CARE International in Kenya seeks a Director of Refugee Operations to be based in Dadaab, Kenya for the Refugee Assistance Program (RAP).
CARE is a leading aid and development organisation serving individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world, through strengthening capacity for self-help, providing economic opportunity, delivering relief in emergencies, influencing policy decisions at all levels and addressing discrimination in all its.
CARE’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Communication and Excellence can best be expressed through its six Program Principles: promote empowerment, work with partners, ensure accountability and promote responsibility, address discrimination, promote the non-violent resolution of conflicts, and seek sustainable results.
Conflict in Somalia has displaced hundreds of thousands of refugees. Since 1991, CARE International in Kenya has provided relief and development assistance in the three refugee camps in Dadaab and supported host communities around the camps. The Ifo, Dagahaley and Hagadera camps in Dadaab currently provide protection and humanitarian assistance to over 360,000 refugees, 97% of whom are from Somalia. The refugee camps are highly dynamic, and thousands of refugees continue to arrive each month seeking a safe haven in Kenya due to persistent political strife in Somalia and regional drought. CARE is the lead implementing agency in Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Logistics and Distribution of Food Aid and Non-Food Items, Gender and Community Development; and primary education in one camp. In addition, CARE provides mechanical support services, and fuel to other implementing agencies in the camps.
Job Summary
Based in Dadaab at CARE’s main office compound, and reporting to the Senior Sector Manager in Nairobi, the Director for Refugee Operations in Dadaab (DROD) is the officer–in-charge of all operations implemented in the Dadaab refugee complex and adjoining host community by CARE International in Kenya. The DROD is the CARE’s most senior management position in Dadaab, representing CARE International in Kenya in the refugee complex on behalf of the Country Director.
The DROD’s key function is to ensure quality humanitarian assistance is provided to refugees/beneficiaries. To support the sustainability of CARE International in Kenya’s refugee operations, the DROD will lead strategic planning in accordance with CARE Kenya’s guidelines. S/he is responsible for managing relations with key stakeholders at the Dadaab level; promoting positive relations with UN agencies, implementing partners, local government, members of the host community and refugees; and fostering knowledge and support for CARE by representatives of donors, government authorities, private sector, vendors, community leaders and beneficiaries. The DROD will promote a positive image with all stakeholders, provide leadership and a role model to all CARE staff, and promote staff compliance with laws, rules and regulations and adherence to CARE’s policies and procedures and standards of conduct.
The DROD works closely with managers, coordinators, and field staff to provide stakeholders with accurate, meaningful, timely information about our mission, objectives, ongoing activities, and plans, and ensure CARE’s adherence to the humanitarian accountability framework in Dadaab. At the Dadaab level, the AD will be the point person overseeing safety and security issues, disciplinary procedures and complaints.
The Director for Refugee Operations in Dadaab is responsible for directing all programming and administration of Dadaab refugee operations for CARE Kenya. The right candidate must be a self-starter with strong skills in multidisciplinary programming. With an annual operational budget of up to $10 million from 5 or more different donors, the Director for Refugee Operations must be astute in financial management and planning.
S/he must be able to foster teamwork and to provide leadership to teams of highly talented national staff of over 250, as well as ‘refugee incentive workers. The human resources aspect of the position requires constant and equitable application to ensure fairness and maintain morale.
The Incumbent will work very closely with the Senior Sector Manager based in Nairobi to ensure coordination, communication, and adequate support for the operations in Dadaab.
Summary of responsibilities
• Overall direction to the various support units; Monitoring and Evaluation, Finance, Human Resources, IT, Procurement, Mechanical Support Unit/Fleet, and Administration to ensure optimum support to projects within the policies of CARE and the laws of Kenya; • Provide oversight for the implementation of activities in WASH, Logistics, Food Aid and Non-Food Item distribution, gender and community development, and education; • In a complex and changing humanitarian context, provide leadership and vision in strategic planning within the framework of CARE Kenya’s strategy and in keeping with the strategic directions established by UNHCR; • Identify and secure adequate funding for ongoing and future program activities on a timely basis; • Represent CARE in various stakeholder forums; • Responsible for Safety and Security, as officer in charge of Dadaab operations, ensure that the Dadaab sub-office updates the security plan and follows security procedures.
Required qualifications and experience
• University Degree in development/relief related subject (Master’s degree will be an asset); • Minimum 5-7 years experience in a leadership role, working in emergency and humanitarian programs (preferably in refugee contexts) in developing countries, ideally within East Africa; • At least 3 years experience in management of multi-sectoral programs with a large and diverse donor portfolio (at least US$ 3 Million or above).
Technical skills • Proven track record in design, planning and implementation of emergency/ refugee assistance programs; • Financial management experience (preparation of multi-sectoral program budgets for various donors, strong financial tracking skills, experience in preparing budget realignments, cost and no cost extensions); • Experience as leader of a large, multi-ethnic team; • Strong computer skills are essential; • Past experience in situations of conflict, insecurity and emergency.
Desired traits • Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of refugee issues, UN policy frameworks and UNHCR operating norms; • Experience in negotiating with donors and Government especially UNHCR Bureau of Populations, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) and WFP; • Experience in managing large commodity stocks and preventing losses; The DROD must be a pro-active, results-focused manager/leader.
Competencies • Customer orientation • Proactive problem solving • Operational decision-making • Excellent written and spoken English communications skills.
Core Competencies • People Skills: Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train staff and also able to work in a sensitive and participatory manner. • Communication Skills: Well developed written and oral communication skills. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of CARE. This includes effective negotiation and representation skills. • Integrity: Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to CARE's core values and mission. • Awareness and sensitivity of self and others: Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity. Have experience and the ability to work in diverse cultural contexts in a culturally appropriate manner. Has a capacity to make accurate self-assessment particularly in high stress situations. • Resilience/Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress. Work with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner. • Work style: Is well planned and organized even within a fluid working environment and has a capacity for initiative and decision making with competent analytical and problem solving skills.
Start date: As soon as possible
Contract type and duration: Fixed term contract for a period of 1 year
Deadline for applications: Nov 14th, 2011. Please note that due to the urgency to staff this position, each application will be reviewed shortly after it is submitted and interviews may be scheduled prior to the deadline for applications. The position will remain posted until a qualified candidate is selected
Contact Information: Please apply online at www.careersunited.org .You will need to register before submitting your resume. We thank all candidates for the responses to this advertisement. However, we regret that we will be able to contact only short listed candidates.
CARE is a leading aid and development organisation serving individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world, through strengthening capacity for self-help, providing economic opportunity, delivering relief in emergencies, influencing policy decisions at all levels and addressing discrimination in all its.
CARE’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Communication and Excellence can best be expressed through its six Program Principles: promote empowerment, work with partners, ensure accountability and promote responsibility, address discrimination, promote the non-violent resolution of conflicts, and seek sustainable results.
Conflict in Somalia has displaced hundreds of thousands of refugees. Since 1991, CARE International in Kenya has provided relief and development assistance in the three refugee camps in Dadaab and supported host communities around the camps. The Ifo, Dagahaley and Hagadera camps in Dadaab currently provide protection and humanitarian assistance to over 360,000 refugees, 97% of whom are from Somalia. The refugee camps are highly dynamic, and thousands of refugees continue to arrive each month seeking a safe haven in Kenya due to persistent political strife in Somalia and regional drought. CARE is the lead implementing agency in Water Sanitation and Hygiene, Logistics and Distribution of Food Aid and Non-Food Items, Gender and Community Development; and primary education in one camp. In addition, CARE provides mechanical support services, and fuel to other implementing agencies in the camps.
Job Summary
Based in Dadaab at CARE’s main office compound, and reporting to the Senior Sector Manager in Nairobi, the Director for Refugee Operations in Dadaab (DROD) is the officer–in-charge of all operations implemented in the Dadaab refugee complex and adjoining host community by CARE International in Kenya. The DROD is the CARE’s most senior management position in Dadaab, representing CARE International in Kenya in the refugee complex on behalf of the Country Director.
The DROD’s key function is to ensure quality humanitarian assistance is provided to refugees/beneficiaries. To support the sustainability of CARE International in Kenya’s refugee operations, the DROD will lead strategic planning in accordance with CARE Kenya’s guidelines. S/he is responsible for managing relations with key stakeholders at the Dadaab level; promoting positive relations with UN agencies, implementing partners, local government, members of the host community and refugees; and fostering knowledge and support for CARE by representatives of donors, government authorities, private sector, vendors, community leaders and beneficiaries. The DROD will promote a positive image with all stakeholders, provide leadership and a role model to all CARE staff, and promote staff compliance with laws, rules and regulations and adherence to CARE’s policies and procedures and standards of conduct.
The DROD works closely with managers, coordinators, and field staff to provide stakeholders with accurate, meaningful, timely information about our mission, objectives, ongoing activities, and plans, and ensure CARE’s adherence to the humanitarian accountability framework in Dadaab. At the Dadaab level, the AD will be the point person overseeing safety and security issues, disciplinary procedures and complaints.
The Director for Refugee Operations in Dadaab is responsible for directing all programming and administration of Dadaab refugee operations for CARE Kenya. The right candidate must be a self-starter with strong skills in multidisciplinary programming. With an annual operational budget of up to $10 million from 5 or more different donors, the Director for Refugee Operations must be astute in financial management and planning.
S/he must be able to foster teamwork and to provide leadership to teams of highly talented national staff of over 250, as well as ‘refugee incentive workers. The human resources aspect of the position requires constant and equitable application to ensure fairness and maintain morale.
The Incumbent will work very closely with the Senior Sector Manager based in Nairobi to ensure coordination, communication, and adequate support for the operations in Dadaab.
Summary of responsibilities
• Overall direction to the various support units; Monitoring and Evaluation, Finance, Human Resources, IT, Procurement, Mechanical Support Unit/Fleet, and Administration to ensure optimum support to projects within the policies of CARE and the laws of Kenya; • Provide oversight for the implementation of activities in WASH, Logistics, Food Aid and Non-Food Item distribution, gender and community development, and education; • In a complex and changing humanitarian context, provide leadership and vision in strategic planning within the framework of CARE Kenya’s strategy and in keeping with the strategic directions established by UNHCR; • Identify and secure adequate funding for ongoing and future program activities on a timely basis; • Represent CARE in various stakeholder forums; • Responsible for Safety and Security, as officer in charge of Dadaab operations, ensure that the Dadaab sub-office updates the security plan and follows security procedures.
Required qualifications and experience
• University Degree in development/relief related subject (Master’s degree will be an asset); • Minimum 5-7 years experience in a leadership role, working in emergency and humanitarian programs (preferably in refugee contexts) in developing countries, ideally within East Africa; • At least 3 years experience in management of multi-sectoral programs with a large and diverse donor portfolio (at least US$ 3 Million or above).
Technical skills • Proven track record in design, planning and implementation of emergency/ refugee assistance programs; • Financial management experience (preparation of multi-sectoral program budgets for various donors, strong financial tracking skills, experience in preparing budget realignments, cost and no cost extensions); • Experience as leader of a large, multi-ethnic team; • Strong computer skills are essential; • Past experience in situations of conflict, insecurity and emergency.
Desired traits • Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of refugee issues, UN policy frameworks and UNHCR operating norms; • Experience in negotiating with donors and Government especially UNHCR Bureau of Populations, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) and WFP; • Experience in managing large commodity stocks and preventing losses; The DROD must be a pro-active, results-focused manager/leader.
Competencies • Customer orientation • Proactive problem solving • Operational decision-making • Excellent written and spoken English communications skills.
Core Competencies • People Skills: Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train staff and also able to work in a sensitive and participatory manner. • Communication Skills: Well developed written and oral communication skills. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of CARE. This includes effective negotiation and representation skills. • Integrity: Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to CARE's core values and mission. • Awareness and sensitivity of self and others: Demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity. Have experience and the ability to work in diverse cultural contexts in a culturally appropriate manner. Has a capacity to make accurate self-assessment particularly in high stress situations. • Resilience/Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress. Work with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner. • Work style: Is well planned and organized even within a fluid working environment and has a capacity for initiative and decision making with competent analytical and problem solving skills.
Start date: As soon as possible
Contract type and duration: Fixed term contract for a period of 1 year
Deadline for applications: Nov 14th, 2011. Please note that due to the urgency to staff this position, each application will be reviewed shortly after it is submitted and interviews may be scheduled prior to the deadline for applications. The position will remain posted until a qualified candidate is selected
Contact Information: Please apply online at www.careersunited.org .You will need to register before submitting your resume. We thank all candidates for the responses to this advertisement. However, we regret that we will be able to contact only short listed candidates.