HelpAge Assistant Project Coordinator Job in Lodwar, Kenya

HelpAge International is a global network of not-for-profit organizations with a vision of a world where older people fulfill their potential to lead active, dignified, healthy and secure lives.

To facilitate this and in service to the older people, we seek to fill below vacancies in various projects and support services.

Job Title: Assistant Project Coordinator (Emergencies)
 

Department: Programmes
 

Location: Lodwar, Kenya
 

Responsible To: HSNP Social Protection Rights Coordinator
 

Responsible for: Field Officers,
 

Relations with Others:
 

1. Program Manager – Emergencies
 

2. Program Officer – Emergencies
 

3. Program Coordinator - Emergencies
 

4. EWCARDC team in Nairobi
 

Organization Background
 

HelpAge International is a global network of not-for-profit organisations with a vision of a world where older people fulfill their potential to lead active, dignified, healthy and secure lives. With more than 70 affiliates and 300 partners across more than 50 countries the HelpAge International network brings together hundreds of organisations worldwide. 

HelpAge International has a secretariat with offices in London and Brussels, five regional centres in Africa, Asia/Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central Asia, seven national programmes and a number of emergencies.
 

Background to the Emergencies
 

HelpAge’s strategic aim for its work in emergencies is to ensure that older people receive humanitarian assistance as they are entitled to according to humanitarian principles. 

We achieve this by implementing responses to emergencies and, using the evidence of our programmes and research, influencing the policy and programmes of other humanitarian aid providers – including national governments – to ensure they meet the needs of older people.
 

Overall Job Purpose:
 

The assistant project coordinator will work closely with the Social Protection Rights Coordinator (SPRC) in the design, review and implementation of all aspects of the emergency component of the overall program in the county of Turkana with guidance from the Program Manager in Nairobi on policy and other critical issues.
 

Specific responsibilities include:

1. Contribute to the progressive design and review of emergency projects implemented in Turkana.
2. Ensure implementation of funded emergency projects as per donor guidelines, expectations and HelpAge policies and procedures.
3. Representing HelpAge at key local forums including DSG meetings, food security steering group meetings and others as necessary in the absence of the SPRC or as delegated.
4. Support field staff and partners in Turkana in relation to emergency response and DRR programmes, ensuring systems and procedures are followed ensuring regular monitoring of activity implementation through field visits.
5. Document experience gained in HelpAge’s emergency and DRR programmes at local level as well as other sources in order to share evidence and learning and disseminate good practise.
6. Develop collaborative and partnership operations with other operational agencies in order to mainstream response to the needs of older people.
7. Be involved in the organization of emergency and DRR trainings and other events organized in Turkana.
8. Support the setting up and functioning of an effective intergeneration complaints and feedback mechanism within the emergency projects to enhance accountability
9. Working with the SPRC to develop workplans and compile all reports required.
10. Consistently and regularly ensure collection and submission of quality data by field Officers
11. Implementation of an appropriate public communications strategy including engagement of alternative communications strategies such as community drama would be particularly desirable as would facilitation of alternative means of lodging complaints. Work with the Social Protection team to develop these approaches.
12. In the absence of the SPRC, or when delegated, day-to-day management of HAI’s sub-office in Lodwar including operational management, logistics, line management of support staff and implementation of HelpAge’s security plan.
13. Ensure that there is an updated status of all programme matters.

Person Specification:
 

The following criteria are considered as essential:

• Bachelors’ degree in social sciences, development studies or community development.
• At least 3 years work experience in NGO
• Understanding of food security, vulnerability and DRR issues
• Experience in operational management including management of field staff;
• Experience in capacity building
• A strong understanding of current emergency programmes in northern Kenya
• Strong community mobilisation, facilitation and mediation skills;
• A commitment to rights education and the empowerment of vulnerable groups
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively in Northern Kenya
• Proficiency in nga’turkana and English languages;

In addition, the following will are considered desirable:

• An understanding of the basic principles and objectives of the humanitarian accountability agenda;
• Some experience in the design or management of complaints mechanisms and/or dispute resolution/or working in a rights based programme

How to apply

To apply for this position, please send an updated CV, copies of certificates and covering letter, explaining how you meet the criteria for this role to the Regional Human Resource Coordinator on helpage@helpage.co.ke by 7th September, 2012, clearly indicating the position you are applying for on the subject of your email.