Country Programmes Officer (re-advertisement)

Organisational Context

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is ministry of the Society of Jesus, incorporated as an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organisation was founded in November 1980 and now has a presence in over 50 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an international office (IO) in Rome. JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced people while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs.

The main services provided are in the field of education, emergency assistance, and psychosocial support and livelihood activities. Currently, more than 724,000 individuals are direct beneficiaries of JRS projects.

Operational Context/Role

The Country Programmes Officer’s primary responsibility is to coordinate and support the implementation of all aspects of programming within the country with the guidance and support of the Country Director, the Regional and International Office. He/she is required to identify and develop key opportunities for programmes focused on refugees, IDPs and other populations affected by conflict. Together with the Country Director, the CPO will also be responsible for fundraising and grant management. The CPO will work in close collaboration with the Project Office in defining all aspects of the project cycle. The Country Programmes Officer will implement positive and effective relationships with key partners and stakeholders in the interest of promoting JRS’s objectives.

Key Responsibilities

1. Coordination of JRS programmes at country level

• Analyze, in coordination with the Project Office team, the unmet needs of refugees and other populations of concern and suggest new initiatives to the Country Director

• Assist with the development of strategies, methodologies, contingency plans to respond to the different challenges that the country encounters

• Assist with and provide inputs to the development of the country operations plan, ensuring alignment with the global strategic framework and priorities and regional priorities as well as with annual programming/planning instructions

• Attend and represent JRS Kenya in all relevant workshops, events and meetings, including cluster and coordination meetings, also preparing presentation material

• Liaise and collaborate with the Regional Office staff and with the IO Programmes Officer on all major issues and developments in programming within the country

• Work closely and collaborate with relevant colleagues of the Country office, specifically the Country Finance Officer, coordinating all programming efforts in the Country

• Provide the Country Director with regular donor mapping and analysis

2. Project-related activities

• Plan, monitor, report and evaluate JRS projects within the country, together with the Country and Project Directors

• Plan and conduct annual needs assessments for each project site, according to JRS standards and guidelines

• Create and implement tools for project evaluations, in consultation with the Country Director and in collaboration with the Project Directors

• Produce project proposals and reports according to JRS standards and donor-related requirements in collaboration with the Country Director 

• Visit projects site regularly to monitor and evaluate the activities to ensure timely and quality implementation, and provide feedback to the field

• Train and update Project Directors and other key field staff (i.e. coordinators) in proposal writing, management, donor compliance, monitoring and evaluation, as well as suggesting improvements of planning, programming implementation and current processes

• Maintain up to date archives of all project documentation and ensure project learning is generated, documented, and shared within the JRS network

• Liaise with country, regional, and international technical support specialists as needed to ensure relevancy and quality of service

3. Partners and donor relations

• Maintain close working relationships and participate in meetings with JRS’s partner agencies and other relevant stakeholders, including UNHCR, funding agencies and Church bodies

• Support the organizational fundraising actions maintaining regular contact, including meetings with donor representatives and submitting project funding proposals and managing donor reporting

• Negotiate funding or partnership agreements, in close collaboration with the Country Director

• Build strong relations with the major partners/donors as well as with government counterparts (i.e. Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Welfare)

• Explore and create opportunities for new partnerships/ donors

• Develop relevant communication tools to keep team members, partners and donors regularly informed of progress of activities

4. Budgeting

• Monitor regularly project income and expenditure in conjunction with the Country Finance Officer

• Assist the Country Director in planning and managing financial resources for project implementation

• Assist the Country Finance Officer with the preparation of the annual budget for the projects and coordinate timely submission to the Country Director for approval

Qualifications and Competencies

• Advanced University degree, preferably in Project Management, Finance, Business Administration, or any other related field

• At least five (5) years of professional international experience working with NGOs proposal and reports writing, project evaluation and monitoring;

• Knowledge of and experience with project cycle management, strategic framework, log frames, etc.

• Excellent project management skills with experience in managing and supervising projects

• Knowledge of and experience with basic financial management skills including developing and monitoring budgets and financial reporting

• Proficiency with relevant software packages, (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills, flexibility and adaptability 

• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and promote effective teamwork also maintaining good relationships with multiple stakeholders

• Strong management, analytical and interpersonal skills

Languages

• Excellent proficiency in written and verbal English

Desirable

• Experience working in developing countries

• Experience working with and / or knowledge of donors such as UNHCR, UNICEF, PRM etc.

• Willingness to work and travel to refugee settings in challenging environments

• Professional working knowledge of a language spoken in the country

Core values and ethics

• Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision and values; ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity

• High integrity, honesty and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations and information

• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value

Travel

The position requires regular travel to JRS locations.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Contract is for one (1) year renewable, subject to funding availability, with an initial probation period of one (3) three months. 

The JRS remuneration policy is aligned with the JRS ethos to offer effective and professional services and at the same time to express solidarity with people served. 

The salary range for this position is between KSH 160,000 – 180,000 gross.

All applicants are requested to submit the following documents:

1) Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English, including three (3) professional references with contact information, phone and email address. 

2) A cover letter focusing on the candidate's desire and motivation to work for JRS and how her/his qualifications and experience meet the requirements for this position.

Deadline: until the position is filled. Screening of applicants will begin immediately, and interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

CANDIDATES WHO HAVE ALREADY APPLIED ARE NOT REQUIRED TO APPLY AGAIN.

Thank you for your interest in joining JRS.