Deadline: 31 Aug 2009
Organisation: Merlin - UK
Location: Kenya
Type: temporary
Salary: 30-40 (000's USD)
Description:
Program: Merlin Programmes in North Eastern Province of Wajir, Kenya
Responsible To: Country Director
Location: Wajir with frequent travel to the project sites in the province and to and from Nairobi as required.
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: 4 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 flights
Only 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 Profile
Merlin 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, Lodward in Turkana district and Wajir town in Wajir province. In 2008, Merlin is also implemented an emergency response project in Nyanza province and Mollo, Kipkelion, Narok, and Naivasha districts Rift Valley province and Nyanza providng emergency health care services to IDPs and host communities affected by the post election violence.
The overall objective of Merlin's work in Kenya is to contribute to a reduction of health inequalities and the reversal in the current downward trend in health related indicators.
Merlin does this by responding to emergency needs as well 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.
Merlin is working closely in partnership with the Ministry of Health and communities to implement its health and nutrition projects.
Main purpose of the role
The Project Coordinator is responsible for overall management and coordination of Merlin nutrition project, support function, staff, and resources in Wajir district. Merlin's ECHO funded health and nutrition project in Wajir district ended on 15 May 2009, but with funding from UNICEF Merlin is continuing the nutrition activities for a period of four Months (15th July - 15th November 2009) whilst at the same time seeking long-term funding from other donors.
Overall Objectives (scope)
Organisation: Merlin - UK
Location: Kenya
Type: temporary
Salary: 30-40 (000's USD)
Description:
Program: Merlin Programmes in North Eastern Province of Wajir, Kenya
Responsible To: Country Director
Location: Wajir with frequent travel to the project sites in the province and to and from Nairobi as required.
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: 4 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 flights
Only 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 Profile
Merlin 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, Lodward in Turkana district and Wajir town in Wajir province. In 2008, Merlin is also implemented an emergency response project in Nyanza province and Mollo, Kipkelion, Narok, and Naivasha districts Rift Valley province and Nyanza providng emergency health care services to IDPs and host communities affected by the post election violence.
The overall objective of Merlin's work in Kenya is to contribute to a reduction of health inequalities and the reversal in the current downward trend in health related indicators.
Merlin does this by responding to emergency needs as well 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.
Merlin is working closely in partnership with the Ministry of Health and communities to implement its health and nutrition projects.
Main purpose of the role
The Project Coordinator is responsible for overall management and coordination of Merlin nutrition project, support function, staff, and resources in Wajir district. Merlin's ECHO funded health and nutrition project in Wajir district ended on 15 May 2009, but with funding from UNICEF Merlin is continuing the nutrition activities for a period of four Months (15th July - 15th November 2009) whilst at the same time seeking long-term funding from other donors.
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
Overall responsibility for effective and efficient management of all Merlin projects in Wajir district ensuring that they meet their intended objectives, consistent with the project proposal, donor agreement, and in accordance with Merlin principles, policies and procedures.
Overall responsibility for effective and efficient management of all Merlin projects in Wajir district ensuring that they meet their intended objectives, consistent with the project proposal, donor agreement, and in accordance with Merlin principles, policies and procedures.
- Ensure quality of Merlin projects in Wajir including that monitoring systems are developed and implemented.
- Employ participatory approaches for the development of links with community groups to raise awareness, increase knowledge and change attitudes and practices towards health and nutrition issues.
- Assist the Project Nutrition Coordinator in the process of work plan development, implementation and monitoring; field research/assessment, analysis, documentation, reporting and dissemination.
- Ensure all relevant authorities, particularly MOH, 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 organisations.
- Develop effective coordination mechanisms 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.
- In consultation with the Country Director and the Country Health Director, initiate needs assessments, new programme ideas, project designing including proposal preparation.
Logistics, finance and administration
- Ensure Merlin HR, administrative, financial and logistical systems/procedures are in place and implemented, and maintained.
- Be responsible for overall financial management of the field office including ensuring accurate budget coding and cost 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 review on a monthly basis and consult with the CD and the Finance Controller in case of any issues.
- Ensure Merlin complies with all legal requirements in the district.
- Ensure regular communications are maintained between the 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.
- Ensure that inventory and asset lists are accurate, up-to-date, and maintained.
- Ensure that Merlin procurement procedures are followed and that authorisation 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 premises as well as hired vehicles are up-date and well maintained.
Human Resource Management
- Overall management and development of Merlin programme and support function staff in Wajir district.
- 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 Nutrition 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.
- Assist the Country Health Director, Country Director, and HR Manager, in developing TORs and recruitment of external consultants as required.
- Maintain good inter-team communications and develop and maintain positive team dynamics.
- Support team members professionally and monitor and support stress management.
Security
- Be responsible for security and safety of Merlin staff and resources in the district in line with Merlin Kenya security and safety policy.
- Develop and update province specific security management plan in consultation with the 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 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 consultation with and guidance from the Country Director, act as the contact person for the press and media in the district.
- 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 organisational 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
Essential
Qualifications, experience and competences
- Extensive experience of international programme management
- Good understanding of humanitarian development issues
- Proven experience of programme development, ideally in a public health context including project proposal and logical-framework development and budget preparation
- Experience in the development and implementation of project monitoring and evaluation systems
- Demonstrated experience in financial and human resources management as well as knowledge of logistics and internal control 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
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.
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).
Data Protection
Please note, on submitting your application, you are agreeing to Merlin holding and using the information that you have given for the purposes of recruitment and employment - should an offer be made. In order to process your job application, it may be necessary for your application to be sent to the Country Director (in the country you are applying for) for consideration. If you do not agree with this, please state so when applying.
