Kenya: Regional Representative – East and Southern Africa

Finn Church Aid is Finland’s biggest development co-operation organisation and the second biggest organisation in Finland working in humanitarian aid.Finn Church Aid is a member of the ACT Alliance (ACT), an alliance of faith-based development and humanitarian aid organisations forming one of the world’s largest aid organisations.Finn Church Aid iscommitted to continue working until people in need of assistance can make their own living and fulfil their basic needs. Finn Church Aid also campaigns for dignity and justice.

Finn Church Aid (FCA), is looking for a

Regional Representative – East and Southern Africa, based in Nairobi, Kenya

East and Southern Africa is one of FCA’s geographical program areas, where the organisation engages in relief, reconstruction, development and advocacy work. Our program countries are Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Eritrea, Mozambique and Angola. After 2016 FCA has decided to exit from Angola. FCA has its’ Regional office located in Kenya, representing FCA on a regional level. FCA has Country Offices in Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya, whose staff are responsible for the implementation of FCA Country Programs. The overall budget for the region is approximately 11 M€ in 2015.

The FCA East and Southern Africa Program Plan 2013-2016 will contribute to supporting the local civil society actors and communities in strengthening their resilience, security and equality through three thematic objectives:

Right to peace:

FCA focuses primarily on the mediation of conflict through the strengthening of existing conflict resolution mechanisms. These mechanisms often involve the facilitation of mediation efforts of religious and traditional leaders linked to local and national governance structures.

Right to livelihood:

The programs will focus on youth employment and womens’ entrepreneurship. Public-private partnership in the development of agribusiness models and social community-owned enterprise are emerging priority themes in development-oriented contexts. Humanitarian contexts focus on food security through food and seed distribution as well as improved farming techniques to increase output.

Right to education:

Quality education is the primary focus of education programmes. Teacher training, improved pedagogy and curriculum development are important elements. Education in emergencies, including the development of safe learning spaces, is the focus of humanitarian operations.

The Regional Representative will manage the East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO), with a staff of approximately 10 persons. FCA has Country Offices in Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya, whose Country Managers report to the ESARO Regional Representative. Altogether there are approximately 60 FCA staff in the region. FCA operations in the region have been expanding rapidly so there is potential for additional staff to be recruited and new Country Offices to be opened in 2015. The Regional Representative will report to the FCA Headquarter in Helsinki, Finland.

Areas of Responsibility:

Represent FCA in East and Southern Africa, mainly in the program countries;Manage FCA’s exit from Angola in accordance with guidance from HQ;Overall responsibility for managing the Regional Office;Be responsible for all FCA contracted staff (both national and international), including staff security;Be responsible for the development of regional and country plans in co-operation with FCA HQ;Ensure the successful planning and implementation of the FCA Regional and Country programs, including projects implemented by partners, emergency preparedness and response, communication and advocacy, fundraising, within the framework of the four year Regional and Country Programs;Networking and co-operation with donors, UN agencies, government, ACT Alliance members, other ecumenical and international NGOs and local partners,Be responsible for the regional fundraising and grant management opportunities and identify appropriate opportunities to increase and diversify funding sources and income;Undertake other duties as designated.

Competence and Personal Requirements:

Relevant experience in development cooperation and/or humanitarian aid operations in developing countries with experience in field operations,Experience in strategic planning and implementation in a senior management capacity,Proven experience in management or leading positions, including financial and HR management in a multi-cultural working environment,Proven experience in fundraising for international institutional agencies and managing budgets with diverse donor base,Experience with working with international donors and grant acquisition,Cross-cultural leadership experience,Good understanding of development approaches and standards,Skills in emergency preparedness and response,Skills in advocacy,Experience in working with local organisations and authorities as well as EU institutions, UN agencies and other international institutionsExperience in developing strategic and operational partnerships with donors, other INGOs and national level NGOs for project and advocacy interventionsGood interpersonal and communication skillsAbility to work under pressureReadiness to travel andCommand of English as a working language.

The assignment will be for a fixed term of minimum two years and it will begin with a one month orientation period in Helsinki, FCA HQ. The salary is based on FCA collective agreement.

For more information please contact Mr. Tomi Järvinen, Director for International Cooperation, +358 40 641 8209, tomi.jarvinen (at) kua.fi.