Jesuit Refugee Service Psychosocial Project Director Job in Kakuma Kenya

Job Title: Project Director - JRS Psychosocial project

Reports to: Country Director, JRS Kenya

Location: Kakuma, Kenya

Closing Date: 19th December 2014

Incorporation date: 1st January 2015

Organizational Context: Jesuit Refugee Service is an international Catholic organization, with a mission to accompany, serve and defend the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. 

JRS has a priority to work wherever the needs of displaced people are urgent and unattended by others, and offers a human service to refugees and the communities through a wide range of rehabilitation and relief activities, many of which center around formal and informal education needs.

Description: This is a position based in Kakuma. The holder will oversee the overall planning, organizing & implementing, staffing, monitoring & evaluating activities of the project.

Position open to

• Kenyan nationals; International volunteers
• Candidates available for 2-year commitment
• This is unaccompanied post with regular Rest and Recuperation (every 10 weeks)

Key Responsibilities

• The Project Director is the overall responsible person for the JRS Psychosocial project in Kakuma.

Key Responsibility Areas:

Staff Management:

• Responsible of the overall welfare and well being of JRS staff (national and international)
• The JRS Employee manual determines the rules and regulations of the staff. The project director has the responsibility of seeing that local staffs work according to the guidelines and regulations of the manual. For international staff the volunteer guidelines apply.
• Supervises the human resource tasks such as recruitment & selection, pay & benefits, safety/security & health, appraisal, and training at the project level.
• Provide effective leadership to department coordinators, and ensures good team- work among them.
• Provide technical support to department coordinators in program implementation.

Program management:

• Works closely with the Project Director – JCHEM and takes charge in his absence.
• Co-ordinates the works of different departments.
• Works in close collaboration with different departments
• Since each head of department is directly responsible for his/her sector for planning, budgeting, implementing, evaluating and reporting ,the responsibility of the project director is to make sure that each sector achieves its defined goals and objectives in accordance with overall work plan of JRS program as approved by Country Director/Regional Director.
• Supervises and coordinates the staff of JRS to ensure that the programs are implemented in accordance with the project proposal.

Budget Planning and management:

• With the help of the various department heads, prepares a consolidated budget for JRS and gets it approved by the Country Office.
• Directly in charge of the overall financial management of JRS funds, e.g. the maintenance of accounts; budget and cash flow; and financial reporting and recording.
• Has overall financial responsibility and accountability for the whole program.
• Oversee the financial functions of the project in accordance with relevant rules and procedures and ensure proper financial management of project funds.
• Oversee the procurement functions of the project in accordance with JRS guidelines and ensure of proper utilization of project assets.
• Ensure proper utilization of resources, including prompt accountability of funds and reporting by various departments.

Reporting:

• Keeps the Country Director informed on the activities of the project by providing relevant correspondence, reports and meeting minutes as well as by making regular contact.
• Responsible for prompt submission of all JRS financial and narrative reports.

Staff planning:

• With help of the heads of different departments, the Project Director plans staff requirement for the project as and when vacancies arise.
• With regard to lower level jobs (drivers, secretaries) and middle level jobs (school consultants, etc), the Project director hires them in consultation with the heads of departments and after getting approval from the Country Director. In case of higher positions (e.g. department heads and international staff), the matter is referred to the Country Director who in turn consults the Regional director when international staff has to be hired.

Security issue:

• It is the responsibility of the Project Director to ensure that JRS team is sufficiently safe. If the situation is not adequately safe, the project director has authority to and must promptly evacuate the team from the danger zone in consultation with the Country Director.

Co-ordination and Liaison:

• Responsible for co-ordination and liaison between JRS and the parish and diocese/other agencies/local government/local communities/displaced camp community and schools.
• Represents JRS at Local level meetings with parish/diocese/local authorities/other agencies as and when required.

Others:

• Monitor the progress of project departments to ensure adherence to set targets and agreed implementation time-frame.
• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation of program activities of the project and review the result and take necessary follow-up actions.

Skills Specification:

• Undergraduate qualification in a related field and at least two years practical working experience preferably in project management.
• Experience in managing people/teams.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to working with marginalized communities.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking and planning skills.
• Strong monitoring and evaluation skills/experience.
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills.
• Good knowledge of MS word/Office.
• Excellent oral and written English.

How to Apply:

Please send your Cover Letter that indicates what skills and experience one has that meets the criteria, salary expectation and when one is available to start. 

Please also include a CV that should include contacts for three referees to kenya.applications@jrs.net

(Applications that have not met these guidelines will not be considered only short listed candidates will be contacted)