Latest Jobs 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.

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Main Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the JRS Regional Director West Africa and the Great Lakes, the National Director directs and supports the work of JRS at the national level of the JRS operation in the country of intervention.
• General objective of the position:
• Make JRS-related staff and systems efficient and effective, and create a motivating, inclusive and productive working atmosphere.

Expected Results:

• Development, coordination, supervision, and capitalization of current and future projects according to the needs of the populations and funding opportunities;
• Represent JRS and strengthen professional relations with different religious communities and in particular the Jesuit community, civil authorities, international organizations, NGOs, UN agencies and other humanitarian actors;
• Improvement and optimization of the functioning of the coordination and continuity of JRS bases in the country of intervention;
• Ensure the execution of the fundraising strategy to ensure the financial stability of the operation;
• Support the Program Officer in managing the development of proposals and facilitate the implementation of the practical/logistical/administrative aspects of the interventions;
• Coordinate with all stakeholders at the security management level to ensure the safety and well-being of personnel.

Development, coordination, supervision, and capitalization of current and future projects according to the needs of the populations and funding opportunities:

• Coordinates the development, drafting and preparation of the documents necessary for the presentation of new projects (narrative and budget), with the support of the regional and international office;
• Supervises the preparation of narrative and financial reports, the implementation of internal audits and/or external evaluations in accordance with the deadlines set;
• Carries out field missions to supervise activities;
• With the support of the Program Manager of the national office, checks the updating of monitoring tools (indicators, activities, financial) in conjunction with the project managers;
• Measures the impact of projects on populations;
• Ensures proper compliance with donor procedures and contractual obligations, particularly with regard to procurement, human resources and accounting.

Represent JRS and strengthen professional relations with different religious communities and in particular the Jesuit community, civil authorities, international organizations, NGOs, UN agencies and other humanitarian actors:

• Represent JRS in meetings with the authorities or technical services of the State;
• Ensure the active participation of JRS in coordination meetings (clusters, general coordination);
• Maintain good relations with operational partners (national and international NGOs) and other humanitarian actors;
• Maintain good relations with the Jesuit community and the various religious communities;
• Ensure good communication and collaboration with all humanitarian and non-humanitarian partners;
• Intensify relations with donors, especially those with whom JRS does not currently work, and ensure the promotion of our actions in the field.

Improvement and optimization of the functioning of the coordination and continuity of JRS bases in the country of intervention:

• Accompany the team in the achievement of their annual objectives and in their professional development through continuous support;
• Supervise local and expatriate staff, and supervise all administrative, technical, financial and logistical functions in the countries with the support of the regional office;
• Serve as a model/example of good communication, information sharing and intense team collaboration, and ensure that the rest of the team follows the example;
• Be reassured of the sharing of information and the continuity of the functioning of the office by ensuring that all data is regularly updated in SharePoint;
• With the support of finance staff, oversee the economic and financial management of bases and all projects;
• Participate in the selection of personnel in collaboration with the Human Resources Officer of the national office and supervise the correct management of personnel;
• Carry out or supervise the evaluation of all staff to guide the renewal or not of contracts and to promote their professional development;
• Disseminate internal regulations, code of conduct, and other procedures to ensure the well-being of staff and our populations served.

Ensure the execution of the fundraising strategy to ensure the financial stability of the operation, support the Program Officer in his management of the development of proposals and facilitate the implementation of the sides practical/logistical/administrative interventions:

• Supervise the coordination of the process of presenting new projects (narrative and budget) with the support of the regional and international office;
• Raise funds for projects, through contacts with “local donors” (embassies, representations of international agencies, United Nations agencies);
• Supervise the preparation of narrative and financial reports, the implementation of internal audits and/or external evaluations in accordance with the deadlines set;
• Carry out field missions to monitor activities;
• With the support of the program manager and the regional office, check the updating of monitoring tools (indicators, activities, financial) in conjunction with the project managers;
• Measure the impact of projects on populations;
• Ensure proper compliance with donor procedures and contractual obligations, particularly with regard to procurement, human resources and accounting;
• Work on improving the logistical aspects to facilitate the timely implementation of activities (means of transport, means of communication, etc.).

Coordinate with all stakeholders in terms of security management to ensure the safety and well-being of personnel:

• Work on improving the logistical aspects for the safety of personnel (means of transport, means of communication, etc.);
• Ensure compliance and application of the SOPs and the security plan by all team members, starting with himself;
• Facilitate security capacity building for the entire team;
• Ensure JRS participation in security meetings (UNDSS, INSO) and inform the regional and international office of any change in the security context;
• Update the security plan, ensure its dissemination/understanding and its proper application by the teams;
• Inform the regional and international offices of any security incident at JRS bases, and follow the advice of the Chief Security Officer (Andy Brown).

The National Director is also responsible for any other task necessary for the proper and timely execution of the projects. A monthly report is to be sent to the Regional Director on the work carried out in the field.

Qualifications and Experience

• Higher education in Political Science, Development / Humanitarian Aid or equivalent;
• Experience of at least 3 years in a similar position and/or in the international cooperation sector;
• Experience in managing development and emergency projects;
• Excellent sense of organization, management and planning;
• Excellent computer skills and the main software;
• Perfect command of French and English (written and spoken);
• Knowledge of the Procedures of the main donors (EU, UNHCR, ECHO, UNICEF, BPRM, Other major donors.)
• Good reporting capacity;
• Good management and personnel management skills;
• Flexibility and ability to work in a difficult context, under pressure and in an often-uncomfortable environment;
• Ability to work in a team and in a multicultural context;
• Respect for the values and mission of JRS;
• Develop the sense of advocacy;
• Willingness and ability to travel in the field.