Programme Officer Migration and Protection - 6 Months Maternity Cover (100 %) at Embassy of Switzerland

Job Description

The Swiss Government supported Regional Programme Horn of Africa (RPHoA) focuses on Somalia and the arid and semi-arid lands of South-Eastern Ethiopia and North-Eastern Kenya. In the frame of its Cooperation Strategy 2018-2021, the programme supports projects in the four sectors food security, health, governance and migration/protection. The overall aim of the strategy is to contribute to the reduction of poverty, improve human security and stability and address migration challenges. The programme is designed as a whole of government approach, in which different departments of the Swiss Government are closely collaborating. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, through the International Cooperation Division of the Swiss Embassies in Nairobi and Addis Ababa, is in charge of the RPHoA supported development and humanitarian projects. These projects are implemented through a variety of partners (e.g. IGAD, UN agencies, international and national NGOs, government institutions), using different instruments (humanitarian aid, development cooperation, policy dialogue) and intervention modalities (bilateral and multilateral mandates or contributions, pooled funds, deployment of experts etc.). Policy dialogue at national and regional level, donor coordination, aid effectiveness principles in fragile and conflict affected contexts (New Deal and OECD principles on engagement in fragile contexts), as well as humanitarian principles and protection of civilians, are systematically promoted.

For the operational and financial management of its Migration and Protection portfolio in Kenya and Somalia on a fixed term basis, the Embassy of Switzerland in Nairobi is looking for a Programme Officer for six months period between November 2020 and May 2021.

Main Tasks:

Support of the International Cooperation Division in ensuring the quality and result orientation of its Migration and Protection portfolio (programme cycle management, incl. finances) with a particular focus on protection and assistance of displaced persons (internally displaced persons, refugees and migrants) and host communities, and search for durable solutions in Kenya and Somalia (2 proposals to be drafted, one on durable solutions and another on SGBV).

Represent the Embassy in the dialogue with and coordination among international donors, government authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the Migration and Protection sector of Kenya and Somalia.

Convene, organize and facilitate dialogue, knowledge sharing and joint learning with Swiss supported implementing partners and within the Embassy. For this, a broad network of relevant Migration and Protection sector stakeholders in Kenya and Somalia needs to be maintained (government, multilateral partner agencies, civil society, private sector).

Required Education and Competencies:

• University degree in a field relevant to development cooperation and/or humanitarian aid.
• A minimum of 5 years of development cooperation and/or humanitarian aid work experience in the field of Migration and Protection in the Horn of Africa (preferably in Kenya), with an international NGO, an UN agency or any other similar organization.
• Good understanding of the social, economic and political context of Kenya and Somalia.
• Experience in the management of Migration and Protection development programmes and a good understanding of the principles, approaches and practices applied.
• Experience with project cycle management (operational and financial planning, monitoring and evaluation of projects), CSPM, gender sensitive programming and engagement in fragile States.
• Experience in the collaboration with national/local government authorities, multilateral agencies, donors and other humanitarian and/or development relevant stakeholders (IGAD, UNHCR, IOM, OCHA, World Bank, NGOs, local and international think tanks).
• Strong analytical capacity to synthesize and communicate conclusions, recommendations, and ability to credibly represent Swiss positions in the stakeholder and policy dialogue.
• Ability to establish trusted partnerships with Swiss supported implementing partners and excellent ability to network and to work in a team.
• Excellent knowledge of English (both spoken and in writing reports); knowledge of Somali language an asset.
• Ability to work independently and to deliver quality work on time.

Required skills:

• Highly motivated, committed and team minded
• Ability to deal effectively and in a diplomatic manner at all levels
• Ability to multitask, capable of learning fast, adaptive
• Ability to work independently, under pressure and with a minimum of supervision
• Motivated to learn
• Good diplomatic communication skills and friendly
• Good writing skills
• Precise, dynamic, high level of integrity and loyalty
• Strong service and customer orientation