Solidarites International Deputy Country Director Job in Kenya

Solidarites International (SI) is an international humanitarian aid organisation which provides assistance to populations who are victims of armed conflict or natural disaster. For 30 years, SI has concentrated its action on meeting three vital needs: water, food and shelter. 

By carrying out emergency programmes, SI has acquired an extensive experiences and expertise in the fields of promoting access to clean drinking water and sanitation. 

In the Horn of Africa, SI is currently implementing food security, water and sanitation projects in Kenya and Somalia. We are seeking qualified persons to fill the following positions:

Deputy Country Director, Kenya  

(1 position)

Position Objective The DCD Kenya is directly in charge of all operational aspects of the Kenyan Mission, and provides direction, development and leadership for the Kenyan mission. The SI Kenya-Somalia mission is a joint mission with a coordination office in Nairobi. 

The DCD-Kenya has direct responsibility for the SI Kenya mission, but does not have any management or security responsibility for the Kenya-Somalia Coordination team based in Nairobi (this falls under the direct responsibility of the Head of Mission).

Location: Kenya/Somalia (based in Nairobi)
Duration: 12 months

Hierarchy
Report to: Head of Mission
Relations with: Various Kenya-Somalia Coordinators who have functional relationships with Kenya field teams (HR/Finance Coordinator, Logistics Coordinator, Food Security Coordinator, WASH Coordinator and M&E Coordinator)

Keys responsibilities:

Operational Management of the Kenyan Mission 

• Provide leadership to the Kenyan Country Mission, including field teams 
• Responsible for operational management and follow up of the Kenyan mission (project cycle management, budget follow-up, procurement/logistics) • Support to the Field coordinators for the HR management of the Kenyan field teams (recruitment, EAP, disciplinary action etc.), in collaboration with the Admin coordinator for the processes. 
• Direct line management of the field coordinators in Kenya (currently North Horr / Marsabit and Mandera) Strategy Development
• Lead the annual review of the country strategy for Kenya in link with the Country Director for Kenya/Somalia. 
• Define an action plan with the Country Director for the implementation of the strategy 
• Prepare the annual country strategy review document in link with the Country Director for Kenya/Somalia. 
• Ensure the implementation of the country strategy for Kenya, including the development of new project, the research for new donors in coordination with the Country Director, the preparation of all necessary support documents. 

Humanitarian Context Analysis and Program development 

• Monitor the humanitarian context in Kenya and present updates on the humanitarian context at the Country Team Meeting (CTM) 
• Organize and lead needs assessments according to the country strategy or in response to new emergencies 
• Responsible for the production of concept papers and proposals for all new projects according to the strategy or in response to new emergencies: organize the tasks sharing for the writing of the document, revise it and send a “ready to be sent” document to the Country Director and/or the HQ for final validation.  

Responsible for Quality and Relevance of SI’s Humanitarian Action 

• Take the lead in organizing a project launch workshop for each new SI project in Kenya and the production/dissemination of a project implementation plan for each new project. 
• Ensure that SI’s interventions are in line with the country strategy and remain relevant throughout the project cycle 
• Ensure the technical quality of SI WASH and Food Security interventions in Kenya, in cooperation with the Food Security and WASH coordinators 
• Ensure proper monitoring and evaluation all the Kenyan projects, in cooperation with the M&E coordinator Security 
• Responsible for day to day the security management for Kenya program bases; second only to the Country Director in terms of overall responsibility for security in Kenya. 
• Organize regular security awareness raising sessions for all Kenya based staff, in coordination with the logistic coordinator 
• To coordinate effectively with the Logistics coordinator, who plays a key role in security management by providing technical advice and supporting the implementation and monitoring of agreed security actions and procedures.
• Active monitoring of the security context via “security tree” and other modes of monitoring 
• To update and disseminate base security plans every 2 months, in coordination with the Field Coordinator and Logistics coordinator
•  Provide detailed security briefings to new staff or visitors at base level (Field Co, PM, Log/Admin manager) 
• On a daily basis, to monitor and document information on the security environment at the Kenya mission level (+ Nairobi) and to share updates at the CTM 
• To ensure that means and protocols of field security communications are in place and that all field staff follow the protocol (regular security calls etc.) 
• To ensure all Kenya mission drivers (and passengers) are aware of and follow the basic SI driving rules (speed limits, seatbelt fastened).
• To ensure the presence of emergency first aid kits and fire extinguishers in all Kenya field offices, and that all field staff have been provided with basic fire safety and first aid training 
• The DCD-K must validate his/her field movements/travel with the Country Director

Reporting 

• Responsible for the external reporting of all the Kenyan projects (to Donors, partners and authorities if required) 
• Responsible for the internal reporting of all the Kenyan projects 
• Preparation of the Kenya mission weekly sitrep and monthly reports Internal Coordination 
• Participate in the bi-weekly Coordination Team Meeting (CTM) Representation 
• Participate in Kenya Humanitarian coordination meetings (NGOs, Kenya Humanitarian Forum, Cluster meetings, OCHA, District/County level meetings) and produce minutes of meetings 
• Maintain and develop coordination linkages with local and international NGOs, UN agencies and local authorities. 
• Participate on request from the RD to Donors meetings, Media representation, Link with national authorities 
• Participate in meetings with donors when requested by the Country Director

Qualifications and experience:

Education:  

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in a technical discipline relevant to WASH programming in developing countries. (A degree in another discipline would be acceptable if the candidate has extensive field experience in WASH programing) 

Experience: 

• Excellent knowledge of WASH programming, with good working knowledge of Food Security Programs (the current program has a strong WASH component)
• At least 2 years of field experience with NGOs at a senior management position (Country Director, Field Coordinator or Programs Coordinator). 
• At least 4 years of senior experience with NGOs working in 3 or more international contexts 
• Proven experience in project cycle and security management. 
• Proven experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend Solidarites International’s interests and neutrality with a diverse range of stakeholders.  

Transferable skills: 

• Good knowledge of guidelines of the major institutional donors(EC, ECHO, DFID, OFDA, UN) 
• Capacity to propose new ideas and put them into action 
• Excellent writing/reporting capacity 
• Good communication and training skills
•  Ability to motivate others to adopt new ideas and bring about change 
• Natural ability to connect with other stakeholders and team members 
• Strong capacity to work independently and with initiative 
• Good multi-tasking skills 
• Ability to manage a heavy workload, to delegate tasks/responsibilities and to constantly reassess priorities 
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team 
• Ability to meet deadlines 
• Proficient in use of MS office and other common software 
• GIS proficiency is an added advantage 

Languages: 

• A good level of written and spoken English is mandatory (French language skills would be an advantage for interaction with SI HQ but this is not a deciding factor for selection)

Other desirable qualities: 

• Patience 
• Sense of humour 
• Diplomatic 
• Attention to detail 
• Ability to work independently, take initiative and live in a sometimes difficult environments with restrictions on personal movement. 
• Reactivity and adaptation to a very moving context
• Diplomatic 
• Resistant to high stress

Package 

Salaried post: Accompanied position - from 1900 euros gross per month, according to experience. Solidarités International will cover accommodation and travel expenses from the expatriate’s home country to the site of the assignment. A monthly Per Diem of 600 USD will be provided to cover food and other living expenses. 

Social and medical cover: 

Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded. 

Vacation: 

During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of one break every three months. 

For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a break during the 3rd and the 9th month (with 500 dollars allocated by Solidarités). 

He or she will also be entitled to go back to his or her home country for a 15-day period after six months spent on the mission (Solidarités will cover travel costs).

How to apply:

Send a cover letter and CV with 3 referees to the following email address: jobapplication@solidarites-kenya-som.org

Please indicate the job title and location in the email subject line

Deadline for applications: 22nd August 2012.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview.

Solidarites International is an equal opportunities employer