Area Manager – Kenya | Web Relief

May 6, 2024 Vaseline stjohnson 0

Workplace/Location: Dadaab, Garissa County

Initial contract details: June 1, 2023, 7 months with the possibility of extension.

Inform: country representative

About Winds of Peace Japan

Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) is a non-governmental organization established in 1996. PWJ has provided humanitarian and development assistance to people affected by forced displacement and natural disasters in more than 20 countries around the world.

To improve the living conditions of host and refugee populations and foster peaceful coexistence and self-reliance in communities affected by displacement, PWJ launched its mission in Kenya in Dadaab, Garissa County, in 2012. Since then, PWJ has been carrying out projects funded by the Japanese government, other UN agencies and other organizations in the areas of community development, housing and WASH.

In Dadaab, Garissa County, PWJ is actively involved in promoting sustainable solutions to protracted refugee situations in the WASH, infrastructure and logistics sectors in line with the Kenya National Government’s Shirika Plan as well as the Government’s strategic plans. of Garissa County and Garissa Integrated Socio-Economic Development. Programs.

Job Summary:

The Area Manager is responsible for the management of the reception and refugee camp operation in Garissa County and other prospective counties in the North East region. He/she is also responsible for internal and external coordination of field operations. You will be responsible for providing leadership in program design, implementation and evaluation, security management, support function management (human resources and administration, finance, warehousing and logistics), partnership management, resource mobilization, community relations, financing and budgetary functions. The Area Manager will also support the capacity development of staff in field offices and ensure the strengthening of operational responsibility at the field level by ensuring that appropriate risk mitigation measures and internal controls are implemented. He will be an effective representative of Peace Winds Japan to government authorities, communities, United Nations and NGO partners, and other stakeholders.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic planning, resource mobilization, development and implementation

  • Provide general guidance and support to the field team in the development of area-level annual operational plans, program/project implementation, procurement plans and budgets. .
  • Lead the PWJ field team to deliver high-quality programs through timely implementation of projects supporting WASH, shelter, food security and nutrition, livelihoods and supply chain.
  • Support and monitor project implementation and ensure that projects are managed and implemented in a manner that results in the achievement of goals within the established time frame and allocated resources.
  • Lead the team to develop and implement strategies that reflect climate change adaptation, humanitarian, development and peacebuilding nexus, sustainable solutions to the protracted refugee situation, including self-reliance and integration, diversity, equity and inclusion, and other organizational priorities.
  • Monitor and guide field teams in implementation, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) processes, budgets and audit recommendations.
  • Identify funding gaps and support the preparation and/or review of key funding proposals prior to submission to potential donors.
  • Ensure that scheduled design, monitoring and evaluation processes (assessments, designs, baseline surveys, evaluations and measurement of results/impact indicators) are carried out and reports are completed and approved.
  • Provide leadership to staff and communities in emergency and disaster planning and response, including establishing field-level disaster preparedness plans.

People Management

  • Develop a human resource development plan for the area and manage staff development/growth to form a team of high-performance teams.
  • Identify skills gaps and suggest capability development to HRM.
  • Improve team performance through shared learning between field teams.
  • Address unsatisfactory performance proactively, provide leadership for field staff evaluation and capacity development, and report any poor performance that requires management intervention.
  • With HR, prepare individual performance plans and clear KPIs for staff based on relevant job requirements.
  • Lead in building a motivated, high-performing team that strives for success.

Networking and Promotion

  • Build strategic partnerships and networks at the area level and link them with strategic commitments at the national level.
  • Lead, coordinate and promote advocacy, lobbying and influence initiatives at the area level.
  • Work with the MEAL department to document lessons and learnings from regional programs and link them to national-level advocacy initiatives.
  • Establish and maintain an open and fruitful dialogue with the county government, line ministries, community leaders, power brokers and relevant humanitarian and development agencies, private companies and donors.

Operations and Standards Management

  • Ensure grant costs are recovered effectively and all grant-related costs are debited to the appropriate account lines using the PWJ NetSuite ERP system.
  • Track project budget to ensure efficiency, timely and quality program investment, including total spend up to 100% at the end of projects with well-planned spend during all project periods.
  • Ensure the existence and compliance of controls for risk reduction and management and that the program’s risk matrix is ​​updated
  • Deliver cost-effective programs and comply with internal control systems per operating manual and local policies.
  • Ensure assets are used and managed appropriately
  • Successfully implement and monitor project activities in terms of storage, fuel handling, transportation, workshop.
  • Ensure all warehouse and shop operations are performed efficiently to optimize organizational resources.
  • Coordinate all logistical activities through regular meetings with the team and ensure that colleagues understand and strictly follow the institution’s procedures.
  • Disseminate ERP (NetSuite) systems to relevant team members and ensure proper use for maximum performance.
  • Review weekly/monthly vehicle reports, logbook, trip and fuel logs, monitor fuel utilization, maintenance and consumption, and perform monthly fuel and maintenance expense analysis.
  • Provide direct management of senior staff, provide overall management for the entire Dadaab team.
  • Provide on-site support through frequent visits to project sites.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

  • The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in any development-related field (social sciences, development studies, humanitarian field, business management, public health, etc.). Master’s degree or higher is an added advantage.
  • At least 5 years of proven program management experience in humanitarian and/or development settings on the ground or in the private sector, including at least 2 years in the WASH sector.
  • Proven experience in managing especially large, diverse and dynamic teams, and commitment to good leadership.
  • Significant understanding and experience in the project management cycle, especially in the participatory approach and results-based project management.
  • Extensive experience in budget, grant and financial management, as well as logistics management.
  • Proven experience in managing alliances with UN agencies. Experience working on similar UNHCR and ECHO projects is an added advantage.
  • Practical understanding of sustainable WASH programming in the context of the humanitarian and development nexus
  • Practical and proven skills in negotiation and conflict resolution with a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Experience in security and safety management in a highly dynamic security environment.
  • Good knowledge of PEAS (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse). Having a training certificate is an advantage.

Desirable:

  • Ability to quickly develop a good vision and understanding of the conflict, the human rights situation and the political environment.
  • Excellent analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking skills, with a proven ability to create and use qualitative and quantitative analyzes in organizational planning and the ability to work independently and in a team.
  • Excellent communication and report writing skills.
  • Multitasking, organizational and prioritization skills.
  • Ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of people in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment.
  • Ability to generate innovative approaches to programming and inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs.
  • Ability to navigate complex situations with diplomacy.
  • Ability to manage ambiguity, frustration and stress in oneself and others.
  • Confident and determined leadership.
  • Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
  • Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and advocate for PWJ’s interests with a wide range of government officials, local organizations and other groups.
  • Significant experience in budgeting, grants and financial management, documentation, asset tracking, understanding of human resources and administration principles and ethics.
  • Excellent people manager with good team building skills and a proven track record in managing and developing teams of professionals, including those in dispersed or distant locations.

How to apply

We are looking to recruit Kenyan national candidates only. Interested and qualified candidates are warmly invited to submit a cover letter (1 page) and resume (5 pages maximum) as a pdf document. no later than May 20, 2024 to: [email protected]. In your cover letter, reflect on your motivation for taking on this position and indicate your expected salary range. Only shortlisted candidates will come into contact.