Hivos is seeking a Programme Officer to work with Janpath Citizens' Initiative (JCI), a co-ordinated NGO response to emergency relief and rehabilitation needs in Gujarat in the wake of the devastating earthquake which struck on 26 January 2001. JCI works through its members, i.e., through hundreds of grassroots NGOs which are already engaged in relief operations in Kachch, Rajkot, Surendranagar, Jamnagar and Bharuch districts.

The Programme Officer will assist JCI by providing technical expertise related to relief and rehabilitation and by providing administrative support necessary for co-ordinating, monitoring, and reporting. These functions will cover two phases of JCI's work over a period of six months, starting Immediately. The first phase will focus on emergency relief in remote villages, as yet unreached by relief efforts. During the second phase, JCI plans to conduct a survey to determine medium and long-term needs of these communities and to draw up a rehabilitation plan, which it will subsequently implement.

The Programme Officer's task is to support JCI in ensuring that relief and rehabilitation work undertaken is effective, efficient, accountable and transparent. In order to achieve this, the Programme Officer will have to work closely not only with JCI's own coordinating committee but also with JCI's membership, advisory committee, representatives of the government, and affected communities.

This is a challenging post and Hivos is looking for a person with a minimum of three years experience in disaster preparedness and response, including management of large-scale relief operations. Strong social and interpersonal skills are required. Sensitivity to, and proactive stance on gender issues is a must, along with a commitment to ensuring that women, children, and the poor (regardless of caste and religion) fully participate in and benefit from the programme. A good working knowledge of Gujarati and English is essential. The Programme Officer will be based in Ahmedabad and may need to travel frequently and extensively.

The Programme Officer will report to Hivos. This is a temporary position and we offer a six month contract, a reasonable salary and other benefits to attract competent applicants. Women candidates are encouraged to apply. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Apply with full CV and a covering letter explaining fully how you meet the criteria listed not later than 15 February 2001.

Applications should be sent to:

Hivos

Flat 402, Eden Park

20 Vittal Mallya Road

Bangalore 560 001

Fax: (080) 227 0367

(we do not encourage inquiries over the `phone or in person)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title : Programme Officer

Programme : Janpath Citizens' Initiative, Gujarat Earthquake Emergency

Relief and Rehabilitation

Job Purpose

To support Janpath Citizens' Initiative (JCI) by

a) providing and/or obtaining expert advice regarding disaster management and rehabilitation;

b) performing administrative tasks necessary to ensure relief and rehabilitation activities are effective, efficient, accountable and transparent; and

c) facilitating the development of a plan to meet medium- and long- term rehabilitation needs in JCI's work area, based on a survey.

Reporting Lines

To Hivos, India Regional Office, Bangalore.

To the Advisory/Monitoring Committee of JCI (which will comprise of key stakeholders who will provide inputs and support on various aspects of programme development and strategies for interventions).

Key Responsibilities

1. To make routine visits to JCI's work area to monitor programme implementation and to provide support in terms of information, planning, etc.

2. To prepare regular (weekly) progress reports, documenting both process as well as work completed.

3. To advise JCI regarding its work plan (short and longer term).

4. To facilitate the setting up of structures in JCI that assist in assuring that the Earthquake Relief Fund operates effectively, efficiently, accountably and transparently.

5. To assist JCI's members to prepare internal progress reports.

Qualifications

1. Minimum experience of three years in disaster preparedness and response, including management of large-scale relief operations.

2. Experience in working with poor people, preferably in disaster- prone rural areas.

3. Good working knowledge of Gujarati and English, and effective communication skills.

4. Good knowledge of socio-economic conditions of Gujarat.

5. Social skills - working with community groups, team work, rapport building, inter-personal skills.

6. Physical fitness to travel, and a willingness to take on sustained field work, and irregular work hours.

7. Sensitivity to gender issues and commitment to the cause of the poor.

8. Project management skills, including organisation, planning, budgeting, scheduling, and reporting.