check requests, etc.
• Track finances for field work and submit timely, accurate financial report

Program and Personnel management

• Coordinate field and office activities
• Delegate and follow up on assigned and role specific tasks
• Take ownership & responsibility over successful implementation of the field work

Partnership and Relationship management

• Procurement, customer/partner, community members/leaders
• Coordinate related activities and meetings with existing and potential partners
• Maintain cordial partnerships, attend regional, provincial & national meetings that concern the program

Recordkeeping

• Database management, coordinating data entry and recordkeeping
• Maintain accurate records for project activities and equipment
• Keep organized, accurate staff leave and monthly attendance

Procurement

• Solicit bids and identify vendors with best value proposition for program equipment

Qualifications:

Desired Background and Skills

• At least 2 years of significant operations and management experience
• Proven ability to set direction through strategic analytical thinking and decision making
• Demonstrated integrity – the Programme Operations Manager will have significant financial and programmatic responsibilities
• Effective delegator, able to highly leverage time through a large staff
• Excellent communicator in both verbal and written communications
• Understanding of financial management in relation to creating and managing budgets
• Competent user of Microsoft office suite (Excel, Word, Power Point), and the internet
• Strong written and spoken English and Kiswahili

Expected Attitude

• Entrepreneurial Nature – DSW is still in its second year and employees are expected to pitch-in to drive programme growth with enthusiasm and flexibility
• Passionate about developing and serving a team of staff as they execute project activities
• Eagerness to develop personally/professionally, willingness to learn, develop new skills, and take on more responsibilities

Application Instructions:

Please follow the application instructions below. Any applications or CVs submitted outside this process will not be considered. Note, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

1.) Send an email to jobs@evidenceaction.org and cc jobs@poverty-action.org, following these instructions exactly:

• In the subject line: Copy exactly the following position line: 101120IPA Tanzania, Area Coordinator, Dispensers for Safe Water
• In the email body: Put your full name, first (given) name followed by last (family) name
• Attachments: Please attach ONLY your CV and cover letter

Please do not include any text besides your name in the body of the e-mail. Adding extra text will interfere with the processing of your application.

2.) Complete the J-PAL/IPA common application. Please select the position(s) you are interested in applying for on the 'Submit Application' page. Include two letters of recommendation, statement of purpose (cover letter), CV, and transcripts. We will consider your application even if you are unable to obtain reference letters before the deadline, but please be advised that we will be requiring them should you be invited for an interview.

Evidence Action and Innovations for Poverty Action are Equal Opportunity Employers (EOE),adhering to the laws that prohibit discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment. The IPA EOE policy provides equal employment, volunteer, and service opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, marital status, veteran status, disability (including HIV/AIDS), or any other status protected by applicable law.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by the Assistan Area Coordinator. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all possible duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. Please note that IPA will never request any form of payment from an applicant. Applicants are encouraged to confirm the information listed above with IPA prior to releasing any extensive personal information to the organization. Please direct questions to jobs@poverty-action.org .