Kenya: Counselling Coordinator

Organization: Jesuit Refugee Service

Country: Kenya

Closing date: 27 Oct 2017

Location: Kakuma Refugee Camp – Kenya

Reports to: Project Director

Starting date: November, 2017

Contract duration: 1 year

Position Requirements

Organisational Context

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international non-governmental 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 in Rome. The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term wellbeing of refugees and displaced persons, while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs. JRS offers opportunities to a wide variety of staff, local and international, while maintaining a realistic and localised scheme of salary/stipend, insurance, etc.

Operational Context/Role

The Counselling Programme Coordinator is the overall responsible person for the JRS Counselling & Mental Health Programme in Kakuma. Under the direction and supervision of the Kakuma Project Director, he/she will take responsibility for the overall leadership, administration and management of the activities under his/her portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Management

• Plan, coordinate, monitor, offer counselling services to the refugees in the specific areas assigned, and evaluate the program"s effectiveness.


• Assess the Mental Health program and provide a way forward to the implementations of the program


• Develops learning tools for mentally challenged beneficiaries in collaboration with the program assistant;


• Develop M&E tools to access & measure the impact of the program on the beneficiaries


• Monitors the progress of the counselling program to ensure adherence to set targets and agreed implementation time-frame and takes follow-up actions in conjunction with the Project Director


• Develop/update training modules and methodologies and carry out training to Social Workers and incentive staff to assist in the implementation of program services.


• Provides assessment, guidance and in-service training to the JRS counsellors and social workers.


• Guide the Assistant Counselling Coordinator and community counsellors to develop and implement trainings for community counsellors and community members.


• Provides counselling services to clients when necessary, although the community counsellors carry out most counselling.


• Carry out an in-depth assessment of needs of victims, especially victims of gender crimes and children, and of methodologies to address these needs with a multidisciplinary approach


• Contribute to project proposals and reports writing and provide weekly reporting on activities.


• Ensure that clients’ records are kept up to date and that the principle of confidentiality is adhered to.


• Maintain appropriate documentation and reporting tools.


• Be actively involved in advocacy on behalf of refugees.


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  Offers support to the Kakuma Project in other areas as needed
  2. Budget Planning and Management

  
  


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  Responsible for the overall budget management of the JRS Counseling department funds, e.g. the budget preparation, ensures that proper financial management of the department, proper financial reporting and recording in conjunction with the Project Director.

  
  


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  Ensures proper utilization of resources, including prompt accountability of funds and reporting.

  
  


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  Understands budgets and keeps abreast with all financial aspects in program management.

  
  

3. Staff Planning and Management

• Plan for the staff requirement for the program in consultation with the Project Director and in collaboration with members of your team (Program Assistants, Social Workers, Incentive Supervisors)


• Actively involved in the recruitment, supervision, reviewing job description and contracts, prepare work plans, leave control, discipline and performance appraisal of the staff in the program


• Carries out people management and staff motivation with a view to upholding the JRS vision and mission

4. Reporting

• Keeps the Project Director informed on the activities of the project by providing relevant correspondence, reports and meeting minutes as well as by making regular contact.


• Responsible for prompt submission of all Counseling and Mental Health departments’ financial and narrative reports.

5. Communication

• In conjunction with the Project Director is responsible for co-ordination and liaison between JRS and other agencies/local government/local communities/displaced camp community as regards to JRS’ Counseling;


• Works collaboratively with JRS team and with other stakeholders e.g. UNHCR, LWF, IRC, IsraAID, Etc…


• Represents JRS at stakeholders meetings as necessary

Leadership Behaviours

• Excellent interpersonal, listening and communication skills.


• Ability to positively influence others and successfully reconcile differences.


• A self-starter with a strong results orientation and with high levels of integrity, credibility and dependability.


• An energetic team player who can effectively collaborate, and who can stand alone when necessary.


• Ability to work in international settings and with various departments to implement successful approaches to psychosocial matters.


• Demonstrated ability to work and deliver under pressure and tight deadlines.

Core values

• 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.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Graduate degree or equivalent in Social Work, Psychology or related field.

Experience

• Experience of at least 3 years, working experience delivery of social services and/or counselling in emergencies and protracted crisis.


• Experience and knowledge of community based delivery of Counselling services.


• Experience of cross-cultural delivery of social services, particularly in refugee/IDPs settings


• Experience in managing people/teams and delivering training.


• Demonstrated experience and commitment to working with marginalized communities.

Language

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) and excellent writing skills.


• Fluency in Kiswahili.

Technical Skills

• Strong analytical, reporting, strategic thinking and planning skills.


• Strong monitoring and evaluation skills/experience


• Knowledge of project cycle management.


• Good knowledge of MS word, Excel/Office

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Contract is for one year, renewable with an initial probationary period of three months. The JRS remuneration policy is aligned with the JRS ethos to offer effective and professional services and at the same time express solidarity with the people served. The salary is calculated with the use of a post-adjustment multiplier and takes into account years of relevant experience and degree of responsibility of the role. Details will be discussed with short-listed candidates.

How to apply:

All applicants are requested to submit the following documents through this link:

1) Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English including three (3) professional references with their contact information, phone and email address.

2) A cover letter describing the candidate"s desire and motivation to work for JRS and how your qualifications and experience are a good fit for this position. st-