In order to build a talent pool for its operations in the West Africa and Great Lakes region, JRS is launching a call for applications for the profile of National Program Officer at the regional level. As a reminder, the JRS West Africa and Great Lakes region includes the following countries: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria. This position is open to any candidate with the desired profile regardless of status or nationality. The advantages and conditions offered for each position will be communicated to the successful candidates during the interviews. Salaries will be aligned with the JRS salary grid.

NATIONAL PROGRAM OFFICER JOB DESCRIPTION

Background

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international Catholic organization with a mission to accompany, serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support of an international office in Rome. Founded in November 1980 as a work of the Society of Jesus, JRS was officially registered on 19 March 2000 at the Vatican State as a foundation.

JRS programs are working in 51 countries and provide assistance to refugees in camps and cities, individuals displaced within their own countries, asylum seekers in cities, and to those held in detention centers. The main areas of work are in the field of education, emergency assistance, healthcare, livelihood activities and social services. At the end of 2016, more than 733,400 individuals were direct beneficiaries of JRS projects.

Primary responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Country Director, the National Program Officer oversees the coordination and administration of all aspects of the ongoing program including planning, organizing, leading, monitoring and reporting program activities. She/he develops strong partnerships with local education stakeholders and authorities, is responsible for coordinating monitoring and evaluation, and assists in managing the day to day operations of the organization.

General objective for this position:

The National Program Officer is responsible for the quality and effectiveness of JRS’s programmatic response, assuring the quality and effectiveness of emergency response and interventions, as well as its fidelity to the regional strategic plan.

Program Design and Planning

Leadership and Management

Financial Planning

Details:

Management and Leadership

· Cultivate positive working relationships and develop collaborations with other NGOs, UN agencies, donors and military stakeholders on the field.

· Undertake an acting capacity and/or by delegation the responsibilities of the country director when he/she is out of office.

Program planning

In association with the Country Director, ensure that response, implementation and exit strategies are developed.

• Oversee project design, implementation and reporting to donors and supervisors as well as working with the CD to ensure continuous funding of programs
• Plan the delivery of the program activities in accordance with the overall objectives of JRS and donors
• Suggest new initiatives to support the strategic direction of the organization
• Create and implement short- term indicators and long-term objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the program
• Assist in the creation of the annual budget and operating plan to support the program
• Create a program evaluation framework to detect weaknesses and strengths and globally identify areas for improvement and coordinate the execution of this survey.
• Assist in developing funding proposals
• Assist the Country Director in ensuring high-quality, efficient and transparent planning, utilization and reporting of financial resources made available for JRS Nigeria programs.

Program organization

• Create and implement program activities respecting the policies and procedures of the organization
• Create and implement program activities keeping as a first priority the staff safety and security
• Create and implement program activities respecting all relevant legislation
• Create and implement monitoring and evaluation tools

Program leadership

• Lead, support and assist program staff by providing direction, input and feedback
• Develop strong relationships with stakeholders, authorities and communities, directly and through the program staff: develop the culture of service, accompaniment and advocacy
• Liaise with other Project Directors and field staff to ensure the effective and efficient program delivery
• Coordinate the delivery of services among different program activities to increase effectiveness and efficiency
• Monitor the evolution of staff’s activities, ensuring compliance to donor and legal requirements, as well as the ethics and efficacy of programming being implemented.

Program monitoring

• Responsible of writing reports on the program for management and for funders
• Control that the right budget is used at the right time for the right place, according to the policies and procedures
• Monitor and approve all budgeted program expenditures
• Evaluate budget needs and reports to the Country Director monthly
• Identify and evaluate the risks associated with program activities and suggest appropriate action to control the risks
• Report program evaluation findings to the National Director and suggest proposition to improve JRS response
• Evaluate short and long-term needs for the program’s success and growth and ensure that these needs are being met

The National Program Officer is also responsible for all other tasks necessary to ensure the quality and timely achievement of projects, as requested by the Country Director.

Qualifications and experience:

• Higher training in political sciences, humanitarian development/aid or equivalent;
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar function and/or in the international cooperation sector;
• Experience managing humanitarian or development projects;
• Excellent sense of organization, management and planning;
• Mastery of the use of Word packages and another informatics
• Fluent in written and spoken English, good knowledge of written and spoken French;
• Knowledge of requirements and procedures for primary funders: UE, ECHO, UN Agencies, US Agencies;
• Strong reporting skills;
• Flexible and able to work in difficult work locations, under pressure and often under difficult conditions;
• Ability to work as part of a multi-cultural team;
• Respect of the values and mission of JRS;
• Advocacy capacities;
• Willing and able to travel in deep field conditions and locations.

How to apply

Anyone wishing to be part of the JRS talent pool for this National Program Officer profile is invited to send us their CV and cover letter within the required deadlines.

The CV must contain the names and professional email addresses of three (3) reference persons, including the direct supervisor and the HR Manager.

Any request that does not scrupulously respect these conditions will be systematically rejected.

Applications should be sent to the following address: waf.recruitment@jrs.net and with copy to alberto.huertas@jrs.net and patrick.etamesor@jrs.net

The deadline for receipt of applications is September 20, 2023 at 3:00 p.m., Cameroon time.

Only successful candidates will be contacted for a test and/or interview in the event of an official job opening for this position in the region.

Any file that is incomplete or sent beyond the deadline for receipt of files will be systematically rejected.

NB: Female candidates are encouraged.

Good luck to all of you!