Jesuit Refugee Service Kenya Country Director

Job posted by: Jesuit Refugee Service International - Thu, 2 Jul 2015

Job Details:

Organisation: Jesuit Refugee Service International

Deadline Fri, 31 Jul 2015

Job type: Contract

Location: Kenya

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The Country Director is responsible for the direction of JRS works and the overall management of the staff and projects in Kenya. He/she coordinates and maintains relationship with the relevant local church, the Society of Jesus, government, UNHCR and other agencies in the country.

Responsibilities 

Direction of the work of JRS at the country level

  • Safeguards the vision, identity and unity of JRS in Kenya;
  • takes new initiatives, and develops project proposals presentations to the Regional Director and the Regional Advisory Council for approval;
  • negotiates and creates agreements with the local Church, government, UNHCR or funding agencies on behalf of the projects and Regional Director and in close consultation with them;
  • with the Regional Director, signs agreements with the local Bishops, government, UNHCR or other agencies;
  • directs and supports the implementation of JRS works on a national level;
  • facilitates the reflection and evaluation of projects;
  • determines how the process of withdrawal/closure/handover is effected in a particular project, when necessary;
  • in consultation with Project Directors, coordinates and defines national policies, e.g. national security guidelines, national approach to education and social services, among others; and
  • ensures that JRS project members receive training in the use of JRS international programme templates, financial reporting procedures and the project database of the Pedro Arrupe System (PAS).

Care for Personnel

  • Procures work permits and visas for JRS internationally recruited staff;
  • makes regular visits to the Project Directors and teams in the field, to listen and give support to each JRS team member. In case of problems, draws these to the attention of the Project or Regional Director;
  • gives special care to JRS staff, making sure they receive necessary breaks and holidays;
  • signs contracts with JRS collaborators on the national level, and terminates their contracts, when necessary, in consultation with the Regional Director; and
  • decides security measures in situation of crisis within the country, after consultation with the Regional and Project Directors, and in accordance with the JRS Security Guidelines.

Administration and Finance

  • Administers country finances and accounts, and guarantees that projects are supplied with the necessary funds to operate;
  • supports the annual process of project level planning and budgeting;
  • manages the annual regional financial audit at the country level;
  • supervises project accounts and guarantees proper accountability of all project expenses; and
  • renders any other necessary administrative or logistical service to the projects and to the region.

Collaboration

  • Works closely with the regional team to fulfil its function of representation and coordination and provision of leadership;
  • attends regular team meetings, planning meetings, collaborating in particular with the Human Resources, Communication, Advocacy and Finance Officers; and
  • works closely with JRS Country and Project Directors within the Region to professionally plan, implement and evaluate JRS projects in line with identified strategic priorities.

Communication

  • Maintains regular communication with the Regional Director, and reports on any major issue and development in the country or in JRS;
  • meets with other Country/Project Directors and the Regional Director at regular intervals;
  • communicates on a frequent basis with Project Directors, and passes on to teams all relevant information, e.g., situation in the country, that of refugees and displaced, government policies, and other news of JRS;
  • submits brief country reports to JRS Dispatches with relevant information on JRS projects or on the situation of refugees and displaced persons in the country;
  • submits quarterly, six-month and annual reports to the Regional Director on the progress of each project within the country; and
  • keeps the local Jesuit communities informed about the work of the JRS in the country.

Representation of JRS

  • Establishes and maintains contact with the local Jesuit Provincial, the diocesan Church, the government, key NGOs and in particular, UNHCR;
  • enters into negotiations at the country level with the Church, government and UNHCR as required; and
  • represents JRS at national level meetings of NGOs, UNHCR or the government.

Policy/Advocacy

  • Where helpful and necessary, makes interventions with the government and UNHCR on behalf of refugees; and
  • animates and supports local church structures to address the issues of refugees and forcibly displaced.

Required Competencies

  • Managing resources
  • Ability to work and promote effective teamwork
  • Leadership
  • Working with stakeholders
  • Decision making
  • Empowering and building trust
  • Strategic planning and vision

Qualifications

Education

  • Advanced University degree, preferably in humanitarian-related fields;

Experience

  • Experience (at least 3 years) working with refugees or displaced people is desirable;
  • good management skills including budgeting, staff supervision and evaluation, salary administration, planning, and project/programme management; experience managing a significant number of staff; fundraising experience and work with both government and private donors; and
  • experience in training staff, e.g. refugee protection, project management, stress/conflict management, etc. are valuable;

Language

  • Fluency in English (written and spoken) and excellent writing skills.

Technical Skills

  • Strong computer skills and comfortable with computer-based communication.

Core values and ethics

  • Good understanding of and compatibility with the values of JRS;
  • very good pastoral sense and listening abilities and communication/inter-personal skills;
  • demonstrated ability and experience of working in a multi-cultural environment with good multicultural sensitivities and in a flexible environment; and
  • Willingness and ability to travel to other parts of Kenya, when appropriate, for project monitoring visits and live a simple lifestyle.

Conditions

  • Contract is for one year, renewable with an initial probationary 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. This position offers a localised salary with health insurance and other benefits. Details will be discussed with short-listed candidates.

To apply

All applicants must submit the the following documents by 31 July 2015 at http://en.jrs.net/RecruitDetail?CID=184

  1. Cover letter, in English explaining why you think you are qualified for this position and why you would like to work for JRS.
  2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English providing full details of education, present and past employment, language skills, computer skills, etc.
  3. Three professional references with their contact information, phone and E-mail address.

 



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