Project Name: Child Reintegration Program
Position Title: Project Officer
Duty Station: Nairobi
Duration: Fixed Term – 10 Months
Reports To: Child Reintegration Program Manager
Job Summary
In 2008 Samaritan’s Purse-Kenya began the Children Reintegration Project in Nairobi to build the capacity of children’s homes to reintegrate children back into their families through provision of technical and financial support.
The project works with children’s homes to establish initiatives to reintegrate children back into families and communities.
The key program components include developing gate keeping systems, implementing the reintegration model, provision of aftercare services to children and their caregivers, staff training and development and implementation of an Economic Empowerment Program.
Key Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Child Reintegration Program Manager, the incumbent will be the Child Reintegration technical focal point for SP-Kenya as far as the implementations of the SP-Kenya Child Reintegration interventions are concerned.
He/She shall provide overall support in the implementation of the program activities.
Specifically the incumbent shall perform the following tasks and duties:
1. Assist in program planning and design:
- Assist the program manager in evaluating the children’s homes capacities for implementing reintegration interventions;
- Analyze and map gaps in program coverage, identify potential partners and liaise with them in collaboration with the program manager to increase coverage and minimize overlap according to resources available;
- Stay up to date with UNICEF,GOK and other like minded agencies’ interventions in reintegration/ family based care to ensure sound integration of Reintegration Programs within the wider context of Alternative Care;
2. Assist Child Reintegration Program partners in the country on program implementation:
- Set up and support the development of networks with intermediary organizations in the field;
- Liaise with partners and other relevant offices to resolve issues and clarify or obtain additional information;
- Travel regularly into rural /urban areas with children’s home staff, assessing families and mobilizing community based support to ensure children are supported in their communities;
- To support staff of partner organizations to ensure quality and timely implementation of all program activities;
- Close monitoring of project execution and providing feedback to the program team on the status of the reintegration program and advising them on actions to be taken with regard to project extensions, gaps, budget reallocations and other necessary actions;
- Provide support to the program manager on all financial management aspects which includes ensuring funds are utilized as per approved budget, are adequately documented, accounted for and within the program period;
- To support the program manager in fulfilling reporting requirements to donors;
- To maintain communication with Child Reintegration Partners and intermediary organizations in the field;
3. Participate in the capacity building of children home staff, management and partners to implement reintegration interventions:
- Organize and facilitate trainings and workshops in collaboration with other training partners/agencies;
- Facilitate the creation and preparation of training materials as appropriate (hand outs, exercises, presentations etc) and update existing material in line with new recommendations and guidelines;
- Facilitate the networking group of partners to lobby and advocate to the government on improved service delivery and increased funding commitments for reintegration work;
4. Assist the Program Manager in other duties as required:
- Represent SP-Kenya at Child Care forums and other stakeholders/partners meetings as required;
- Provide administrative and logistical support in the organization of Child Reintegration project activities such as trips, visits, workshops and seminars;
5. Writing and Reporting:
- Supports the Program Manager in developing presentations, proposals, concept papers and background materials for workshops, conferences and events and donor proposals;
- Gather lessons learnt from meetings from families, children and orphanage staff and disseminate these at the networking group as well as at other national forums;
- Manage the dissemination and use of Family based care reference materials and documentations for continued learning and appreciation;
Education / Experience Needed
- Diploma from a recognized institution in a relevant social sciences discipline (social work, sociology, community development, education and related development studies);
- 3 years experience in a social work role working in children’s homes settings, in community based OVC programs;
- Sound understanding of child protection issues especially Alternative Care and child rights based programming;
- Sound knowledge and experience in mobilizing and building capacity of partners and or the local church;
- Excellent facilitation, negotiation, conflict management ,networking and partnership development skills and project management experience;
- Excellent working knowledge of computer software: MS Word, Excel & Email applications required;
- High level of motivation and proven ability to work independently both in the field and in the office.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills; fluency in English and Swahili essential
- Driver’s license and experience is required
- Good cross cultural communications
Skills Required
- Works well in a diverse team and a pressured environment.
- A high level of patience & flexibility.
- Strong ability to improvise and respond to various difficult situations
- Mature, considerate but able to influence others, a good communicator, problem solver.
- Ability to take initiative.
- Has driving experience as well as a valid driver’s license
Submission of Applications
Interested applicants should submit their C.V. only and an application letter to hr@spkenya.org to be received not later than 22nd August 2012.
Kindly note:
1. Only email applications will be accepted
2. The position title (as is on the advert) should be indicated on the subject line
3. Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
