Program Officer - ( MHPSS) at Kenya Red Cross Society

Job Summary:

The principal function of the project officer is to provide coordination and technical support of day-to-day implementation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) both in the context of emergencies and developmental. The officer will oversee the implementation of the project initiatives in close collaboration with the field teams in the respective Regions implementing MHPSS and SGBV.

Main Roles and Responsibilities:

General

• Support with MHPSS and SGBV interventions during both developmental and emergencies set up
• Follow up MHPSS and SGBV general situation in the country and counties to inform timely support
• Participate in MHPSS and SGBV national level stakeholder’s meetings
• Representation at national level health TWGs/meetings and share updates
• Contribute to documentation of the project lessons to enable learning for action.
• Resource mobilization for MHPSS and SGBV (both developmental and emergencies)

Technical support to project

• To support the overall implementation of the projects/interventions including reporting, financial management and monitoring in the various project sites.
• Support the day to day operations of the 1199 tele counselling centre and ensure adequate data quality is maintained in the Camp by ensuring accurate, complete and reliable datasets and reports
• Support project implementation in the various project sites and ensure it is effectively integrated with county health and development plans, systems and service delivery structures;
• Ensure that project volunteers and staff have necessary tools for implementation of the planned community work including relevant adapted IEC materials.
• Maintain budget and track expenditures/transactions
• Support the trained resource persons in the implementation of MHPSS and SGBV as per community assessments and action plans
• Continuously assess the skills and capacities of the project staff and volunteers to implement the project activities; organise and facilitate regular opportunities for volunteers to update their knowledge and skills e.g. through monthly / quarterly meetings
• Support in planning and conducting capacity building initiatives for volunteers, and CHVs to support implementation of project activities

• Support programmatic documentation of promising practices, case studies and lessons learnt for purposes of knowledge sharing and improvement in programming other implementing partners

Quality assurance

• Ensure that project plans and budget reflect the actual situation in implementation and suggest adjustments when necessary
• Ensure compliance of project to relevant KRCS and MoH policies, strategies and standards.
• Review and consolidate periodic progress and annual reports showing achievements against planned targets as well as providing justification for performance variance and areas of improvement
• Encourage and seek opportunities for community participation in monitoring and demanding for quality health services.

Program Monitoring and Evaluation

• Participate in the development and implementation of the project M&E strategy.
• Ensure proper documentation of innovative approaches and best practices for dissemination and sharing experiences to promote.
• Monitor and evaluate implementation of programme activities to identify gaps, constraints and challenges that should be taken into account in order to develop and implement more innovative and integrated programming for each target population.
• Ensure proper management and accountability of funds in line with financial and budgetary policies and procedures
• Provide technical support on program and M&E initiatives, including monitoring data quality, tracking the progress of activities, proper data collection, data verification and audits and storage; and ensure timely feedback to enhance data quality and reliability.
• Conduct monthly review and verification of the reports from the projects timely development of reports and analysis of results to incorporate lessons learnt into recommendations into the programme.
• Monitor project implementation to ensure timely and quality implementation of project vis-à-vis approved work plans, target and contracts and organize periodic joint grant review performance review meetings
• Ensure realization of verifiable and full reporting for all contract deliverables and the project realizes full contract compliance in relation to M&E functions

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters in clinical psychology or counselling psychology or any other relevant field.  
• Relevant post-graduate qualification in Community, or equivalent qualifications with certificate in project management
• Work experience of over three (4) years in both MHPSS and SGBV related programs
• Additional experience in Health programs will be an added advantage.

Key Competencies

• Strong experience in MHPSS and SGBV programming, management, trends and goals at national and regional levels aimed at preventing and managing MHPSS and SGBV issues
• Demonstrated technical experience in project planning and budgeting as well as programme monitoring and evaluation 
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills including ability to build collaborative relationships with sensitivity to cultural, ethnic and political issue
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, data-base, email and utilization of the internet

Kenya Red Cross Society is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitmentKenya Red Cross Society is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge / accept any amount or security deposit from job seekers during the selection process or while inviting candidates for an interview.