Program Officer, OVC at Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK)

CHAK is seeking to recruit a highly competent and self driven Program Officer for a multi-year USAID-funded Jamii Tekelezi Program (JTP) in Meru County.

As a key member of the USAID Jamii Tekelezi (JTP) Program team, the successful candidate will monitor and report on all Program activities related to case management with respect to OVC in support of JTP work serving the poor and vulnerable.

Your thorough and service-oriented approach will ensure that JTP consistently applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve.

You will coordinate closely with other JTP technical team of Program, and M&E officers to contribute to a holistic, integrated, and comprehensive Program implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of all assigned Program activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with JTP’s program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. Assist Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in their efforts to reflect on Program experiences.
• Support accountability through coordinating Program evaluation activities and assisting LIPs in their efforts to collect and analyze Program data per specified mechanisms and tools. Collaborate with LIPs to prepare reports per established reporting schedule.
• Collect information on staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of CBOs. Provide technical support and monitor capacity building and technical support activities to ensure effective impact.
• Complete Program documentation for assigned activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices. Actively engage in dissemination and use of relevant knowledge in the field.
• Represent JTP in meetings at county, sub county and ward levels, working groups, and other events as requested, to support forging relations with the GOK, CBOs, other stakeholders, and the community.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of all assigned Program activities per donor and JTP standards and established schedules.
• Ensure community case workers (CCWs), Child Protection Volunteers (CPVs) and mentors complete required case management forms and ensure case filing system is developed and maintained.
• Create community linkages for broader community engagement in case management.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Gender, International Development, Development Economics, or a related field
• At least five(5) years of work experience in OVC Programming
• Experience in supporting Household Economic Strengthening
• Experience in OVC Case Management approach aimed at increasing resiliency of the child and the family.
• Demonstrated experience in collaborating with stakeholders e.g., DREAMS, Department of Children Services and Department of Health in identifying, enrolling and cross-referring OVC.
• Working knowledge of the Children Protection Information Management System (CPIMS).
• In-depth understanding of donor expectations for program results, outcomes, impact, and reporting.
• Ability to implement participatory action planning approaches and engage County, Sub-county and Ward-level stakeholders.
• Experience monitoring Programs and collecting relevant data preferred.
• Excellent understanding of the Department of Children Services and County Department of Health’s structures and services.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Observation, active listening, and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members and inspire teamwork among diverse partners without direct supervisory responsibilities.
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented