Save the Children Adolescent Girls Initiative Programme Officers Jobs in Wajir Kenya

4 Positions

Team / Programme: AGI-K Programme

Post Type: National (1 year with possibility of renewal)
 Child Safeguarding: Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people
 Role Purpose: SCI Kenya is in the process of implementing an Adolescent Girls Initiative (AGI-K) Action Research across four sectors of Health, Wealth Creation, Education and Prevention of Violence, in Wajir County, together with other partners namely; Population Council, Plan International and APHRC. This program is expected to significantly contribute to investing in adolescent girls, with the need to invest early in order to break the downward spiral into early pregnancy, early marriage and intergenerational poverty.

It is also expected that evidence from research will influence national policy and support scaled up, cost-effective interventions for adolescent girls in the future. This is also in line with Save the Children’s Theory of Change.
Save the Children will work with the government of Kenya at both national and county levels and communities to facilitate the randomized control trial to test a package of multi sectorial interventions for girls ages 11-14  and also the most cost-effective that will provide the greatest impact for girls in Northern Kenya and urban slums
 Scope of Role: SCI are anticipating fund for the Project Officer who will provide technical support and leadership to community mentors required for the successful implementation of Adolescent girls programming and will support the Project coordinator in awareness raising activities, including the provision of information on the project interventions. The AGI-K officer will be responsible for providing training and mentoring to adolescent girl’s mentors and the community facilitators.

Reports to: AGI-K Programme Coordinator

Dimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programs delivered both directly and through local partners. Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH. In 2012, as part of a global reorganization process, Save the Children combined the programs of SC UK, SC Canada and SC Finland to create a single operation in Kenya. In February 2014, we completed a second transition, which saw us join forces with the British INGO, Merlin, and merge their health and nutrition programs with our own. Save the Children now has an operational presence in Bungoma, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Garissa, Mandera, Turkana and Wajir and we work through partners in many other parts of the country. We employ more than 300 staff and have an operating annual budget in 2014 of approximately US$25 million.
Staff directly reporting to this post: None

Key Areas of Accountability:

Support to Programme Delivery

Under the supervision of the Programme Coordinator, provide technical oversight and capacity-building through training, mentorship and on-the-job support for community health extension workers (CHEWs) and community mentors for the delivery of the safe space model  Provide leadership and guidance regarding project activities under each cluster  to all community workers to ensure all programme activities meet best practice standards as well as taking lead in discussions sessions for adolescent programming The AGI-K officer will programmatic support required for the successful implementation of Adolescent girls programming and will support the programme coordinator in awareness raising activities, including the provision of information on available health services and facilitating referrals through the support of CHEWs. Work with AGI-K program team to monitor project activities regularly, ensuring adolescent girls attend discussion sessions as laid out in the program model Strengthen and maintain networks with community leaders and groups to ensure support from the community and to encourage greater communication, collaboration and coordination among partners. Participate in development of monthly outreach plans with community workers, based on program needs; include strategies to reach girls who are more isolated.Ensures strict adherence to the guidelines as outlined for the various interventions and clusters. Assist with developing adequate project monitoring systems and help to ensure that community  workers utilize these systems correctly and consistentlySupport the community facilitators and mentors develop referral pathways for violence prevention & response and ensure a community perspective is included. Ensure referral pathways are shared and understood within the communityEncourage parent/caregiver partnerships in participating in the wellbeing of adolescent girls  Partnerships for social mobilisationGood coordination with partners including the community in the program area Capacity of implementing partners in planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting is strengthened, in particular with community contracts Actively participate in forums and other relevant forums at sub county level  Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team and the operations research partner for monitoring and evaluation of programme activities including preparation of monitoring reports, documents and lessons learned.Supports the implementation of an accountability mechanism for participants in the AGI-K  programmeCarry out regular field monitoring/spot checks Participate in milestone meetings for monitoring of the progress of the programme such as mid-term reviews, strategy meetings, previews and reviews and annual reviews.Skills and Behaviours (our Values in Practice)
 Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children valuesHolds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achievedSets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the sameWidely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates othersFuture orientated, thinks strategicallyBuilds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supportersValues diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strengthApproachable, good listener, easy to talk toDevelops and encourages new and innovative solutionsWilling to take disciplined risksHonest, encourages openness and transparencyAdvanced University Degree in the social/behavioural sciences, (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, Health Education) Minimum 3 years of relevant professional work experience in the development, planning and management of social development programmes with practical experience of working with women and girls.Clear understanding of gender, abuse of power, and issues surrounding violence against women and girls, in addition to child protection  Demonstrated experience of developing effective working relationships with senior stakeholders from government agencies, international organisations, community NGO, academics and opinion-leaders.Experience in community mobilisation and child participation within the development context.Demonstrated effectiveness in facilitation and training skills in non-formal settings Strong expertise and understanding of key issues affecting adolescent girls in Northern Kenya such as early marriage, FGM.Excellent communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English and strong inter-personal and advisory skillsHas high-level communication skills’, including engaging and informative formal public speaking.Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.Sets high standards for quality and consistently achieves project goals.Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.Maintains and extends an effective network of individuals within the organisation and with government and development partnersNegotiates effectively by exploring a range of possibilities.Demonstrates and shares detailed technical knowledge and expertise.Proven ability to work as a team.Somali speaking individuals will be added advantage. How to Apply

Interested candidates are required to submit a CV and mandatory cover letter to Kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org by 3rd Oct. 2014 indicating the Position Code on the subject line.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.