Catholic Relief Services –USCCB NGO Jobs in Kenya

Catholic Relief Services –USCCB is the official agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for relief and development overseas. CRS supports programs in over 100 countries and works through local partners.

We are seeking suitable persons to fill the following positions. All candidates require technical competencies in the respective areas, excellent computer skills, oral and written communication skills, willingness to travel to the field frequently and a commitment to work with and support faith based partners of CRS many of whom are Catholic institutions.

1) Position: Project Manager - HIV/AIDS 
(Ref.2010/17)

(Current project funding is up to December 2010 but there is possibility of Extension)

Location: Mombasa
Purpose: The Manager will be responsible for providing technical support to staff managing OVC/HCBC programs, support Partners in the field in ensuring appropriate implementation of OVC/HCBC programs as per the approved activities, support in writing periodic reports, hold technical meetings, work with the Consortium members and represent CRS externally and internally to appropriate forums.

To advance CRS desire to integrate OVC/HCBC under APHIA-II with the ART (AIDSRelief) and other on-going OVC-PEPFAR programs. Ensure that the OVC/HCBC integrate agriculture and microfinance to promote food security and improve incomes.

Initiate collaborative activities with in-country partners, including Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Development, Children’s Department and other National organizations as appropriate.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities
  • In collaboration with other consortium members and the M&E unit, develop necessary tools and mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the progress of the set goals and objectives.
  • Visit sites and provide management and administrative support and advise to improve the operational aspects of OVC/HCBC activities.
  • Participate in performance evaluation of sites and identify performance gaps and recommend suitable remedies for improvement.
  • Work with CRS partners to identify gaps and needs to strengthen their capacity to manage current programs, develop new initiatives and strengthen essential institutional systems that underpin their programs.
  • Ensure that the implementation of OVC/HCBC programs is in accordance to the program plans, reflects CRS philosophies and guidelines, conform to other national and international standards.
  • Manage CRS resources and equipment in the region.
  • Organize regular implementation review meetings with all partners.
  • Ensure regular data quality assessments are conducted to ensure quality services delivery.
  • Support partner in the preparation of their yearly Work plan and Budgets.
  • Assist in the preparation of Task orders and ensure the implementation of OVC/HCBC activities as per the order.
  • Effectively and efficiently manage project grants in accordance for CRS, GoK and donor guidelines
  • Work with management and OVC Technical team to develop abstracts to share in international forums
  • Ensure that documentation of best practices are done
  • Supervise project staff
Qualifications
  • A Masters Degree in Social Sciences or public health, with experience in OVC/HCBC.
  • Have solid working knowledge (practical skills) in OVC/HCBC Programming.
  • 5 years experience managing large USG funded OVC/HCBC programs.
  • Familiarity with implementation of US Government-funded projects.
  • Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training.
  • Experience in staff supervision, good coordination and demonstrated ability to work in a team.
2) Position: Project Officer – Agriculture 
(Ref.2010/18)

Location: Nairobi

Purpose: The Officer will provide technical assistance and manage the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of agricultural activities in the targeted dryland areas of Kenya.

The major duties will include popularizing improved dry land crop production techniques, soil and water conservation methods, natural resource management and agro-enterprise activities.

The officer is also responsible for leading the development of disaster preparedness and mitigation among local partner agencies. S/he may manage more than one project or program in an assigned geographical region in Kenya and may be occasionally required to provide technical support for other CRS projects.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities
  • Maintain relationship with local technical stakeholders.
  • Assist in designing and conducting relevant training on crop production techniques for project and Ministry of Agriculture staff Provide technical assistance in conducting participatory on-farm trials and demonstrations with focus on variety identification and crop production techniques.
  • Assist in the dissemination of new crop varieties and production practices
  • Assist in establishing community based, on-farm seed bulking and distribution
  • Facilitate demonstrations on improved processing and utilization of dryland crops
  • Assist project and partner staff in identifying both local and export market opportunities for processed and unprocessed grains
  • Design, conduct and participate in qualitative and quantitative surveys including baseline, midterm and end of project surveys/studies
  • Prepare technical reports for sharing with projects implementing partners, donors and other stakeholders.
  • Provide technical support to CRS partner staff on proposal writing, agreements, project reviews and evaluation.
  • Ensure project implementation quality through field monitoring and technical discussions with partners and other stakeholders.
  • Assist the partners in writing progress and annual reports including timely financial reporting.
  • Provide technical assistance for integration of agriculture within other CRS program areas
Qualifications
  • BSc in Agriculture related subjects especially agronomy, plant breeding or soil science. MSC in agriculture is an added advantage
  • Five years experience working as an agricultural extension officer or crop research in arid and semi arid areas
  • Experience in working with resource poor farmers, especially on dry land farming systems, project monitoring and evaluation
  • Excellent analytical skills and ability to work in a team
  • Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge through informal and formal training
3) Position: Assistant Accountant 
(Ref.2010/19)

Location: Nairobi

Purpose: To provide accountancy and administrative support to the operations of the Finance Department

Specific Duties & Responsibilities
  • Prepare checks for signature, remittance advice and register for dispatch to vendors
  • Prepare bank advice instructions for all wire transfers to partners, staff and vendors.
  • Prepare weekly list of all cheques drawn and submit to finance officer for review
  • Maintain a bank account balance tracking system for all bank accounts and advice on the re-order levels of cash at bank.
  • Remit all statutory deductions to relevant GOK departments on time and maintain relevant documentation in safe custody.
  • Maintain financial records to ensure the availability of documentation and compliance with applicable policies and regulatory guidelines.
  • Participates in all Finance Department meetings, gathers and conveys information to all participants
  • Assist in preparation of journal entries as required
  • Maintain tracking system for stationery for the department and coordinate replenishments.
Qualifications
  • Accounting Certification: Level II
  • University degree will be an added advantage
  • Proficiency in use of computers with special emphasis in MS Office Software
  • At least 2 years experience in a busy finance office
4) Position: Projects Accountant 
(Ref.2010/20)

Location: Nairobi with frequent field travel

Purpose: To provide technical assistance in Financial management of projects and staff receivables.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Participate in the initial training of the partner’s finance officers on the proper book keeping, accountancy and reporting requirements for all new projects.
  • Make regular project visits to the various partner organizations assigned to review the books and accounting systems to establish the adequacy of the internal controls financial accounting.
  • Identify partner training needs, prepare an appropriate training curriculum and carry out trainings as appropriate.
  • Provide technical assistance in financial management for projects.
  • Review all liquidation documents and transactions to ascertain accuracy and completeness
  • Produce monthly financial reports for the various projects and staff assigned to you.
  • Produce and review quarterly reports for any various accounts receivables and ensure that the staff accounts are settled promptly
  • Review the quarterly budgets comparison reports and forward them to the project officers and partners.
  • Review all partner wire processing request documents for both accuracy and completeness and forward to Finance Officer-Projects
  • Assist partners prepare for compliance reviews and external audits as necessary
  • Assist the program department to prepare detailed budgets using the standard CRS templates.
  • Ensure that the program departments submit their detailed month-by-month budgets breakdown by the beginning of a new financial year.
Qualifications
  • Degree in Accounting or Finance
  • Minimum CPA II
  • Over five years working experience, three of which should be in NGO handling project accounting.
  • Knowledge and experience in the use of SUN system accounting software will be an advantage.
Written applications indicating the reference number of position applied for and CV including day-time contact phone numbers, as well as names and contact information of three references should reach the below-mentioned by April 23, 2010.

Human Resources Specialist
Catholic Relief Services – Kenya Program
P.O. Box 49675, GPO 00100 Nairobi
E-mail: hr @ ke.earo.crs.org

Only Short listed candidates will be contacted