Program Officer, Social Protection at American International Health Alliance

Department Programs

Reports to Technical Director, DREAMS

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Technical Director, the Program Officer, Social Protection, will be responsible for providing technical guidance and coordination of social protection interventions on the PEPFAR‐funded DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS‐free, Mentored, and Safe) project in Siaya and Migori Counties. The Program Officer, Social Protection, will provide technical assistance in evidence‐based social protection interventions proven successful in reducing HIV risk behaviors, HIV transmission, and Sexual and Gender‐Based Violence amongst adolescent girls and young women.

ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide Social Protection (SP) technical assistance (TA) through trainings, mentorship and support to staff and lay workers supporting the project. The Program Officer, Social Protection, will focus on areas such as social asset building, cash transfers (CT), economic empowerment, school re‐integration and post violence care.
• Work to build the SP capacity of affiliated partner organizations and groups such as local school faculty, civil society organizations (CSO), community‐based organizations (CBO), local government entities and engaged lay workers.
• Coordinate SP capacity building and mentorship programs alongside AIHA program and technical coordinators.
• Conduct site‐level support supervision and mentorship to ensure SP interventions are being implemented according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and in a quality manner.
• Collate any CT and ES complaints, and, in consultation with project leadership, determine remedial measures.
• Support in overseeing program SP monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities to measure progress and to systematically assess whether intended objectives are being achieved.
• Support in the guidance of documentation while ensuring data is properly captured and reported per donor intervention and donor guidance.
• Work alongside AIHA staff and partners to develop and maintain program workplans, making changes and updates as appropriate.
• Liaise with stakeholders including the County Government, Ministry of Education and
• Children’s Department as directed and appropriate.
• Assist in the development, editing, finalization, and packaging of program curriculum, reports and materials while documenting challenges, best practices and success stories.
• Keep up to date on all DREAMS program activities and maintain close contact with other DREAMS partners and collaborators as necessary.
• Represent AIHA at U.S. Government implementing partner (IP) meetings, reporting meetings and other donor and stakeholder meetings as required.
• Serve as an information source on program policies, procedures, and administration guidelines.
• Work in collaboration with single government registry to ascertain precise beneficiaries are registered for cash transfer.
• Keep abreast and updated on the trends and developments in strengthening social protection programming, thinking and directions in Kenya.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MSc. or MA. in Social Sciences, Public Health, Gender Studies, or International Development, with three (3) years’ relevant work experience, or BS or BA in Social Sciences, Public Health, Gender Studies, or International Development with at least five (5) years’ relevant work experience; DREAMS project social protection, Gender and HIV/AIDS program experience required.
• Extensive knowledge of or experience in program management and support procedures with a focus on PEPFAR’s DREAMS package of interventions.
• Commitment to understanding and responding to the most urgent needs and rights of vulnerable youth and HIV/AIDS positive children and their families.
• Proven ability to implement multidimensional projects with a focus on HIV/AIDS, social asset building, cash transfers, child protection, Sexual and Gender‐Based Violence.
• Proven experience in working with the children’s department, MoE, CSOs and other relevant social protection stakeholders.
• Experience with U.S. Government donor compliance and reporting.
• Ability to develop and maintain close relationships with various stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse co‐workers and project participants.
• Self‐starter and strong multi‐tasking and problem‐solving skills.
• Must be very dependable and detail oriented.
• Effective and diplomatic communicator at all levels.
• Personal and professional maturity and judgment.
• Willingness to work additional hours in order to meet tight deadlines.
• English and Swahili fluency is essential, Luo fluency will be an added advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access) and the Internet.
• Must be willing to travel in‐country and provide on‐side leadership.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast‐paced environment, set priorities, work independently and in a team environment.