Programmes Officer - MENA, APR, SAS

Organisational Context

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is ministry of the Society of Jesus, incorporated as an international non-governmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organisation was founded in November 1980 and now has a presence in over 50 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an international office (IO) in Rome. The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced people while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs.

The main services provided are in the field of education, emergency assistance, and psychosocial support and livelihood activities. Currently, more than 724,000 individuals are direct beneficiaries of JRS projects.

Operational Context/ Role

Under the supervision of the Programmes and Innovation Director, the Programmes Officer provides technical and strategic guidance and support to  the following  JRS regions: Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Asia Pacific (APR) and South Asia (SAS). She/he works closely with the two Programmes Officers for JRS’s regions in Africa and with the other colleagues in the Programmes and Innovation Department as well as with the  Regional/Country Programmes Officers. She/he will also maintain, strengthen and develop relationships with International and local JRS partner agencies. The position is based in JRS International Office in Rome.

Main responsibilities of the position:

Strategy

• Ensure that the regional/country programmes strategies are in line with international humanitarian standards and JRS’s 2019-2023 Strategic Framework with focus on reconciliation, education, livelihoods, advocacy and psychosocial support.
• Support the region/country offices with their annual plans, providing feedback to initial drafts and helping them reach final versions.
• Systematisation of knowledge (extracting lessons learnt and documenting, taking stock of different activities, organize workshops for country staff, present findings, exchange ideas, etc.)
• Organize and lead workshops with the scope of producing knowledge sharing and extraction of good practice.

Capacity Building

• Support relevant regional and country staff through training on global JRS tools and templates, Project Cycle Management (PCM), LogFrame Approach. Assess training needs, conduct and/or organize targeted trainings, coaching sessions for staff and monitor the knowledge acquisition and learning
• Develop training tools and train programme managers on application development, assist them to organize trainings for the field staff
• Improve the quality of JRS programmes in coordination with country programmes officers through standardisation of policies, procedures, guidelines and tools.

Grant coordination for international opportunities

• Act as point of contact for MENA, APR, and SAS regions, responsible for providing support and guidance to a specific country portfolio:

• Ensure that all necessary documentation (narrative, LogFrame, concept note, budget, project timeline) is submitted to the Institutional Funding & Partnerships Officer/Major Donor Officer for successful submission of grant and funding applications.
• Support the Regional/Country office on the revision and accuracy of grant reports.
• Ensure reports are completed timely and in compliance with the grant requirements.

Partner/Department Coordination

• Develop and maintain regular contact and good professional relationship with the regional and country offices, primarily with Programmes staff and Regional and Country directors, and where appropriate with field personnel and with Project Directors.
• Work with the M&E unit on the procurement of resources to be included in a MEAL System
• Coordination with Finance Department on funds allocation and financial reporting.
• Work closely with the Strengthening Country Operations Team (SCO) to ensure adequate programmes participation and implementation of recommendations.
• Work closely with specific areas experts (Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support, Education, Livelihood, Advocacy, Reconciliation), including consultation on country level projects and global programmes.
• Coordinate with the Jesuit Xavier Network offices and other partners as well as with consultants for all necessary specialized services needed by the Regional/Country offices (e.g. needs assessments).
• Engage with the Communications and Development Department with regards to specific requests.

Ad-hoc tasks, identified in accordance with the Region/Country priority

• Support Regional/Country offices in the creation of concept notes and project proposals for local opportunities.
• Support the Regional/Country offices in proofreading, suggesting changes and providing feedback on project proposals for local opportunities.
• Following up on reporting, regular check-ins, providing ad-hoc support as requested.

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced university degree in Management, Political Sciences, Law, International Development or another related discipline.
• At least five (5) years of practical work experience with donor-funded programmes, particularly with INGOs in a similar setting.

Languages

Excellent proficiency in written and verbal English and French.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical, strategic-thinking and planning skills.
• Familiarity with templates and procedures used by institutional donors such as UN agencies particularly UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and Access.
• Ability to work with specialized accounting systems is an advantage.
• Previous working experience with faith-based organisations is an asset.
• Excellent communication and presentation capacities, able to persuasively articulate JRS’s message and impact to external audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multi-cultural, international, professional environment.
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to working with marginalized communities.
• Ability to innovate in a changing environment and promote creativity within the organisation.
• Understanding of and commitment to humanitarian relief work and international humanitarian standards.

Required Core Values

• Good understanding of and compatibility with the values of JRS;
• Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision and values; the ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
• High integrity, honesty and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations and information.
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value;
• Willingness to work in stressful, sub-optimal and multi-cultural environments.  

Travel

The position requires frequent travel to JRS locations (up to 30%)

Terms and Conditions

Contract is for one year, renewable with an initial probationary period of 3 months.  The JRS remuneration policy is aligned with the JRS ethos to offer effective and professional services and at the same time express solidarity with the people served. Benefits and compensation package will be discussed with short-listed candidates

All applicants are requested to submit:

- a Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English, including three (3) professional references with contact information, phone and email address.

- A cover letter describing the candidate's desire and motivation to work for JRS and how her/his qualifications and experience are a good fit for this position.

Screening and interviews will start as soon as applications are received.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in joining JRS