Turkana programme coordinator

Job Reference no. INT5751

Background

This is a senior position, leading and representing one of Oxfam largest programmes in its global portfolio at this unique juncture in Kenya's social, political and economic development. The Programme Coordinator will manage a portfolio of innovative programmes that seek to: promote markets based livelihoods through the careful promotion of a cash economy, reduce or eliminate the need for perpetual food distributions and resulting dependency; and increase the resilience of all people and notably pastoralists to external shocks. Oxfam intends to be contribute to the success of Kenya's devolution programme by working with and supporting new government structures, promoting peace and empowering citizens to have a voice and hold their leaders to account.

The Programme Coordinator will be responsible for the lead and management of the Turkana program with a specific focus to program development, innovation and representation S/he will be responsible for a significant budget, a large staff, complex donor relations, local advocacy and Monitoring Evaluation Accountability & Learning (MEAL).

The post holder is a member of the Country Management Team and reports to the ASAL Coordinator (based in Nairobi).

To be successful in this role you will have: the imagination and experience to recognise the enormous potential present in Kenya's arid lands; the ambition and imagination to be help realise that potential for the benefit of Kenya's most marginalised population; and a commitment to social and economic justice. You will also have a minimum of a first degree in social sciences, coupled with in-depth experience of managing development and/or humanitarian projects and advocacy/governance. You will have proven leadership and management skills, demonstrating an ability to communicate and delegate effectively within a diverse and motivated team whilst also having ability to work independently with appropriate attention to detail, as required. Proven ability to analyse complex external contexts, monitor change and translate into appropriate planning and action in line with a good understanding of Disaster Risk Reduction, and when necessary, ensuring appropriate application of standards in humanitarian response is essential. You will demonstrate the ability to identify and implement opportunities for innovation. Equally important is your diplomacy, influencing and negotiating skills and ability to build good relations both internally and externally. Exposure to the development aid environment is preferred but candidates who have demonstrated abilities in managing projects for social change will be considered.

Key responsibilities

1. Lead the Turkana team in striving for excellence, developing innovation and achieving its plan.
2. Responsible for budget development and management of expenditure within portfolio of upto £ 10 million.
3. Overall management of the Turkana program with a specific focus to program development, innovation, representation and advocacy and MEAL learning.
4. In close liaison with the Turkana team ensure compliance with donor requirements in procurement, financial management reporting and in line with Oxfam’s internal procedures and minimum standards
5. In close liaison with the Turkana and Nairobi based teams and technical specialists support the proposal and project development in line with overall strategy
6. In collaboration with members of the field team to monitor the overall status of key environmental, social, economic and political indicators and participate in making recommendations for adjustment in strategy or project elements as necessary.
7. Represent Oxfam in promoting effective organisations (particularly Government line ministries, other NGOs, the UN and The Diocese of Lodwar and increasingly the private sector). Support all programme staff to collaborate effectively in district initiatives as these align to Oxfam’s ASAL programme strategy and strategic local and national alliances.
8. Ensure effective security management in line with Security Guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures and Oxfam’s Security Policy.
9. To report regularly to the ASAL Coordinator through sitreps and progress reports and informally as required
10. To represent Oxfam with all key stakeholders in Turkana to promote pro-poor development in Turkana and effective coordination. Hosting and briefing visitors (internal and external) including donors and the media and commissioned research or technical inputs of external specialists.
11. Ensure proper monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning within the program and dissemination of lessons learned/good practices outside the Turkana program.

Skills and competence

1. Vision to understand the enormous potential present in Kenya’s arid lands
2. Ambition and imagination to help realise that potential for the benefit of Kenya’s most marginalised population with a commitment to social and economic justice.
3. Proven ability to analyse complex external contexts, monitor change and translate into appropriate planning and action in line with a good understanding of Disaster Risk Reduction, and when necessary, ensuring appropriate application of standards in humanitarian response. Demonstrates ability to identify and implement opportunities for innovation
4. At least 4 years experience of managing development and/or humanitarian projects, at least 2 years must be within an NGO
5. Degree in Social Sciences or related field
6. Proven leadership and management skills, demonstrating an ability to communicate and delegate effectively within a diverse, committed and motivated team and ability to work independently as required
7. Ability to gather and apply lessons learned and to communicate this learning effectively.
8. Ability to support team members to develop their skills and make a greater contribution.
9. Ability to influence others for action, both internally and externally.
10. Able to plan and monitor the use of human and financial resources, including budget monitoring.
11. Excellent written and spoken English with proven liaison, negotiation, team working and reporting skills. Excellent communicator who leads in building relationships with key external and internal contacts
12. Experience in managing donor commitments
13. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively within different value systems and cultures.
14. Demonstrated experience of integrating gender and diversity into all project activities.
15. Self reliant and competent to work with significant levels of autonomy.
16. Commitment to Humanitarian Principles and action. Knowledge of the Sphere Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards a distinct advantage

Desirable

17. Project design skills within innovative and integrated food security, public health and market-based livelihoods projects.
18. Experience of working with and an understanding of pastoral livelihoods and/or chronic vulnerability.
19. Demonstrated abilities in managing projects for social change.