Project Manager AICS at European Committee for Training and Agriculture

Contract duration: 1 year with possibility to renew

Monthly gross salary: according to experience

Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya with frequent travels across the Country

Report to: Regional Coordinator

CEFA – European Committee for Training and Agriculture – is an Italian Non-Governmental Organisation established in 1972 and active in 10 countries across Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Its commitment in the field of juvenile justice is long-lasting, especially in Kenya where it has been working towards the reform of the system alongside other civil society organisations and the Kenyan Government for the more than 10 years. The current project is titled APRIRE (an Italian word that literally means “to open”), a three-year project funded by the Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation in Kenya that aims to disclose alternative ways to do justice for and with children, and to introduce elements of diversion, restorative justice, reintegration and foster care in the child justice system in Kenya. Various interventions within the child justice system are implemented throughout the project. They go from capacity building of professionals working with children on child-friendly justice, RJ and diversion, to awareness raising among the local public about the key role and benefits of restorative practices, service provision for children in conflict with the law within the juvenile justice institutions and reintegration of children back to their families and communities.

The project is implemented in partnership with FAdV (lead applicant) and several local NGOs/CBOs and Government stakeholders.

This project aims at the achievement of the following results:

• Alternative dispute resolution and restorative justice services are introduced and enhanced
• Improved psychosocial/educational and scholastic/professional reintegration services in targeted institutions, in accordance with the best interests of the child
• Enhanced foster family services as an alternative measure to institutionalization and/or to protect vulnerable children

Objectives and general characteristics of the position:

• (S)he is in charge of the grant management of the project APRIRE (including the overall supervision of administrative and financial aspects, logistic, security, Human Resources, quality Control)
• (S)he will work under the supervision of the FAdV Programme Manager and CEFA Regional Coordinator and in close collaboration with the Juvenile Justice Expert and Activities Coordinator.

Detailed assignments:

• (S)he ensures that APRIRE project is implemented according to the contracts signed with the donor and MoU signed with FAdV, their rules and indications (e.g. visibility, documentation, monitoring and evaluation, reporting etc) and CEFA’s internal procedures;
• (S)he is directly in charge of the management of the project included (and not limited to) the following main tasks: predisposition of work plans (in collaboration with the Juvenile Justice Expert and Activities Coordinator) , M&E plans, financial forecast plan, budget follow up, narrative and financial reports, recruitment and coordination of all the project staff;
• (S)he ensures the project reporting in accordance with the deadlines, (activity planning, monthly project progress and final report);
• (S)he ensure a proper and efficient management of the grant (finance, administration, accountancy, procurement procedures, contracts etc)
• S/He works in close in collaboration with the Juvenile Justice Expert and Activities Coordinator in budgeting, forecast and control of financial flows and planning;
• S/He guarantee that all the activities and administrative procedures are in line with Donors’ and CEFAs’ procedures and rules.
• (S)he supports the RC in the identification and formulation of new project proposals in the field of child protection and Human Rights Kenya.
• (S)he facilitates the synergies, collaborations and sharing of best-practices among CEFA child protection/HR projects to effectively and efficiently implement CEFA’s activities

Duties and Responsibilities:

(S)he is responsible of the:

• Management of the project’ budget and the fund requests to CEFA HQ, supervision of the administration of the project and collection of the necessary documentation for the financial report and monthly internal accountability;
• Coordination of the formulation/update of the projects work plans, monitoring tools and regular reporting according to requirements by the donors and the CEFA;
• Processing of any potential project amendment or extension within the due times;
• Recruitment and coordination of field staff in close collaboration with the Juvenile Justice Expert and Activities Coordinator;
• Active participation to the Project Coordination Committee with government counterparts
• Draft/revision and submission to the RC of the periodical project reports required by the donors, FAdV and CEFA HQ;
• Procurement of goods, services and constructions according to CEFA and Donors’ procedures;
• Revision and capitalization of the experiences made during the project and submission of written papers and recommendation, upon RC or CEFA HQ request;
• Information to the RC of any change/problem about the project, that may compromise the observance of the contractual bonds and/or the staff management and/or the presence and the good name of CEFA in the country.
• The availability to perform any other task assigned by the Regional Coordinator in line with the profile.

Mandatory Requirements:

• Fluency (C1 level) in both Italian and English (oral and written)
• University degree in a relevant field
• Minimum 3 years’ project management experience in an INGO,
• Sound knowledge of the Project Cycle Management including financial and operational processes.
• Strong administrative and financial skills
• Knowledge of effective financial and budgetary planning and control, especially under AICS (Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo) rules and regulation
• Solid experience in needs assessments and project proposal writing;
• Ability to produce high quality narrative reports
• Solid diplomatic and leadership skills in managing a variety of internal and external relationships, and acting effectively as a proactive team member
• Self-motivated, flexible, resilient, able to take initiative and work independently.
• Ability to work under pressure, without compromising quality of work
• Proven ability to handle challenging work load with high attention to details
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• High level of IT skills (Windows, Office package)

Desired skills and experiences:

• Master degree in a relevant field
• Knowledge of juvenile justice, preferably on issues related to children rights in East Africa.
• Previous experience in Child Protection or Human Rights management projects is a strong asset
• Prior experience in Kenya and/or in Juvenile Justice