Description of Saferworld
Background:
Saferworld is an independent international organisation working to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives. We work with people affected by conflict to improve their safety and sense of security, and conduct wider research and analysis. We use this evidence and learning to improve local, national and international policies and practices that can help build lasting peace. Our priority is people – we believe in a world where everyone can lead peaceful, fulfilling lives, free from fear and insecurity. We are a not-for-profit organisation operational across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and in policy/advocacy locations in Beijing, Brussels, London, and Washington DC.
The success of our organisation’s mission depends on people. Capitalising on what is unique about individuals and drawing on their different perspectives and experiences will add value to the way we work. Saferworld is committed to the principles of equality of opportunity for all and seeks to promote a positive approach to equality and diversity and within the scope of the relevant legislation, to have a workforce and working environment that is free of discrimination, prejudice, stereotyping, harassment, victimisation and undignified behaviour. We oppose all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination
Across Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda, there are intersecting challenges of: violent conflict which leads to insecurity and loss of life; patriarchal structures which increase women’s risk of gender-based violence and exclude them from decision-making; and climate change which has reduced access to arable land and to water, created biodiversity loss, and heightened food insecurity. In response to this, Saferworld and seven local partners will intervene to strengthen locally-led solutions to intersecting peace, gender, and climate challenges in the borderlands of Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan.
Saferworld in Kenya:
Saferworld has been working in Kenya since 2000 at national, sub-national and community levels. We work with a range of civil society and governmental partners to transform policies and practices so that they support peace and security. Over the past 20 years, we have contributed to positive change in the areas of community security, election violence, resource-based/climate related conflicts, conflict-sensitive development and investment, small arms and light weapons control, and police reform. We take a people-centred approach to tackling issues that cause insecurity. Core approaches underpinning our work include conflict sensitivity, gender sensitivity and working across multiple levels. This means advocating at a national level, based on programme experience, and making sure that the diverse voices of the people we work with in different counties and contexts are included.
From February 2024, Saferworld will lead a Consortium consisting of local NGOs from Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda as part of a project named “Strengthening Locally-led solutions to intersecting peace, gender and climate change challenges in the borderlands of Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda”. The overall objective of the project is to enhance human security and gender equality by addressing transboundary conflict and the effects of climate change through strengthening locally-led solutions to intersecting peace, gender, and climate challenges across the three countries.
Job Purpose:
The Project Assistant will support the implementation of the Strengthening locally-led solutions to intersecting peace, gender and climate change challenges in the borderlands of Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda Project
Working with the Project Coordinator and county-based partners, s/he will provide support for the preparation of work plans, budgets, and activity reports. With support from the Project Coordinator the post holder will also be responsible for day-to-day programme monitoring and documentation activities including regular follow up with the partners to ensure timely documentation of relevant data and updating of relevant monitoring tools to support reporting and programme review.
Key areas of responsibilities:
Activity Planning, Implementation
- Support planning, and implementation of the programme activities.
- Assist the Project Coordinator with key programme activities such as realistic scheduling of programme activities, drafting internal/donor reports, forecasting budgets and cash flows and regular monitoring of expenditure.
- Work with colleagues in making logistical arrangements for programme activities including logistical support for workshops and other meetings and organising project-related travel arrangements as assigned by the Project Coordinator.
- Assist in developing programmes and delivery of needs-based training and other support activities related to the project.
- Support linkages and coordination of activities between Saferworld partners and project staff in the counties of implementation.
- Participate in, and contribute to, quarterly and other scheduled programme performance review meetings.
Financial Management (Forecasting and reporting)
- Support partners with expenditure forecasting and preparing monthly funds request for project expenditure in line with Saferworld’s financial procedures.
- Support the Finance Officer in developing expenditure requests.
- Support the Project Coordinator in the documentation of ‘success stories’ and other documented information to demonstrate results/impact of programme activities and contribute to outcome harvesting and lesson learning.
Partner support
- Work with partners in developing monthly activity plans and scheduling activities in coordination with World Vision teams in the target counties.
- Support the Finance Officer to review partner activity matrices and monthly budgets for ease of executing funding requests.
- Work closely with partners in organising and facilitating meetings, workshops and seminars with stakeholders including government representatives and civil society organisations;
- Work closely with partners to ensure quality activity and monthly reports are developed including proper documentation of all project processes (narrative, photography and videography).
- Support the Project Coordinator in ensuring compliance with key Saferworld and donor requirements and in particular safeguarding and required consent for all relevant documentation.
Communications and Advocacy
- Contribute in developing appropriate strategies for advocacy with partners.
- Support the Project Coordinator in documenting updates for internal news.
- Compile a photo library for all project photos.
- Maintain up-to-date files and records of project documentation and upload of reports and otherdocuments in the ADA folder in theKenya SharePoint folder.
Administrative, Financial and Logistical support to the Project team focusing on the achievement of the following results:
- Submission of proper supporting documents for requests for payments and filling of documents in the required formats and standards.
- Maintenance of required administrative records – e.g. Time sheets/attendance sheets, leave reports, travel documents, etc.
- Arrangements of travel and hotel reservations, preparation of travel authorizations, identity cards and other documents for the programme team.
- Administrative, secretarial and logistical support to conduct of meetings, conferences, workshops and training programmes.
- Assistance in the preparation & submission of required technical reports.
- Maintenance of the filing system ensuring safekeeping of confidential material.
- Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor
Key Working Relationships:
Colleagues in the Kenya programme and Nairobi Office – Maintain a good working relationship,
communication and working collaboratively on programme implementation, monitoring, assessment and reporting.
Partner Organisations – Working collaboratively to effectively deliver programme activities, monitor progress and supporting demand-driven capacity strengthening activities.
Project Coordinator – Working together in planning, delivery and monitoring of ADA project activities.
Colleagues in the finance team both in country and at the Global Level – working collaboratively on budgeting, compliance and financial reporting.
County/ National Government authorities and other external stakeholders including donors – Liaise with relevant Kenya National and County government officials and maintain relationships with key INGOs/CSOs and strategic networks in the project counties to enhance networking, sharing information, collaborative working as appropriate
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION:
Knowledge and experience
- University degree in Peace and development, conflict studies, international relations or any relevant field with 2-3 years relevant work experience.
- Hands-on experience working with communities on peace and/or governance issues with a government, local authority or non– governmental organisation.
- A good understanding of peace and governance issues in Kenya. An understanding of the contextual dynamics of Kenya particularly the pastoralist areas will be an added advantage.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and use of internet for research.
Skills
- Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people and local communities in carrying out activities.
- Disciplined self-starter who regularly sets and achieves work goal
- Good communication skills, written and oral and ability to relate sensitively to diverse groups.
- Self-driven and willingness to learn including ability to seek and apply knowledge, information and best practices.
Other
Willingness to travel to various locations, work extended periods in the field in support of programme implementation and interact effectively with partners.
Commitment to and compliance with Saferworld’s safeguarding principles.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Probation: There will be a probationary period of three months
APPLICATION PROCESS:
To apply: Send your CV and a covering letter addressing the person specification and why you feel your experience matches the requirements of the role tojobs@saferworld.org.uk Ref: ADA PA.
Recruitment will be undertaken on a rolling basis
Saferworld is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Saferworld does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process.
Deadline for applications: 22 December 2023
