The role of the Humanitarian officer will be to lead on the development and delivery of the Trócaire Kenya Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (EPRP) while also supporting local partners to effectively manage and deliver Trócaire’s humanitarian programme in the Kenya in line with Trócaire and donor guidelines. This will include building technical skills of partners in key humanitarian standards and project management with a particular focus on food security, WASH and protection issues. Finally the successful candidate will be required to capture learning from our humanitarian work in Kenya and feed this back to the wider organisation.
Reporting to the Director of Programmes (DoP) In Kenya, this is a Fixed Term Contract of 9 months(with the possibility of extension pending available funds)and is based in Nairobi but with frequent travel within the Kenya to programme areas.
Safeguarding Children Policy:
Trócaire is committed to Safeguarding Programme Participants from Exploitation and Abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. Any candidate offered a job with Trócaire will be expected to sign Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policies and Global Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Project Management
Lead on continuous analysis of the humanitarian context in the country.
With the support of the DoP and the regional Humanitarian Advisor, develop and implement the EPP for Trócaire in Kenya
Monitor the progress of humanitarian projects in Kenya and capture key lessons to inform future programme development
Ensure timely and quality needs assessments are carried out for all humanitarian interventions linking in with other humanitarian actors responding in the same geographic locations
Follow up on partner proposals and work plans to ensure project objectives are met
Do regular partner visits with field reports generated and shared with DoP after each visit
Provide timely feedback to partners on all humanitarian reports submitted
Provide technical advice and assistance to humanitarian partners
Support partners to design and deliver donor funded projects
Ensure downward accountability, and conflict sensitivity within all humanitarian projects with partners
Ensure HIV , protection and gender are mainstreamed within humanitarian projects
Work closely with colleagues leading on development projects being implemented in the same geographic areas and targeting the same communities in the design, delivery and closeout of humanitarian projects to ensure humanitarian initiatives complement exiting work and allow for a smooth transition in and out humanitarian/recovery interventions.
Capacity Building of Partners
Conduct partner minimum standards assessments and follow-up action plans as required with support from the designated Programme Accountant on the finance elements of this assessment
Roll out the partner capacity and support framework with humanitarian partners
Promote quality and accountability initiatives such as Sphere, LEGs, GEG and CHS with partners
Financial Accountability
Monitor humanitarian project budgets and partner-led expenditure in collaboration with the designated Programme Accountant and under the leadership of the DoP
Ensure partner budgets are correct and match project objectives with support from the designated Programme Accountant
Provide timely feedback to partners on budgets and financial reports with support from the designated Programme Accountant
Deliver institutionally funded projects within agreed budgets and in compliance with donor guidelines
Knowledge management and Learning
Use the Trócaire management information system, Salesforce, effectively to produce information to support decision making both at project and programme level
Keep up to date with Humanitarian issues and trends in Kenya and globally
Develop brief monthly sitreps on the Humanitarian situation in Kenya, focusing particularly on our country programme implementation areas, to share with the Country Management Team and the Global Humanitarian team
Support proposal development for Humanitarian projects.
Representation and Advocacy
Develop, nurture and sustain relationships with relevant stakeholders, particularly in areas of operation including local government, partners, other NGO’s/INGO’s and other key stakeholders
Represent the Trócaire humanitarian programme in relevant meetings and fora at local and national level
Work closely with the communications officer to ensure humanitarian projects are well understood, both internally and externally, by sharing information as required for publications, media briefings, development eduction etc.
The above list of duties and responsibilities is by no means exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as required. This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification.Person Specification – Essential (E)
Qualification
Undergraduate degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences or related field of study
Experience
At least three years of demonstrable experience in Humanitarian relief and recovery programmes. Experience in food security/cash programming, WASH and/or protection programming will be an added advantage
Demonstrable knowledge and experience of implementing key humanitarian standards including Sphere, HAP, LEGS, and the Good Enough Guide.
Demonstrable experience of mainstreaming protection HIV, gender and accountability in Humanitarian programmes
Demonstrable experience in implementing safeguarding mechanisms in programming
Experience and understanding of programming in a partnership model.
Demonstrable experience of Humanitarian capacity building with local partners
Practical experience of monitoring and managing budgets
Practical experience of downward accountability and protection mainstreaming.
Skills
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to relate across different organisational functions, structures, levels, and cultures.
Creativity and innovation
Flexibility and adaptability
Cultural sensitivity and respect
Capable of working in challenging, unstable and/or high stress contexts and environments
Understanding of, and empathy with, the role of the Catholic Church in development
Strong commitment to social justice, and empathy with the ethos and work of Trócaire, including a commitment to civil society strengthening and support for working in partnership with local actors
Willingness to travel frequently and independently within country at short notice
