Senior Project Coordinator

About DRC   
DRC began operating in Kenya in 2005 with assistance to refugees and displacement-affected communities via implementation of protection and livelihoods activities. DRC works in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps, as well as in Nairobi to assist urban-based refugees, and in Mandera County implementing a cross-border resilience programme.  DRC is the lead agency in a consortium of 4 agencies implementing the project in Mandera County of Kenya, Dollo Ado Region of Ethiopia and Gedo Region of Somalia. The project began in December 2017, and DRC Kenya is recruiting a new team to implement key Livelihoods activities across Mandera County. 

Overall purpose of the role: 
Based in Mandera Town with regular travel to field locations in Somalia and Ethiopia, the Senior Project Coordinator has responsibility for day to day implementation of a DRC-led consortium of 4 agencies implementing a cross-border EU-funded grant across Mandera, Kenya, Dollo Ado, Ethiopia and Gedo, Somalia. The Senior Project Coordinator will support the Head of PMU with strategic guidance and leadership of the BORESHA grant, and will support in determining specific programme design, delivery, progress against the approved work plan, reporting against the monitoring plan, and overall performance of implementing agencies. The Senior Project Coordinator is a key member of the Programme Management Unit and will contribute to ensure overall planning, implementing, and managing of the project, and establishment of the M+E framework to assure progress towards achieving project goals and objectives. 
S/he will oversee timely delivery of planned results, within budget, with adherence to applicable policies, provide capacity building to project staff, represent the project with internal and external stakeholders in field locations, including the donor, and contribute to planning, coordination and learning within the consortium. 

Responsibilities: 

The Senior Project Coordinator refers to and works in close collaboration with the senior project staff of each of the implementing agencies. Specific responsibilities include:

• Contribute to overall leadership and management, and general technical direction, for the design and implementation of project activities
• Responsible for day to day design, delivery, and progress against agreed targets of the project across all implementing agencies and areas
• Responsible for ensuring the timely and quality completion of all programme technical and financial deliverables and reports in accordance with EU guidelines
• Ensure a shared project vision and ‘theory of change’ amongst staff and across all implementing agencies
• Serve as a liaison with and build effective working relationships with the EU, government counterparts, local partners, communities and other relevant stakeholders
• Oversee financial and administrative management of the programme at field level, ensuring compliance with DRC and EU rules and regulations
• Support the establishment of effective project reporting, monitoring and evaluation, financial management, and personnel and procurement mechanisms
• Develop partnerships in the humanitarian community at local level and coordinate with authorities at County Government levels.
• Participate in consortium Project Steering Committee meetings and Technical Working Group meetings, and ensure implementation of corrective measures. 
• Promote sustainability of project activities with effective networking, linkages to other programmes, capacity building of key project staff, and strengthening community-based organizations and mechanisms
• Participate in the hiring, professional development and evaluation process of PMU staff, ensuring achievement of project results by setting specific goals and providing continuous performance feedback. 

Experience and technical competencies: 

• Minimum of 10 years’ of professional experience relevant for the successful implementation of cross-border programmes
• Experience managing complex activities involving coordination with multiple project partners
• Proven experience in programme design and management, including budget expenditure, donor relations, reporting, proposal writing, staff management, and monitoring, evaluation and reporting. 
• Proven experience in Livelihoods and/or related fields in a management capacity.
• Demonstrated track record of strong donor relationships, specifically EU 
• Experience living and/or working in Mandera, Dollow or Dollo Ado strongly preferred
• Communication Skills: Excellent writing and verbal skills in English, knowledge of the Somali language a plus. 
• Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to manage a large workload and multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines. 
• Work style: Highly organized team player, pro-active and with demonstrated strong personal initiative and decision making ability. Proven solid analytical and problem solving skills. 

Personal competencies

• Leadership skills, including ability to build and motivate a team and willingness to deal with challenges.
• Political and cultural sensitivity, including ability to adapt well to local cultures.
• Demonstrated successful experience working within a complex security environment is preferred.stakeholders
• Excellent in the use of MS Office Suite, email and internet
• Knowledge and understanding of Somali society/language 
• Experience in a refugee setting and knowledge of refugee issues an asset (but not a requirement)

About you:  
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:  
Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.   
Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.   
Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.   
Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.   
Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.   

Education: 
Relevant university degree in Social Sciences, International Development, International Relations, Law or any other relevant field.
Fluency in written and spoken English essential  

Key stakeholders: 

• Internal: Project and Programme Staff, 
• External: Partner organizations, Donor organizations, Government departments 

Conditions  

• Contract: Standard contract is 12 months and is renewable based on performance and availability of funds. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment. 
• Availability:  December 2019 
• Duty station: The position will be based in Mandera County  

Application and CV:  
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.  
DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. Please remember to upload both a letter of application and your CV and do not attach any written recommendations.  
Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 18 November, 2019  
Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels.  In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.  
Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer.  We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees.  We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, color, race, marital status or other protected characteristics.  
DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process. Visit drc.ngo to read more about what we do to secure robust safeguarding mechanisms. 
If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.