Programme Coordinator – Refugee & Host Community Programming

DCA is seeking to recruit a competent, experienced and motivated Kenyan National for the position of Programme Coordinator – Refugee & Host Community Programming. The position is based in Kakuma – with travel within Turkana West County and Lodwar as needed – and reports to the Area Programme Manager – Turkana, based in Kakuma.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The post-holder will be responsible for implementation of DCA’s programme strategies & programme quality targeted at refugee and host communities in Turkana West Sub County. The Programme Coordinator – Refugee & Host Community Programming (PC) will support the Area Programme Manager (APM) in providing oversight of the total quality of existing projects, as well as for providing technical support in designing new programmes. S/he will play a key role in actualization of DCA’s strategic goals related to Saving Lives, Building Resilience and Fighting Extreme Inequality. The PC will line manage Project Officers, collaborating closely with the MEAL, ProLog and Finance Officers.

Key responsibilities

Project Identification and Design

• Support the team in identifying suitable areas for intervention, carrying out research and making recommendations for project responses.
• Liaison and collaboration with other INGOs and (potential) partners.
• Facilitation of project design in close collaboration with the team.

Project Management

• Oversee the overall implementation of the designated project(s) in consultation with the relevant Area Programme Manager in accordance with the project proposals, ensuring objectives are met within the required time frame and budget. Where necessary ensure preventative and corrective action is taken.
• Manage a comprehensive activity plan for the designated project(s), including resource needs analysis, covering the time frame of the project proposal. Support Project Officers and Project Assistants in day-to-day decision making as required.
• Coordinate with MEAL staff to ensure that regular monitoring and evaluation assessments against project objectives are conducted and reports made to the relevant staff in DCA.
• Maintain an overview of the programme area context with a view to the strategic development of new projects and partnerships, both in current sites and in surrounding regions. This may include baseline needs assessments.
• Support the Head of Programme (HoP), APM and Programme Development, Grants & Partnerships Coordinator in the development and production of new concepts and proposals.
• Ensure complete and timely reporting of activities and beneficiary numbers to DCA, donors, line managers and any other relevant bodies while ensuring documents are produced according to guidelines.

Representation

• Develop and maintain relationships with relevant stakeholders (e.g. programme participants, community leaders, local and national government officials, donors, UN agencies and other NGOs) and represent DCA at relevant meetings to facilitate and ensure cooperation and partnerships as may be designated by the line manager.
• Seek out and actively participate in relevant local networks or task groups on specific humanitarian and development aid issues.
• In conjunction with APM, take lead in preparation of donor & HQ staff field trips and ensure programme details are shared in a professional manner.

Financial Management

• Plan and construct the budgets for the designated projects, in collaboration with the APM, finance staff, relevant Project Officers and partner staff, and in accordance with donor guidelines.
• Under the guidance of the line manager and working with the relevant Project Officers, ensure that budgets are spent according to donor proposals and regulations and within the appropriate timeframe, making any budget adjustment recommendations to the APM, HoP and Head of Finance & Support Services.
• Monitor the spending of the designated project(s) to ensure they operate in line with DCA and donor guidelines for financial accounting and reporting practices, sign off on expenditures.

Staff Management

• Ensure all personnel related processes for project staff are carried out in accordance with DCA guidelines. This includes recruitment, appraisal, objective setting, development and training, disciplinary action, etc.
• Ensure that staff receive appropriate and adequate training by providing mentoring and coaching and through the promotion of capacity building.
• Hold regular team meetings and, through a consultative leadership style and a transparent, honest, and supportive communication structure, develop and build an effective team.
• Promote the health and security of project staff by ensuring the application of security guidelines, health and safety in the workplace and healthy living conditions and practices.

Quality Management

• Promote and use the DCA results framework and PPD and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardized formats are used, and guidelines are followed.
• Ensure projects are implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with DCA, donor, country, and international standards e.g., Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).
• Follow the direction of the relevant technical staff regarding quality, strategy, and technical guidelines.
• Regularly assess and provide feedback and recommendations on the quality of the programmes and interventions during field visits and at other relevant times.

Person Specification

Essential

• Degree level education and mature understanding of humanitarian & development nexus, in particular issues related to displaced population and host community.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in working with NGOs, with at least three years in Programme Development and Management and capacity building programmes.
• Familiarity with writing proposals and reports of major international donors.
• Experience managing substantive donor grants with responsibilities for budgeting, financial accountability and reporting.
• Ability to document and disseminate good practice and/or lesson learning.
• Ability to work in a multi-sector team and build relationships.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Ability to write narrative reports of a high standard and within the reporting deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability and willingness to live in the programme area (Kakuma).

The position is for ­­­­24 months (renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds), with a three-month probation period. DCA offers a competitive salary package (salary, insurance, and benefits) in accordance to experience and DCA Kenya Employee Handbook.

About DCA

DanChurchAid (DCA) is working in Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nyandarua, Nakuru, and Nairobi counties with refugees and local communities to enhance peace, livelihoods, and resilience. DCA implements projects directly as well as through local partner organizations. For more information on DCA, please visit https://www.danchurchaid.org/