Program Officer

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: Program Officer

Reporting to: Program Development Manager

Duty Station: Nairobi, with frequent travel to the field offices in Somalia, Kenya & Ethiopia

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

Main Responsibilities include:

• Contribute to the development of country program strategies, concept papers and situation analysis.
• Quality assurance and finalization of reports, proposals and concepts in line with the donor requirements and NRC policies and strategies;
• Coordinating the production process of reports and proposals;
• Coordinating the deadlines for proposal and report submission
• Support PDU in the overall day to day planning and progress monitoring of the implementation of the core NRC Somalia/Kenya/Ethiopia Mission program activities;
• Monitor the humanitarian situation n Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia and highlight new developments for senior management
• Undertake capacity building of staff on proposal writing; program and project cycle management and advocacy
• Support field offices on assessments. In liaison with the PDM, plan programme/project assessments and evaluations
• Undertake regular field trips to follow up and advise through field reports and recommendations on progress of projects
• Ensure that Protection analysis is part of the activities being uundertaken and contributing to the development of NRC analysis on prioritized Protection issues by facilitating the mainstreaming of Protection issues within NRC program
• Ensure that the advocacy issues and initiatives are identified within the country programs, and support the PDM and the Area Managers in their advocacy work
• Ensure deliberate overall Somalia/Kenya/Ethiopia program approach along “do no harm” principles
• Ensure gender mainstreaming in all program documents and processes
• Attend coordination and Cluster meetings as advised by the PDM and coordinate responses and actions as required
• Support in preparation of media briefs and success stories; and write, design and edit project publications/brochures/factsheets/newsletter, etc
• Ensuring information a coordinated flow of information between NRC Nairobi and the field offices
• Assist with any other duties assigned by the Program Development Manager, as and when required.

Required skills and qualifications:

• Relevant university degree, preferably in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Law or other related field.
• At least 3 years experience in field project review and evaluation;
• Documented skills in formulation of programme/project proposals, budgets and reports
• Understanding of various donors requirements
• Ability to use Logical Framework Approach as a tool in project/programme design and follow-up
• Significant understanding of complex emergencies and crisis contexts
• Significant political and cultural awareness and experience of working in setting where insecurity is a major issue
• Awareness of gender and protection issues
• Proven communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Fluency in English, both oral and written
• Above average computer literacy

Desired Skills:

• Knowledge of the political situation in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia.
• Experience working with statistical software packages.

This position will require the job holder to regularly travel to Somalia/Kenya/Ethiopia field offices. Applicants should hold valid travel documents.

Deadline for Applications: 10th October 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.