Area Manager

Workplace / location: Dadaab, Garissa County

Initial Contract Details: 1st of June, 2023, 7 months with possibility of extension.

Reporting to: Country Representative

About Peace Winds Japan

Peace Winds Japan (PWJ) is a Non-Governmental Organization established in 1996. PWJ has been providing humanitarian and development assistance for people affected by forced displacement and natural disasters in more than 20 countries in the world.

In order to improve the living conditions of both host and refugee populations and to encourage peaceful coexistence and self-reliance in the communities affected by displacement, PWJ launched its mission in Kenya in Dadaab, Garissa County in 2012. Since then, PWJ has been carrying out projects funded by the Japanese government, other UN agencies, and other organizations in the areas of Community development, shelter, and WASH.

In Dadaab, Garissa County, PWJ is actively engaged in promoting sustainable solutions for protracted refugee situations in WASH, infrastructure and logistics sectors in line with the National Government of Kenya Shirika Plan as well as Garissa County Government strategic plans and Garissa Integrated Socio-Economic Development Programmes.

Job Summary:

The Area Manager is responsible for the management of the host and refugee field operation in Garissa County and other potential counties in North Eastern region. S/he is also responsible for internal and external coordination of the field operations. You will be responsible for providing leadership in program design, implementation and evaluation, security management, managing support functions (Human resources and Administration, Finance, Warehousing and Logistics), partnership management, resource mobilization, community relations, funding and budgetary functions. The Area Manager will also support the capacity development of staff in the field offices and ensure the strengthening of the field level operational accountability by ensuring that proper risk mitigation measures and internal controls are put in place. S/he will be an effective representative of Peace Winds Japan to the government authorities, communities, UN and NGO partners, and other stakeholders.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning, Resource mobilization, Development and Implementation

• Provide overall guidance and support to the field team in development of an area level annual operational plans, programme/project implementation, procurement plans and budgets. .
• Lead the PWJ field team to deliver high quality programme through implementing WASH, Shelter, Food security and nutrition, Livelihood and Supply chain support projects in a timely manner.
• Support and monitor implementation of projects and ensure projects are being managed and implemented in a manner that will result in achievement of goals within set time frame and allocated resources.
• Lead the team to develop and implement strategies that reflect the climate change adaptation, humanitarian, development and peacebuilding nexus, sustainable solutions for protracted refugee situation including self-reliance and integration, diversity, equity and inclusion, and other organizational priorities.
• Monitor and guide the field teams in the implementation, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) processes, budgets and audit recommendations.
• Map out funding gaps and support preparation and/or review of key funding proposals before they are submitted to the potential donors.
• Ensure scheduled design, monitoring and evaluation processes (assessments, designs, baseline surveys, evaluations, and outcome/impact level indicators measurement) are conducted and reports completed and approved.
• Provide leadership to staff and communities in planning for and responding to emergencies and disasters, including having in place a field level Disaster Preparedness Plans.

People Management

• Develop area human resource development plan, and manage staff development/growth in order to build a cadre of high performing teams
• Identify skill gaps and suggest to HRM for capacity building
• Enhance team performance through shared learning across the field teams
• Deal with unsatisfactory performance proactively, provide leadership for field staff appraisal and capacity building and reporting any poor performance which requires management intervention
• With HR, prepare clear staff individual performance plans & KPIs as per relevant job requirement
• Leading in building a motivated and high performing team which strives for success

Networking and advocacy

• Build strategic partnerships and networks at the area level and link it with national level strategic engagements
• Spearhead, coordinate and promote area level advocacy, lobbying and influencing initiatives
• Work with the MEAL department to document lessons and learnings from the regional programs and link with national level advocacy initiatives
• Establish and maintain open and fruitful dialogue with the county government, relevant line ministries, community leaders, power brokers and relevant humanitarian and development agencies, private businesses and donors.

Management of Operations and Standards

• Ensure that costs from grants are effectively recovered and all related costs under grants are charged in appropriate account lines using PWJ NetSuite ERP system.
• Track project budget to ensure efficiency, timely and quality program investment, including full expenditure to 100% at the end of the projects with well planned spending throughout the project periods
• Ensure existence and compliance of controls for risk reduction and management and that the programme risk matrix is up-to-date
• Deliver cost effective programs and adhere to internal control systems as per operational manual and local policies
• Ensure the assets are used and managed appropriately
• Implement and monitor successfully project activities in terms of warehousing, fuel management, transport, workshop.
• Ensure all warehouse and workshop operations are conducted efficiently to optimize organizational resources
• Coordinate all logistics activities through regular meetings with the team and ensure the institution’s procedures are understood and strictly followed by the colleagues
• Disseminate ERP systems(NetSuite) to the relevant team members and ensure proper use for maximum output
• Review the vehicle weekly/monthly reports, logbook-,trip-, and fuel records, monitors utilization, maintenance and fuel consumption and carry out monthly fuel and maintenance spend analysis
• Provide direct management of senior staff, provide overview management for the entire Dadaab team.
• Provide on-site support through frequent visits to project sites

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The applicant must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any development related field (social sciences, development studies, humanitarian field, business management, public health, etc.). Master’s degree or above is an added advantage
• At least 5 years of proven program management experience in field-based humanitarian and/or development settings or in the private sector, including at least 2 years in WASH sector
• Proven experience in team management especially large, diverse and dynamic team, and a commitment to good leadership
• Significant understanding and experience in project management cycle especially on the participatory approach and result based project management
• Significant experience on budget, grants and financial management as well as logistics management
• Proven experience in managing partnerships with UN agencies. Working experience in similar UNHCR and ECHO project is of added advantage.
• Practical understanding of sustainable WASH programing in the context of humanitarian and development nexus
• Practical and proven skills in negotiation and conflict resolution with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience in security and safety management in highly dynamic security environment
• Good understanding of PSEA(Prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse).Having training certificate is an advantage.

Desirables:

• Ability to quickly develop good insight and understanding of the conflict, the human rights situation and the political environment
• Excellent analytical, problem solving and strategic thinking skill, with proven ability to create and utilize qualitative and quantitative analyses in organizational planning and ability to work independently and in a team.
• Excellent communication skills and report writing skills.
• Multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to live and work closely with a diverse team of individuals in a highly intense and fluid work and security environment.
• Capacity to spark innovative approaches to programming and to inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs.
• Ability to navigate complex situations with diplomacy.
• Ability to manage ambiguity, frustration and stress in self and others.
• Confident and decisive leadership.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Demonstrated experience and ability to professionally and appropriately represent the organization and negotiate and defend PWJ’s interests with a diverse range of government officials, local organizations and other groups.
• Significant experience on budget, grants and financial management, documentation, asset tracking understanding of HR and administration principles and ethics.
• Excellent people manager with good team-building skills and proven record of managing and developing teams of professionals, including those in dispersed/distant locations