WE ARE SEEKING :

PROJECT MANAGER –Trincomalee– Sri Lanka

12 month – As soon as possible

Handicap International is an international organisation specialised in the field of disability.  Non-governmental, non-religious, non-political and non-profit making, it works alongside people with disabilities, whatever the context, offering them assistance and supporting them in their efforts to become self-reliant. Since its creation, the organisation has set up programmes in approximately 60 countries and intervened in many emergency situations. It has a network of eight national associations (Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA) which provide human and financial resources, manages projects and raises awareness of Handicap International’s actions and campaigns.

Country context :

After two decades of fighting, both Sri Lankan government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) signed and began a ceasefire in February 2002 with Norway brokering peace negotiations. There was an upsurge in violence at the end of 2005 and early 2006. The situation has changed drastically since the initial emergency phase after the tsunami. During 2006 the majority of the people receiving direct services from Handicap International are direct or indirect victims of the escalating conflict in Sri Lanka, which has intensified since April 2006. However, our four districts of operation are among the areas most affected by tsunami, and some beneficiaries have been affected by both tsunami and conflict. Handicap International projects are deployed in Hambantota, Batticaloa, Ampara, and Trincomalee, as well as at national level in Colombo. Due to the conflict 70 to 80 000 IDP escaped fighting, HI give direct support to those people.

Job context :

Two years on from the Tsunami, Handicap International has established itself in Sri Lanka as one of the key organisations in disability. Through a physical rehabilitation centre in Batticaloa, satellite centres and community based training of CBO volunteers in Trincomalee, Ampara and Batticaloa, our services have enabled adults and children with disabilities in rural areas to access appropriate rehabilitation services.

A social inclusion programme through the development of four CAMID’s (Centres for Accessibility, Monitoring and Information on Disability), has enabled local organisations and People with Disabilities to receive advice and assistance on many issues including accessibility, inclusion in education, vocational training, livelihood development and accessing appropriate rehabilitation services where needed. Organisations are helped to bring disability into their activities by training and technical support.

Handicap International in Sri Lanka 2007 maintains a quality focused programme, forming partnerships at all levels from field to national level and adopting a duel approach of physical rehabilitation and social inclusion in line with the national disability policy of Sri Lanka.

Main objective:

Under the supervision of the Regional Coordinator Trincomalee and in functional link with the Disability Coordinator and with other CAMID Project Managers and senior officers, the Project Manager will facilitate the development of the programme through direct support to the local team, this to include primarily :

· CAMID (Centre for Accessibility Monitoring and Information on Disability) resource centres in the district of Trincomalee.

· Linkages with other parts of the HI programme, particularly the Disability Focal Points

· Development of partnerships and new projects

Specifics objectives :

The local staff will run this programme in the long run, this post is based on supporting, mentoring and working alongside the local teams to assist with their development.

There may be a need to lead at times but assisting local staff to make their own decisions and project plans will be central. A major element will be on assisting them with record keeping and monitoring of activities and advising on technical issues particularly for any training programmes developed.

· Management of the team under HI rules and according to the needs identifies

· Resource Development : ensuring the means for running the CAMID, developing the database, ensuring training, reporting

· Activity development : following CAMID target plan (locally compare to national plan), monitoring, training, networking…

· Project Management : overview of the activities, coordination with other CAMID, reporting

· Partnership Development 

· HI Representation : INGO, authorities, UN…

· Capitalization : database and figures, project writing…

Post constraints :

Ability to work in a tense context with strict security measures. According to the context and the programme needs, it is required that the programme manager be flexible and willing to work in alternative locations and projects.

Profile sought : Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist

The ideal candidate will have physiotherapy/occupational therapy/project management background with special knowledge/skills in community development, working with partners, and in particular training and empowerment of staff. Technical knowledge of accessibility and inclusion issues is necessary. Good networking skills are essential as is the ability to communicate well at all levels.

Languages : English mandatory, French an advantage

Remuneration : Volunteer or salaried status based on experience

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

Salaried : 1950 to 2150€ monthly gross salary + benefits

Length of Mission : 12 month (possible extension)

Start date : ASAP

Please send cover letter and resume to : Reference VCPMIncluSL

HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL

14, avenue Berthelot

69361 LYON CEDEX 07

Or by e-mail : recrut08@handicap-international.org

No phone calls please

Swiss residents and citizens, please send your application to :

HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL

11, avenue de Joli-Mont

CH – 1209 GENEVE

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

No phone calls please