Country Grants Officer (CGO) Kenya.

Job Title: Country Grants Officer (CGO) Kenya.

Office: Country Office.

Location: Nairobi

Reporting to: To the Country Director, with a technical reporting line to the Head of Grants at the JRS International Office.

Description

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is a ministry of the Society of Jesus, acting as 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 1980 and has a presence in 58 countries. JRS undertakes services at national levels with global support through Regional Offices (ROs) and the International Office (IO) in Rome.

The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced people while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs. The main services provided are in the field of Reconciliation, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, Education & Livelihoods, and Advocacy. Currently, about 1 million individuals are direct beneficiaries of JRS projects.

JRS has been working in Kenya for over 30 years and is currently delivering two projects: an urban refugee project in Nairobi focusing on Education, Livelihoods and Mental Health and an intervention in Kakuma Refugee Camp focusing on Secondary Education, Inclusive Education, Livelihoods, Protection and Pastoral support.

Operational Context/Role

1) The position is part of the Country Management team of JRS Kenya, which also includes the Country Director, the Programmes Officer, the Finance Officer, the HR Officer, the MEAL Officer, the Logistician, and two project directors.

In general terms, the Country Management Team has executive management responsibility over JRS Kenya and ensures the local implementation of JRS strategic goals.

2) At the same time, the position is part of and will collaborate with JRS’s global grants team, which is led by the IO’s Head of Grants. The position reports to the Country Director of JRS Kenya with a dotted reporting line to the Head of Grants at the IO, who may assign specific tasks to the Country Grants Officer, following consultation with the Country Director, and provide input on the Performance Evaluation of the postholder.

The main responsibilities of the position

This position is responsible for resource mobilisation at the country level under the supervision of the Country Director and in collaboration with colleagues in the Country Office and global JRS. This includes the development of a resource mobilisation strategy and its implementation through competitive funding proposals, outstanding donor stewardship, and strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Engagement with Project Directors is to be coordinated with the Country Programmes Officer.

Child Safeguarding and PSEA commitments

JRS has zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse and takes seriously all concerns and complaints about sexual exploitation and abuse against children and vulnerable adults by JRS personnel. JRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and has policies which outline the expected behaviour, code of conduct and responsibility of all persons acting on behalf of JRS (Staff, consultants, volunteers, interns, Pastoral team, and other representatives). All staff working for JRS are expected to abide by these policies and guidelines.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

1. Country Resource Mobilisation Strategy

1. Develop a multi-year resource mobilisation strategy for JRS Kenya
2. Lead the implementation of the JRS Kenya resource mobilisation strategy and the achievement of annual funding targets.
3. Monitor donor trends and relevant grant-making rules and regulations in Kenya.
4. Seek and maximise funding opportunities from a variety of sources and expand the donor portfolio in Kenya.
5. Develop a mechanism to regularly review funding needs and priorities with relevant Country Office colleagues and ensure alignment of the resource mobilisation strategy.

2. Resource Acquisition and Donor Stewardship

1. In close collaboration with relevant colleagues in the Country Office, lead the preparation and submission of funding proposals from concept through to award, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and priorities, as well as sign off by the Country Director prior to submission.
2. With oversight from the Country Director, and in coordination with colleagues in the Country Office, collaborate with the RO, the IO and JRS/USA Office Staff for applications, reports and grant compliance for donors channelled via IO, JRS/USA and/or RO.
3. Support the Country Programmes Officer with the development of JRS Kenya programmes and project plans, by providing context on the donor funding environment, donor requirements and specific opportunities in the funding pipeline.
4. Together with the Country Director, ensure strong stewardship of donors, in coordination with other JRS offices in case of joint donors.
5. Represent JRS Kenya in meetings with donors, consortia, and partners regarding resource mobilisation and partnership opportunities at the CO level as delegated to by the CD from time to time.
6. In coordination with the Country Programmes Officer, the Project Directors and other CO team members gather content for donor stewardship.

3. Grant Management

1. Manage the JRS Kenya grants portfolio.
2. Coordinate with other CO team members who may be the focal points for specific grants to ensure compliance with donor requirements.
3. Coordinate with colleagues in the Country Office to ensure compliance with grant commitments and applicable donor rules and regulations.
4. Coordinate with Country Programmes and Finance colleagues for the development of accurate grant reports and ensure their timely submission according to the donor’s requirements.

4. Capacity Building

1. Lead capacity building of country and project staff in proposal development and donor compliance, in coordination with the relevant colleagues in the Country Office.
2. Contribute to the global JRS Grants Community of Practice.

Person Specification – Essential Requirements

Qualification and Competencies

• Advanced university degree in Management, Political Sciences, Law, International Development, or another relevant discipline.
• At least five (5) years of relevant work experience with humanitarian/development donor-funded programmes.
• Strong experience with grant acquisition, donor stewardship, and grant management.
• Familiarity with templates and procedures used by grant-makers.
• Experience with financial reporting.
• Strong analytical, strategic-thinking and planning skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
• Ability to work with CRM, grants, and programme systems.
• Excellent communication and presentation capacities, able to persuasively articulate JRS’s message and impact to external audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multi-cultural, international environment.

Languages

Excellent proficiency in written and verbal English.

Required Core Values

• Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision, and values; ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
• High integrity, honesty, and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations, and information.
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value.

Travel

The position may require frequent travel to JRS locations in Kenya and possibly occasional international travel.

How to apply

All applicants are requested to submit the following documents:

• A cover letter describing the candidate’s desire and motivation to work for JRS and how her/his qualifications and experience are a good fit for this position. Please indicate in the cover letter your salary expectations.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English, including three (3) professional references with contact information, phone, and email address.
• The deadline for this application is 11th March 2024.All candidates are required to make their application through a link on the relief web.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Thank you for your interest in joining JRS.