Programme Assistant Job in Nairobi Kenya

Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. 

Driven by local needs, our programs provide communities in the world’s toughest places with the tools and support they need to turn the crises they confront into the opportunities they deserve. 

Mercy Corps is looking for committed and dynamic individuals to take up the following positions.
 
Programme Assistant, PROGRESS Programme – Nairobi
 
Program / Department Summary: The PROGRESS Programme Assistant will work in collaboration with the PROGRESS Programme Director, Programme Coordinator & Learning Manager and the entire PROGRESS team in both Kenya and Uganda in the implementation of the multi-year DFID’s BRACED initiative (Building Resilience and Adaptation to Climate Extremes and Disasters). 

Mercy Corps received an award under BRACED to implement the “Programme for Resilient Systems” (PROGRESS).

PROGRESS is comprised of a multi-partner consortium poised to deliver a 36-month initiative designed to build absorptive, adaptive and transformative capacity of more than 200,000 individual households in northern Kenya (Wajir) and northern Uganda (Karamoja). 

The PROGRESS Programme Assistant will play a key role to support the programme team throughout the programme.
 
General Position Summary: The Programme Assistant reports to Programme Coordinator & Learning Manager and is responsible for supporting the Nairobi-based PROGRESS core team in the management and operation of PROGRESS in Kenya and Uganda. 

S/he will work closely with the PROGRESS management team in Nairobi to ensure the smooth implementation of the program according to approved schedule, budgets and required quality assurances.
 
The Programme Assistant is closely connected to the field teams in both Wajir and Karamoja and will be responsible for ensuring that their work is running smoothly and they are receiving the adequate direction and support from the Nairobi PROGRESS team. 

The Programme Assistant will play a key role in ensuring programme documentation is completed and approved as required by Mercy Corps procedures and proper filing of documents and official grant documentation. 

S/he will work with the Programme Coordinator & Learning Manager and Programme Director to represent PROGRESS to internal and external stakeholders as requested.

Essential Job Functions:
  • Assist with general program operations and field-based activity;
  • Liaise with and support key program staff to ensure that the program is running effectively and making best use of project resources;
  • Provide written reports and program summaries for PROGRESS staff, as requested.
  • Work with Programme Coordinator and Learning Manager to produce weekly or bi-weekly progress reports as needed by the Programme Director.
  • Support the Programme Coordinator and Learning Manager to produce management friendly monitoring charts and reports as needed.
  • Ensure communication and updates are regularly shared internally and with all external PROGRESS partners.
  • Work with the Programme Coordinate and Learning Manager to track programme progress throughout the target area;
  • Assist program staff in coordinating logistics and project activities;
  • Promote and adhere to the principles and objectives of PROGRESS and Mercy Corps;
  • Coordinate events and training and travel plans with PROGRESS and partner staff, participate in meetings as assigned;
  • Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility: None
 
Accountability: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Reports Directly To: Programme Coordinator & Learning Manager

Works Directly With: PROGRESS Staff in both Uganda and Kenya and finance and operations teams in both Kenya and Uganda.

Knowledge and Experience:
  • University Degree in a relevant field.
  • 2-3 years of work experience, preferably with a NGO
  • Strong written and oral English language skills are required.
  • Proven presentation skills and mastery of PowerPoint
  • Commitment to working with pastoralists and/or marginalized communities
  • Ability to take initiative and work independently when appropriate or necessary
  • Willing to travel frequently to PROGRESS field operations
  • Ability to multi-task is required
  • Must be well organized
  • Ability to organize and executive work plans and events
  • Demonstrated strong communication skills and ability to have positive interactions and correspondence with partners.
  • Demonstrated mastery of MS Office software such as Word and Excel.
Success Factors:
 
The candidate will have the following characteristics:
  • Initiative, 
  • adaptability,
  • ability to listen and
  • work under pressure.
Somali Kenyans and Women are strongly encouraged to apply.  

Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit applications on or before 4th February 2015, by 4.00pm, containing a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent supervisor) to hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org

The email subject line must clearly quote the job title and location being applied for.

Applications without the right subject heading will be automatically disqualified. 

Please do not attach any certificates.

(ONLY qualified candidates who meet all the essential required qualifications will be contacted for interviews)


NB: Mercy Corps does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.