Program Officer Protection Job in Wajir Kenya

Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against impossible odds. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided $1 billion in assistance to people in 82 nations.

Supported by headquarters offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, the agency's unified global programs employ 3,500 staff worldwide and reach 9 million people in more than 40 countries. Over the last five years, more than 90 percent of the agency's resources have been allocated directly to programs that help people in need.

1) Program Officer Protection 

Program / Department Summary:

The Emergency Drought Response in Northeastern, Kenya will provide immediate emergency, rebuild the livelihoods of target communities and build the capacity of local organizations involved in the implementation of the program.

The proposed program integrates the principles of response to immediate needs, restoration of livelihoods, and capacity building for long-term recovery.

General Position Summary:

The Program Officer Protection will organize all activities related to the implementation of protection activities including working with local communities, law enforcement, and health providers to establish and train GBV committees tasked with identifying and reporting cases of violent acts against vulnerable people, especially women and youth, identify champions within each community from elders, advocacy groups, relief committees, or law enforcement figures and develop a referral system through consultation with local health facilities such as the Wajir District Hospital, local authorities and legal representatives.

S/he will report to the Project Manager. S/he will have to show full adherence to MC security protocols.

Essential Job Functions:

• Review, assess and update the child protection situation in areas affected by emergency (including, but not limited to – depending on the context – the forms of violence, exploitation and abuse in relation to sexual violence and other relevant circumstances affecting child vulnerability to violence). Focus on girls and women
• Highlight child protection issues requiring a response – both immediate and medium term and make recommendations on specific actions required.
• Develop a technically sound program work plan and activities consistent with the goals and objectives of the OFDA Emergency Drought Response in Northeastern, Kenya
• Supervise a pilot Child Friendly Centers and other activities aimed at providing psychosocial support to survivors of GBV including case management and referral activities
• Lead oversight and monitoring of protection program activities
• Monitor staff performance and develop staff capacity building plans in coordination with staff.
• Make frequent field visits to the program area to monitor implementation of activities, identify opportunities and constraints and any adjustments needed.
• Hold planning and progress review meetings with government counterparts and other relevant partners
• Organize / facilitate child protection coordination meetings involving government counterparts and other key partners.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility: As delegated by Country Director and Project Manager for the purpose of carrying out work responsibilities.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Program Manager

Based on input from other program staff, complete monthly activity reports as per format provided, and ensure that all other staff under your direct supervision complete and submit their reports in a timely manner. Provide monthly reports on all financial matters.

Works Directly With:

Coordinate with the other program team to identify communities which are in need of support. Co-ordinates with Mercy Corps program staff, beneficiary populations, local government and implementing partners, as necessary.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Degree in Social Work or other related field and 2 years experience working on a Protection or GBV prevention program.
• Experience leading emergency response projects addressing GBV prevention and response.
• Experience running a women’s center providing psychosocial support to survivors of GBV.
• Excellent facilitation, training and research skills.
• Diplomacy and assertiveness; the ability to confront and discuss sensitive issues with respect.
• Good communication skills, with good spoken and written English. Somali an advantage.
• Excellent report writing, research documentation and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated experience of monitoring and evaluating projects.
• Familiar with the issues and cultures in Northeastern, Kenya; and ability to interact with people at all levels, individually and/or in groups.
• Ability to work independently in low resource context.

Success Factors:

• Ability to live and productively work in insecure, unstable and/or harsh environments.
• Ability to work remotely in coordinating GBV activities in multiple sites
• Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player with proven supervisory skills.
• Familiar with the issues and cultures in Northeastern, Kenya; and ability to interact with people at all levels, individually and/or in groups.
• Willingness to travel.

Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a current or/and previous supervisor) to hr@ke.mercycorps.org 

or delivered to Mercy Corps office in Wajir, Airport Road (former VSF office) 

on or before 13 October, 2011 4.00 p.m.

Applicants must clearly indicate on the email subject the position that she/he is applying for i.e. “Application for the position of Program Officer Protection”. 

Applications without a subject heading will be disqualified. 

Please do not attach any certificates.

Only qualified short-listed candidates will be contacted


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