Project Assisstant

Position: Project Assisstant
Responsible to: Project manager
Location: Ramallah Closing date: 20th Oct. 2014
Job Type: Full Time

THE ORGANIZATION

Handicap International is an international organisation. 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.

THE ACTION:

HI has been operating in Palestine since 1996 and has developed relationship with several disability stakeholders. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics there are around 3,9 million Palestinian living in the OPT (3,5 million in West Bank and 1,4 million in Gaza strip), 43% of them below 15 years of age. According to general estimations by WHO, between 7-10% of a given population would have some kind of disability; in the Palestinian Territories, this implies that the figure would be around 270 000 390 000 people. The last census in 1997 gives a figure of 1,9%. This percentage is certainly a low estimation since the last census was implemented before the second Intifada, which has resulted in thousands of people attaining permanent disabilities.
The current project is strongly built on HIs experience in Palestine, direct feedback from HI field teams and information collected through meetings and workshops held with local stakeholders and organizations, including local partners, PwDs and their families. It also intends to make use of best practices proven in previous projects. The design and operational strategy of the project is based on the combined experience of HI and partners in the targeted areas. Hereafter are PwDs most critical needs identified by HI, its network and other key stakeholders in Palestine.

In the West Bank, the Palestinian populations living in Area C and in the Bedouin communities are isolated and blockaded by military roadblocks, have restricted access to essential and quality primary health care services, and do not enjoy fully their right to health. The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is facing important difficulties to deliver social services or to enforce existing legislation, in particular due to the prevailing unstable political situation and financial constraints. The restrictions on movement of health staff, patients and medical commodities, the restriction on construction and rehabilitation of health structures, the continued restrictions on importation of medical supplies, equipment and spare parts, the limited and costly transportation and the threat of forced displacement are among many factors added to insecurity, violence and its consequences that are impeding men, women and children living in the Area C and in the Bedouin communities of the West Bank to have access to the services they need. PwDs are even more vulnerable given their isolation and the lack of responses to their specific needs. According to the PCBS disability survey conducted in 2011 the main cause of disability in Palestine are diseases. Indeed, non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes are increasing rapidly in the West Bank, together with risks factors for disabilities among the Palestinian population living in Area C and in the Bedouin communities. Therefore, PwDs, their families and caregivers, and their communities are in strong need of awareness on prevention of diseases that can lead to disability and need to be educated on the management of some diseases such as diabetic foot to prevent amputation or other disabilities. In a humanitarian situation, PwDs are among the most isolated and may face extra challenges if these special needs are not met. They face mobility obstacles in their daily environment due to the lack of adaptations and physical accessibility of houses, health and schools facilities. This situation prevents them from accessing the basic services they need, which in turn perpetuates the vicious circle of disability and poverty. Consequently, environment adaptation that shall facilitate the social inclusion of PwDs and mitigate their daily challenges are required, together with outreach services implemented by local partners that are the only solution for these vulnerable populations to access specialized rehabilitation services including provision of assistive and mobility devices, medical disposable supplies, and to improve the information/referral mechanisms.

Specific Objective of the action: Persons with disabilities in West Bank have a greater access to services that respond more effectively to their acute needs.

Home based rehabilitation services respond to the needs of women, men and children with disabilities and their families, in 6 targeted governorates of the West Bank.
Other essential services are more accessible for PwDs and their families in targeted areas of the West Bank

OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION:
Under the responsibility of the Project Manager, the Project Assistant will assist in the implementation of the activities of the project entitled " Persons with disabilities in West Bank have a greater access to services that respond more effectively to their acute needs implemented by Handicap International and funded by the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada DAFTD.

Responsibility 1:
Assist PM in the implementation, supervision, moitoing, communication, coordination, evaluation and the logistics of the project with the partners to ensure quality implementation.

SUPPORT IN PROJECT COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION.
1-Assist the PM to design tools by gathering information about the disability (in particular rehabilitation sector) context in West bank, and the field activities
2-Support in conducting the coordination meetings with the partners: project coordinator, focal points, or any relevant institution or individuals.
3-Support in conducting the coordination meetings with other projects of HIs in the West Bank and Gaza.
4-Support the PM in implementing workshops, trainings, meetings and other project activities, and keep records of these events
5-Conducting individual meetings with partners, and other relevant stakeholders about the project implementation.
6-Take minutes of meetings and keep records.
7-Follow up deadlines for reports, meetings and project activities implementations with partners and targeted groups and compile data
8-Support the PM in writing reports by gathering project data, and precise follow up on the project implementation progress (keeping records of monthly partner reports)
9-Support in dissemination of information, materials and other productions related to the project
10-Assist the PM in reviewing project action plan and in gathering/collecting information for financial follow-up
11-Support the PM in logistics arrangements for the implementation of the activities
12-Represent HI in workshops and meetings when requested by PM, and report on it to his/her line manager.
13-Follow up the implementation of project activities when required by his/her line manager.
14-Regular field visits with the PM and/or the partner.
15-Support in field activity implementation and evaluation.


Responsibility 2:

OTHER TASKS REQUIRED.

Support PM in developing network among disability stakeholders
Contribute to have better knowledge and understanding on disability issues in West Bank through regular need assessment, stakeholders mapping and regular update to PM.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
-At least three years professional experience in working in project implementation preferable with persons with disabilities.
-Bachelor Degree in social science, ,management , or other related fields

JOB REQUIREMENTS:
-The position is based in Ramallah.
-Ability to work under pressure and within a team.
-Ability to handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
-Positive, innovative, inspirational and problem solving attitude

PROFILE SOUGHT:

SKILLS
1-Strong Communication,interpersonal.
2-Report writing skills in English and Arabic
3-Computer skills (word, excel, power point)
4-Fluent in English, Very good writing skills in both Ababic and English
5-Willingness to travel to the field-West Bank
6-Excellent networking and coordination skills
7-Good organizational skills

Initial contract will be for a period of 1 year and the position is based in Ramallah.

Handicap International is an equal opportunity employer and
Particularly welcomes applications from persons with disabilities

Interested candidates may please send their resume with cover letter not later than 20th of Oct. 2014 to: [email protected]

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