Organizational context
The Jesuit Refugee Service ( JRS ) is a ministry of the Society of Jesus, constituted as an international non-governmental organization whose mission is to accompany, to serve and defend the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced persons. The organization was founded in November 1980 and is now present in more than 58 countries. The JRS provides services at national and regional levels with the support and advice of an International Bureau ( BI ) in Rome. The JRS service style is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term well-being of refugees and displaced persons while failing to neglect their immediate or urgent needs.
The main services provided are in the areas of education, emergency assistance, mental health and psychosocial support, livelihoods and pastoral support. Currently, more than one and a half million people directly benefit from JRS projects around the world.
Operational / Role Context
In Burundi, as part of its refugee program, the JRS works in five ( 5 ) Congolese refugee camps ( Kinama, Musasa, Kavumu, Bwagiriza and Nyankanda ) in the provinces of Ruyigi and Muyinga, and in urban areas ( Bujumbura and Rumonge ). Its areas of intervention include education, economic empowerment, psychosocial, protection, reintegration and reconciliation. JRS also intervenes in the context of the reintegration of Burundians repatriated from Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC in the provinces of Kirundo, Muyinga, Ruyigi, Makamba, Cibitoke, Bujumbura Mairie, Rumonge, Cankuzo and Rutana. It operates through four ( 04 ) different intervention sectors: education, empowerment, psychosocial support and social cohesion.
In Tanzania, JRS is present in Kigoma Province with a main office in the city of Kibondo and a sub-office in the city of Kasulu. JRS works in Tanzania with Burundian and Congolese refugees in the camps of Nduta and Nyarugusu and is involved in the field of’education and psychosocial.
Under the supervision of the Regional Director, the National Director is responsible for all JRS activities in the country. The incumbent will manage a team of professionals, including, but not limited to, national office officials (finance, human resources, program, supply chain management) who, with the national director, constitute the national management team (Country Management Team – CMT), as well as the project managers.
The National Director will ensure the effective and efficient management of the JRS national office while respecting and implementing JRS processes and guidelines. He/she will provide strategic vision and leadership for national programs and will be responsible for designing and delivering quality programs, donor and government relations, and, fund raising and budget management, safety, security and operations management, compliance and risk management, and, as well as setting up a motivated and professional team.
As a member of the regional management team, he / she will contribute to strategic development and the implementation of international programming, in humanitarian and development contexts, in accordance with the JRS mandate, strategy and theory of change.
The national director will work in close collaboration and in interface with the departments of the regional office ( RO ) and the international office ( International Office – IO ) and will greatly contribute to the development of the direction of the East African region.
Priorities
• Strong leadership
• Strategic planning in line with the JRS strategic framework
• (Well-being and management of personnel in accordance with the protection policy of the personnel of JRS
• Management of Finance and Compliance in accordance with JRS policies and procedures
• Mobilization and allocation of resources in the country
• All the activities in the country, the staff and the management team of the country (CMT)
• Implement programmes and advocacy actions in line with the national strategy, operational plans, budgets and requirements of JRS affiliates, and, that have a significant impact on refugees and displaced persons.
Main Responsibilities
In collaboration with the Regional Director :
The Leadership:
Internal :
• Establish a common vision of the activities of the organization and remain faithful to it
• Cultivate positive relationships and work environments.
• Make sure staff motivation through mutual respect, opportunities for professional development and participation in project planning.
• Ensure an appropriate level of communication with staff at all levels.
• ensure that staff can properly represent the organization by equipping it with knowledge of the JRS vision and mission, as well as the strategic plan of the region.
• Creating an environment of continuous learning, in which staff are encouraged and supported in their growth and development and are ready to report on their commitments
External :
• Cultivate positive working relationships and develop partnerships with other NGOs, UNHCR and other UN agencies, host governments, etc. for better coordination at programme level.
• Cultivate positive and collaborative relationships with bilateral and multilateral donors, the Catholic Church and other key stakeholders to ensure the financial stability of the national office
• To ensure a positive perception of the presence of JRS in Burundi and Tanzania.
• develop partnerships and collaborations with external actors, including national NGOs, the private sector and academic institutions.
• 2 To ensure the improvement of the visibility of JRS programmes in the country.
Strategic Planning:
In full compliance with the country’s humanitarian guidelines, the JRS strategic framework and programmatic policies and procedures.
• Direct the development and implementation of the national strategy
• Ensure that the strategic vision and direction of the national programme is aligned with JRS global and regional strategies, and ensure the necessary resources for their implementation.
• Ensure effective strategic collaboration with all stakeholders, including beneficiaries, other NGOs and donors at national and subnational levels, in order to ensure mutual learning and influence to increase the impact of programme investments.
• Maintain a strategic supervision of the needs of the people served, open/close and increase/reduce projects accordingly.
Personnel Management:
• Supervise the management, supervision and development of national and international staff in order to constitute a team of competent, committed and motivated collaborators.
• Supervise, train, supervise and guide direct collaborators, in particular by communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives and providing regular and constructive feedback on performance.
• Ensure that human resource needs are fully identified, assessed, described and communicated.
• Recruit for key positions with the help of the country’s human resources manager and the human resources department of the international office.
• 2. Ensure the implementation of the guidelines and policies in the field of human resources
• Ensure that staff are provided with adequate rest and relaxation and that their well-being is taken into account.
• Promote and monitor the care and well-being of staff. To set an example of practices that reconcile work and private life. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified needs for staff care, both nationally and internationally.
• TEnsure that the emergency preparedness and response plan and safety guidelines are regularly updated and implemented in all workplaces on the terrain.
• 3. Ensure that issues relating to human resources are addressed and taken into account seriously.
• TTo ensure that two child protection officers and two focal points of the PSEAH are in place at all times and to ensure that all mechanisms for reporting and responding to child protection are in place identified cases are functional
• Manage the policy and safeguard systems at the national level
Financial Supervision:
• It shall propose an annual budget to the regional director and ensure that resources and expenditure are monitored in a timely manner in accordance with the relevant control mechanisms.
• Watch up on the quality, efficiency and transparency of the planning, use and communication of the financial tools made available to JRS programmes.
• Supports the annual accounting audits, the quarterly review and the annual accounting audits.
• To ensure that the procurement policy is put in place and complied with.
• Actively monitors and reports on company risk profiles, ensuring that they are in line with policies, and, finance and logistics processes and procedures.
Mobilization of funds in the country
• Investigate and exploit funding opportunities at the national level in order to expand the activities of the project.
• In coordination with the regional director, the director of programs and innovation and the director of communication and development of the international office, participate in fundraising activities for projects in the country.
Advocacy and Communication
• ensure an appropriate degree of information sharing at all levels.
• Between positive working relations with all JRS partners and humanitarian actors, and in particular with the Catholic Church and the Jesuit provinces.
• Sensitize the public to JRS contributions to their communities. Ensure advocacy at the national level and with international organizations, national/local authorities, donors and all other stakeholders.
• Develop and share learning on the implementation of the CRRF for the national programme and the organisation/sector at large.
Activities related to the Project
The National Director of JRS is responsible for
• Co-ordinate all programs and provide strategic direction.
• Lead the national office team and ensure that staff are responsive and provide quality services.
• In close collaboration with the national team, frequently go to the projects to evaluate the programs.
• liaise with the CO programmes bordering the JRS in order to optimise cross-border collaboration.
• Lead teams by ensuring that programs are designed and can be implemented in hard-to-reach areas.
• Supervise the development of appropriate new strategies that will ensure new pathways of impact on a large scale, including the integration of technology, media and institution building.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
• A graduate degree in management, political science, law, international development or another related discipline. An undergraduate degree with solid field experience will be considered in lieu of a higher degree.
• 7 At least seven (7) years of experience in increasing responsibilities within personal service organizations, and, ideally in humanitarian or development organizations with a strong background in human rights and/or faith.
• Experience in the development and management of projects, in working with refugees and/or in defending the interests of forcibly displaced persons is a particular advantage.
• At least 4 years of experience in management functions. A job or collaboration with the Catholic Church (at the parish, diocese or episcopal conference level) in a leadership role is an additional asset.
• Demonstrated evidence of leadership in a professional setting/humanitarian intervention with the ability to think strategically, motivate others, create new projects, and, to solve problems and be part of a multi-cultural and multi-faith team.
• proven results in the management of the organization, the preparation and management of the budget and the general coordination of the office.
• Proven ability to raise funds.
• Proof of an entrepreneurial spirit.
• Proven ability to capture the impact and lessons learned from operations and integrate them into new programs.
• Knowledge and / or familiarity with key concepts and current trends in forced migration and the challenges faced by forcibly displaced persons.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen, communicate effectively, negotiate and work creatively with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds: beneficiaries, government officials, church leaders and refugee groups, among others.
• Proven results in improving the working context of a larger organization or sector through deliberate influence strategies.
• Experience in representing an organization or humanitarian context to the press and/or media, as well as integrating the use of new and traditional media in making an impact.
• To demonstrate flexibility, resilience and the ability to maintain positive relationships and keep your cool.
Languages
• Excellent command of written and oral English and French; professional knowledge of a language spoken in the region is desirable.
Required skills and competencies
• Very good pastoral sense and listening and communication/interpersonal abilities ;
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, capable of persuasively articulating the JRS message and impact to external audiences.
• strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multicultural, international and energetic professional environment.
• Proven experience and commitment in working with marginalized communities.
• strong analytical, strategic thinking and planning skills.
• ability to innovate in a changing environment, to promote creativity and innovation within the organization.
• Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision.
• Decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Experience in managing unsecured environments
• Influence
• Understanding and commitment to humanitarian aid and international humanitarian standards.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office software.
• Knowledge of the Jesuit network is an asset.
• Willingness to work and reach refugees in difficult environments.
• Set ambitious and stimulating goals for himself and for the team, take responsibility for their own personal development and encourage the team to do the same.
• Solid track record in building high-performing teams and future successors/managers.
• Experience in driving change within an organization that has resulted in significant results for the organization and its stakeholders.
• Experience of building personal networks at a high level, allowing to obtain new opportunities for the organization.
Required core values
• Good understanding and compatibility with JRS values ;
• Commitment to the mission, vision and values of the JRS ; ability to transmit enthusiastically the role of JRS in the accompaniment and service of forcibly displaced persons and to defend their right to protection and to a life in dignity.
• Makes itself responsible for making decisions, managing resources effectively, achieving results with children and respecting JRS values.
• responsibilizes the team and partners to assume their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to act in the best way possible, offering them the necessary development to improve their performance and applying the appropriate consequences when the results are not achieved
• Creating a managerial environment in the country to lead, enable and maintain the culture of JRS.
• High integrity, honesty and confidentiality; ability to deal with people, situations and information with tact and discretion.
• Agit always in the interest of refugees
• L’acceptation de la diversité et de l’inclusion en tant que valeur fondamentale ;
• Renforcer les moyens d’action et la confiance
Voyage
• Le poste nécessite des déplacements réguliers sur les sites du JRS.