JOB SUMMARY
The Director of Resilience Programmes, Humanitarian Assistance and Refugee Operations will oversee a fast changing programme sector. The Director’s key function is to ensure timely and quality humanitarian assistance is provided to beneficiaries, including refugees. The Director will coordinate with CARE Kenya’s Director of Women’s Empowerment and Transformational Change.
In humanitarian affairs and refugee assistance, the Director will coordinate with CARE’s Global and Regional Humanitarian Coordinators, CARE Canada’s Humanitarian team, and in cross-border operations, collaborate with CARE Somalia’s Emergency team. The Director will lead emergency preparedness planning in the country office and organise training and guidance to promote awareness of and adherence to humanitarian standards, humanitarian principles, Sphere Standards, Gender in Emergencies, Conflict Sensitivity, Do No Harm, and Principles of Partnership.
The Director will oversee sector and project managers and local partners implementing emergency assistance projects within a longer-term programme approach to support adaptation to climate change, build resilience to future disasters, save lives and livelihoods, reduce suffering, and lift beneficiaries out of poverty.
The incumbent will monitor conditions in Kenya, and initiate assessments when an emergency occurs. The Director will prepare situation reports/concepts, lead proposal development and emergency fund raising, coordinate with other humanitarian actors at the national level, and plan CARE’s humanitarian response.
The Director will ensure compliance with CARE and donor policies, procedures and regulations, and CARE’s Humanitarian Accountability Framework in the implementation of emergency response activities. The Director will manage sub-grants to local partners
The Director of Resilience Programmes, Humanitarian Assistance and Refugee Operations will be responsible for timely and accurate reporting by project managers to donors and CARE members.
The Director is responsible for managing relations with key stakeholders at the national level, the country level in Garissa, and in Dadaab; promoting positive relations with UNHCR, WFP, and other agencies, as well as implementing partners, government, members of the host community and refugees; and fostering knowledge and support for CARE by representatives of donors, government authorities, private sector, vendors, community leaders and beneficiaries. The Director will promote a positive image with all stakeholders, provide leadership and a role model to all CARE staff, and promote staff compliance with laws, rules and regulations and adherence to CARE’s policies and procedures and standards of conduct. The Director will represent CARE in relevant clusters and coordination forums to ensure coordination with other agencies, and with government at national level, and visibility in Kenya and in CARE member countries. The Director works closely with managers, coordinators, and field staff to provide stakeholders with accurate, meaningful, timely information about our mission, objectives, ongoing activities, and plans.
To ensure the sustainability of CARE International in Kenya’s refugee operations, the Director will
consult with UNHCR, WFP, ECHO, BPRM, other institutional donors and foundations
to identify and secure adequate funding for ongoing and future program activities on a timely
basis.
The Director will lead programme development and operational planning for refugee return
and reintegration to Somalia, care and assistance in the camps, host community development
activities, and integration of refugees in host communities. In a complex and changing humanitarian
context, the Director will provide leadership and vision in program and operational planning within
the framework of CARE Kenya’s strategy and in keeping with the strategic directions established by
UNHCR. The Director will monitor the situation in Somalia and in collaboration with CARE Somalia
and other partners, develop operational plans to support repatriation of refugees as well as
contingency plans for potential influxes into the camps.
Based in Nairobi, the Director will oversee all operations implemented from the Dadaab refugee complex, including repatriation and development activities in adjoining host community by CARE International in Kenya. The Director will be the point person overseeing safety and security issues, disciplinary procedures and complaints in humanitarian assistance and refugee operations.
The Director of Resilience Programmes, Humanitarian Assistance and Refugee Operations is responsible for directing all programming and administration of Dadaab refugee operations for CARE Kenya. The right candidate must be a self-starter with strong skills in multidisciplinary programming. With an annual operational budget of up to $5 million from 5 or more different donors, the Director must be astute in financial management and planning.
S/he must be able to foster teamwork and to provide leadership to teams of highly talented national staff of over 150, as well as ‘refugee incentive workers. The human resources aspect of the position requires constant and equitable application to ensure fairness and maintain morale.
The Director will work very closely with the units in Nairobi to ensure coordination, communication, and adequate support for the operations in Dadaab.
The responsibilities of the Director for include:
1. STAFF MANAGEMENT
Provide proper supervision and management for all direct reports and lead the establishment and functioning of a strong, effective and coordinated sustainable development programme team.
• Ensure the proper implementation of CARE’s performance management system for direct reports, including job description and Individual Operational Plan development, regular feedback, mid-term reviews and annual performance appraisals.
• Proactively address performance issues through regular, constructive and honest feedback and coaching, as well as disciplinary actions.
• Identify necessary staff development, career development and succession planning strategies for direct reports.
• Ensure that space and incentives are available to allow staff to develop and innovate.
• Oversee the recruitment and orientation of new senior program staff.
1. PROGRAMME QUALITY
• Oversee the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian and refugee assistance projects and ensure that they are in line with CARE’s global and country office strategic plan and program strategy and with CARE International’s Programming Principles.
• Ensure systems and plans are in place to guarantee that humanitarian and refugee assistance promote gender equality.
• Take the lead in identifying and securing funding for emergency and refugee assistance through the development of concept papers and proposals, respond to requests for proposals from donors and members.
• Ensure that proper monitoring and evaluation systems are in place to demonstrate impact and enhance accountability of the country office vis-a-vis the communities with whom we work as well as other stakeholders (civil society, donors and government counterparts).
• Increase the use of gender-in- emergency tools and capacity in humanitarian response.
• Work with the CD and communications team to develop and implement of a country office advocacy agenda that supports refugee rights and humanitarian response.
• Ensure that HIV and AIDS is mainstreamed in all activities.
• Ensure gender equality issues are properly considered and addressed in humanitarian response.
1. PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT
• Ensure that humanitarian and refugee assistance programmes are managed in a manner which achieves stated goals and objectives, are in line with CARE policies and procedures and donor rules and regulations, and demonstrate sound resource management.
• Ensure that qualified staff and appropriate policies, procedures and systems are place to properly manage CARE’s humanitarian and refugee assistance projects.
• Monitor emergency and refugee assistance projects to ensure that they are implemented in a professional manner in line with the project proposal and with donor rules and regulations through project visits and the review of annual implementation plans and activity reports.
• With support from the Internal Audit and Quality Assurance, ensure proper management of financial and other resources entrusted to CARE’s programmes and projects, including the review and approval of program/project budgets (including project matches) and the monitoring of budget reports (including the proper recording of matches).
• Ensure donor and government reporting is done according to agreed upon standards and in a timely manner.
• Work closely with units in Programme Support (finance, procurement, HR, Fleet, logistics etc.) to ensure proper coordination exists for efficient programme implementation, monitoring and reporting.
• Ensure strong commodity management and accountability where applicable.
• Regularly review and ensure that the most efficient program management structure is established and functional in order to ensure program quality and the cost efficient achievement of project objectives.
1. REFLECTIVE PRACTICE AND LEARNING
• Ensure that the refugee programme adapts to changes in policy
• Provide humanitarian and refugee assistance teams with opportunities for innovation and personal growth by promoting reflective practice and learning at all levels.
• Establish mechanisms for knowledge sharing and learning between projects and programs within the country office and with parties beyond the country office.
• Establish a reward system and model a culture that recognizes and supports innovation, risk taking and learning.
• Ensure that the country office actively participates in organization wide and regional learning initiatives
• Ensure that lessons learned are consolidated and used to inform ongoing and future practices.
1. PROGRAM STRATEGY
• Lead the preparation and implementation of the refugee assistance strategy in line with the country office’s Long Range Strategic Plan, national development plans, CARE Canada and CARE International strategic plans, and CARE programming principles and programming priorities.
• Seek strategic partnerships necessary to promote CARE’s vision and programming principles and ensure that those partners understand the country offices programme strategies.
1. EXTERNAL RELATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS
• Develop and enhance relationships between the country office, CARE Somalia and other parts of CARE and external organizations so that CARE can maximize its humanitarian response.
• Establish and maintain good relationships with relevant – counterparts/departments of the government, CARE International members, the locally-represented multi/bi-lateral donors, foundations, international and national NGOs, CBOs and other civil society organizations.
• Identify issues to be addressed to heighten donor and government accountability and maintain a positive image and good visibility for CARE amongst these groups.
• Support and work effectively in coalitions, networks and social movements.
• Contribute to national dialogue on poverty reduction strategies and related issues.
• Ensure timely reporting and communications with CARE International members, donors, government and other key actors.
• Ensure cordial media relations and act as CARE spokesperson as required.

PROBLEM SOLVING
The Director is one of the senior CARE representatives in Kenya and as such is responsible for problem solving at a variety of levels. S/he will need to be able to analyze and resolve situations as they arise on a variety of subjects ranging from personnel managementand programming decisions, to issues related to project participants, government, donors, and CARE member partner relations.

QUALIFICATIONS
Must be able to legally work in Kenya.

EDUCATION/TRAINING
• Degree or master’s level of education in development/relief related subject.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working in emergency and humanitarian programs (preferably in refugee contexts) in developing countries, ideally within East Africa
• At least 3 years’ experience in management of multi-sectoral programs with a large and diverse donor portfolio (at least US$ 3 Million or above)

EXPERIENCE
REQUIRED:
minimum of 5 years in senior management position in humanitarian response; at least 2 years
experience in refugee assistance, and at least 2 years experience in humanitarian proposal development
DESIRED:
8 years in a senior management position in humanitarian response; with 5 years
experience in refugee assistance, 2 years experience in Kenya, and 3 years experience in humanitarian proposal development
• Proven track record in design, planning and implementation of humanitarian assistance programmes
• Proven track record in design, planning and implementation of refugee assistance programs.
• Financial management experience (preparation of multi-sectoral program budgets for various donors, strong financial tracking skills, experience in preparing budget realignments, cost and no cost extensions)
• Experience as leader of a large, multi-ethnic team
• Strong computer skills are essential.
• Past experience in situations of conflict, insecurity and emergency

CAPACITIES:
Programme Management
• Demonstrated experience in leading strategic and operational planning
• Demonstrated experience in leading organizational transformation /change management
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills in a very complex international setting
• Extensive conceptual skills including development of programme strategy
• Excellent English writing skills
• Demonstrated experience in budget development and programme design (including concept preparation and proposal development), implementation and evaluation
• Experience in gender equality issues
People/Relationship Management
• Experience in change management
• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills
• Ability and interest to coach and develop staff
• Experience with performance management
• Experience with the management of a diverse workforce
• Strong representation and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated use of positive coping strategies in stressful environments
• Demostrated cross cultural communication skills
Financial Management
• Knowledge and experience with financial management as demonstrated by:
• Ability to manage a complex budget
• Donor compliance and reporting

Information/Knowledge Management
• Ability to establish a learning culture within the country office
External Relationships/Fundraising
• Experience in successfully managing institutional partnerships with national and international NGOs
• Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with donors and government counterparts.
+Experience and knowledge of operationalizing a rights-based approach
• Experience and knowledge of women’s movement in Kenya
• Experience in programme design and oversight in humanitarian response and refugee assistance, sustainable livelihoods, resilience building, WASH
• Demonstrated experience with proposal development with range of international donors (i.e USAID, EU, ECHO, DFID, GAC, UNHCR, WFP…)
• Experience and knowledge working with SCALA financial system
• Experience and skills in organizational change processes

Key internal contacts:
CARE International emergency group (CEG): CI head of emergency operations, head of emergency capacity development, Humanitarian director, Programme quality and accountability advisor, and other CEG staff.
Lead members’ management: Including regional/line management and staff, as well as lead members’ emergency units, emergency directors and other emergency units’ staff.
Country offices: Country Directors, Assistant Country Directors, Emergency Coordinators and other country office staff as appropriate.
CARE International emergency strategy implementation group (ESIG), response working group (ERWG) and other CARE International members’ emergency units and staff: ESIG and ERWG members, emergency directors, sector and other specialized staff, and other appropriate staff.
CARE International communications working group (COMWG): CEG media & information coordinator, COMWG members, and regional communications and media officers.
CARE International accountability standing team : including membership of the team
Other CARE International units: As needed
Key External Contacts:
Donor agencies, UN agencies, IAWG, other NGOs; host governments; and other principle stakeholders.

Required competencies
• Strong time-management and multi-tasking competencies.
• Team building
• Managing relationships across units, CARE and with outside stakeholders
• Self-awareness
• Interpersonal skills
• Stress tolerance
• Planning and organizing
• Proactive problem solving
• Operational decision-making
• Resilience, adaptability and ability to self-manage
• Excellent written and spoken English communications skills.

Desired traits:
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of refugee issues, UN policy frameworks and UNHCR operating norms.
• Experience in negotiating with donors and Government especially UNHCR, Bureau of Populations, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) and WFP.
• Experience in managing large commodity stocks and preventing losses. Must be a pro-active, results-focused manager/leader.

HOW TO APPLY:
Register/login using the link http://collaboration.stl-horizon.com/irc/site/signup OR send your application letter indicating the reference number, title of the position along with an updated CV with email and telephone contacts of three professional referees to: The Human Resources Manager , CARE International in Kenya, Email: Vacancies@care.or.ke
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
CARE is an equal opportunity employer and promotes gender equity. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
*CARE International in Kenya does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. (Application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees).**Qualified Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.*