Project Officer - CTWWC - Kilifi at Catholic Relief

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Regional Coordinator, the Project Officer will support the coordination, implementation and monitoring of assigned project activities in the respective assigned Counties. The incumbent will be expected to participate in partnership management and creation of new care reform networks with various stakeholders. Your thorough and technical support approach will ensure that the project consistently applies best practices and constantly works towards improving scaling and influence work that should reach and  impact children, youth and families who are beneficiaries of care reform initiative. This will include ensuring that children, youth (care leavers), families, communities, CCIs, PWLE networks and all relevant stakeholders are actively and sufficiently engaged in the process. 

Specific Responsibilities:

• Support the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CTWWC and CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Provide technical support and guidance in the assessment, planning, design, and implementation of family strengthening activities that enable and support LIPs, CCIs, and statutory institutions in their case management work. 
• Monitor and report any challenges and/or gaps identified to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules. 
• Support and engage in a regular meeting, training development and dissemination of guidance, Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), tools or training curricula that support DCS, DSD, NCPWD Area Advisory Council (AAC’s), Alternative Care committees (ACCs), CCIs, and local implementing partners and their partners to improve family strengthening through case management and system strengthening approaches in line with guiding principles. 
• In conjunction with the Department of social development and County level Directorate of Children Services, conduct regular supportive supervision visits and OnJob training to partners and CCIs involved in care reform work
• Offer regular technical mentorship assistance and training to stakeholders involved in care reform to promote scal.ing and influnce. 
• Strengthen and maintain networks with all partners including county government to ensure that children, youth, and families receive additional support through sharing information, collaboration, and leveraging of opportunities that would enhance opportunities for children returning/remaining in safe and nurturing families.
• Support quality improvement initiatives and learning exchanges related to CTWWC approaches amongst CCIs, government, local implementing partners, and other key actors as a means of promoting good practice and ensure that learning from the county is fed up to the national level.
• Document project results and outcomes in various forms, including media stories, promising practices, lessons learned, peer-reviewed journal articles, abstracts, case studies, client satisfaction, and program reports. 
• Provide capacity strengthening to LIP staff through training, workshops, facilitated group interactions, as well as accompaniment through regular communication, and site visits to support the successful implementation of family strengthening project activities.

Skills and Abilities

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with the ability to make a sound judgments.
• Strong writing skills in professional English, level of proficiency should allow the candidate to serve as the primary author of high-quality written reports to donors with minimal revision. 
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
• Able to engage with a variety of stakeholders and work in a productive and participatory manner. 
• Ability to effectively and efficiently explain and transfer skills and knowledge related to case management and reintegration. 
• Ability to work in a team
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion including gender equality.

Required/Desired Foreign Language: Able to communicate in written and spoken English and Kiswahili. 

Travel Required:   Travel within Kenya will be determined. Need based trips to Nairobi and other demonstration areas are expected. (Up to 50%)

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Internal: CTWWC/IFS staff, Health, Education and Social Services Unit,

External: Local implementing partners, GOK, UNICEF, CCIs, faith-based organizations, relevant private sector entities, local communities, beneficiaries, donors, and other stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Knowledge 

• University degree in one of the following disciplines: social sciences, international development, social work, community development, or another related field.
• At least 3 years’ professional experience in child protection, family strengthening, or in related social work fields
• Understanding of the Kenyan child care and protection policy context and with issues around care reform.
• Experience in case management systems and referral network design, assessment, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.  
• Experience with and desire to work directly with children and families. 
• Experience working in both county level as well as community settings preferably in care reform.
• Ability to provide use of appropriate adult learning approaches to training, technical assistance, and mentoring to implementing partners, CCI staff, and children and families.
• Experience in conducting assessments, interviewing, and working with children and families, data collection, and related activities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage complex and sensitive organizational relationships particularly between DCS, CCIs, LIPs, and families/ households 
• Good understanding of and experience working in child protection and care reform.