Jesuit Refugee Service Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Programmes Officer

The Jesuit Refugee Service MENA Programmes Officer is responsible for coordinating and supporting all aspects of programming in the region. As a member of the regional team, s/he plays a pivotal role in establishing programme priorities after careful assessments of needs, regularly visiting projects in the region and working closely with country and project directors, as well with partner agencies.

Responsibilities

Coordination of programmes work of JRS at the regional level

• Liaises with regional and country directors to plan and evaluate JRS projects within the region;
• produces project proposals and monitors reporting in accordance with agreed standards (project proposals/reports) and donor-related requirements (funding proposal/reports);
• monitors projects undertaken in the region and reviews project proposals and reports;
• maintains an up-to-date projects database on the JRS Pedro Arrupe System (PAS);
• trains and updates project directors in project writing, management and evaluation in accordance with JRS standards and guidelines;
• sets methodologies, timetables and resources for project evaluations in cooperation with country and project directors;
• analyses the needs of refugees and suggests new initiatives to the regional and country directors in consultation with the International Programmes Coordinator;
• contributes to the preparation of plans, proposals, and budgets for project extensions; and
• ensures the application of conditions and standards documented in the JRS Exit Strategies Guidelines.

Support and communication

• Prepares and follows up on country director meetings in coordination with the JRS MENA Director;
• participates and acts as a resource in country meetings as requested; and
• ensures the International Programmes Coordinator is informed in a timely manner about all major issues and developments in programming within the region.

Relations with partner and donor agencies

• maintains close working relations with JRS partner agencies, as well as with other international development organisations and funding agencies;
• participates in meetings with donors regarding the development of joint programming strategies;
• facilitates relations between the JRS MENA Director and partner agencies; and
• explores and helps create possibilities for new partnerships/ donors.

Works with the regional team

• Works closely with other staff in the region to fulfil his/her function of shared leadership through the coordination of regional programming efforts;
• attends regular team meetings, planning meetings and workshops;
• cooperates with the finance, communications, advocacy and human resources officers in the region; and
• represents JRS by giving talks and presentations, and by writing articles, as requested.

Budgeting

• Monitors project funding in conjunction with the JRS MENA Finance Officer;
• assists and advises the JRS MENA Director in ensuring that projects receive sufficient funding; and
• submits, in conjunction with the JRS MENA Finance Officer, the annual budget for the region`s projects to the regional director for approval.

Qualifications and experience

• Advanced university degree in a field such as economics, social sciences or another related discipline;
• at least six years of practical work experience with donor-funded programmes, particularly with INGOs in a similar setting;
• experience in managing people/teams;
• integrity and honesty;
• strong analytical, strategic-thinking and planning skills;
• strong monitoring and evaluation skills/experience;
• demonstrated experience and commitment working with marginalised communities;
• ability and willingness to travel to JRS refugee sites and adapt to modest living and working conditions;
• familiarity with templates, procedures, etc. used by institutional donors such as UN agencies particularly UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF;
• proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and Access;
• ability to work with specialised accounting software (an advantage);
• working experience with faith-based organisations is an asset; and
• excellent oral and written English. Good oral and written Arabic and French is an asset.

Conditions

• Contract is for two years, renewable with an initial probation period of four months.
• JRS remuneration policy is in keeping with the JRS ethos to offer effective and professional services and at the same time express solidarity with the people served. The salary scale is calculated with the use of a post adjustment multiplier and takes into account years of relevant experience and degree of responsibility of the role. Details will be discussed with candidates short-listed for interview.

Please apply at http://en.jrs.net/RecruitDetail?CID=164 before 15 March 2015.