Program Coordinator Tracking Progress of the Implementation of Alternative Care in Kenya at SOS Children's Villages

SOS Children’s Villages Kenya is a child focussed organization and an affiliate of the SOS Children Villages International. It is non-governmental organisation. Its overall mission is to build families for children in need, help them shape their own futures and share in the development of their communities. To realise the mission of the organisation, SOS Children’s Villages Kenya is recruiting a coordinator to support in a project aimed at strengthening National Alternative Care Implementation and Information management Systems.

Key roles and responsibilities of the position

The Project Coordinator will provide overall leadership in the national implementation of a two-year project on “Strengthening National Alternative Care Implementation & Information Management Systems”, playing a key role in influencing quality and effectiveness of the project. In the coordinating role, the Coordinator is accountable and responsible for the project design; development of project implementation work plan and related Monitoring and Evaluation tools; development of sustainable and formal partnerships with stakeholders in government and Non-Governmental agencies; leading project implementation, monitoring and reporting.

Principal Job Accountabilities

• Provides overall leadership in the design and management of the project
  • Acts as focal point for the project in Kenya in relation to all major inquiries and work matters.
  • Designs the project and related plans, in partnership with SOS Eastern and Southern Africa Federation (ESAF) and SOS CV Norway.
  • Leads the National project team and drives project implementation according to plan, involving relevant SOS CV Kenya staff, government representatives and National CSO representatives.
  • Provides thematic expertise on child protection, alternative care and data management to inform National projects.
  • Regularly liaises with Regional Project Lead securing project progress and implementation
• Leads monitoring and evaluation of project activities/Quality Management
  • Ensures programme implementation is in accordance with project plan, programme description (donor proposal) and appropriate partnership agreements between SOS CV Kenya and funders
  • Submits monthly updates and quarterly reports as well as provide input for annual donor reports to the SOS CV Kenya National Office and Regional Project Lead.
• Ensures monitoring and evaluation of project activities/Quality Management
  • Collaborates with the SOS CV Kenya M&E Advisor to ensure that a Results Based Management approach is applied to elicit quality data management.
  • Ensures programme descriptions (donor proposal) and appropriate partnership agreements with funders are met, and aligned with the programme M&E systems ( (baselines, monitoring, follow-up assessments, training programs)
  • Submits monthly updates and quarterly reports as well as provide input for annual donor reports to the Regional Project Lead.
• Financial management and administration, authorization and approval of expenditures.
  • Coordinates the appropriate allocation of project resources, in line with the annual plan and budget.
  • Responsible for budgetary control so that the program’s financial resources are used efficiently and within the approved limits.
  • Implements financial and administrative procedures, in line with policies/guidelines of the national association and in consultation with financial support staff.
  • Ensures that mechanisms for monitoring efficiency and accountability in the use of resources are in a place and functioning well.
  • Ensures expenditure approvals in conjunction with the Head of Programs and other relevant National Office department heads.
  • Conducts quarterly budget and expenditure reviews and provides feedback and or proposals to the National Office finance department mainly for variance checks and check implementation progress
• Build and manage positive relations with the government representatives, develop appropriate partnerships and networks
  • Participates in National forums dealing with issues affecting beneficiaries of SOS target group and promotes the work of SOS to various organizations and communities.
  • Builds strong working relationships with National project coordinators
  • Participates in regional forums dealing with issues affecting beneficiaries of the SOS target group.
  • Represents the project as well as the SOS Kenya at internal meetings/conferences and external forums and conferences.

Qualifications

• Documented experience conducting Child Rights Situational Analysis and/or similar evaluation process, including use of such for structured advocacy purposes
• Familiarity with and/or direct knowledge of UN Guidelines for Alternative Care of Children (UNGA), Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) and relevant international rights documentation / reporting processes and the on-going care reforms in the children’s sector.
• At least 3 years of documented Project / Grant management experience
• University Degree, preferably master’s degree in Sociology, Social Work, Community Development, Project Management or other relevant social sciences.

Personal Attributes

• Ability to effectively interact with Management
• Ability to interact effectively with other members staff
• Good team player
• Ability to work within strict deadlines.
• Ability to multi task and able to travel out of station frequently
• Be of high moral standing and personal integrity.

Competencies

• Demonstrated team player with effective cross-cultural interpersonal skills.
• Strong people and performance management skills and experience.
• Excellent problem-solving, technical, managerial, and financial analysis skills and a focus on producing efficient, reliable, and cost-effective data solutions as an individual or as part of a team.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Demonstrated ability in meeting deadlines while producing quality results.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant MS Office packages necessary for day-to-day work.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English, including evidence of quality report writing and presentations.