Senior Project Officer – Garissa – Catholic Relief Services

About CRS:
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
Position 1:
Department : Programming
Job Title : Senior Project Officer – APHIA Imarisha (Ref:2016/46)
Grade : 6
Reports to : Project Manager – APHIA Imarisha
Supervises (Direct Reports Only) : Four Project Officers
Based in (Location) : Garissa

Job Summary:**
Reporting to the CRS IMARISHA Project Manager, the Senior Project Officer (SPO) will be responsible for CRS’ scope of work (OVC, HCBC and SDH) in APHIA plus, Imarisha Garisha Region (Garissa, Wajir and Mandera). S/he will serve as the key technical link person for the project and have the triple roles of managing relations between the strategic partners, implementing partners (IPs) and the GOK to care and support for PLHAs and orphans and children affected and or infected by HIV and AIDS in the region mentioned above. The SPO will ensure that implementation is done through and with GOK structures at national, county, sub-county and community levels to deliver on USAID/Kenya Strategic Goal for health: “Sustained improvement of health and well-being for all Kenyans.” The SPO will also ensure OVC/SDH implementing partners are provided with appropriate technical assistance, mentorship and support supervision to implement quality interventions as per the set guidelines.

Specific Responsibilities:**
Coordination:
• The SPO is a core technical team member responsible for project implementation strategies, routine support supervision, data quality assessment, research and policy adherence. S/he is expected to promote an integrated approach to empowering PLHA and OVC in Garissa region.
• Facilitate planning and review sessions with partners to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Develop projects’ specific work plans, detailed implementation plans and project schedules based on project agreements and contractual obligations in consultation with the Project Manager.
• In consultation with Project Manager and consortium colleagues, the SPO is expected to work hand in hand with Results 3 and 4 as s/he continuously engages key stakeholders in the region to deliver. RESULTS Area 3: Increased use of Quality Health Services, Products and Information Imarisha/ Contributions to Community Health Strategy; while RESULT 4: Social Determinants of Health addressed to improved well-being of targeted communities and populations.
• Ensure LIPs support marginalized, poor and underserved groups in the four counties, so that the target population has increased access to economic security initiatives through coordination and integration with economic strengthening programs.
• Support LIPs to work with OVC households to improve food security and nutrition, increased access to safe water, sanitation and improved hygiene.
• Support LIPs to strengthen systems, structures and services for protection of OVC and caregivers.
• Support budget processes and periodic budget reviews for partners’ OVC and PLHA activities e.g. trainings and field monitoring visits.
• Write and ensure timely submission of progress reports to Project Manager.
• Ensure application of Integral Human Development and Protection policies are followed.
• Maintain working relations with relevant government line ministries and private sector/research institutions to coordinate adoption of new products/approaches in agriculture development and marketing.
• Strengthen the capacity of implementing partners’ system, structures and skills, and enhance opportunities for shared-learning with partners.
• Ensure compliance with CRS and donor requirements/regulations.

Training:
• Design and facilitate Training of Trainers workshops in core social determinants of health, in coordination with partner organizations and the relevant government agencies.
• Build the capacity of partner staff on OVC care and support, planning, implementation, management and monitoring.
• Guide and support partners in their efforts to train and register OVC caregivers on livelihood and economic strengthening initiatives.
• Stay abreast of new developments in OVC care and support and participate in relevant technical working groups and related forums.

Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Support Project Officers to develop a MEAL plan for the APHIA Plus project IPs in coordination with IMARISHA Project Manager.
• Monitor the quality of the APHIA plus Imarisha Project through regular field visits.
• Monitor workplan progress, identify issues (technical and coordination), and offer solutions.
• Lead quarterly project performance reviews in the region.
• Provide feedback to POs on monthly and quarterly reports and share reports with the Project Manager.
• Provide guidance and support Project Officers in facilitating Technical Quality Assessments (TQAs) at points of service delivery in four Counties.

Learning Agenda:
• Support the COP, the CRS Health Team Leader AND Imarisha Project Manager to develop annual learning agendas for the APHIA Plus Project and the implementing partners
• Ensure Project Officers analyze data from the field and produce customized reports for various applications/interventions.
• Provide technical guidance to LIPs on data use.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Key Working Relationships:**
Internal: CRS Kenya’s Health Team Leader, Project Manager and staff, MEAL staff, and other technical staff
External: APHIA plus consortium, GOK, LIPs, other stakeholders, and the community.
Required Qualifications, SKILLS and Experience:**

Education:
• A bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Clinical Medicine, Social Sciences or related field. A master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• Have solid working knowledge and practical skills in: OVC, HCBC, VCT, Counselling, ART and dealing with social determinants of health.
• Experience in dealing with a multifaceted project and integrated programming that endeavors to address holistic human need.
• At least 5 years’ progressive experience implementing and integrated HIV/AIDS projects Kenya, preferably in an NGO setting.
• Knowledge and understanding, as well as prior experience, with PEFPAR and/or USAID funded projects preferred.
• Have a good understanding of GOK HIV/AIDS Policy and Guidelines.
• Have a good grasp of challenges facing PLHA, OVC and marginalized poor in Kenya.
• Familiarity with concepts of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, organization and coordination skills, teamwork and ability to prioritize tasks in a timely manner.
• Supervisory experience required.

MEAL Competencies:
• Design: Familiar with project level theories of change, results framework, proframes, related MEAL system tools and components, and accompanying MEAL narratives.
• Monitoring: Ability to implement monitoring activities including timely collection of quality data, facilitation of participatory reflection of monitoring data and submission of timely progress reports.
• Evaluation: Ability to support project evaluations and reviews and to facilitate the use of evaluation results to inform decision-making and enhance learning.
• Accountability: Ability to ensure accountability to stakeholders through increased participation, transparent communication, responsive feedback mechanisms, and adherence to internal and external quality standards and requirements.
• Learning: Ability to establish knowledge management and collaborative learning processes at the project level, generate evidence for project and programmatic learning that leads to action, decision making and influence.
• Analysis and Critical thinking: Ability to engage with data, challenge biases and assumptions, pose thoughtful questions, pursue deeper understanding of evidence through reflection and perspective taking, and make informed programming decisions
• ICT4MEAL: Ability to apply knowledge on ICT for opportune and accurate data collection, database management, conduct analysis and make information easily accessible
• MEAL Management: Ability to manage financial and human resources in a way that optimizes the quality, effectiveness and utility of MEAL systems.

Required Travel:**
50% travel within the four counties being supported

HOW TO APPLY:
Disclaimer:
This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
Written applications indicating the reference number of position applied for and CV including day-time contact phone numbers, as well as names and contact information of three references should reach the below-mentionedby Close of Business Monday October 10, 2016.
Human Resources Manager
Catholic Relief Services – Kenya Program
E-mail: hr@ke.earo.crs.org
Please indicate the Reference Number on the ‘email subject. Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Note: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) does not charge any fees from applicants for any recruitment. Further, CRS has not retained any agent in connection with this recruitment

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