Organization Background: HelpAge International is a global network of not-for-profit organisations with a vision of a world where older people fulfill their potential to lead active, dignified, healthy and secure lives.
With more than 70 affiliates and 300 partners across more than 50 countries the HelpAge International network brings together hundreds of organisations worldwide.
HelpAge International has a secretariat with offices in London and Brussels, five regional centres in Africa, Asia/Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central Asia, seven national programmes and a number of emergencies.
Position Summary: The Social Accountability Specialist will lead technical aspects of the project of building the capacity and provide technical support to communities to effectively monitor and advocate for quality Older Persons Cash Transfers in Kenya.
The ideal candidate should be a social accountability specialist who will lead technical aspects of the project in capacity building and provide technical support to communities to effectively monitor and advocate for quality Older Persons Cash Transfers in Kenya.
Relations with Others:
HelpAge International BMZ project team,
EWCARDC staff,
Social Protection Rights Coordinators,
Assistant Social Protection Rights Coordinator in Lodwar,
Administrative team in Lodwar HSNP Secretariat
Partners in areas of operation,
Donors especially BMZ, DFID
Key Responsibilities:
Lead HelpAge’s social protection work in Kenya by staying abreast of recent developments, new thinking and current trends related to social protection, including locating Social Protection within areas such as Health and livelihoods.
Work closely with the Social Protection Secretariat (SPS) as a Non-State Actor in the delivery of Older Persons Cash Transfers (OP-CT).
Support the regional social protection team, HSNP with technical assistance in relation to OP-CT.
Establish and/or strengthen the accountability framework of OP-CT.
Identify needs and assess capacity of Older Persons Groups (OPMG) in participating in OP-CT service provision oversight.
Develop training and technical assistance projects to communities to apply social accountability tools to monitor and advocate for quality OP-CT service provision.
Cooperate closely with the project partners and the SPS in delivering training and technical assistance to OPMGS.
Closely monitor progress in implementing social accountability tools by the OPMGs.
Collaborate with regional project personnel in designing sound approaches and monitoring of results.
Contribute to project planning and reporting and developing other project deliverables including but not limited to assessments, evaluations, lessons learned, success stories, etc.
Promote, support and help to document innovative and high quality projects or programmes in the areas of accountability in social protection and safety nets, including HelpAge’s work in Health and Livelihoods.
Design and negotiate multi-country engagements on accountability to social protection and safety net issues which include a research and influencing component and which are premised on answering key questions in these areas.
Develop social protection or safety net projects including Cash Transfers programmes from inception (including carrying out market analysis) to delivery, particularly in emergency settings.
Facilitate and negotiate key strategic relationships on social protection with renowned regional leaders in the field.
Represent HelpAge in key networks and external meetings related to social protection and safety nets and ensure that HelpAge’s programme experience and evidence is brought to these forums.
Project management of the BMZ project including Contract Management, coordination of field teams and financial management including production of high quality and timely quarterly narrative and financial reports
Responsibility for management of BMZ project staff
Coordination of the BMZ project’s M&E exercise and contribution to the OPCT’s and HelpAge’s learning objectives.
Development of high quality communications materials to support programme implementation. This to include piloting innovative methodologies in partnership with HelpAge’s implementing partners.
Monitoring of project activities and ensuring contract deliverables are met and donor and management reports are accurate and timely;
Donor liaison and relationship building with all stakeholders
Manage project expenditures by ensuring budget is strictly adhered to, financial procedures are observed and all supporting documents are provided
Participate in annual planning activities and coordinate with other staff on developing internal programme linkages, sharing learning and documentation of good practices.
Undertake any other duties as and when necessary to fulfil the objectives of the BMZ project according to donor requirements and HelpAge’s internal policies and procedures.
Qualifications:
Graduate degree in Sociology, economics, law or other relevant field.
Experience directly managing or supporting a social protection or safety nets programme.
At least three years’ experience working on issues of social protection or safety nets.
Knowledge of and experience working with civil society sector in the Kenya.
Experience developing and delivering training projects and providing assistance/coaching to communities.
An ability to show a high level of critical thinking.
Strong understanding of research methodologies and the nature of evidence which will influence key decision makers in the area.
Ability to communicate very clearly and succinctly (writing & speaking).
Proven ability to negotiate through strong inter-personal skills and ability to synthesise different perspectives.
Strong understanding of the relationship between emergency and development contexts and interventions and of chronic poverty.
Proven ability to provide advice in a constructive manner to a variety of teams.
How to Apply
To apply, send your cv and cover letter, detailing how your qualifications and experience match the criteria for this role to jobs.ewca@helpage.org by 23rd December, 2015.
Please put BMZ Project Coordinator as the subject of your email application.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis