Programme Assistant Job in Nairobi Kenya

Save The Children

International Programs

School Health and Nutrition Programme Assistant

Team / Programme: Programme Operations

Location: Nairobi

Grade: N/A

Post Type: National Programme Assistant Officer

Child Safeguarding: Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people

Role Purpose:

The School Health and Nutrition Assistant Programme Officer (SHN-PA) is responsible for supporting the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the partner implemented health and nutrition programmes managed by Save the Children Kenya Country Programme. 

This will require frequent and close interaction with 25 schools in Nairobi and Kiambu.

Scope of Role:

Reports to: Nairobi Area Programmes Coordinator (NAPC)

Dimensions: Save the Children has supported children in Kenya since before its Independence in 1963 and has had a consistent operational presence in the country since 1984.

We provide support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners.

Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, Health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH.

Save the Children has an operational presence in Dadaab Refugee Camp, Eldoret, Habaswein, Mandera, Meru and Wajir and has a liaison post in Garissa.

Currently, we have a staff complement of approximately 350 staff and a confirmed budget of approximately US$15 million this year.

Key Areas of Accountability:

Technical Support and Capacity Building
  • In liaison with the Nairobi Area Programmes Coordinator and Officer, Country Office Wash Advisor, Health Advisor and Education Advisor and the PDQ team, the SHN-PA will assist with the provision of technical assistance and program support to ensure successful implementation of the SC funded SHN programmes in Nairobi and Kiambu schools by way of direct implementation and through partners.

Support programme planning under SHN phase 2.
  • Identify and address in cooperation with the SC WASH advisor, school administration, teachers, pupils and parents the facility challenges and areas for infrastructure maintenance and construction.
  • Work with partner organizations, SC staff and schools to advocate for greater ownership over SHN within schools.
  • Enhance children’s knowledge of, attitudes about and practice of oral health and hygiene, nutrition, and hand washing through health education at schools, child to child clubs and policy work.
  • Identify gender and reproductive health knowledge and practice challenges that are faced by girls and boys at school.
  • Support with capacity building activities as needed, utilising the Partner and Children’s Sector Coordinator as required to strengthen partner ability to implement, monitor and report on projects.

Budget management
  • Support preparation of of quarterly and annual project budgets and forecasts
  • Support the NAPC/O with budget tracking and analysis; follow up on budget utilisation and expenditure as needed, including for partners

Monitoring and evaluation
  • Conduct regular project monitoring visits to all sites, reviewing project outcomes with stakeholders and adjust work plans as necessary
  • Assist with the preparation of annual and quarterly implementation plans and reporting requirements according to SC guidelines
  • Support partners to ensure they are presenting timely and quality financial and narrative reports
  • Ensure partner compliance with donor and relevant country legislature requirements

External Relations

Ensure positive relationships with partners under SHN including the schools management, Nairobi City Council and any relevant departments, contractors, implementing partners etc.

Skills and Behaviours (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:
  • Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
  • Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:
  • Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
  • Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
  • Future orientated, thinks strategically

Collaboration:
  • Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
  • Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
  • Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:
  • Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
  • Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:
  • Honest, encourages openness and transparency

Qualifications and Experience
  • Bachelors degree in an area of social development preferred
  • A minimum of 2 years’ experience in NGO program operations especially on children activities
  • Experience in community mobilisation and working with schools/institutions
  • Experience of working and communicating with children and very young adolescents
  • Knowledge, interest and experience in school WASH, health and nutrition preferred
  • Knowledge and experience in qualitative and quantitative research and/or evaluations
  • Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
  • Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
  • Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mind-sets
  • Problem solving and risk mitigating skills
  • Fluency in English, both verbal and written
  • Commitment to Save the Children values

How to Apply

The application process is now open and will close on 18th September 2013 at 5.00 p.m.


To apply for this position, please send a short cover letter and CV to Kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org indicating the position title on the subject line.