NGO Job in Dadaab for Accountability Coordinator - CARE International in Kenya

CARE International in Kenya is looking for well organized and highly motivated individuals who are result-oriented to fill the following positions:

Job Title: Accountability Coordinator

Project: Refugee Assistance Programme (RAP)

Supervisor: Program Quality and Learning Manager

Ref: AC/11/2011

Grade: G

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1: Job Summary

The Humanitarian Mandate Statements of CARE commits to meeting international standards of quality and accountability when we respond to emergencies. Responding to humanitarian crises means that CARE staff may potentially exercise significant power over stakeholders, particularly affected communities.

To ensure that CARE earns the trust and respect of those we are serving, we need to be sure that we are being accountable to them. By improving accountability, we also improve the quality and performance of our response in meeting essential needs and so achieve greater impact.

Emergencies, particularly rapid onset disasters, place CARE staff under intense pressure to act quickly. We need to ensure that the tendency towards ‘upwards’ accountability to our donors always reinforces our fundamental accountability to affected populations. – never undermines it.

Time pressure makes it even more important that we devote sufficient staff and funds to meet our accountability commitments. This does not happen in parallel to our implementation and management of a quality response.

The overall objective of the position is to lead the establishment of CARE accountability system. The position will be key in supporting CARE in its efforts to strengthen the quality and accountability and ensure that a common approach is being used by the accountability officers at the camp level.

Over the first three months of the assignment, functioning accountability systems that are ‘good enough’ and that can be improved over time will have to be put in place.

Responsibility and Tasks:

R1: Coordination, leadership and accountability strategy

1.1 Provide leadership within CARE Dadaab for the establishment of accountability systems that are consistent with CARE accountability Framework and CARE’s international commitment to quality and accountability

1.2 Work in close coordination with other humanitarian actors on the establishment of joint complaint and feedback mechanisms based on good practices;

1.3 Ensure coherence and coordination in establishing accountability systems in CARE’s RAP, Dadaaab .

1.4 Develop and implement with the camp based accountability officers a strategy for implementing quality and accountability within CARE’s response (with appropriate work plan and roles and responsibilities), including a mechanism to review the systems itself, and to improve them over time is established

1.5 Identify and facilitate opportunities for CARE to work collaboratively with Sphere, HAP and other quality and accountability initiatives

R2: Implementation of immediate support interventions

2.1 Provide the necessary leadership for setting up or strengthening accountability systems, including information dissemination, and complaint and community feedback mechanisms

2.2 Coordinate scaling up of CARE effort at the camp level for information sharing to the new arrival

2.3 Establish the complaint and feedback mechanism at the camp level and ensure that (1) the mechanisms are culturally appropriate and complete from reception of the complete, to its analysis and feedback.

2.4 Ensure that review of registered complaints is being done daily in collaboration and ensure they are appropriately referred for follow up. Perform the investigations when the complain fall into its sphere of competencies.

2.5 Ensure that the Complaint and feedback mechanism is increasingly being known by the refugee community

2.6 Continue identifying different channel of complaint with the community and discuss any issues that arise in relation to each channel.

R3: Learning and improvement of the CARE quality and accountability initiatives

3.1 Strengthen already existing systems, including information dissemination and community feedback mechanisms

3.2 Develop CARE’s quality and accountability strategy and work plan, including identifying a baseline, risks associated with options for accountability mechanisms, the capacity and resources required, structure, roles and responsibilities, and monitoring for its effectiveness

3.3 Conduct regular field visit and group discussion to explain and discuss with the beneficiaries the CARE’s information sharing tools and complaint mechanisms and propose changes as appropriate based on feedback provided.

3.4 Identify opportunities to work collaboratively across agencies where appropriate, to share ideas, experiences, successes and challenges

R4: Capacity development

4.1 Conducting awareness raising and training for CARE staff on Humanitarian Accountability practices and facilitate staff to reflect on their ongoing work.

R5 Reporting

5.1 Produce weekly and monthly report to be shared with all relevant CARE staff that respects the confidentiality of the claimants; contribute to the analysis and the identification of trends in complaints and problems being raised by the refugees.

III: Authority

Spending Authority: Authority to spend on the departmental budget as per CARE Kenya’s signing authority

Supervision: Provide overall supervision of the Accountability officers.

Authority on matters relating to Accountability issues

IV: Potential Contacts/Key Relationships

• UNHCR , WFP, ECHO, Other implementing agencies
• PQ&LU staff
• PM and RAP Director

V: Working Conditions:

The position is based at Dadaab Main Office (DMO) with frequent movements to Dagahaley, Ifo and Hagedera camps as well as any other extension camps and programme sites. Dadaab is a none-family working station.

Hot weather is prevalent throughout the year with limited basic amenities. Road movement to and from work station to Garissa as well as inter-camp movement must be under police escort (scheduled and special convoys).

The incumbent must strictly adhere to security instructions all the time including, but not limited to radio communication. It is a six days work station with a compensatory time off according to CTO policy.

The incumbent will be required to travel to Nairobi office and perform official responsibilities on need driven basis.

The holder shall reside in the CARE compound while executing official duties and shall obey and adhere to residential compound regulations.

IV: Qualification, Experience and Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in Community Development, Education, Social sciences.
• 5 years experience in development and/or humanitarian work with an international organization,
• Experience in settings of implementing Humanitarian Accountability Partnership Standards and Principles
• Analytical thinking, strategic planning and implementing skills at both project and multi sectoral level
• Analytical, quantitative, qualitative research skills – practical experience in community research desirable.
• Ability to use MS Office packages including MS Word, PPT, Excel, Access
• Ability to facilitate learning experiences
• Ability to work in a team and coordinate team initiatives
• Good knowledge and understanding of the NGO environment including programme administration and management
• Very good knowledge and experience in multi sectoral programme design, programme management, programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Excellent leadership, training and facilitation skills
• Excellent knowledge in written and spoken English
• Excellent writing skills

The detailed job descriptions can be viewed on our website; www.care.or.ke

Applications

If you feel you meet the requirements for any of these positions, send your application letter indicating the reference number , title of the position along with an updated CV and telephone contacts of three professional referees to:

The Human Resources & Development Manager,
CARE International in Kenya,
Email: Vacancies@care.or.ke

so as to be received not later than 17th November, 2011.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Those that had applied earlier need not re-apply.

CARE is an equal opportunity employer and promotes gender equity.

Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

CARE International in Kenya does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. (Application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees).