National Program Officer at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

Primary Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the Country Director, the National Program Officer oversees the coordination and administration of all aspects of the ongoing program including planning, organizing, leading, monitoring and reporting program activities. She/he develops strong partnerships with local education stakeholders and authorities, is responsible for coordinating monitoring and evaluation, and assists in managing the day-to-day operations of the organization.

General Objective for this Position

• The National Program Officer is responsible for the quality and effectiveness of JRS’s programmatic response, assuring the quality and effectiveness of emergency response and interventions, as well as its fidelity to the regional strategic plan.
• Program Design and Planning
• Leadership and Management
• Financial Planning

Details:

• Management and Leadership
• Cultivate positive working relationships and develop collaborations with other NGOs, UN agencies, donors and military stakeholders on the field.
• Undertake an acting capacity and/or by delegation the responsibilities of the country director when he/she is out of office.

Program Planning
In association with the Country Director, ensure that response, implementation and exit strategies are developed.

• Oversee project design, implementation and reporting to donors and supervisors as well as working with the CD to ensure continuous funding of programs
• Plan the delivery of the program activities in accordance with the overall objectives of JRS and donors
• Suggest new initiatives to support the strategic direction of the organization
• Create and implement short- term indicators and long-term objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the program
• Assist in the creation of the annual budget and operating plan to support the program
• Create a program evaluation framework to detect weaknesses and strengths and globally identify areas for improvement and coordinate the execution of this survey.
• Assist in developing funding proposals
• Assist the Country Director in ensuring high-quality, efficient and transparent planning, utilization and reporting of financial resources made available for JRS Nigeria programs.

Program Organization

• Create and implement program activities respecting the policies and procedures of the organization
• Create and implement program activities keeping as a first priority the staff safety and security
• Create and implement program activities respecting all relevant legislation
• Create and implement monitoring and evaluation tools

Program Leadership

• Lead, supported and assisted program staff by providing direction, input and feedback
• Develop strong relationships with stakeholders, authorities, and communities, directly and through the program staff: develop a culture of service, accompaniment, and advocacy
• Liaise with other Project Directors and field staff to ensure the effective and efficient program delivery
• Coordinate the delivery of services among different program activities to increase effectiveness and efficiency
• Monitor the evolution of staff’s activities, ensuring compliance to donor and legal requirements, as well as the ethics and efficacy of programming being implemented.

Program Monitoring

• Responsible of writing reports on the program for management and for funders
• Control that the right budget is used at the right time for the right place, according to the policies and procedures
• Monitor and approve all budgeted program expenditures
• Evaluate budget needs and reports to the Country Director monthly
• Identify and evaluate the risks associated with program activities and suggest appropriate action to control the risks
• Report program evaluation findings to the National Director and suggest propositions to improve JRS response
• Evaluate short and long-term needs for the program’s success and growth and ensure that these needs are being met
• The National Program Officer is also responsible for all other tasks necessary to ensure the quality and timely achievement of projects, as requested by the Country Director.

Qualifications and Experience

• Higher Training in Political Sciences, Humanitarian Development / Aid or equivalent;
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar function and/or in the international cooperation sector;
• Experience managing humanitarian or development projects;
• Excellent sense of organization, management and planning;
• Mastery of the use of Word packages and other informatics
• Fluent in written and spoken English, good knowledge of written and spoken French;
• Knowledge of requirements and procedures for primary funders: UE, ECHO, UN Agencies, US Agencies;
• Strong reporting skills;
• Flexible and able to work in difficult work locations, under pressure and often under difficult conditions;
• Ability to work as part of a multicultural team;
• Respect of the values and mission of JRS;
• Advocacy capacities;
• Willing and able to travel in deep field conditions and locations.