Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Somalia/Kenya Job Vacancies and Careers

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Somalia/Kenya is a two Country Program with four field offices in Dadaab (Kenya), Hargeisa (Somaliland), Bossaso (Puntland) and Mogadishu (South Central). NRC has been present in Somaliland since early 2004 and expanded to Puntland in 2006, Mogadishu and Dadaab in 2007.

In a short time NRC established Education, Shelter/Sanitation, Distribution and Camp Management projects for IDPs, refugees and local population in Somalia and Kenya. NRC also has a coordination office in Nairobi, Kenya that was established in 2006.

Position Vacant: 
Finance Quality Control Officer
Reporting to: Finance Coordinator
Duty Station: Nairobi, with frequent travel to the field offices in Somalia and Kenya

Duration of Contract: January 2011 to 31st December 2011 (With possibility of Extension)

Main Responsibilities include:
  • Provide sub grant management guidance/reference to program staff and implementing partners
  • Monitor Implementing partners (IPs) expenditures against implementation plans and levels of compliance to NRC and donor requirements
  • Implementing Partners pre-selection assessments / Risk analysis exercise
  • Carry out implementing partners’ project close outs
  • Conduct pre-award workshop for identified prospective implementing partners
  • Prepare the training action plan based on the audit reports and financial reviews
  • Undertake regular systems reviews and conduct follow up on-job training for implementing partners
  • Co-ordinate training programs with the Grants Officers
  • Review all NRC Somalia/Kenya monthly financial vouchers and provide a report for completeness and compliance with NRC and donor regulations.
  • Conduct financial and systems reviews both in the Nairobi office and at the sub offices to.
  • Ascertain the extent of compliance with the CO established policies, plans and procedures.
  • Ensure the CO meets all external regulations and requirements set by the various governments we work in, financial donors and other humanitarian standards
  • Identify areas of risk exposure to the CO and address risks identified.
  • Ensure the CO’s funds, assets and other resources are not misappropriated and misused, and
  • Ensure the existence and proper custody of the CO’s assets and recommend appropriate improvements in the accountability and safeguarding of the assets and the reliability of management data developed and reported.
  • Provide internal review reports, which highlight internal control weaknesses and include recommendations for appropriate action.
  • Assist management in updating operation manuals to ensure adequate internal controls and internal checks.
  • Provide training to address information gaps identified during systems review or those identified by others.
Required skills and qualifications:
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or a Degree in Financial Management
  • 3 years experience in grant management, financial and systems audit, financial reviews and training.
  • Wide knowledge of the NGO operations, internal strategy and the dynamics of development sector and donor business processes
  • Ability to interpret donor regulations an all context of grant management and transactions
  • Understanding of the Somalia and Kenyan environment and the context of development sector program implementation.
  • Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
  • Fluency in the English, both oral and written
  • Experience in working with excel spreadsheets and word processing packages.
  • Report writing skills.
Desired Skills:
  • Knowledge of programming skills and program evaluation and impact measurement
  • Experience with developing and building partnerships
This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya with frequent travel to the field offices in Somalia and Dadaab

Applicants should hold valid travel documents.

Deadline for Applications: 31st December 2010

Position Vacant: 
Senior Program Officer
Reporting to: Program Director (PD)
Duty Station: Nairobi, with frequent travel to the field offices in Somalia and Kenya
Duration of Contract: January 2011 to 31st December 2011 (With possibility of Extension)

Main Responsibilities include:
  • Contribute to the development of country program strategies, concept papers and situation analysis, etc
  • Assist the PD in preparation of proposals and budgets as per the donor requirements
  • Assist the PD to ensure that the proposals, budgets and reports are quality controlled and in line with NRC policies and strategies
  • Overall day to day planning and progress monitoring of the implementation of the core activities
  • Preparation and quality control of required reports to the Program Director, NRC HQ and donor agencies/partners (incl. monthly, quarterly and annual program reports)
  • Planning of programme/project assessments and evaluations in discussion with the PD
  • Ensuring protection analysis is part of the activities being undertaken and contributing to the development of NRC analysis on prioritized protection issues.
  • In discussion with PD ensure the promotion of internal coordination of the activities, in order to benefit from synergies and improve impact
  • Ensuring a conscious program approach in line with the “do no harm” principles
  • Developing and monitoring the annual calendar of deadlines for reporting on projects/submission of project proposals, covering the country program and communicating these to field staff.
  • Regular project follow-ups through field trips to advise to the PD on the progress of projects through the preparation of field reports and recommendations.
  • Keeping the PD and Program Team informed about all programmatic issues of relevance to the overall management and coordination of the country program.
  • Ensure that the advocacy issues and initiatives are identified within the country programs supporting the PD and AM in their advocacy work
  • Ensuring protection analysis is a part of the activities that are being undertaken and facilitate the mainstreaming of protection issues within program activities
  • Strengthen the monitoring systems within the NRC mission and ensure monitoring reports are being prepared on a monthly basis to track progress on implementation and quality of implementation of activities within the mission.
  • Ensure capacity building of staff on program and project cycle management, protection/advocacy, proposal preparation, reporting and monitoring systems.
  • Attend coordination and cluster meetings as advised by the PD and prepare the minutes to be shared with field teams for improved communication.
  • Assist in preparation of meetings, workshops and seminars as required and directed by the PD.
  • Be responsible for developing and maintaining program related filing systems to update and store program documents for the mission.
  • Be responsible for ensuring information management and preparing media briefs and success stories
  • Assist the project team in documenting case studies and lessons learnt for the NRC websites
  • Write design and edit project publications/brochures/factsheets/newsletter etc.
  • In discussion with the Program team promote team work and team spirit within the mission and plan adequate training of staff.
  • Assist with any other duties assigned by the Program Director, as and when required.
Required skills and qualifications:
  • Relevant university degree or higher education, preferably in international relations and/or development, social sciences or equivalent work experience
  • At least 3 years of humanitarian program experience (implementation, supervision and/or management) preferably with refugees/IDPs.
  • Documented skills in formulation of programme/project proposals, budgets and reports
  • Understanding of various donors requirements
  • Ability to use Logical Framework Approach as a tool in project/programme design and follow-up
  • Significant understanding of complex emergencies and crisis contexts
  • Significant political and cultural awareness and experience of working in setting where insecurity is a major issue
  • Awareness of gender and protection issues
  • Proven communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills
  • Fluency in English, both oral and written
  • Above average computer literacy
Desired Skills:
  • Knowledge of the political situation in Somalia and Kenya.
  • Experience working with statistical software packages.
This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya with frequent travel to the field offices in Somalia and Dadaab

Applicants should hold valid travel documents.

Deadline for Applications: 31st December 2010

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Somalia/Kenya is a two Country Program with four field offices in Dadaab (Kenya), Hargeisa (Somaliland), Bossaso (Puntland) and Mogadishu (South Central). NRC has been present in Somaliland since early 2004 and expanded to Puntland in 2006, Mogadishu and Dadaab in 2007.

NRC is seeking for qualified candidates to fill the following positions for its Dadaab Program :

Position Vacant: 
WASH Officers (2 Officers)
Reporting to: Project Coordinator –WASH / Project Manager –Shelter
Duty station: Dadaab
Duration of Contract: January 2011 to 31st December 2011 (With possibility of Extension)

Main Responsibilities include:
  • Assess and analyze public health needs and recommend sustainable solutions.
  • Oversee the design, construction and rehabilitation of latrines, drainage and other relevant Sanitation facilities ensuring that the constructions are of the highest quality and as per original design.
  • Develop and conduct hygiene promotion activities that increase community awareness.
  • Undertake technical inspection of sanitary installations including latrines, pits, drainage systems and dome slab/lid constructions.
  • Advice on quality control of all Sanitation activities as per SPHERE and related standards – travel regularly to all the NRC construction sites assessing construction and M&E procedures.
  • Development of rapid response and contingency plans related to sanitation program.
  • Assess and advise on capacity building needs within the team to ensure effective developments of the quality standards for the Sanitation activities.
  • Preparation of reports, guidelines and other strategic documentation.
Required Qualifications:
  • Technical background in Public Health. First degree or postgraduate diploma in Public Health Engineering (Water & Sanitation), or similar relevant discipline.
  • Work experience in the planning and execution of WATSAN Projects. 3 years – experience in a humanitarian setting is a great advantage.
  • Thorough understanding of the principles of hygiene promotion and programme implementation.
  • Proven ability to use MS Office software (especially Word and Excel) and AutoCAD is essential.
  • Experience with other computer programs such as SAP 2000 and Microsoft Project would be an added advantage.
  • Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is essential; fluency in Somali or Kiswahili is highly desirable.
Position Vacant: Construction Officer
Reporting to: Project Manager –Shelter
Duty Station: Dadaab
Duration of Contract: January 2011 to 31st December 2011 (With possibility of Extension)

Main Responsibilities include:
  • Prepare tender documents for construction works (including technical drawings, specifications of works, accurate Bill of Quantities and Conditions of Contract).
  • Develop detailed rates for items of work based on the current market conditions.
  • Prepare detailed Engineers Estimates to assist the tender evaluation process and maintain at all times a high level of confidentiality regarding tender rates.
  • Monitor progress of activities undertaken in connection with the tendering of construction
  • Assure correct measurement of completion of works, recommend for payments, and prepare interim and final payment certificates.
  • Maintain and update contract files on each construction project.
  • Review contract claims, analyze and recommend variation orders.
  • Preparation of documents for final handover and closure of projects.
  • Make detailed cost and material estimate for construction activities (i.e. for housing and latrines) carried out by NRC.
  • Provide technical input in the general supervision, progress of construction activities and control of quality of materials and workmanship.
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelors Degree in Structural/ Civil Engineering, or Construction management.
  • Proven track record for at least two years in the process of tendering, contracting and contract administration in construction projects, including administration and financial management.
  • Experience in a humanitarian context is a big advantage.
  • Proven ability to use MS Office software (especially Word and Excel) and AutoCAD is essential. Experience with other computer programs such as Microsoft Project would be an added advantage.
  • Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.
  • Ability to work independently in a result oriented multi-tasking and multicultural environment and manage conflicting priorities.
  • Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to explain and present technical information accurate and precise.
If you meet the above requirements, please send a cover letter including your CV, Copies of Academic Credentials, contacts of three referees and daytime telephone numbers to the address below by 31st December 2010.

Please quote the job title on the subject heading or envelope

Applications should be submitted to:

Norwegian Refugee Council, P O Box 21211-00100 Nairobi, Kenya

Email Address: recruitment_nb@som.nrc.no

Or Norwegian Refugee Council, Dadaab Field Office, P.O Box 05, Dadaab

Only the short listed candidates will be contacted.

The Norwegian Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer, with no discrimination in terms of sex, age, religion, ethnic origin or political affiliation.

You can also visit www.kenyanvacancies.com for more jobs