Governance and System Strengthening Coordinator at International Rescue Committee

Requisition ID: req24523

Job Overview/Summary: The IRC seeks a Governance and system strengthening coordinator to lead efforts to integrate system strengthening approaches across sectors in Kenya to amplify the work done to enable change at varying levels, from better access to services and inclusive services within communities, to improved refugee-related policies and more targeted and effective service delivery from national, regional, and global actors. This will require expertise in strengthening the ability of people affected by conflict and crisis to have a voice in how decisions are made in their communities; enabling governments, civil society organizations, community representatives, and the IRC to respond to their voices and provide effective and inclusive services; and promoting communications between leaders and the people they represent so that actions are meaningful and lasting. As such, the role will be responsible for providing technical expertise in systems strengthening, local governance, community engagement, conflict-sensitivity, government and Civil Society engagement and peacebuilding. This position will be based in Nairobi and report to the Country Director. The ideal candidate for this position should have strong knowledge and experience in local governance, systems strengthening, civil society strengthening, peacebuilding/social cohesion and civic engagement. 

Major Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Support in the design of an integrated governance and system strengthening strategy in support of the CP SAP-IP
• Support the various country programs in conducting context, political economy, and conflict analysis to identify promising entry points and better inform program design and implementation.
• Provide technical leadership and oversee the design and implementation of local governance, systems strengthening, civil society strengthening, peacebuilding/social cohesion, and civic engagement.
• Contribute to development of knowledge and capacity in the country office around systems strengthening, civil society strengthening, social accountability, conflict-sensitivity and other related governance themes and support the integration of those themes into sectoral programs.
• Liaise regularly with technical advisors from the Governance Unit on proposal development, programming and implementation approaches.

Programme Growth & Technical Oversight

• Lead and oversee proposals development within the Governance and system strengthening sector, including through designing, and writing quality proposals, while supporting program development within other sectors and through partners by integrating governance approaches in proposals and projects where relevant. 
• Provide technical oversight to the implementation of governance and system strengthening projects by supporting the implementation teams with developing their implementation strategies, procedures, work plans and donor requirements to achieve project deliverables.
• Manage and provide technical support to program staff, including through regular field visits, and develop their capacity through adequate training, mentoring, and technical support in strengthening programming across all contexts
• Assist in the development of annual program budgets and spending plans; provide technical support to the partners and field teams for the program’s budget management; and work with the grants unit to ensure all program activities are implemented in compliance with IRC and donor requirements.
• Provide technical support toward integration of governance and system strengthening indicators into project M&E frameworks and use of context and conflict-sensitivity indicators working closely with the MEAL team.
• Ensure the integration of gender equality, diversity, and inclusion into programs.

Coordination and Networking

• Represent IRC Kenya in external governance related forums; actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in Kenya including government actors, donors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs; identify advocacy areas in consultation with the country management.
• Organize regular check-ins with other technical teams to identify challenges and provide support for integrated programming.
• Coordinate with other programs to strengthen joint planning and implementation of projects, ensure integration across sectors, and enhance program implementation.
• Coordinate with the Feedback & Compliant Response Mechanism team to strengthen quality of implementation and eventually client feedback and responsiveness. 

Reporting Line: Country Director

Working relationship:  Governance Unit, Grants, Technical Coordinators for programs, ProL, Operations and other support functions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in development, Policy, Governance, Economics, Public Administration, Business Administration, Law or Social Science or equivalent
• Minimum 5 years of experience in developing, managing, and coordinating governance programs in humanitarian or development settings preferably with an INGO
• Previous experience and capacity to conduct Political Economy and Conflict Analysis, engage Civil society and Government ministries.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong program management skills, including assessment, planning, budgeting, and monitoring skills.
• Strong track record in working in partnership with governments and civil society at various levels and diverse organizational stakeholders, developing and implementing appropriate and targeted learning and capacity sharing activities.
• Technical skills in local governance, systems strengthening, civil society strengthening, gender equality, peacebuilding/social cohesion, and civic engagement.
• Demonstrated strong proposal and report writing skills.
• Solid knowledge of standards for the technical area/field, operational processes and work and task flow.
• Ability to work with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams
• Excellence in oral and written communication skills in English. Knowledge in spoken Swahili will be an added advantage
• Good organizational, interpersonal, time and people management skills.
• Relevant computer software skills (including, at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office)
• Ability to plan work and work with minimal supervision and without compromising on deadlines or quality.