Country context:

Sierra Leone is a country with a population of about 4.5 million, which suffered from 11 years of civil war. Since 2005, the war is over, and the majority of citizens have resumed their normal lives but the effects of the war (roofless houses, amputations, poverty) are still evident.

Even if corruption remains a major problem and power is concentrated in the hands of the wealthy, Sierra Leone is officially a democracy, with an elected president and representatives. There is animosity between political parties but it is not expressed in violence.

The country is divided 60-40 between Muslims and Christians but there is no animosity between the groups. Generally security is good and most Sierra Leoneans look out for foreigners and warn them if there are problems.

The rebuilding of the country (such as hospital and road) is a slow process, which makes travel outside Freetown difficult and the level of health care quite low.

Job context:

Handicap international’s activities in Sierra Leone began in 1996 during an emergency relief phase in response to needs for psychological support and artificial limbs resulting from the amputation policy that had been implemented during the conflict.

Since then, the mission has developed considerably and orientates the actions in three main directions: the strengthening of care services, the training of professionals and disabled people’s organisations and the promotion of disabled people’s rights.

The current project aims at promoting inclusion in development issues and the rights of People With Disabilities at central and local level in Sierra Leone. This will be done through the strengthening of Disabled People Organisations coordination body at central level in order to influence national policies on disability issues, the DPOs capacity building at local level, and the sensitization of local actors and communities for a better inclusion of PWDs in development issues at local level. In Kono district, activities will take place in Koïdu, the district capital, and in 4 chiefdoms.

Job description:

Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Rights and Inclusion Project Manager will be in charge of implementing the project in the 2 sites : Freetown and Kono district:

• Identify and design the project(s) and the strategies with the project team, the field programme director or the sector manager

• Manage and train the team: Deputy Project Manager, DPO Support Officer, Training Officer and 4 Sensitization Workers

• Manage the financial, logistical and material resources for the project

• Write the activity reports, prepare the evaluation phases and implement the recommendations

• Communicate on the project’s activities with all of the partners

• Monitor the 2 sites in collaboration with National Rehabilitation and Psychological Coordinators and others project managers to ensure that their efforts mesh with the HI national activities as rehabilitation policy, sensitization, networking...

• Liaising with the Ministries of Social Welfare, Health and Sanitation, Development and international INGO’s working in the fields of disability and development regarding the lobbying for a national policy on disability and the inclusion of PWDs on development projects

• Assure the project’s technical framework, notably by identifying technical or documentary resources or additional skills needed in the project

• Collect and formalise the tools and methods developed within the project framework

• Represent and defend project policy at national and international level and with funding bodies

• Contribute towards the capitalisation of experience in close collaboration with the HQ Technical Coordinator

• Participate in the process of drawing up the pluri-annual strategies

Post constraints:

The Project Manager will live in Freetown and will make trips to Koidu (6 hours by car from Freetown). The life in Freetown is secure, there are few places to go out and some beautiful beaches for entertainment.

Profile sought:

- Qualification in Project Management and/or Social work

- Minimum 3 years practical experience in development project management

- Minimum 2 years experience in the field of Rights promotion, DPO empowerment or social inclusion

- Team management experience and skills

- Advocacy, lobbying, negotiation and networking skills

- Knowledge and experience in West Africa is a plus

Languages:

Fluent written and spoken English essential.

French is a plus.

 

Remuneration: Volunteer or salaried status based on experience

Volunteer: 750 or 850€ + allowance, accommodation, medical coverage and insurance

Salaried: 1960 to 2150€ monthly gross salary + benefits

Length of Mission: 2 years

Start date: 1st of October 2007

 

Please send cover letter and resume to: Reference CPRghSL

HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL

14, avenue Berthelot

69361 LYON CEDEX 07 - FRANCE

Or by e-mail : recrut04@handicap-international.org

No phone calls please

 

Swiss residents and citizens, please send your application to:

HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL

11, avenue de Joli-Mont

1209 GENEVE - SUISSE

Or by e-mail : accueilrh@handicap-international.ch

No phone calls please