Kenya: Project coordinator - ACRL

Project coordinator - ACRL

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Project Co-ordinator, Religious Leaders Peace Initiative for the Horn of Africa
Responsible to: Secretary General
Work Base: Nairobi and includes travel in the region
Contract: One year

PURPOSE:

The Christian – Muslim Leaders Peace Initiative on Somalia and the Horn of Africa was launched at the end of a Conference held in Dares-Salaam, Tanzania in February 2007. The objectives of the Religious Leaders Peace Initiative in the Horn of Africa are:

-To provide an impartial space to deliberate and chart out a coherent inter-faith approaches to peace building and conflict resolution in the Horn of Africa region;

-To facilitate an inter-faith response to conflicts and other relevant issues in the Horn of Africa region together with other partners by voicing the ethical, moral and spiritual values that must be the foundation of intra-state, regional and international relations;

-To enable religious leaders in the Horn of Africa region to develop and sustain active engagement in peace and security, human rights, justice, democracy and governance and socio-economic development through active accompaniment and engagement with peace building and conflict resolution processes; and

-To stimulate action for peace and justice in the Horn of Africa region through timely advocacy.

African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL) has established a project known as Religious Leaders Peace Initiative in the Horn of Africa (RL PIHA) and the position of a Project Co-ordinator. ACRL wishes therefore to recruit a suitable person for the position of a Project Co-ordinator.

Primary responsibilities:

Practical coordination of the planning, implementation and evaluation of programme activities, including:

Responsibility for ensuring that planned programme activities take place in a timely and efficient manner
organisation of and logistical support for quarterly field visits to the region;
ensuring preparation for field visits (i.e. partner and funder meetings) is carried out;
acting as a point of contact in the ACRL office during field visits;
following up on actions arising from the visits.

2. Liaison with programme partners:

acting as primary contact with all programme partners (working group members, funders, Contact Group) to update and inform on programme progress and issues arising
negotiating practical arrangements with local Religious Leaders for the field visits which form the core of the programme work;
regular communication by telephone and email with all Contact Group members, particularly around programme monitoring and ensuring programme documentation (including monitoring and progress reports) is collated, received, accurately recorded and shared with relevant actors;
attending meetings of core group and contact group members;

3. Monitoring progress against programme objectives:

Convening and participating actively in debriefing meetings following field visits to evaluate and record activities;
Facilitating the write up of debriefing meetings and reflective evaluation sessions, and ensuring continuity of learning for subsequent field visits;
Acting as point of contact for and supporting the funding partners;

4. Programme and funding reporting:

Compiling accurate and comprehensive field visit reports from submissions by local Programme Coordinators and field visit personnel, disseminating these as required;
Maintaining the funding reporting timetable for the project, submitting all these reports to funders in a timely fashion;
Promote and strengthen networking, information sharing and co-ordination

Manage Public Relations, Campaigns and advocacy activities

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Education and Professional Qualifications
Academic Qualifications
A Master Degree in social studies, international relations, conflict management and peace studies. Longer term experience may be considered in lieu of higher academic degree

Skills and experience required for this post include:

Essential:
At least 5 years experience work in related field
Leadership skills
Excellent organisational and management skills, including the ability to work on a number of tasks at once, and with tight deadlines
Strong writing skills, including the capacity to produce succinct reports
Ability to work independently
Systematic approach to making logistical arrangements, ability to be flexible and respond to last-minute plan changes
Inter-personal and communication skills - capacity to guide and support others to implement an agreed plan of action
Good interpersonal skills, including effective communication by email and telephone

Desirable:
Basic knowledge of the Horn Africa region
Knowledge and interest in inter-faith work
Some experience of working inter-faith organizations

Personal Qualities
Flexibility – ready to work in different environments and different cultures and faiths
Communication – ability to communicate with leaders and people at different levels of religious hierarchies
Stress management capacity

Language (s)
Excellent written and spoken English

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Contract: 12 months 2008-2009
Probationary period: 3 months

Starting date:
July 1st 2008

Applications
Please send covering letter and CV explaining your interest in the job to Secretary General, by email to or by fax or post to the address below

Secretary General
African Council of Religious Leaders
P.O.Box 76398-00508-Nairobi-kenya
Tel: + (254-20) 3862233, 3867879
Fax +(254-20) 3870183
Email: [email][email protected]
Website: www.acrl-rfp.org

Closing date for applications: 24th June 2008

Interviews
The dates for Interviews will be communicated to short listed candidates