Project Officer- Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding

About DRC   
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental and non-profit organization, founded in 1956, that works in more than 35 countries around the world. DRC is one of the largest protection actors in Kenya, actively coordinating and advocating for improving the protective environment for refugees and host communities.  DRC implements Protection monitoring, Child Protection and GBV prevention and response programmes in its areas of operation to address protection issues faced by displaced and non-displaced at-risk groups and individuals. The programme also aims to identify and build synergies with DRC´s Economic Recovery sector to facilitate durable solutions and Humanitarian Disarmament & Peace Building activities to enhance to respond to the needs of communities affected by acute crisis as well as those in protracted displacement situations.

Overall purpose of the role: 
The Project Officer will support the effective delivery of the Danida SPA Karamoja project ‘Strengthening cross border cooperation between Kenya and Uganda” and will be responsible for the regular day-to-day implementation, documentation, and operations of project. The Project Officer provides support to the planning, implementation, and delivery of the project, and provide technical expertise, coordination, and monitoring of the overall program. The Project Officer will work closely with the Area Manager, HDP team Leader, and HDP Manager and partners to ensure delivery of key project deliverables.
Duties & Responsibilities: Responsibilities:
Project Management and Development:

• Contribute to the implementation of the DRC-HDP strategy for Kenya, with a focus on initiatives in border areas of the Karamoja cluster;
• Work with the HDP team Leader in coordinating work with partners to deliver timely and high-quality activities, including training, consultation, research, and analysis.
• Ensure the delivery of training, including designing, facilitating, or co-facilitating where necessary.
• Build and maintain strong relations with staff in partner organizations Implementing Karamoja cross-border project
• Ensure timely completion of internal reporting requirements and contribute to the completion of donor reports
• Contribute to the development and regular revision of project work plans for DRC HDP staff and partners.
• Monitor project budgets on a monthly basis in coordination with colleagues to ensure optimum expenditure of funds and timely and accountable financial reporting by local partner.
• Support cross-border community groups, local CSOs, and cross-border local authorities to come up with strategies of enhancing cross-border cooperation between Kenya and Uganda.
• Represent the project in relevant networks and forums, contributing to increased visibility and collaboration opportunities.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation:

• Ensure Tracking of learning and documenting success stories of border interventions
• Ensure that internal activity reports are consistently done in a timely manner and meet the expected standard, based on agreed formats and schedules; 
• Timely submit weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports to the HDP team leader and Meal coordinator 
• In collaboration with the HDP Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Coordinator, monitor the impact of DRC HDP work in the Karamoja cluster and participate in regular debriefings and lesson-learning sessions with DRC and Partners.
• Ensure critical project reflection and reviews take place regularly to inform decision-making, and that learning informs the wider DRC community of practice.
• Maintain a database of project outcomes.
• Coordinate staff and donor monitoring visits and evaluations as appropriate
• Contribute to cross-organizational learning and sharing, including drafting pieces for the weekly internal news.
• Ensure effective communication of project activities, results, and lessons learned within the DRC-HDP sector including contributing to organizational outcome harvesting 
• Identify and address capacity gaps within the partner organizations, developing and implementing capacity-building initiatives.

Coordination & Partnerships:

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with project partners.
• Contribute to the strengthening of DRC HDP coordination with other civil society organizations, and national and international peacebuilding actors in Kenya.
• Represent DRC external meetings, and promote lessons learned from the organization.
• Represent DRC in County Steering Committee and County peace forums Meetings

Experience and technical competencies: 

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in the field of conflict/security issues and peacebuilding 
• Experience in project management and delivery including planning, budget administration, and donor reporting 
• Experience in working with a team and ensuring strong teamwork and morale 
• Strong knowledge of and experience working in the northern Kenya region.
• Experience in implementing programs in conflict-prone and insecure areas 
• Knowledge of the Core Humanitarian Standards is desirable  
• High degree of computer literacy 
• Willingness to live and work in Turkana, including travel to locations on the Kenya-Uganda border 
• Strong coordination, representation, and interpersonal skills.
• Most preferably a resident of the region. 

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Peace Studies, Conflict Management, Social Studies, or closely field-related work experience Language:
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in local spoken languages

Key stakeholders: 

Internal

• Programme staff
• Support Services staff

External

• Relevant stakeholders – Community leaders, Local/Sub-county administration, NGOs/INGOs and police services.
• Local partner implementing the project

About you:  
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:  

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.   
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.   
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.   
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.   
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.   

Conditions  

• Contract: 11 months contract with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment. 
• Availability: February, 2024
• Duty station: Lodwar

Application and CV:  
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.  DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. Please remember to upload both a letter of application and your CV and do not attach any written recommendations.  
Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 2nd February, 2024

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels.  In light of this, Female candidates and are strongly encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer.  We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees.  We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, color, race, marital status or other protected characteristics.  
DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process. Visit drc.ngo to read more about what we do to secure robust safeguarding mechanisms. 
If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.