Interim MCC Representative for Chad
1.00
Allowance
 
N’Djamena
Chad
Climate – mainly hot, dry and dusty, with a 3 month wet season.

Health facilities – a new modern hospital with labs, international doctors and specialists, and a good dental clinic.

Church – There are a large number of evangelical churches with services in French and local languages. There is also an English speaking International church that meets twice a month.

Culture – Wide range of cultural and social activities. Most people who come to Chad enjoy the openness and friendliness of the Chadian people, the rich diversity of cultures (Arabic and Sub-Saharan), music, dance, art and languages

MCCers live in locally available housing. Currently, the Rep housing is located on a rented compound with the MCC office. There is plenty of space and potential, currently housing a family of 6. Water and electricity is fairly reliable and there is back up solar power and a generator.

There are a wide variety of local food products. Meat, fruit and vegetables are available in local markets. There are also some stores where imported foods are sold. N’Djamena is developing at a fast pace, with more available each year.

Transport in and around N’Djamena may be done with the MCC Land cruiser, or motorcycle. Transport between cities can be done in MCC vehicles or by bus.

Should schooling be needed, there are quality schools available. If English schooling is needed, there is quality education at an AIM school, up through 8th grade. Further education in English would require home schooling, boarding school, or online options.

Sep 15, 2017
Nov 01, 2017
Flexiblity with start date
9 months
All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active membership or participation in a Christian church; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Required for all MCC Representative Positions:
Minimum Education Level: BA/BSc or equivalent
Minimum Experience: International experience and MCC experience preferred

1. Relational Skills: Ability to form, foster and maintain positive, working relationships with MCC service workers, MCC staff, local churches and MCC partners, building trust by demonstrating integrity in actions and communications and modeling the values of the organization.
2. Supervisory Skills: Ability to manage/supervise personnel, which includes staff appointments and terminations, performance appraisals, interpreting and enforcing policies, conflict resolutions/problem solving and development of staff (in cooperation with the Human Resources Department).
3. Computer Literacy: Ability to use email programs, navigate the internet, locate resources, use Microsoft Excel and Word. Ability to navigate and use MCC specific databases for the purpose of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and recording.
4. Adaptability: Ability to adapt as needed to work effectively in ambiguous or changing situations and with diverse individuals and groups.
5. Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze and synthesize information to understand issues, identify options and support sound decision making.
6. Planning and Organizing: Ability to develop, implement, evaluate and adjust plans to reach goals, ensuring the optimal use of resources.
7. Initiative: Ability to be proactive and persistent in efforts, identifying opportunities and needs then taking action for resolution.
8. Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals, taking actions that respect the needs and contributions of others.
9. Communication: Ability to listen, to model open communication and foster good will among others.
10. Self-awareness: Ability to understand one’s own emotional framework, maintain a non-defensive posture and manage personal reactivity when leadership is challenged.
11. Cross cultural/multi-cultural awareness: Ability to work with issues of equity in a cross-cultural setting.
12. Financial Management: Ability to successfully manage MCC resources within a country program.
13. Program, Monitoring and Evaluation: Ability to understand and implement Program, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Results based management.
14. Previous experience in making well-informed, effective and timely decisions, taking into consideration impact and implications within local and regional context.
15. Demonstrated ability to serve as MCC Representative without bias or conflict of interest, with ability to withstand intense pressure from local constituents.

For this specific assignment:

For this specific assignment:

Skills:
•    Creativity and Innovation:  Ability to generate new approaches and viable solutions
•    Organizational Awareness: An understanding of the structure and organizational culture of large non-profit organizations, such as MCC, and ability to work successfully within the structure to achieve results
•    Development of Others: Ability to foster worker development by providing a supportive learning environment
•    Conflict Resolution:  Ability to bring conflict and dissent between others into the open to arrive at constructive solution while maintaining positive relationships with all parties
•    Risk Taking:  Ability to identify, assess and manage risk while striving to attain objectives
•    Team Leadership:  Assumes a leadership role in helping others achieve excellent results
•    Writing Skills:  Can communicate ideas and information in writing to ensure that information and messages are understood and have the desired impact
•    Language: Ability to learn/speak French (MCC will provide language study), ability to learn additional local languages a plus.

Assignment Narrative:

The interim MCC Representative(s) is responsible for the administration and management of the program including program planning, budgets, personnel selection and placement, orientation of new volunteers, support of volunteers and staff, networking with other agencies and government departments and relationships with local partners.  The Rep(s) will work with a Support Assistant and a bookkeeper who help to manage logistics, partner relations, finance, and local personnel. The interim Rep(s) will also implement the recommendations from the Country Review and audit completed in December 2016.

The interim representative will oversee all aspects of the MCC Chad program during the transition to new representatives. This includes following the current strategic plan, budgeting, supporting national staff and expatriate volunteers, overseeing partnership relationships/grants, the provision of other kinds of technical and PME&R (Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting) support, and maintaining key relationships and networks. This position can be held by one person or shared by spouses.

The Rep position is open to be filled by a single person or a couple. The FTE involved ranges from 1.0 FTE (single person who may delegate some tasks to other staff) to 1.5 FTE (couple with children) to 2.0 FTE (couple with no children).

Extreme Heat; Security issues; Limited mental health services available
1. MCC Vision and Mission. Be the carrier/communicator of institutional identity in relationship to
• local partners, church, government, other international NGOs
• MCC workers: Nurture understanding of and respect for MCC values and witness; reflect upon and communicate the spirituality of the team.

2. Oversight of Country Program. Direct and oversee implementation of regional priorities and country-specific strategies
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with partners
• Plan, monitor, report and evaluate projects

3. Management of MCC Resources
• Prepare, monitor and evaluate annual goals and objectives in the context of a multi-year strategic plan
• Prepare and monitor budgets in accordance with strategic and annual plans and in alignment with Financial Management Policies
• Develop and monitor financial record-keeping and reporting, taking corrective action where needed
• Develop and maintain lists of inventories of equipment, including computers, vehicles, etc. along with replacement plans
• Ensure resource stewardship across the country
• Prepare and monitor project reporting
Receive and respond to worker reports
Ensure maintenance of personnel records and other documents for MCC Records and Archives
• Manage Material Resources distribution as needed.

4. Select, supervise, and motivate MCC workers: International Service Workers and National staff
• Provide orientation for new workers, including language study
• Create an environment where all individuals are comfortable openly addressing concerns/opinions
• Ensure spiritual, emotional and professional support for workers
• Monitor relationships between workers and partners with whom they work
• Implement MCC Human Resource policies and assist in policy interpretation for workers
• Conduct timely performance appraisals and End-of-Term reports for service workers
• Ensure workers’ compliance with MCC values and witness
• Monitor compensation, benefits and policies for national staff

5. Team building: build and maintain MCC personnel team
• Clarify team expectations regularly
• Monitor team relationships
• Lead team in decision making
• Demonstrates skill in resolving difficult situations, drawing on a variety of resources

6. Hospitality: arrange for hospitality as needed
• MCC program and support staff, as well as MCC constituents from the U.S. and Canada
• Others who are travelling in the country and who are interested in the work of MCC

7. Represent the Country to MCC and Constituents
• Cultivate and maintain awareness of the political, economic, social, cultural, and historical contexts of the country/region
• Provide information about the situation, needs and resources of the country/region to the Associate /Area Directors and others within MCC and to MCC constituency

Challenges:

MCC wants people to have a sense of the adjustments that workers typically need to make in this location. Listed below are some of those challenges as well as ways workers typically adjust, and even thrive in this new environment (climate, isolation, health risks, security, pollution and political instability).

Chad is a Sahelian country with a hot, dry, dusty climate. It is desert in the north and more tropical to the south. It is seldom less than 30 Celcius (86F) in the midday, even in the cool season, though December and January will have cooler nights, and during the rainy season the days will cool down after a rain. Temperatures range from 28-32 degrees Celsius (80-89 F) during the cooler, dusty months of December to January and 38-45 degrees Celsius (100-120 F) during the hot season of mid-March to mid-June.

Life in Chad can feel very isolated. Cultural and language barriers make it difficult to form deep friendships. However, it can be done, and is a very rewarding experience. There is a good expat community in N’Djamena where own culture/language relationships can more easily be formed.

Malaria is endemic in Chad and malaria prophylactics are strongly recommended throughout the year for short term workers. Currently, long term MCCers are not using prophylactics. There are excellent treatment options if Malaria is contracted. There is a high risk of gastrointestinal problems and a risk of typhoid fever. No psychological services are currently available.

Security issues in N’Djamena change as a result of political and regional situations. Currently, there are no major security concerns. MCC Chad has a detailed security policy, which is updated regularly, or as needed, to address any potential security threats that arise.

Pollution in Chad is a problem. The most visible form of pollution is household waste, which is often burned on the streets. This is not only an eye sore, but a health issue for local residents.

The most recent Presidential elections passed with no major unrest (2016). The current President holds all of the political power in Chad, and has been in power for 26 years. There are rumors of potential power grabs, but realistically, the current President, who is supported by the international community, is not in any danger of being removed from power.

Good local friends, close and trusting relationships with local partners, tolerance, and a willingness to laugh all help counter these risks.

Apply now

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