Job Opportunities at Catholic Relief Services

Ref.2018/078

Background:

CRS, with partners Lumos and Maestral International, will work closely with Department of Children Services (DCS) and other care reform actors to implement programming and interventions to support care reform in Kenya. Kenya has been selected as one of three countries, together with the Republic of Moldova and Guatemala, to implement the initial phase of Changing the Way We Care (CTWWC) initiative. CTWWC is an initiative that aims to leverage existing strengths and efforts of key stakeholders as well as address identified gaps to move Kenya away from reliance on residential care facilities and towards stronger family-based care.

Job Summary:

The team leader will provide overall leadership of the county level program, working in close coordination with the overall project and technical leadership team in support of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. This leadership will follow the program cycle and will be in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices, as well as be aligned to globally recognized best practice principles of family-based child care. Project management skills and knowledge of the subject matter will ensure that the overall country program (CP) delivers high-quality programming and continuously works towards improving the impact of this CTWWC initiative at county and national levels. This position is also expected to eventually liaise with other project counties in Kenya as they come on board.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Lead implementation of the CTWWC initiative in assigned county ensuring that the activities are executed in line with the government care reform strategy, consortium-approved work plan and CTWWC policies and procedures.
• Set and monitor appropriate performance targets and ensure that project objectives and results are fully accomplished and meet expected technical quality standards in line with the CTWWC technical agenda and monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) framework.
• Forge and manage dynamic partnerships with DCS, UNICEF and local implementing partners, as appropriate, during key stages to ensure that their insights and experiences inform approaches and interventions and to support program quality, and that partners are fully bought in to the process of reform in the assigned county.
• Provide leadership, guidance and technical oversight to ensure a cohesive and productive team approach and conducive working environment for the county level team.
• Oversee the preparation of required project narrative reports, quarterly performance data in line with set reporting timelines and CTWWC guidelines.
• Contribute to development and dissemination of advocacy materials, learning pieces, case stories, peer reviewed journal articles as well as other documentation needed/required by the local government, CTWWC consortium, donors.
• Contribute to the identification, documentation and dissemination of CTWWC results in various forms and fora, including media stories, lessons learned, case studies, etc., evaluations, peer reviewed articles, and presentations and support learning exchanges among the stakeholders, Gok entities, and other programs within Kenya.
• Ensure CTWWC and staff compliance with all CRS/CTWWC administrative, operational, and financial procedures and policies, as well as applicable to the donor regulations.
• Manage team dynamics and staff well-being by providing coaching, mentorship, and individual supportive supervision informed by individual performance and development plans, including ensuring opportunities for ongoing training and learning within and amongst the team
• Contribute to the recruitment of staff and consultants, and complete performance and development management for direct report staff.
• Represent CTWWC program at the county level, including attending meetings on behalf of the CTWWC, making presentations at professional meetings and conferences on the matters related to CTWWC.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Degree in Sociology, Project Management, International Development or in a related degree in the field of Social Science. Master’s degree is added advantage.
• Minimum of five years’ work experience in project management, ideally in the field of care reform, child protection or community health or social protection and preferably for a non-governmental organization.
• Good understanding of various Government of Kenya child protection and rights legal and policy frameworks, guidelines and strategies.
• Good understanding of grant management, especially from foundations, USAID and other donor funding.
• Proven staff management and supportive supervision experience.
• Experience working with child protection structures and stakeholders especially the Department of Children’s Services, local implementing partners at various levels and strengthening community partnerships.
• Ability to contribute to the development of programming concepts and interventions and technical proposals.
• Experience engaging with and writing for a range of audiences, including governments and policy makers, and the public (National and public) in English.

Skills and Abilities

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively with local stakeholders. Strong writing skills in professional English, level of proficiency should allow the candidate to serve as primary author of high-quality written reports to donors with minimal revision.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities with minimal supervision.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none):

Supervise CTWWC county-based staff (administratively) - Case Management and Reintegration Officer, HES Officer, Advocacy and SBC officer, Parenting and Youth Officer and Driver.

Required/Desired Foreign Language: Ability to clearly communicate in written and spoken English and Kiswahili. Knowledge of local language of the county is an added advantage.

Travel Required: Travel as will be determined

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: CTWWC staff, Health, Education and Social Services Unit, CRS Kenya MEAL Unit, Management Quality unit, CRS Kenya Head of Programs.

External: Local Implementing Partners, GOK, UNICEF, faith-based organizations, Kenya Society of Careleavers, relevant private sector entities, local communities, beneficiaries, donors and other stakeholders.

Agency-Wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Accountability & stewardship
• Builds relationships
• Develops Talent
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Strategic Mindset

MEAL Competencies:

• Track portfolio and project MEAL requirements – both CTWWC MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP) and donor requirements.
• Work with MEAL staff and partner staff to implement the MPP and CTWWC MEAL requirements applicable to your projects.
• Complete the annual MEAL procedure self-assessment for your project and develop action plan to advance MEAL practice.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

go to method of application »

Ref.2018/074

Reports To: Technically, Communication and Advocacy Manager and administratively to

Team lead

Country/Location: Kenya/Kisumu

Background:

CRS, with partners Lumos and Maestral International, will work closely with Department of Children Services (DCS) and other care reform actors to implement programming and interventions to support care reform in Kenya. Kenya has been selected as one of three countries, together with the Republic of Moldova and Guatemala, to implement the initial phase of Changing the Way We Care (CTWWC) initiative. CTWWC is an initiative that aims to leverage existing strengths and efforts of key stakeholders as well as address identified gaps to move Kenya away from reliance on residential care facilities and towards stronger family-based care.

Job Summary:

The Advocacy and Social Behavior Officer will work together with the Communication and Advocacy Manager and other CTWWC staff, to support development of the Social Behavior Change (SBC) strategy and accompanying messages and roll out plan at the county level in support of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Reporting to the Communication and Advocacy Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of Changing the Way We Care communication and SBC strategies within assigned county. You will provide technical assistance on advocacy and SBC to county CTWWC team, local implementing partners, and CCIs teams. In coordination with Communication and Advocacy Manager, you will support the development of key messaging, communications tools, and implementation of relevant advocacy and SBC strategic initiatives that will contribute to transforming care systems and social behavior change on care reforms at the community level. You will work closely with the CTWWC team in drafting learning agendas to document and showcase project successes.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements and good practices
• Contribute to designing, developing, and delivering social behavior change (SBC) strategy and messaging on care reform.
• Provide technical support to LIPs, CCIs, Careleavers Association and other relevant stakeholders in the areas of communication, advocacy, messaging and media engagements on care reform.
• Promote the CTWWC initiative and its objectives by ensuring high visibility and understanding of care reform at the county level, building a grassroot movement to strengthen national care reform efforts.
• Contribute to the development of key advocacy messages and identify targets from lessons learned, assessments, research and evidence gained through project implementation, working closely with the technical and MEAL teams.
• Contribute to the development and production of advocacy and SBC materials (articles, newsletters and press releases) and ensure that these materials promote family-based care aimed at a wider range of media and understanding of the appropriate use and requirements of different communication channels.
• Provide capacity strengthening to LIPs and staff to appropriately capture, communicate and package promising practices for different audiences including their donors.
• Help partners to develop and submit conference abstracts and prepare quality posters and oral presentations based on conference guidelines.
• Support child, youth and family (including children in care and careleavers) participation in CTWWC by involving them in different communication and advocacy activities and events to enhance their self-advocacy capacity, as well as to ensure that their voices are at the forefront of CTWWC communication.
• Work closely with the technical and MEAL teams to organize periodic learning and reflection events at the county level to provide opportunities for staff, partners, community members and other key beneficiaries to share and reflect on learnings, best practices and adapt the interventions and behaviors considering new learning.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Advocacy and policy development, law or another relevant field.
• At least 4 years’ experience in a policy development, campaigning or advocacy role with state and non-state actors preferably in care reforms.
• Experience in development of behavior change strategies, advocacy strategies, tools and communication materials.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain positive relationships with and accountability towards diverse actors.
• Demonstrated ability to design and influence decisions and social behavior change through advocacy.
• Experience in organizing learning/sharing events, documenting and communicating the same to the staff and key stakeholders.
• Experience in sensitive communication on issues regarding children and vulnerable population to a wide range of stakeholders e.g. government, religious leaders, CCI directors, caregivers, children among others
• Understanding of and experience with child participation best practices.

Skills and Abilities

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong writing skills in professional English, level of proficiency should allow the candidate to serve as primary author of high-quality written reports to donors with minimal revision.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities with minimal supervision.

supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none):

None

Required Travel:

Some travel is expected within CTWWC initiative areas of operation.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: CTWWC staff, Health, Education and Social Services Unit, CRS Kenya MEAL Unit, Management Quality unit, CRS Kenya head of Programs.

External: Local Implementing partners, GOK, UNICEF, FBO, Kenya Society of Careleavers, relevant private sector entities, local communities, beneficiaries, donors and other stakeholders.

Agency-Wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Accountability & Stewardship
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Strategic Mindset

MEAL Competencies:

• Track portfolio and project MEAL requirements – both CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP) and donor requirements.
• Work with MEAL staff and partner staff to implement the MPP and donor MEAL requirements applicable to your projects.
• Complete the annual MEAL procedure self-assessment for your project and develop action plan to advance MEAL practice.
• Input into annual work planning process

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

go to method of application »

Ref.2018/075

Reports To: Technically, Case Management and Reintegration Advisor and administratively to

Team lead

Country/Location: Kenya/Kisumu

Background:

CRS, with partners Lumos and Maestral International, will work closely with Department of Children Services (DCS) and other care reform actors to implement programming and interventions to support care reform in Kenya. Kenya has been selected as one of three countries, together with the Republic of Moldova and Guatemala, to implement the initial phase of Changing the Way We Care (CTWWC) initiative. CTWWC is an initiative that aims to leverage existing strengths and efforts of key stakeholders as well as address identified gaps to move Kenya away from reliance on residential care facilities and towards stronger family-based care.

Job Summary:

The Case Management and Reintegration Officer will provide technical assistance to strengthen the existing case management systems or help to establish new systems for Children’s Charitable Institutions (CCIs) and statutory institutions based on standardized approaches, operating procedures and tools and paying particular attention to the unique needs of children and families taking part in a reintegration process either back home or through placement into alternative care. You will support DCS and CCIs in the assessment and reintegration processes, support alternative care placements and aftercare services and monitor key component of the care reform process in support of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. You will work closely with the CTWWC staff to ensure that critical information collected within the case management process is used to inform system strengthening efforts and program design and interventions. You will ensure that local implementing partners and other stakeholders have strong case management systems in place and that the actors mandated to use the case management system are well prepared and able to use it towards a successful end while ensuring that children, youth and families are actively and sufficiently engaged in the process. The information generated will contribute to and inform the Government of Kenya’s (GoK) Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS), as well as feed into program monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) systems.

Specific Responsibilities:**

• Provide technical support and guidance in the assessment, planning, design and implementation of capacity strengthening activities that enable and support LIPs, CCIs and statutory institutions in their case management work.
• Support CCIs and statutory institutions to achieve close coordination with government departments and structures (e.g. the Area Advisory Councils) and other civil society organizations to ensure that referral mechanisms are established, and service are accessed by the target population.
• Assess the existing case management processes and referral networks utilized by CCIs and LIPs and ensure that all engaged with CTWWC are utilizing standardized case management processes, tools and approaches, including individualized case plans.
• Support and engage in regular meeting, trainings and the development of guidance, Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), tools or training curricula that support DCS, Alternative Care committees (ACCs), CCIs, and local implementing partners and their partners to improve case management and referrals.
• Ensure that case management processes adequately and actively engage children, young people and families in case management and that their voices are heard in the process of development of any new tools, etc.
• Conduct regular supportive supervision visits to CCIs to provide mentoring technical assistance and training.
• Help to design and roll out training to CCI and local authority social workers on reunification, reintegration, case management, family strengthening and prevention, aligned to training developed in the wider CTWWC program in Kenya.
• Support quality improvement initiatives and learning exchanges related to case management and referral networks between or amongst CCIs, government, local implementing partners and other key actors as a means of promoting good practice.
• 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.
• Ensure that learning from the county is fed up to the national level so that other counties learn from the case management development process and that duplication at roll out is avoided.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following disciplines: social sciences, international development, social work, community development or another related field.
• At least four years’ professional experience in child protection, care reform 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.
• 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.

Skills and Abilities

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong writing skills in professional English, level of proficiency should allow the candidate to serve as 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.

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

Travel Required: Travel within Kenya will be determined. Regular trips to Nairobi expected.

Key Working Relationships:**

Supervisory: None

Internal: CTWWC staff, Health, Education and Social Services Unit, CRS Kenya MEAL Unit, Management Quality Unit, CRS Kenya Head of Programs.

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

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Accountability & Stewardship
• Builds relationships
• Develops Talent
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Strategic Mindset

MEAL Competencies:

• Track portfolio and project MEAL requirements – both CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP) and donor requirements.
• Work with MEAL staff and partner staff to implement the MPP and donor MEAL requirements applicable to your projects.
• Complete the annual MEAL procedure self-assessment for your project and develop action plan to advance MEAL practice.
• Input into annual work planning process

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

go to method of application »

Ref.2018/076

Reports To: Technically, Alternative Family Care Advisor and

administratively to County Team Lead

Country/Location: Kenya/ Kisumu

Background:

CRS, with partners Lumos and Maestral International, will work closely with Department of Children Services (DCS) and other care reform actors to implement programming and interventions to support care reform in Kenya. Kenya has been selected as one of three countries, together with the Republic of Moldova and Guatemala, to implement the initial phase of Changing the Way We Care (CTWWC) initiative. CTWWC is an initiative that aims to leverage existing strengths and efforts of key stakeholders as well as address identified gaps to move Kenya away from reliance on residential care facilities and towards stronger family-based care

Job Summary:**

The Project Officer – HES will monitor and report on all project activities related household economic capacity assessment and strengthening initiatives by providing training, coaching and mentorship, and technical support to LIPs, CCIs, caregivers, and careleavers in support of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your thorough and service-oriented approach will ensure that CTWWC consistently applies promising practices in strengthening the economic security of families and constantly works towards improving the household economic status as part of the case management process for reunification and reintegration of children, prevention of separation of children from their families, and ability of young careleavers to live independently. You will support LIPs and CCIs to liaise with relevant government ministries and programs, other technical experts and agencies, and the private sector for transition and reintegration process. Also, you will coordinate closely with CTWWC staff and other existing HES initiatives such as IGAs, vocational training and job placement, private public partnerships to contribute to a holistic, integrated, and comprehensive economic empowerment approach. This will involve, effective private sector engagement by the LIPs, CCIs and other key stakeholders in close coordination with AFC advisor. You will actively foster engagements that will promote partnership with stakeholders to contribute to stronger greater economic opportunity, social capital and financial capital for the LIPs, CCIs, caregivers and careleavers.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of all economic empowerment activities with target groups as outlined CTWWC detailed implementation plan in line with CTWWC program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Provide capacity strengthening to CTWWC staff, LIP, CCIs, youths and caregivers through trainings, workshops, facilitated group interactions, as well as accompaniment through regular communication, and site visits to support the successful implementation of the economic empowerment initiative.
• Work closely with the positive parenting officer to ensure that economic strengthening is integrated with other family and youth strengthening activities.
• Learn, understand and adapt globally recognized best practices in HES and family strengthening for the target population of reintegrated children, youth and families, as well as careleavers.
• Conduct market assessments to inform family, youth and careleavers vocational skills training and job placements, linking closely with existing programs and services.
• Work closely with social workers to ensure that referrals and linkages to programs and services related to HES are facilitated and fulfilled.
• Provide models and capacity building to CCIs and other local partners interested in transition to HES types of services.
• Conduct rapid assessment and mapping on economic empowerment institutions and create linkages, networking and referral mechanisms for CTTWC partners and beneficiaries.
• Build and maintain productive relationship with relevant government departments like Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, trade and industrialization, NITA, and county government to create partnership opportunities for CTWWC economic empowerment for beneficiaries, including CCIs and LIPs transitioning to models of HES and youth empowerment.
• Represent CTWWC in meetings at county and sub counties, economic empowerment working groups, and other events as requested, to support forging relations with the GOK, LIPs, other stakeholders, and the community.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of all assigned project activities as per CTWWC MEAL standards and established schedules.
• Maintain records and databases of business prospects, contacts, and establish potential partnerships within various private sectors (private companies, foundations, financial institutions, public entities)
• Develop and help execute key partner management plan for private sector

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness management, Social Sciences or a related field. Master’s degree will be added advantage
• At least 4 years’ experience in economic strengthening support role working with either the government or NGO but preferably International NGO, and preferably with youth and/or families
• Experience in building and maintaining productive relations, institutional linkages required with implementing and strategic partner agencies.
• Knowledge working with communities on saving methodologies (VSLA, SILC, Table Banking, etc.), entrepreneurship and small business management, promoting livelihoods through agriculture and rural enterprise development, knowledge in micro-finance and financial inclusion principles and practices.
• Past experience in leveraging private public partnerships is preferred

Personal Skills

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Ability to work effectively as a part of a team
• Interest in working with youth and ability to communicate with beneficiary populations
• 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

Required/Desired Foreign Language

Able to clearly communicate in written and spoken English

Travel Required

Some travel is expected within the CTWWC implementation sites and regularly to Nairobi

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: None

Internal: CTWWC staff, Health, Education and Social Services Unit, CRS Kenya MEAL Unit, Management Quality unit, CRS Kenya head of Programs.

External: Local Implementing partners, GOK, UNICEF, FBO, Kenya Society of Careleavers, relevant private sector entities, local communities, beneficiaries, donors and other stakeholders.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Accountability & Stewardship
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Strategic Mindset

MEAL Competencies:

• Track portfolio and project MEAL requirements – both CTWWC MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP) and donor requirements.
• Work with MEAL staff and partner staff to implement the MPP and CTWWC MEAL requirements applicable to your projects.
• Complete the annual MEAL procedure self-assessment for your project and develop action plan to advance MEAL practice
• Input into annual work planning process

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

go to method of application »

Ref.2018/077

Reports To: Team Leader

Country/Location: Kenya/Kisumu

Background:

CRS, with partners Lumos and Maestral International, will work closely with Department of Children Services (DCS) and other care reform actors to implement programming and interventions to support care reform in Kenya. Kenya has been selected as one of three countries, together with the Republic of Moldova and Guatemala, to implement the initial phase of Changing the Way We Care (CTWWC) initiative. CTWWC is an initiative that aims to leverage existing strengths and efforts of key stakeholders as well as address identified gaps to move Kenya away from reliance on residential care facilities and towards stronger family-based care

Job Summary:

Reporting to the County Team Leader, the Positive Parenting (parenting and positive discipline) and Life-skills Officer will monitor and report on all CTWWC county-level activities related to positive parenting and life-skills in support of Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. You will provide leadership, training, and technical support to local implementing partners/institutions/CCIs, caregivers and young people to ensure roll-out of the positive parenting and life-skills sessions at community level. You will be expected to utilize a service oriented, participatory and strengths-based approach and ensure CTWWC consistently applies recognized and evidence based practices, regularly reviews and gathers lessons on emerging innovations on PP/LS to ensure that parents, caregivers and young people are receiving critical skills and information resulting in sustainable positive parenting and life-skills practices, and that they are regularly, adequately and respectfully engaged in all processes of CTWWC.

The position will work closely with the Case Management and Reintegration Officer to ensure that aspects of positive parenting and life-skills are central to the case management process, care plans, service referrals/delivery and monitoring of care plans – and all social work with families, young people and children.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Support the coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting of all parenting and life-skills activities outlined in the CTWWC detailed implementation plan in line with CTWWC program quality principles and standards, program requirements, and recognized good, and evidence-based practices.
• Promote engagement in positive parent/child relationships especially for Children and young people
• Ensure that local implementing partners/institutions/CCIs, CTWWC staff have the knowledge and skills to successfully deliver positive parenting and life-skills sessions/fora, through trainings, supportive supervision, coaching and mentorship.
• Contribute to the adoption of existing standardized tools, approaches and training curricula to ensure active engagement of children, young people and families engaged in the process.
• Support and engage in regular meetings, trainings, roll out and dissemination of updated guidance, Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs), tools, training curricula or job aids that support DCS, National Council of Children Services (NCCs), CCIs and other partners to improve positive parenting and young people engagement initiatives.
• Build and maintain mutual and productive relationship with relevant government departments like DCS, Department of young people affairs, County department of gender and social development, Ministry of education (ECDE), county government and other related partners to create partnership opportunities for CTWWC parenting and young people engagement beneficiaries
• Work closely with the Department of Children Services, Ministry of Education and other like-minded partners to engage parents and provide referrals when necessary for participation in parenting groups, child protection structures and other structures as will be defined using internationally recognized positive parenting standard tools, child safeguarding and jobs aids.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of all assigned project activities as per donor and CRS standards and established schedules.

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following disciplines: public health, education, social sciences, international development or another related field. Master’s degree will be added advantage
• At least 4 years’ experience in care reforms, positive parenting, young people engagement or community empowerment programs or in related fields
• Experience in positive parenting, children/young people engagement design, assessment, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Experience working in both high level as well as community settings preferably in young people engagement, care reforms and/or child protection initiatives
• Ability to conduct training/facilitation with adults, children/young peoples and provide technical assistance and mentoring to the CCIs, partners, government and local implementing partners.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to manage complex and sensitive organizational relationships particularly between DCS, CCIs and/or community-based providers of social services.
• Strong knowledge of social service and child protection sector in Kenya.

Skills and Abilities

• Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Strong writing skills in professional English, level of proficiency should allow the candidate to serve as primary author of high-quality written reports to donors with minimal revision.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities with minimal supervision.

Required/Desired Foreign Language: Able to clearly communicate in written and spoken English and Kiswahili; sign language is added advantage.

Travel Required: Some travel is expected within the County of operation

Key Working Relationships:**

Supervisory: None

Internal: CTWWC staff, Health, Education and Social Services Unit, CRS Kenya MEAL Unit, Management Quality Unit, CRS Kenya Head of Programs.

External: Local implementing partners, GOK, UNICEF, faith-based organizations, Kenya Society of Careleavers, relevant private sector entities, local communities, beneficiaries, donors and other stakeholders

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Accountability & Stewardship
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Strategic Mindset

MEAL Competencies:

• Track portfolio and project MEAL requirements – both CTWWC MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP) and donor requirements.
• Work with MEAL staff and partner staff to implement the MPP and CTWWC MEAL requirements applicable to your projects.
• Complete the annual MEAL procedure self-assessment for your project and develop action plan to advance MEAL practice.

• Input into annual work planning process

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.