Snr Project Coordinator

Senior Project Coordinator

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Senior Project Coordinator will be directly supervised by the Head of Sub-Office Kakuma. S/he may receive indirect guidance from other sections and units relevant to Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-economic Development Programme and the country programme(s) in general. UNHCR Manual, programme and protection objectives, Country Operations Plans, Kenya Comprehensive Refugee Programme, Kalobeyei Comprehensive Programme, UN and UNHCR financial/budgetary rules and regulations will guide the work of the Senior Project Coordinator. S/he will stay abreast of the challenges posed to the country/county by the political context in the sub-region, the UN and humanitarian reform and institutional developments.

The incumbent will supervise some professional, national and support staff. S/he will have daily contacts with staff at the Sub-Office, in the field and with the functional units at the Country Office. S/he will also have close liaison with a range of County, Sub-County, local authorities and counterparts in NGOs and UN agencies to discuss matters of common interest related to the settlement project.
    
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability
- UNHCR's operations in the area of responsibility (AoR) and Kalobeyei settlement are designed to meet the needs of persons of concern.
- An effective monitoring system of the field operations is in place resulting in better service to the persons of concern.
- The protection needs of populations of concern are met through the application of International and National Laws, relevant UN/UNHCR protection standards and IASC principles governing humanitarian coordination.
- The AOR has a clear and coherent protection strategy and incorporates a thorough Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) analysis and reflects the Organization¿s global, regional and country level priorities.
- The participation of persons of concern is assured through continuous assessment and evaluation using participatory, rights and community based approaches.
- Protection incidents and gaps in assistance are immediately identified and addressed.

Responsibility
- Support the development of various strategies including spatial integration strategy, land management, alternative livelihoods, environmental management, disaster management and cultural preservation heritage strategies.
- Coordinate the thematic working groups to deliver their strategies and work plans as well as ensuring the submissions of such plans to relevant government institutions for statutory approval.
- Work with technical units and partners in Sub-Office Kakuma to ensure service delivery being extended to Kalobeyei during and after settling the new arrivals.
- Support the Local Economic Development (LED) strategic process, which will form a broader strategic development plan.
- Link Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Progrramme (KISEDP) with emergency response, including settling the refugees in the new locations of the settlement and the provision of non-food items and emergency services, which will start immediately and will take place in parallel to ¿ but in close consideration with KISEDP activity.
- Ensure smooth coordination and collaboration between the various government agencies, the UN system, the World Bank, the private sector and Civil Society organizations.
- Lead the establishment of Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Programme (KISEDP) Secretariat to facilitate the activities of the four thematic groups and to establish the day-to-day activities of KISEDP.
- Participate in consultative process with the government counterparts, partners and persons of concern and community leaders to develop and implement the Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic Development Programme (KISEDP) strategies.
- Establish links and ensure effective co-ordination with humanitarian and development actors working in Kalobeyei.
- Provide technical support to relevant actors involved in the project to ensure sound delivery of outcomes.
- Establish multi-functional secretariat/team to include UNHCR staff, partners, local authorities and communities.
- Support the implementation of various assessments and maintain ongoing consultations with the persons of concern to identify families willing to be relocated to Kalobeyei settlement.
- Lead the four thematic experts (one for each thematic group) with the main responsibility of facilitating coordination and collaboration between various stakeholders.
- Maintain relations with local Government Officials at a senior level, as well as with UN agencies, NGOs and other parties operating in the area, in order to promote UNHCR objectives.
- Supervise and monitor the implementation of UNHCR projects; provide protection for persons of concern to UNHCR by ensuring the observance by the local authorities of the recognized principles of refugee, humanitarian and Human Rights law.  Intervene promptly with the authorities in the event of any action or measure detrimental to refugees and other persons of concern if and when necessary.
- Ensure through direct action and advocacy with senior management that the necessary resources are allocated to address protection and operational gaps.
- Build the capacity of local partners and civil society through training and other initiatives to protect persons of concern.
- Develop and coordinate capacity-building initiatives for communities and persons of concern to assert their rights.
- Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment and provide advice to the Head of Sub-Office.
- Liaise with County and Sub-County Government authorities, implementing and operational partners on issues relating to the protection and assistance of refugees and other persons of concern.
- Coordinate and lead the decongestion and relocation of refugees from Kakuma camps to Kalobeyei settlement and improve Kakuma camps in line with settlement design.

Authority
- Represent UNHCR in the field on all settlement related issues.
- Negotiate with County and Sub-County Officials, Partners, Private Sector and Development Actors on implementation of the concept of the settlement.
- Enforce design, standards and timelines on construction and development of the settlement project.
- Enforce Compliance with, and integrity of all protection and assistance related activities.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Advanced university degree in Economics, Agriculture, Social Sciences or related fields.
- Minimum 10 years of previous relevant work experience (12 years with university degree).
- Intensive Field, operations and project management experience.
- Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Strong computer skills.
- Knowledge of refugee law.
- Good knowledge of UNHCR¿s programmes.
- Strong knowledge of coordination of multiple stakeholders and management of refugee settlement.
- UNHCR Protection Learning Programme.
- UNHCR Operations Management Learning Programme.
- UNHCR Emergency Response and Management.