Kenya: Head of Mission Kenya M/F

In response to the current crisis in Kenya, SIF is expanding its humanitarian response. In view of this operation, SIF is recruiting a head of Mission (M/F).

He/ She will provide the overall leadership and strategic direction for SIF’s operations in Kenya and for the overall program development and implementation.
He/she will be responsible for the management of the staff, for representing the organization and managing the security of the mission. The position in based in Nairobi.

Missions and activities: Leadership of the country Program • Establish, maintain and develop SIF’s presence in Kenya • Establish, coordinate and manage the overall planning and direction of SIF's operations • Develop and maintain a coherent strategy that contributes to SIF's global objectives • Assess and respond as necessary to changes in the external environment ensuring these changes are reflected in the country strategy and project plans

Program management • Develop and maintain a coherent medium to long term strategy in the Horn of Africa that contributes to SIF's global objectives • Monitor the humanitarian situation in Kenya and work with Program Coordinator on the appropriate course of action • Ensure context changes are included and reflected in the country strategy and project plans • Participate in senior level coordination forum for Kenya

Staff Management / Human Resources • Provide leadership and management to the Kenya coordination team • Develop a staffing structure and ensure the roles are filled when funding is secured, for programme implementation to start • Ensure required resources are mobilized and appropriate to the programme goals/size and review staff levels as the situation evolves. Ensure that personnel are funded within the frame of programme budgets • Ensure line manage senior staff, including regular performance management and appraisals • Support national and international staff, ensuring that the individuals work effectively together as a team to achieve the programme objectives • Ensure the transfer of knowledge and skills development

Representation • Represent SIF, coordinate and advocate on key issues with local and national authorities, UN agencies, donors, INGOs and NNGOs. • Develop collaborative and open working relationships with partners and beneficiaries • Meet key representative of Ministries of Kenya government, to understand the system and priorities • Identify the sponsors and contribute to reinforce professional relations • Undertake discussions with donors in country and develop funding strategies and donor mapping analyses • Draw up a financial plan according to the operational objectives • Write or supervise the financing proposals • Check and transmit regularly the various reports to the sponsor • Manage external communications in collaboration with the communications department in HQ. Act as the contact person with press and media • Liaise and maintain regular communications with various HQ department using the established procedures

Security management • Responsible for the safety and security of all SIF staff and visitors to Kenya • Ensure that a safety and security framework for SIF operations in Kenya is developed, communicated, adhered to and regularly reviewed • Monitor the security context (including participating in local/national INGO/UN security meetings) and act on any deterioration in this that could affect operations and provide guidance to teams/sites as required • Facilitate the evacuation of field based teams if necessary • Ensure timely and accurate security / incident reports are sent to HQ • Maintain regular contact with security key actors

Profile : • Minimum 5 years of previous experience in humanitarian work, including previous experiences as Country Director, or Assistant regional director, or Chief of Party with INGOs in similar context • Considerable overseas experience in establishing country programs within an international NGO preferably in the emergency sector with a focus on food security, livelihood, WASH, Shelter other cross cutting issues • Substantial experience of strategic thinking, including identifying, analyzing, problem solving and responding to opportunities and challenges and the ability to translate these into practical plans of action • Ability of raising the profile of an organization, strategically networking with government agencies, donors and other international agencies, and using the media as appropriate • Significant people management, ability to understand the cultural and political environment and to work well with partners including local authorities. • Extensive knowledge and experience of project planning and budget holding; proposal and report writing • Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English (and desirably French and/or Arabic) • Familiarity with Horn of Africa context (especially Kenya)

Terms and conditions: • Wages to be defined according to profile + per diem • 1 year contract • Guesthouse • 2 days of paid vacation per month • Return ticket provided, at the beginning and at the end of the mission (only for the country of origin) • Vacation period of one week, each three months (salary maintained)