International Health NGO
Closing date: 22 Jun 2009
Location: Kenya
Program: Merlin Programmes in North Eastern Province of Wajir, Kenya
Responsible To: Country Director
Responsible For: Health Coordinator and National Team
Location: Wajir with frequent travel to the project sites in the province and to and from Nairobi as required.
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: 12 months
Salary: £16, 315 - £18, 540 per annum dependent on relevant experience, plus an annual cost of living allowance of £5,572 per annum, insurance cover, accommodation and flightsOnly short-listed applicants will be contacted.
Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be shortlisted on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.
Please note: this is an unaccompanied position.
Merlin International ProfileMerlin specialises in health, saving lives in times of crisis and helping to rebuild shattered health services.
Each year, Merlin helps more than 15 million people in up to 20 countries.
Context and Background
Merlin has been working in Kenya since 1998.
Merlin is currently operational in three geographic regions: Lake Victoria, the Western Highlands and the Arid and Semi Arid regions of northern Kenya.
In addition to the country office in Nairobi, Merlin maintains offices in Kisii and Kisumu towns in Nyanza province, Lodwar in Turkana district and Wajir town in Wajir province.
Since January 2008, Merlin has also been implementing an emergency response project in Nakuru North district in Rift Valley province.
The overall objective of Merlin’s work in Kenya is to contribute to a reduction of health inequalities and to a reversal in the current downward trend in health related indicators.
Merlin does this by responding to emergency needs as well as continuing to build on lasting working relationships with communities and local partners; supporting the strengthening of the Kenyan health system; approaching health problems with innovative interventions; developing answers to key practical questions through operational research; and using the lessons learned at local levels to feed into national-level programming and planning.
Main purpose of the role
The Project Coordinator will be based in Wajir and will have overall responsibility for the effective and efficient management of Merlin’s Nutrition and Emergency Preparedness Response project in collaboration with the Country Director and Country Health Director.
S/he will ensure that the project is consistent with the project management cycle and for compliance with Merlin procedures, systems and guidelines.
The Project Coordinator has the overall responsibility for the execution of the project against the agreed objectives and within the agreed budgets.
In carrying out these responsibilities the safety and security of the team are paramount.
Regular contact with other agencies, donors and authorities should be maintained as much as possible.
Overall Objectives (scope)
- Operational Management of Wajir project site
- Provide logistics, finance and administrative support to project
- Manage all Human Resource related issues
- Provide guidance and support in security management
- Represent Merlin as and when required
Responsibilities
Management/programme development
- Overall responsibility for effective and efficient management of all Merlin programmes in Wajir province ensuring that they meet their intended objectives, consistent with the project management cycle and in accordance with Merlin principles, policies and procedures.
- Ensure programme activities are successfully implemented in accordance with the programme documents including proposals and project log-frames as well as the terms and conditions of the contract with partner agencies (including donors).
- Ensure monitoring systems are developed and are in place and that project reviews and evaluations are carried out as planned with the appropriate participation of stakeholders and partners at all stages.
- Employ participatory approaches for the development of links with community groups to raise awareness, increase knowledge and change attitudes and practices towards health issues.
- Assist the Project Health Coordinator in the process of work plan development, implementation and monitoring; field research/assessment, analysis, documentation, reporting and dissemination.- Ensure all relevant authorities are included in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the programmes.
- Develop and maintain good working relationships with provincial and district MOH, communities and their leaders as well as other stakeholder organizations.
- Develop effective coordination mechanisms between the programmes and with other potential or active partners in the field.
- Ensure project narrative and financial reports are completed and submitted on timely manner in accordance with the requirements of Merlin and the donor/s.
- Prepare accurate and timely project proposals.
- Be responsible for leading the process of undertaking civil society mapping exercise and identify potential local partners for Merlin in the province.
- In consultation with the Country Health Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, and the Country Director, establish and maintain effective internal and beneficiary accountability mechanisms and systems in the province.
Logistics, finance and administration
- Ensure Merlin HR, administrative, financial and logistical systems/procedures are in place in accordance with Merlin policies and procedures, maintained and adhered to so that all support functions are carried out effectively and efficiently.
- Be responsible for overall financial management of the field office including ensuring accurate budget coding and allocation.
- Review monthly financial accounts, forecast projections, and submit monthly financial reports and documents to Nairobi office on a timely manner.
- Ensure that all expenditures are within the agreed and approved budget and conduct monthly expenditure against budget monitoring on a monthly basis and consult with finance department in case of any issues.
- Ensure Merlin complies with all legal and bureaucratic requirements in the province of operation. - Ensure regular communications are maintained between the field office/programmes and the Nairobi Office.
- Ensure that monthly logistics reports are compiled and reviewed and submitted to Nairobi office in a timely manner.
- Responsible for ensuring that inventory and asset lists are accurate, up-to-date and maintained.
- Ensure that Merlin procurement procedures are followed and that authorization levels are respected.
- Ensure that Merlin transport policies and procedures are adhered to.
- Ensure that all Merlin contractual matters including contracts of office and team accommodation permises as well as hired vehicles are up-date and well maintained.
Human Resource Management
- Overall direct management and development of Merlin support function staff in Wajir province.
- Ensure that all Merlin staff contracts and job descriptions are up-to-date at all times and personnel files are maintained properly.
- In conjunction with the Project Health Coordinator, manage, supervise and support the work of the programme teams.
- In consultation and coordination with the Country Director and HR Manager and in accordance with Merlin Kenya HR policies, procedures and manual; be responsible for national staff selection, recruitment and disciplinary processes including dismissal in the province
- Ensure that timely staff appraisals are conducted for all Merlin staff in Wajir as per Merlin standard requirements and procedures.
- Ensure all new team members are adequately briefed on arrival in the field, clearance procedures are followed for departing staff members, and that staff members are debriefed at the end of their employment.
- In consultation with the Project Health Coordinator, Country Health Director, the Country Director and HR Manager, develop TORs, identify external consultants and facilitate and monitor their field work (i.e. surveys).
- Maintain good inter-team communications and develop and maintain positive team dynamics.
- Ensure that Merlin’s national staff policies and procedures are understood and correctly followed.
- Support team members professionally and monitor and support stress management.
Security
- Be responsible for security and safety of Merlin staff and resources in the province in line with Merlin kenya security and safety policy.
Develop and update province specific security management plan in consultation with the Regional Logistics Coordinator and the Country Director.
- Record and report any security incidents to the Nairobi Country Office.
Representation
- Be the focal point for representing Merlin in Wajir with provincial and district level government authorities, Ministry of Health, donors, NGOs, networks and other stakeholders.
- Ensure all relevant parties are kept informed of Merlin activities as appropriate (e.g. donors, MoH, etc.).
- Represent Merlin at all relevant meetings and forums at provincial and district levels in the province.
- In consultation with and guidance from the Country Director, act as the contact person with the press and media in the province.
- Contribute towards the dissemination of lessons learnt and best practice through publications (general, health sector, academic) and presentations at conferences, in consultation with the Country Director, Country Health Director, and the London Headquarters Staff.
- Other
To respect all merlin organizational and country specific policies, procedures and regulations and ensuring that they are also adhered to by all Merlin staff in the province.
Carry out any other responsibilities as requested by the Country Director.
Person Specification Essential
- Qualifications, experience and competences
- Good experience of international programme management including project proposal and logical-framework development,
- Good understanding of humanitarian development issues
- Experience in the development and implementation of project monitoring and evaluation systems- Demonstrated experience in financial management, budget preparation, organizational and planning skills
- Human resources management and capacity building skills
- Strong proven experience in security management, including developing and implementing SOPs and security guidelines
- Strong leadership skills- Knowledge and experience of logistics and internal control systems.
- Proven problem solving and organizational skills and Strong analytical and research skills
- Experience of liaison with MoH, local authorities, NGOs, other agencies and donors
- Ability to live and work in remote insecure areas
- Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English
- Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office
- Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures
- Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritizing a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines
- Experience of proactively identifying and addressing issues
- An understanding of and commitment to Merlin’s mission and values
Desirable
- Qualifications, experience and competences
- Post graduate qualification in development or health related field (e.g. public/community health).
- Good understanding of public health, primary health care and nutrition
- Experience of programme development in a public health context
- Experience in the processes and techniques involved in developing and using appropriate IEC/BCC resources and materials.
- Previous work experience in Kenya and knowledge of the Kenya context is an advantage.
Desirable
- Qualifications, experience and competences
- Post graduate qualification in development or health related field (e.g. public/community health).
- Good understanding of public health, primary health care and nutrition
- Experience of programme development in a public health context
- Experience in the processes and techniques involved in developing and using appropriate IEC/BCC resources and materials.
- Previous work experience in Kenya and knowledge of the Kenya context is an advantage.
How to apply
Please download an application form from our website www.merlin.org.uk Completed form should be emailed to applications@merlin-uk.org stating in the subject field the job title, country and reference number (if any).
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