Position:
Project Coordinator
Responsible
To:
Country Director
Location: Kisii office with
occasional travel to field sites and Nairobi
Start
Date: ASAP
Duration:
12
months
Salary: Kshs 210,000 -
240,429 per month (dependant on relevant experience)
Benefits: Insurance cover, 15%
of Basic Salary as House Allowance, and annual leave entitlement of 24 days per
annum at the completion of 12 months of continuous employment with Merlin.
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
Due
to the urgency of this position, applications will be shortlisted on a regular
basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.
Please note: this is a local recruitment position (nationals are
encouraged to apply).
Merlin International Profile
Merlin
is the only specialist UK charity which responds worldwide with vital health
care and medical relief for vulnerable people caught up in natural disasters,
conflict, disease and health system collapse.
Each
year, Merlin helps more than 15 million people in up to 20 countries.
Context and Background
Merlin
has been working in Kenya since 1998.
Merlin
is currently operational in two geographic regions: Nyanza Province and Turkana
in western Kenya. In addition to the country office in Nairobi, Merlin
maintains offices in Kisii in Nyanza Province and Lodwar in
Turkana.
Merlin
is currently implementing three projects based in Kisii: two addressing
HIV/AIDS and TB, and one aimed at reducing malaria incidence.
The overall objective of Merlin’s work in Kenya is to contribute to a reduction
of health inequalities and to a reversal in the current downward trend in
health related indicators.
Merlin
does this by responding to emergency needs as well as continuing to build on
lasting working relationships with communities and local partners; supporting
the strengthening of the Kenyan health system; approaching health problems with
innovative interventions; developing answers to key practical questions through
operational research; and using the lessons learned at local levels to feed
into national-level programming and planning.
Main purpose of the role
The
main purpose of the role is to provide programme support, development and
implementation.
Ensure
relevant Merlin procedures and best practices are followed in relation to
logistics, security, and human resource management.
Overall Objectives (scope)
- To
promote Merlin’s objectives and respect the code of conduct.
- To
respect Merlin’s internal procedures and Kenyan laws in carrying out the
position responsibilities.
- Be
responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient management and
coordination of the projects carried out by the Kisii field office,
consistent with project objectives. The post holder will work in close
collaboration with the Country Director and other members of the Country
Management Team, as well as local partners and the Ministry of Health
Responsibilities
Management / Programme Development
- Overall
responsibility for effective and efficient management of the projects to
meet project objectives, consistent with the project management cycle and
in accordance with Merlin principles, policies and procedures.
- Ensure
project activities are undertaken in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the contract with partner agencies (including donors) and
that the projects are implemented without undue disruption.
- Ensure
monitoring systems are developed and in place and that project reviews and
evaluations are carried out as planned with the appropriate participation
of stakeholders and partners at all stages.
- Employ
participatory approaches for the development of links with community
groups to raise awareness, increase knowledge and change attitudes and
practices towards health issues.
- Support
the Project Health Coordinator in managing action-based research in
HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. Assist in the process of work plan development,
field research, analysis, documentation and dissemination.
- Ensure
all relevant authorities are included in the planning, implementation and
monitoring of the projects.
- Work
closely with the MoH, target groups and other stakeholders to develop
participatory training materials and to provide training to the health
workers, community groups and communities. All training materials should
be pre-tested and translated if necessary.
- Develop
effective coordination mechanisms between the project and with other
potential or active partners in the field.
- Ensure
narrative and financial reports are completed in accordance with the
requirements of Merlin and the donor/s
- In
collaboration with the project leads, ensure detailed work plans are
prepared and monitored, in relation to project objectives.
- Develop
TORs, identify external consultants and facilitate and monitor the
conduction of field work (i.e. surveys) and report production as
identified in the project log frame.
- Prepare
accurate and timely project proposals.
Security
- Ensure
team security and safety in line with Merlin security and safety policy.
Amend local guidelines following consultation with Regional Logistics
Coordinator and the Country Director.
- Record
and report any security incidents to the Nairobi country office.
Logistics/Finance/Administration
- Ensure
Merlin administrative, financial and logistical systems/procedures are in
place, maintained and adhered to so that all support functions are carried
out effectively and efficiently.
- Responsible
for accurate budget control and has overall responsibility for financial
management.
- Ensure
Merlin complies with all legal and bureaucratic requirements in the
province of operation.
- Ensure
regular communications are maintained between the project and the Nairobi
Office.
Human Resource Management
- Overall
management of project staff.
- Directly
supervise and support the work of the project leads, in conjunction with
the Project Health Coordinator.
- Overall
responsibility for national staff selection, recruitment and dismissal.
Ensure that staff appraisals are conducted as per Merlin standard
requirements and procedures.
- Ensure
the identification, timely contracting and management of the inputs of
short term specialist advisors/external trainers in conjunction with the
Project Health Coordinator, the Country Health Director and the Country
Director.
- Maintain
good inter-team communications and engender positive team dynamics.
- Ensure
that Merlin’s national staff policies and procedures are understood and
correctly followed.
- Support
team members professionally and monitor and support stress management.
Representation
- Represent
Merlin to donors, provincial and national health authorities, NGOs,
networks and other parties as necessary. Ensure all relevant parties are
kept informed of Merlin activities as appropriate (e.g. donors, MoH,
etc.).
- Act
as the project’s contact with the press and media, as directed by the
Nairobi office.
- Contribute
towards the dissemination of lessons learnt and best practice through
publications (general, health sector, academic) and presentations at
conferences, in consultation with the Country Director, the Regional
Health Advisor, and the London headquarters staff.
Person
Specification
Essential
Qualifications,
experience and competences
- Proven
experience of international programme management including project proposal
and logical-framework development,
- A
university level qualification in public health, development, social
sciences or other relevant area
- Good
understanding of humanitarian and development issues
- Experience
in the development and implementation of project monitoring and evaluation
systems
- Demonstrated
experience in financial management, budget preparation, organisational and
planning skills
- Human
resources management and capacity building skills
- Strong
leadership skills
- Knowledge
and experience of logistics and internal control systems.
- Proven
problem solving and organisational skills and Strong analytical and
research skills
- Experience
of liaison with MoH, local authorities, NGOs, other agencies and donors
- Ability
to live and work in remote insecure areas
- Strong
communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English
- Confident
and proficient in the use of MS Office
- Experience
of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from
different functions and cultures
- Experience
of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high workload
and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines
- Experience
of proactively identifying and addressing issues
- An
understanding of and commitment to Merlin’s mission and values
Desirable
Qualifications,
experience and competences
- Good
understanding of public health, primary health care and nutrition
- Clinical
background
- Experience
of programme development in a public health context
- Experience
in the processes and techniques involved in developing and using
appropriate IEC/BCC resources and materials.
- Previous
work experience in Kenya and knowledge of the Kenya context is an
advantage.
To
apply for this position
All
applications including cover letter and cv should be sent to:
HR Department,
Merlin, Nairobi Office,
P.O Box 3350 – 00200,
Nairobi,
Kenya
Or e-mail to: recruitment@merlin-kenya.org
Application deadline is 5:00pm on Wednesday, 19 December 2012.
Please
note that only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Data Protection
Please
note that in accordance with the 1998 Data Protection Act, Merlin will hold and
use personal information that you have given for the purpose of recruitment and
employment. This information can be stored in manual and/or electronic
form.
This
information may also be disclosed to third parties in accordance with the Data
Protection Act. In cases where a job offer is conditional on ensuring
that potential employees’ names do not appear on counter terrorism lists
generated by the United Nations, European Union or the United States due to
donor funding requirements, Merlin will use the information that you have given
for checking that your name does not appear on these lists.
8:07 PM
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