International Rescue Committee Jobs in Kenya

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Kenya serves vulnerable populations in the Turkana and Garissa regions as well as in Eastleigh, Nairobi.

The IRC implements programs in the areas of comprehensive primary health care, nutrition, protection, peace building, water and sanitation and hygiene (WASH), HIV/AIDS prevention, response to gender based violence, disaster risk reduction (DRR), livelihoods and governance.

Applications are invited for the positions of:

1. Livelihoods Assistant - Garissa

The IRC Kenya is launching an emergency/early recovery livelihoods program in drought-affected areas of Jarajilla Division of Fafi district and is looking to recruit a Livelihoods program assistant.

The Livelihoods Assistant will assist the Senior Livelihoods Manager in the implementation of all aspects of the Livelihoods program in Fafi district in collaboration with a local NGO partner.

He/She will directly work with the partner as well as community leaders, beneficiary groups, Government of Kenya (GoK) staff and other NGOs to ensure high quality standards in project implementation and provide guidance and support to the project activities.

Key Responsibilities

The Livelihoods Assistant will work with local primary stakeholders and partners.

Specifically undertake the following responsibilities;

• Under the supervision of the Senior Livelihoods Manager, provide capacity-building and technical support to partner NGOs and community leaders
• Carry out regular field visits to all project areas to implement, supervise and monitor project implementation activities.
• Assist the Senior Livelihoods Manager in the preparation of progress reports of all components of livelihood interventions.
• Assist the Livelihood Manager in creating and monitoring activity plans
• Assist in data collection from community and partners and consolidation of data for monitoring project performance indicators and reporting progress against target achievements
• Assist in proper documentation of all activities to ensure accountability at all stages
• Ensure that the implementation process considers cross-cutting issues such as gender equity, community participation and cultural acceptance
• Ensure that community mobilization, targeting, identification and registration of beneficiaries is conducted according to criteria and objectives agreed upon with Senior Livelihoods Manager and in line with program objectives
• Participate in needs assessments, market analysis, and regular monitoring of livelihood operations.
• Ensure regular coordination and planning meetings with local actors/ partners
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with the relevant government line ministries and departments at district and division levels, community based leaders and community structures.
• Ensure smooth and transparent flow of information from partners to the local communities.
• Follow all IRC security protocols.
• Assist in other relevant duties as identified and assigned by the Senior Livelihoods Manager

Required qualifications

• Relevant education in development studies, Diploma in Agriculture or Livestock Production or rural development related fields
• Experience of working in Food Security/ Livelihood projects preferably with National or International NGOs
• Experience in assessment methodologies, organizing and implementation of livestock health/re-stocking and community based targeting
• Proven planning, report writing and monitoring skills
• Excellent communication skills with fluency in written and spoken English and an understanding of Somali culture
• Knowledge of Fafi community and their context, history and dynamics
• Somali language preferred

2. Water / Construction Engineer - Garissa

The IRC Kenya is looking to recruit a Water/ Construction Engineer to oversee implementation of water and construction components of its Livelihoods and Health programs in Jarajilla Division of Fafi district, including construction/rehabilitation of water storage facilities, milk marketing facilities, latrines and medical waste pits.

The successful candidate will have extensive knowledge and experience of water source installation and maintenance, latrine and waste pit construction, trough and water storage structures shallow well rehabilitation, and social survey techniques as well as general knowledge of construction.

The position is based in Garissa and involves frequent field trips.

Key Tasks:

• Ensure timely implementation of all aspects of the water and construction components of the livelihoods and health programs
• Liaise on a regular basis with relevant ministry representatives and other international and national actors in order to ensure effective coordination of all activities
• Create and follow activity and spending plans in transparent manner
• Provide designs for construction/ rehabilitation of water storage facilities troughs); milk storage/ preservation and marketing structures; latrines; and health facilities waste pits.
• Obtain all statutory approvals for constructions
• Hire and supervise contractors for all constructions
• Train community resource people (water committees) on sound water management practices and maintenance of water storage facilities
• Train health facility staff on maintenance of latrines and waste pits
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of project activities
• In collaboration with the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Manager, work with communities to develop DRR strategies
• Ensure cross-program integration, learning, sharing and adoption of best practices from other IRC activities and teams
• Undertake and implement basic baseline data and monitoring activities with respect to program activities
• Ensure effective integration and mainstreaming of gender in all programs
• Produce accurate procurement documents for logistics
• Keep accurate records of project materials used for the project and their costs
• Follow all IRC security protocols
• Undertake any other activities as required to fulfil the requirements of IRC programs.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Water Engineering, Civil Engineering or Geology.
• At least five years of prior professional experience in a water related position
• Experience hiring and overseeing contractors
• Experience in mechanical and electrical maintenance of generators and pumps and water storage structures
• Operational knowledge of Microsoft Office software
• Excellent interpersonal and time management skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous work experience with an NGO
• Previous training experience
• Previous experience working directly with communities.
• Previous experience liaising with government
• Previous work experience in an emergency environment
• Knowledge of Codan Radios and radio procedures
• Somali language preferred.

3. Finance Assistant - Lodwar

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Finance Officer, the Finance Assistant will be responsible for ensuring IRC systems and procedures of internal controls are followed when committing financial transactions in Lodwar to ensure that there is always enough cash support program activities.

He/she will maintain high levels of discipline and integrity in fiscal operations.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain petty cash at the set limit ensuring no cash shortage at all times
• Ensure that all cash payments are fully supported and are authorized at set limits as per IRC Kenya delineation chart before disbursement
• Prepare the petty cash upload spreadsheets to upload stage ready for review
• Monitor and track cash advanced to program and support staff on a monthly basis ensuring that liquidation reports are prepared and correction journals prepared ready for review by finance officer/manager
• Perform supervised petty cash counts every Friday, month end and as requested during supervision events
• Ensure that all cash received is duly receipted, coded and promptly banked
• Rubber stamping ‘paid’ on all documents once cash vouchers are signed and cash disbursed and before filing
• Maintain an organized and well documented (all files must be labeled properly and visibly) and sequential filing system for all cash disbursement vouchers
• Ensure that files with original documentations are sent to Nairobi on a monthly basis and duplicate files are maintained for field use.
• Might be assigned to perform other tasks in other IRC field office as per the needs of the organization

Required qualifications, experience and skills

• Minimum CPA II qualification
• Candidates who pursued Kenya Accounting Technicians Course (KATC) as a foundation course will have an added advantage.
• Should be a member of a recognized professional accountancy body.
• Knowledge of best accounting practices – Income Tax, VAT Regulations; at least three years of prior professional experience in a similar post
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and other accounting software
• Ability to work independently in a rapidly changing professional environment with a view towards establishing administrative procedures and protocol that will ensure optimal functioning of the operation
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills
• Fluency in spoken and written English
• Fluency in Turkana language will be an added advantage

Please apply at www.rescue.org/careers on or before 26th December 2011

IRC leading the way from harm to home.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.