Project Officer and Project Assistants-(Norwegian Refugee Council )- Jobs in Kenya

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Somalia/Kenya is a two Country Program with four field offices in Dadaab (Kenya), Hargeisa (Somaliland), Bossaso (Puntland) and Mogadishu (South Central).

NRC has been present in Somaliland since early 2004 and expanded to Puntland in 2006, Mogadishu and Dadaab in 2007.

In a short time NRC established Education, Shelter/Sanitation, Distribution and Camp Management projects for IDPs, refugees and local population in Somalia and Kenya.

NRC also has a coordination office in Nairobi, Kenya that was established in 2006.

Position Vacant: Project Officer – General Food Distribution

Reporting to: Project Manager – Food Security and Distribution

Duty Station: Dadaab

Duration of Contract: January 2012 to 31st December 2012 (with possible extension)

Main Responsibilities include:

• Support the development, implementation and monitoring of the General Food distribution project and Food Security and distribution sector activities
• Manage general food distribution project activities including storage, movement and distribution at the refugee camps with the support of Project Assistants
• Supervise the GFD team and report on the general food distribution project activities.
• Assist the Project Manager in expansion of the sector/project and preparation of proposals and budgets to donors
• Provide required project and progress reports, both narrative and financial, to Project Manager and donors, including the weekly, bi-weekly and monthly reports
• Develop training programs and teaching materials with particular emphasis on participatory methodology together with the Project Manager and NRC partners
• Liaison with relevant authorities and communities at field level
• Develop M&E tools together with the Project Manager, M&E Officer and Project Assistants
• Assist the Project assistants and project staff in carrying out the daily activities, supervise them and assist them in collection of the M&E data and provide the required data to Project Manager and M&E Officer
• Design the post distribution and baseline survey forms/tools and conduct/ supervise the survey
• Based on needs, design training contents and methodology according to the guidelines given by the PM ensuring that appropriate measurement criteria relating to input, process, output and outcomes are in place.
• Ensure overall quality assurance and control of all project activities
• In liaison with the Project Manager ensure that financial, administration and logistic requirements of the project are arranged
• Any other assignment as may be required/assigned by the PM

Required skills and qualifications:

• Degree in Social sciences with focus/background on food security and supply / logistics and livelihoods or related area
• Minimum 3 year experience in relevant field, preferably in a refugee setup
• Ability to work independently in a result oriented multi-tasking and multicultural environment and manage conflicting priorities.
• Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to explain and present technical information and write good reports
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with sensitivity and respect for diversity

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge of the Local language.

Position Vacant: Project Assistants – General Food Distribution (8)

Reporting to: Project Officer – Food Security and Distribution

Duty Station: Dadaab-Kenya, with extensive travel to the Project Sites

Duration of Contract: January 2012 to 31st December 2012 (with possible extension)

Main Responsibilities include:

• Supervise the food supply and distribution activities at the food distribution point (FDP), including reception of food at the FDP, proper stacking of it, record keeping and GFD Cycle management. The project assistant is the overall responsible for the management of the whole GFD team at the FDP.
• Ensure right quantity and quality of food are reflected in the waybill received
• Ensure the food is offloaded and loaded timely and properly stored at the distribution sheds.
• Ensure all documents are properly managed and duly signed
• Report any damages and/or losses of the food to the project officer and WFP staff
• Write daily, weekly and monthly reports
• Ensure stock cards and ledgers are updated daily
• Ensure that food is stocked and distributed according the set procedure
• Ensure that right entitlements of food are distributed to beneficiaries.
• Liaise with Project officer, WFP staff, UNHCR and food advisory committees about GFD cycles and beneficiaries manifest.
• Liaise with Project Officer and WFP staff on the food status and procedures of disposal
• Ensure smooth running of the GFD activities and availability of food
• Ensure that food storage and distribution is properly maintained
• Ensure that all activities are properly coordinated with the WFP staff on the ground
• Participate in M&E activities as may be requested by M&E unit.
• Any other assignment as may be required/assigned by the Project Officer

Required skills and qualifications:

• Diploma in purchasing and supply management / food security / logistics / store management or related area from a recognized institution.
• Minimum 2 year experience in relevant field, preferably in a refugee setup
• Certificate in computer packages with good experience in Microsoft office.
• Experience in general food distribution/book/record keeping
• Ability to supervise large number of staff / daily wage workers
• Ability to work independently in a result oriented multi-tasking and multicultural environment and manage conflicting priorities.
• Excellent communication (spoken and written) and computer skills, including the ability to explain and present technical information and write good reports
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with sensitivity and respect for diversity

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge and experience of the local area is highly desirable.

Position Vacant: Project Assistants – Host community support projects (2)

Reporting to: Project Manager – Food Security and Distribution

Duty Station: Dadaab and Fafi districts – Kenya, with extensive travel to the Project Sites

Duration of Contract: January 2012 to 30th June 2012 (with possible extension

Main Responsibilities include:

• Leads needs assessments, baseline studies and periodic studies, and feedback findings to the stakeholders
• Collect data from implementing partners, coordinate it with the M&E Officer and prepare regular reports on activities.
• Liaise with community leaders, local administration, CDC, other sectors and agencies working locally in order to coordinate the host community support response more efficiently.
• Represents NRC in co-ordination meetings with the IPs, CDC and local administration as well as other partner organizations and stakeholders, when asked by supervisor.
• Preparation of reports, checklists, data collection and community mobilization tools.
• Participate in M&E Activities as may be requested by the M&E Unit.
• Supervise the construction and rehabilitation of host community support infrastructure including schools, latrines, boreholes and water-pans, ensuring that the constructions are of the highest quality and as per specified technical drawings.
• Overview the material estimates for construction of the IPs infrastructure activities and their bidding process together with the WASH and Shelter team support.
• Conduct community mobilization in coordination with the partner organization and facilitate appropriate community involvement in the design and delivery of all the project activities.
• Carry out informal and formal training sessions (according to identified needs) and evaluate the impacts of this training.
• Identify needs/gaps for future project expansion.
• Use participatory approaches in the designing, implementation and handing over of the project outputs to the host community as well as its proper use thereafter.
• Take account of gender, protection, HIV, the environment, and other important cross-cutting concerns in programme design, implementation, and reporting; carry out activities in a way that reflects the needs of target groups and individuals e.g. elderly people, minority groups, children, and people with disabilities.
• Any other assignment as may be required by the Supervisor / Project Manager.

Required skills and qualifications:

• Technical background in infrastructure development/construction and/or livelihoods. First degree or Higher National diploma in the mentioned field or similar relevant discipline. Extensive experience may substitute for specific qualifications but not vice versa.
• Proven practical experience in the planning and execution of construction, livelihoods and/or borehole drilling and water-pan excavations of at least 2 years experience in a humanitarian and development programme.
• Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders including the local communities, representative bodies, administration and other orgs.
• Experience in designing and conducting baseline and needs assessment surveys
• Ability of using AutoCAD and other technical softwares will be an added advantage.
• Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to explain and present technical information
• Experience in capacity building and training of staff and target groups
• Political and cultural awareness and experience of working where insecurity is a major issue

Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is essential; fluency in Somali or Kiswahili is highly desirable.

Ability to work independently in a result oriented multi-tasking and multicultural environment and manage conflicting priorities.

Sensitivity to the needs and priorities of disadvantaged populations (minority groups etc)

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge and experience of the local area is highly desirable.

Deadline for Applications: 13th December 2011

Applications should be submitted to:

Norwegian Refugee Council, 
P O Box 21211-00100 
Nairobi, Kenya

Email Address: recruitment_nb@som.nrc.no

Or

Norwegian Refugee Council, Dadaab Field Office
P O Box 05, Dadaab

Only the short listed candidates will be contacted.

The Norwegian Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer, with no discrimination in terms of sex, age, religion, ethnic origin or political affiliation.