Operational Manager Vacancy - Handicap International

Position: Operational Manager

Responsible to: Field Coordinator

Location: Dadaab Refugee Camp (Garissa)

Family Status: Non Family duty Station

Closing Date: 10th June, 2010

The Organization

Handicap International is an INGO specialising in the field of disability and development. A strong emphasis is placed on empowering people with disabilities through their integration into mainstream development activities and the provision of appropriate health and rehabilitation services to ensure equal opportunities for all.

HI began its operations in 1992 as an emergency support programme in Garissa (North Eastern Province). Currently, HI is operating a medical referral project for refugees in this region in partnership with the UNHCR. HIV and AIDS activities are also being provided for the local community.

Rehabilitation project in Dadaab refugee camp:

Dadaab Refugee Camps, located in Garissa district, are the main settlement for Somali refugees, with a total population of 170,000 refugees, with a recent new influx1 due to the latest political events and severe drought in the southern parts of Somalia. To date some basic services have been developed to meet the refugees with disability needs.

UNHCR, CARE International and other implementing partners working in Dadaab refugee camps raised a concern about the critical situation of the refugees with disability and scarce services provided to them. Therefore, UNHCR solicited Handicap International to support and contribute to develop initiatives towards disabled refugees in Dadaab camps.

An assessment carried out by HI from in February 2007 defined HI intervention with focus in two main areas:

1. To develop access to adequate rehabilitation services for persons with disability, with particular attention to be paid to technical aids and prosthetic production and rehabilitation and counselling services for children with intellectual disability and/or cerebral palsy; and
2. To facilitate access to humanitarian aid and community development for persons with disability, through information sharing, counselling and sensitization of staff andage ncies in charge of food distribution, sheltering, health, watsan and construction works, education, community development services and livelihood, etc.

The Position

Under the supervision of the Field Coordinator, the Operational Manager, while utilizing the project strategy and project annual action plan will manage the daily implementation of the physical rehabilitation and disability mainstreaming activities as implemented by a large team of incentive staff.

1 According to UNHCR, more than 32,000 new refugees arrived in Kenya in 2006

He/she will be responsible for :-

• Coordinating the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the activities as per the action plan with reference to the project documents (approved proposals and budgets)
• Supervising and empowering the Mainstreaming Officer to support implementation of activities by the incentive team by

1. Ensuring training materials and resources/manuals are well developed in collaboration with Technical coordination unit (TCU)
2. Ensuring capacity building of mainstreaming incentive staff.
3. Supporting the Mainstreaming Officer to plays a facilitative role amongst various players in mainstreaming disability i.e. community and service providers.

• Strengthening/empowering the Incentive team in their management capacities in each camp by

1. Ensuring adequate human resource structure is in place and clarify responsibilities (JDs) when needed.
2. Conducting performance appraisal of the three senior camp supervisors and addressing developmental gaps identified in the process.
3. Organizing regular capacity development sessions/meetings with the Incentive staff in management positions to share on management issues and challenges.
4. Network with other relevant partners either within or outside Dadaab for experience sharing.

• Ensure regular and strong data collection and reporting system is in place for the services provided to the refugees by the incentive team.

Qualifications and skills required:

Knowledge required : Essential

• BA Sociology
• A plus Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management or Community Development
• 4 years practical experience

Skills required: Essential

• Strong leadership and managerial skills
• Excellent Written and oral communication skills
• Computer literate
• Team player

Knowledge required : Desirable

• Experience in disability
• Experience working in refugee set up and preferably in Somali context

Skills required: Desirable

• Diplomacy and adaptation
• Creative
• Good Interpersonal skills

If you feel you are the right candidate for this position, kindly send your application along with an up-to-date CV(including 3 referees their current contacts and email addresses) by email to the Programme Human Resources Officer: hrofficer@handicap-international.or.ke so as to reach on or before 10th June, 2010 5.00pm.

The email subject line should be marked: “Application for Operational Manager -DDB Position”

Do not send your academic and other testimonials they will be requested at a later stage.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Any kind of lobbying on behalf of applicants or canvassing will lead to immediate disqualification.

Handicap International is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Females and Persons with Disabilities are encouraged to apply