Burundi: Jesuit Refugee Service Great Lakes Regional Programmes Officer

The Jesuit Refugee Service Great Lakes Regional Programmes Officer is responsible for coordinating and supporting all aspects of programming in the region. As a member of the regional team, s/he plays a pivotal role in establishing programme priorities after careful assessments of needs, regularly visiting projects in the region and working closely with country and project directors, as well with partner agencies.

Responsibilities

Coordination of programmes work of JRS at the regional level

• liaises with regional and country directors to plan and evaluate JRS projects within the region;
• produces project proposals and monitors reporting in accordance with JRS standards (project proposals/reports) and donor-related requirements (funding proposal/reports);
• monitors projects undertaken in the region and reviews project proposals and reports;
• maintains an up-to-date projects database on the JRS Pedro Arrupe System (PAS);
• trains and updates project directors in project writing, management and evaluation in accordance with JRS standards and guidelines;
• sets methodologies, timetables and resources for project evaluations, with country and project directors;
• in consultation with the International Programmes Coordinator, analyses the needs of refugees and suggests new initiatives to the regional and country director;
• contributes to the preparation of plans, proposals, and budgets for project extensions; and
• ensures JRS applies the conditions and standards documented in the JRS Exit Strategies Guidelines.

Support and communication

• prepares and follows up on country director meetings, in coordination with the JRS Great Lakes Director;
• participates and acts as a resource in country meetings as requested; and
• communicates regularly with the International Programmes Coordinator, informing him/her on all major issues and developments in programming within the region.

Relations with partner and donor agencies

• maintains close working relations with JRS partner agencies, as well as with other international development organisations and funding agencies;
• participates in meetings with donors regarding the development of joint programming strategies;
• facilitates relations between the JRS Great Lakes Director and partner agencies; and
• explores and helps create possibilities for new partnerships/ donors.

Works with the regional team

• works closely with other staff in the region to fulfil his/her function of shared leadership through the coordination of all regional programming efforts;
• attends regular team meetings, planning meetings and workshops;
• cooperates with the regional finance, communications, advocacy and human resources officers; and
• represents the organisation by giving talks and presentations, and by writing articles, as requested.

Budgeting

• monitors regularly project funding in conjunction with the JRS Great Lakes Finance Officer;
• assists and advises the JRS Great Lakes Director in ensuring that regional projects receive sufficient funding; and
• submits, in conjunction with the JRS Great Lakes Finance Officer, the annual budget for the regions projects to the regional director for approval.

Qualifications

• advanced university degree in a field such as economics, social sciences or another related discipline;
• at least four years of practical work experience with donor-funded programmes, particularly with INGOs in a similar setting;
• experience in managing people/teams;
• integrity and honesty;
• strong analytical, strategic-thinking and planning skills;
• strong monitoring and evaluation skills/experience;
• demonstrated experience and commitment working with marginalised communities;
• ability and willingness to travel to JRS refugee sites and adapt to modest living and working conditions;
• familiarity with templates, procedures, etc. used by institutional donors such as UN agencies particularly UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF;
• proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Access;
• ability to work with specialised accounting software (an advantage);
• previous experiences with faith base organizations is an asset; and
• excellent oral and written French. Good oral and written English.

Conditions

• Contract is for two years, renewable with an initial probation period of four months.
• JRS remuneration

Please apply at http://en.jrs.net/RecruitDetail?CID=178 before 10th July 2015 and include the following documents:

• cover letter stating motivation for applying;
• current CV (resume) addressing the key criteria and including current contact details; and
• three professional references and their contact information, phone, email and address.