The Ugandan Jobline

Job Title:   Country Office Programmes Assistant   

Organisation: Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda

About US:

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is a ministry of the Society of Jesus, incorporated as an international nongovernmental organisation with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organisation was founded in November 1980 and has a presence in over 50 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an international office (IO) in Rome. The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced people while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs. The main services provided are in the fields of Education and Livelihoods, Reconciliation, MHPSS and Advocacy.

Job Summary:  The Country Office Programmes Assistant’s primary responsibility is to support the Country Programmes Officer in coordinating and supporting the implementation of all aspects of programming within the country with the guidance and support of the Country Director, the Regional and International Office. He/she is required to identify and develop key opportunities for programmes focused on refugees, IDPs and other populations affected by conflict. Together with the Country Programmes Officer, the COPA will also be responsible for fundraising and grant management. The COPA will work in close collaboration with the Project Office in defining all aspects of the project cycle.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Support coordination of JRS programmes at country level

• Analyze, in coordination with the Country Programmes Officer and Project Office teams, the unmet needs of refugees and other populations of concern and suggest new initiatives to the Country Director.
• Assist with the development of strategies, methodologies, contingency plans to respond to the different challenges that the country encounters.
• Assist with and provide inputs to the development of the country operations plan, ensuring alignment with the global strategic framework and priorities and regional priorities as well as with annual programming/planning instructions.
• Attend and represent JRS Uganda in relevant workshops, events and meetings, including cluster and coordination meetings, also preparing presentation material related to Programs Office.
• Liaise and collaborate with the IO Programmes Officer on all major issues and developments in programming within the country.
• Work closely and collaborate with relevant colleagues of the Country Office, specifically the Country Finance Officer, supporting the coordination of all programming efforts in the Country.

Project-related activities

• Support planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluating JRS projects within the country, together with the Country Programmes Officer, Project Directors and Country Director.
• Support planning and conducting needs assessments for each project site, according to JRS standards and guidelines.
• Create and implement tools for project evaluations, in consultation with the Country Programmes Officer and in collaboration with the Project Directors and M&E Officers.
• Produce project proposals and reports according to JRS standards and donor-related requirements in collaboration with the Country Programmes Officer.
• Visit projects site regularly to monitor and evaluate the activities to ensure timely and quality implementation, and provide feedback to the field.
• Train and update Project Directors and other key field staff (i.e. coordinators) in proposal writing, management, donor compliance, as well as suggesting improvements of planning, programming implementation and current processes.
• Maintain up to date archives of all project documentation and ensure project learning is generated, documented, and shared within the JRS network.
• Liaise with country, regional, and international technical support specialists as needed to ensure relevancy and quality of service.

Partners and donor relations

• Maintain close working relationships and participate in meetings with JRS’s partner agencies and other relevant stakeholders, including UNHCR, funding agencies and Church bodies.
• Support the organizational fundraising actions maintaining regular contact, including meetings with donor representatives and submitting project funding proposals and managing donor reporting.
• Negotiate funding or partnership agreements, in close collaboration with the Country Programmes Officer.
• Build strong relations with the major partners/donors as well as with government counterparts (i.e. Ministry of Education, District Education Office etc.).
• Explore and create opportunities for new partnerships/ donors.
• Develop relevant communication tools to keep team members, partners and donors regularly informed of progress of activities.

Budgeting

• Monitor regularly project income and expenditure in conjunction with the Country Programmes and Country Finance Officer.
• Assist the Country Programmes Officer in planning and managing financial resources for project implementation.
• Assist the Country Programmes and Country Finance Officer with the preparation of the annual budget for the projects and coordinate timely submission to the Country Director for approval.

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely production and submission of project proposals and reports.
• Timely production of reports related to field visits highlighting recommendations and actions taken.
• Timely production of annual needs assessment and activities plan for each project site.
• Funds raised during the year. Performance can be assessed against a pre-defined fundraising goal.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The applicant must hold an advanced University degree, preferably in Project Management or any other related field
• At least three (03) years of professional international experience working with NGOs proposal and reports writing, project evaluation and monitoring;
• Knowledge of and experience with project cycle management, strategic framework, log frames, etc.
• Excellent project management skills with experience in managing and supervising projects
• Knowledge in Microsoft Office 365 (Sharepoint, OneDrive, Teams)
• Knowledge of and experience with basic financial management skills including developing and monitoring budgets and financial reporting
• Excellent organizational and prioritization skills, flexibility and adaptability
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and promote effective teamwork also maintaining good relationships with multiple stakeholders
• Strong management, analytical and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to working with marginalized communities
• Previous experience with a faith-based NGO is a significant asset
• Commitment to JRS mission, vision and values, and the ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people, and in advocating for their right to protection and a life in dignity;
• High integrity, honesty and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with situations, people and information;
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value
• Willingness to work in flexible, sub-optimal, stressful and unstable environment
• Appreciation for principles of Ignatian education and personal development
• Familiarity with humanitarian principles and minimum standards, including Education in Emergencies, MHPSS, and Sustainable Community Development
• Compassion for refugees and displaced people, a motivation to serve and accompany, and (desirable) experience of working in the context of forced migration.
• A capacity to adapt to basic living and working conditions particularly to operate in a sub optimal working environment subject to power cuts / intermittent electricity.
• The position requires regular travel to JRS locations.
• Languages: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required.

How to Apply:

All candidates should send their written application explaining why you are interested in the above position and how you meet the qualities and qualification criteria. Please attach a CV with maximum 2 pages. The CV should contain information about your qualifications, relevant trainings, work experience, names and contact details of two (2) relevant referees. Applications should be sent online to Jesuit Refugee Service Uganda at uga.hr@jrs.net

Deadline: 20^th May 2022

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline

Related Jobs