SPO – Disability Inclusion

Reports To: Project Manager, Inclusive Family Strengthening (IFS)
Length of Contract: 5 months
About Catholic Relief Services:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners, people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
CRS has worked in Kenya since 1965. Over the years, CRS’s focus shifted from direct relief and food distributions to a comprehensive development program that works with partners and enhances the local capacity. CRS Kenya programs now support care reforms, children affected by HIV, and community-based efforts to increase household incomes, improve family health and sanitat ion, and enhance agricultural livelihoods
Background of the project:
CRS, with partner Maestral International, will work closely with the Department of Children Services (DCS), Department of Social Development, National Council for Persons with Disability, and other care reform actors to implement interventions to support care reform in Kenya. CTWWC is an initiative that aims to leverage the existing strengths and efforts of key stakeholders as well as address identified gaps to move Kenya away from over-reliance on residential care facilities and towards stronger family-based care. CTWWC Kenya works with a wide range of actors, from the community to national levels, international funders, and regional bodies, to implement a comprehensive approach to care reform. This includes but is not limited to government, LIPs, faith-based actors and institutions, mass media, the private sector, donors, caregiver groups, care leavers, and champions of children’s and disability rights. Some will be existing partners and LIPs and others will be new. New partnerships will be formed with Catholic Sister organizations, additional transitioning CCIs, and disability-focused organizations. The funding available through the EARO innovation fund complements what IFS funding is supporting to enhance, deepen, and scale work in strengthening families at-risk of separation.
The implementation of the project is proposed to be in Ugunja Sub- County in Siaya County. This will leverage current CTWWC and SCORE ECD presence and partnerships in Siaya County. Through the Inclusive Family Strengthening (IFS) funding, we have realized that the Franciscan sisters of St Joseph have interventions for children with disabilities and their care givers through institutional care. While they have done their best over the years, there is high prevalence of disability in Siaya county specifically Ugu nja sub county. The sisters are overwhelmed since they are not able to support the household affected to access community-based care services as well as community engagement to support these families and reduce stigma and cater for the psychosocial needs of the children and their care givers. The project will supplement the IFS funded activities and will pose a good opportunity to showcase the impact of community and family-based care for children and care givers with disabilities. specifically, the project interventions will target caregivers and heads of household caring for children with disabilities.
Job Summary:
As a lead for disability inclusion within the CTWWC/IFS project team, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project for which you are responsible applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.
Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities related to disability inclusion as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Ensure learning properly accompanies disability inclusion activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Coordinate and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders, including organizations of persons with disabilities, disability service providers, and disability-related government authorities. Serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact.
• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely project activities implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner.
• Support and coordinate disability inclusion capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.
• Ensure project documentation for disability-inclusive approaches, outcomes, and lessons learned is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Track-record of working with and promoting the participation of people with disabilities
• Familiarity with the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities
• Understanding of disability-inclusive development practices
• Familiarity with disability identification and assessment tools
• Familiarity with principles of accessibility
• Analysis and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound judgment

• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners

• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities

• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion including gender equality

Required Languages – Able to communicate in written and spoken English
Travel – Up to 50% of the time to CTWW/IFS project sites
Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
Internal: CTWWC/IFS leadership, CTWWC/IFS program staff.
External: Private Sector Providers, Community, LIPs, and relevant GOK departments
Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required. A degree in Special Education, Social Work, Public Health, or in the field of disability inclusion would be a plus.
• Minimum of 4 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of disability inclusion and for an NGO.
• Experience working with organizations of persons with disabilities and relevant government ministries
• Experience delivering training/mentorship on disability inclusion to NGOs and community volunteers
• Experience developing or delivering disability awareness and anti-stigma campaigns
• Experience identifying and addressing participation barriers of people with disabilities, a plus
• Experience integrating disability identification processes with case management procedures for vulnerable children, a plus
• Knowledge of positive parenting skills and household economic strengthening interventions is an added advantage

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience incorporating disability indicators into monitoring and evaluation systems and using disability disaggregated data to inform decision making, a plus
• Experience working with partners, participatory action planning, and community engagement
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship

What we offer:
CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
*Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best. CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities. CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible. Women are highly encouraged to apply. By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a compre hensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.**

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.