Horn Relief is an Africa based international development and humanitarian organization. We aim to improve the conditions of those who are living in marginalized areas in the Horn of Africa.
We strengthen rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future.
Currently, Horn Relief operates in Somalia and Kenya with 4 offices in Somalia/Somaliland and an office in Garissa, Kenya with headquarters based in Nairobi and has an annual operating budget of over US$ 8 million per year for its operations in the country. Horn Relief anticipates expansion of Programs to other countries in the Horn of Africa region.
Horn Relief works in the following sectors: food security and livelihoods, in particular cash based responses, natural resource management, education (formal and non-formal), WASH, and humanitarian response.
Closing date: 29 Oct 2010
Location: Kenya, Nairobi, (with travel to the field)We strengthen rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future.
Currently, Horn Relief operates in Somalia and Kenya with 4 offices in Somalia/Somaliland and an office in Garissa, Kenya with headquarters based in Nairobi and has an annual operating budget of over US$ 8 million per year for its operations in the country. Horn Relief anticipates expansion of Programs to other countries in the Horn of Africa region.
Horn Relief works in the following sectors: food security and livelihoods, in particular cash based responses, natural resource management, education (formal and non-formal), WASH, and humanitarian response.
Closing date: 29 Oct 2010
Position Summary
Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the Head of Programs will be a full-time member of the Horn Relief team and will be responsible for the effective management of all Horn Relief Programs.
He / She will manage and direct the Program team to ensure that Programs are delivered effectively against output, outcome and targets through effectively profiling and monitoring of milestones.
He / she will be responsible for the development of effective monitoring and reporting procedures that will enable the team to achieve the delivery of the Programs in an effective and timely manner. Together with the Executive Director to provide strategic direction and advice to the Program team.
The Head of Programs will also assist in the strategic expansion of Horn Relief Programs supporting communities in other countries within the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Kenya).
Primary Responsibilities
The Head of Programs will undertake a number of duties and responsibilities, including:
- Provide oversight and supervision to all Horn Relief Program Staff and their performance ensuring that the program management functions are fulfilled and ensure the implementation of effective management of the Programs
- Oversee project/program planning and deliverables are met in accordance to proposals, budgets and donor guidelines.
- Write, review and comment on draft proposals, reports, and other outputs to ensure quality and accuracy with respect to content, and to ensure that outputs meet the needs of Horn Relief stakeholders.
- Lead the program team in the development of new humanitarian strategies, guidelines and the identification of priority areas. Facilitation of program development, through management of needs assessments, proposal writing and fundraising.
- Manage the program budgets and ensure that the Program Staff are supported sufficiently in monitoring project budgets. .
- Provide technical, financial and strategic direction to and management of all Programs and Program Staff, and in particular direct supervision of Program Managers and Officers. Lead the commissioning of Programs from delivery including agreeing on output and outcome targets, reporting requirements, contingency measures and milestones
- Develop and ensure the implementation of a consistent monitoring system and report progress of Programs /projects in a timely and consistent manner;
- Develop a humanitarian strategy and program framework that incorporates strong M&E in particular on DRR, contingency planning and effective targeting of women and minorities.
- Based on the outcome of monitoring and evaluation, recommend changes in the Programs to ensure that targets and objectives are met
- Ensure that all program managers and the program team are provided with the appropriate formal and informal support to enable them to undertake their tasks.
- Ensure that objectives are translated into coordinated, deliverable projects on the ground with adequate resources in terms of people, finance, consultancies, time etc.
- Responsible for the liaison with donors and ensuring collection of information to satisfy the donors, audit and local requirements.
- Work with the Executive Director and Senior Management team to ensure that evaluation of the program and projects contribute to the ongoing development of Horn Relief’s strategic plan.
- Liaise with officials from government, donors, UN agencies, academia, NGOs, and media in order to maintain a close and positive working relationship between Horn Relief and these institutions, and to ensure the visibility of Horn Relief’s work.
- Engage in active fundraising for Programs in support of strategic plan and the development of the relevant thematic areas.
- Articulate and advocate Horn Relief’s Programming in various technical and development coordination meetings, papers, presentations, etc.
- Co-ordinate surveys and rapid assessments, including training, planning, analysis and report writing. Plan and co-ordinate Horn Relief response as indicated by the results of surveys/situation analysis and related data.
- Lead in using the findings of surveys and ongoing analysis to ensure optimal program performance and design modifications as appropriate.
- Any other duties that may be assigned.
Qualifications
- Commitment to it’s the mission and vision of Horn Relief; Strong competencies in people management, capacity building and coaching;
- Post Graduate degree in Social Sciences, Political Science, Humanitarian or related field;
- Excellent leadership and management skills and in particular experience in supervising staff in an international setting and working with multi-cultural teams. A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in Management positions;
- Technical skills and capacity to oversee humanitarian programs in various sectors such as cash based responses and food security/livelihoods and WASH programs strongly preferred
- Superior verbal and written communications skills in English required;
- Excellent communicator who leads in building relationships within Horn Relief and with other stakeholders such as partners, donors, authorities, etc with good networking and fundraising skills;
- Good knowledge of Sphere standards, Humanitarian Accountability Principles, and Humanitarian needs assessments strongly desired; ;
- Strong experience in integration of gender and diversity in programming;
- Experience with project cycle management tools (logical frameworks and proposal formats), including strong experience in writing proposals;
- Sensitivity to gender and cultural differences and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts, Committed to Equal Opportunities (e.g. gender, race, disability);
- Ability to work independently and under pressure in a rapidly changing professional environment. Diplomacy and good interpersonal skills, together with the capacity to remain calm under pressure and not lose sight of strategic priorities;
- Excellent organizational and time management skills; gives attention to detail and has an analytical mindset;
- Strong computer skills in MS Office applications;
- Ability to maintain momentum on multiple activities and processes simultaneously;
- Demonstrated integrity, maturity, independent thinking, and judgment;
- Willingness to travel frequently and at short notice, often in difficult circumstances, and to spend adequate periods of time in the field, if security permits;
- Willingness to assume a range of unanticipated assignments.
Application Process
The selection committee will review all applications on an on-going basis. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. Only short listed candidates will be contacted. Horn Relief is an equal opportunity employer.
Each application package should include the following:
The selection committee will review all applications on an on-going basis. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above, and those unable to meet these requirements will not be considered. Only short listed candidates will be contacted. Horn Relief is an equal opportunity employer.
Each application package should include the following:
- One page cover letter outlining why you think you are the best candidate and how your skills sets and experiences fit into this position.
- Resume (including detailed work experience, education/degrees);
- References (minimum of three, with complete contact information);
All applications should be sent to Horn Relief at vacancies@hornrelief.org with the subject line: “Head of Programs”.
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