International Programmes Officer, West Africa (WAF) Region

JRS-IO Vacancy Announcement

International Programmes Officer (IPO) West Africa (WAF) Region 

Position Title:                      IPO WAF

Duty station:                       Rome International Office

Reports to:                           International Programmes Manager

Organizational Context

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is a ministry of the Society of Jesus, acting 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 57 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, reconciliation, livelihood activities and psychosocial support. Currently, almost 1 million individuals are direct beneficiaries of JRS projects.

Operational Context

The position is part of the IO Programmes and Innovation (P&I) Department. Overall, the Department creates and coordinates opportunities, provides technical and sectoral expertise, offers programmatic strategy and solutions, and manages programmatic knowledge and learning, thereby enabling JRS to have a meaningful and effective impact on those we serve. It does so in response to increased levels of global displacement and in the context of JRS’s 2019-2023 Strategic Framework.

Key responsibilities

Under the leadership of the International Programmes Manager, the Programmes- Officer for the West Africa (WAF) Region – with operations in Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, D.R. Congo and Nigeria – will be performing the following tasks:

General:

• Provide programmatic and grants support to the WAF region
• Work closely on the Strengthening Country Operations (SCO) Project to ensure adequate programmes participation from pre-assessment phase to the implementation of recommendations
• Ensure that SCO recommendations are followed up and implemented in order to improve JRS programmes quality through the standardization of policies, procedures, guidelines and tools
• Provide support to WAF with their (multi-)annual plans, through revision of drafts and coordination of feedback from the Joint Programmes Team (IO and JRS-USA)
• Redirect Programmes related matters to the relevant units within the Programmes & Innovation Department as well to other IO and JRS/USA Departments where applicable
• Channel international funding opportunities to WAF
• In collaboration with the relevant P&I Unit, support the Regional and Country Offices with the preparation of Terms of Reference for project assessments
• Support the organization of capacity building workshops
• Develop and maintain regular contact and good professional relationships with the Regional and Country Offices, primarily with Programmes staff and also Regional and Country Directors, and where appropriate with Project Directors and field personnel
• Act as point of contact and sounding board to WAF regions on global strategic priorities and provide guidance to IO Departments on matters of critical interest from the regions
• Provide standardized quarterly reports about the programmatic situation in countries
• Support the Regional Offices on the coordination among countries.

Grants proposals development:

• For funding sourced through the IO, and in line with the Responsibility Matrix on Funding Applications, contribute to grant/funding applications and ensure that all necessary documentation (narrative, LogFrame, concept note, budget, project timeline) is submitted to the Grants Unit and Comms & Fundraising Department for successful submission to funders
• For funding sourced through WAF, support the Offices with agreed upon concept notes and funding proposals

Reporting:

• For funding sourced through the IO, review project reports submitted by the Country and Regional Programme Officers so can they be submitted to the funder
• Provide guidance and support the Regional/Country Offices on the revision and accuracy of grant reports

Funding Needs:

• Invite Country/Regional Offices to share funding
• In coordination with the Grants Unit, support the Country Offices by reacting to the needs presented, giving feedback and seeking funding possibilities

Qualification and Competencies.

• At least five (5) years of practical work experience with humanitarian/development programming and with donor-funded programmes, particularly with INGOs in a similar setting
• Familiarity with templates and procedures used by foundations and institutional donors such as the EU and UN agencies particularly UNHCR
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and Access
• Excellent proficiency in written and verbal English and French
• 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 displaced communities
• Ability to innovate in a changing environment and promote creativity within the  organisation
• Strong analytical, strategic-thinking and planning skills

Desirable

• Previous working experience with CRM, grants and programmes systems is an advantage
• Previous working experience with faith-based organisations is an asset.

Travel

The position will require travel to JRS locations in the field (30%).

Core values and ethics

• 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.

Terms and Conditions

Please note that this position is only open to candidates who possess EU citizenship or other legal authorization to work in the European Union.

Successful candidates will be offered a regular contract under Italian law.

How to apply

All applicants are requested to submit the following documents no later than 16 February 2023:

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

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Thank you for your interest in joining JRS!