Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against impossible odds. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided $1 billion in assistance to people in 82 nations.
Supported by headquarters offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, the agency's unified global programs employ 3,500 staff worldwide and reach 9 million people in more than 40 countries. Over the last five years, more than 90 percent of the agency's resources have been allocated directly to programs that help people in need.
Mercy Corps Kenya is currently responding to the drought by increasing access to affordable water in Wajir County, northeast Kenya.
The Emergency Drought Response in Northeastern, Kenya will provide immediate emergency, rebuild the livelihoods of target communities and build the capacity of local organizations involved in the implementation of the program.
The proposed program integrates the principles of response to immediate needs, restoration of livelihoods, and capacity building for long-term recovery.
We are currently recruiting for qualified candidates to fill the following positions which will be based in Wajir. Candidates from Wajir are highly recommended to apply for the positions.
1) Human Resources / Administration Officer
General Position Summary:
Provide oversight to the management of human resources for Mercy Corps programming in Wajir, Northern Kenya; Assist in the achievement of MC program objectives with the facilitation of
recruitment, remuneration and staff development issues in the Human Resource Development. Execute all functions of General Office Management
Essential Job Functions:
Human Resources- Assist MC management in Wajir in facilitating the smooth flowing of routine, administrative work of the Mercy Corps office and program support operations;
- Ensure the smooth, uninterrupted implementation of all MC HR and administration policies;
- Assist management in facilitating the adherence to Mercy Corps administrative and HR procedures and staff policies by support staff. Provide training and guidance to support staff, as needed;
- Prepare, update and track needed changes in staff files including employment contracts, timesheets, leave system tracking, and other personnel matters as required.
- Responsible for tracking annual/sick leave days as per Mercy Corps Kenya policy. Ensuring all leave days are reflected on the leave tracking sheet
- Maintain appropriate records and ensure confidentiality regarding personnel activities and personnel data including employment documentation, evaluations, exit interviews and other relevant information. Periodically audit and archive or destroy dated information, including employee and applicant files, in accordance with national law.
- Coordinate and participate in orientation of new staff with respect to HR policies and procedures, including remuneration, benefits, and the organizational “work ethic”.
- Coordinate paperwork for temporary/service contracted employees in compliance with MC polices & Kenyan Labour Laws
- Ensure supervisors get monthly update on staff leave balance before they approve any leave, where needed, monthly post leave balance so that staffs know their accrued leave days.
- Collect completed employee timesheets as per Mercy Corps policy, submit to finance and retain copies in staff personal files.
- Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
- In consultation with Head of Office assist in providing Position Descriptions to hiring of staff for recruitment of new positions;
- Assist management in the day to day upholding of all MC procedures – in particular, National Staff Polices and Recruitment Procedures;
- Adherence to all MC policies and procedures as outlined in MC policies and procedure manual
- Develop, implement and administer department goals and objectives. Evaluate departmental performance in relation to established goals and budget.
- Keep abreast with current and changing HR-related laws, policies and “best practices” to ensure that current and future personnel policies, employment practices, and compensation packages are within Mercy corps Policies as well as national laws.
- Implement and evaluate the national staff Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. Recommend new or needed changes to existing personnel policies and practices to senior management.
- Develop, implement and administer effective human resource programs including recruitment, orientation, performance evaluation, career development, training, diversity training, risk management and safety programs.
- Conduct wage and salary surveys, classify positions, create compensation ranges and prepare position descriptions. Coordinate and monitor employee compensation and benefit packages for aptness, equitability and affordability, and to ensure consistency and equity within the organization and appropriate comparability with peer organizations.
- Monitor employee concerns, complaints, and counseling needs and coordinate internal investigations and hearings with appropriate personnel and management.
- Maintain and report employee statistical data, as requested.
Office Management
- Ensure all aspect of property management is taken care of in a timely fashion. This includes but does not limit to maintaining adequate records of property lease agreements, maintenance of all MC properties and utilities in Wajir district. Ensure high standard functionality and general cleanliness of MC properties.
- Establish and maintain appropriate filing systems for office correspondence.
- Responsible for maintaining supply of all admin documents and making them available for all MC Nairobi staff;
- Responsible for maintaining contact sheet for MC Wajir Office as well as the Constant Companion (ensuring all contact details are updated and distributed to MC staff and visitors upon request;
- Establish and maintain appropriate filing systems for office correspondence.
- Responsible for hotel and guest house booking reservations for both visiting staffs and consultants.
- In charge of managing, control, purchase of office supplies and monitor usage
- Ensure all communication and office equipments are well-maintained and serviced if required. Maintain copies of all utility and service providers’ invoices/records.
- Ensure that the office is run in a professional and responsible manner including hosting guests and general contact and liaison with outside agencies
- Serve as focal point in IT related matters.
- Keep updated records of general inventory of MC Wajir, this excludes the MC Wajir assets by definition.
- Manage and prepare tracking database for utility/rental bills for MC Wajir office and ensure payments are done in a timely manner.
- Track and maintain records of all official correspondence with outside actors, such as local authorities, communities and landlords of properties.
Travel
- Make all arrangements (air-tickets, lodging, food, transportation to and from airport) to all MC staff, consultants and visitors for the Wajir district.
- Make sure the hotel tracking system is always up-to-date and vendors get paid in a timely manner.
- Orient all Wajir staff on the travel policies of MC Kenya and any amendments there may be.
- Maintain records of Travel Approvals and related expenses.
- Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
- Other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility: Cleaner
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Head of Office
Works Directly With: MC Wajir Program and Operations Staff
Knowledge and Experience:
- Education at least (BA) or equivalent Diploma in Business Administration/Management desirable
- Must have a good command of English in both oral and writing skills
- Excellent computer skills (outlook Express, Microsoft word, Excel)
- Ability to Multitask and make decisions, experience in working effectively with minimum supervision
- Thorough understanding of office administration systems
- Good understanding of Kenya Legal and Tax system
- Good interpersonal skills, ability to multi-task and self manage
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members
- Be able to interact with partners and peers
Success Factors:
- Demonstrated experience related to position responsibilities with emphasis on Human Resources.
- Able to work simultaneously on various tasks.
- Ability to learn quickly, take initiative and be accountable for results
- Effective time management skills including priority setting and responding to short notice travel requests.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills including:
- Able to work on weekends.
- Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving.
2) Water and Sanitation Engineer
General Position Summary:
The Water Engineer will organize all activities related to the implementation of water programs including infrastructure projects, from design to implementation, including logistics and monitoring.
Responsible for the identification, design, implementation, monitoring and reporting of all water supply and sanitation program activities and associated administrative tasks on the Emergency Drought Response in Northeastern, Kenya.
S/he will have to coordinate closely with the District Water Officers and ensure that all projects implemented are demand-driven and communities comply with MC requirements in terms of contribution. S/he will report to the Project Manager. S/he will have to show full adherence to MC security protocols.
Essential Job Functions:
- Develop plans for the implementation of the MC/OFDA water and sanitation project in the assigned district.
- Conduct detailed water resource and infrastructure (Water and Sanitation) surveys, identify needs and assist in rehabilitation design and implementation of program
- Develop and maintain good relationships and lines of communication with relevant local authorities and communities, explaining MC’s role as an NGO and liaising with them during all phases of the project.
- Ensuring construction of projects in accordance with approved designs and training of community members on proper operation and maintenance of the water facilities
- Supervise the procurement of any materials needed through a competitive and transparent bidding process following the MC polices design for this purpose and together with the warehouse manager ensures that they are safely stored until they are use.
- Guarantee community involvement at all phases of the project (identification, design, implementation, and monitoring) to ensure the development of community ownership for the projects.
- Promotion of information on basic water hygiene and sanitation issues as well as management and conservation practices.
- Provide regular written and verbal reports to the Project Manager on infrastructure development activity.
- Organizes site-visits to the projects sites and hostess missions/consultants and ensure timely and efficient monitoring and evaluation of project activities
- Compile project reports highlighting project impact against indicators and contribute to field based reports to MC/or external donors
- Other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility:
As delegated by Country Director and Project Manager for the purpose of carrying out work responsibilities.
Accountability
Reports Directly To: Program Manager
Based on input from all water and sanitation staff, complete monthly activity reports as per format provided, and ensure that all other staff under your direct supervision complete and submit their reports in a timely manner. Provide monthly reports on all financial matters.
Works Directly With:
Coordinate with the other program team to identify communities which are in need of support. Co-ordinates with Mercy Corps program staff, beneficiary populations, local government and implementing partners, as necessary.
Knowledge and Experience:
- A Bsc Degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Management or related field. At least 3-4 years experience in Water and Sanitation design and implementation and Cash for Work (CfW) projects
- Social mobilization experience preferred
- NGO experience, including training and provision of technical support to partners/communities
- Flexibility; ability to work as a team in a multicultural context
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Having report writing skills and communication skills.
- Strong team building and management skills
Success Factors:
The successful candidate will be able carry on the vision of the WASH department; provide leadership and motivation; be able to train and capacity-build staff; ensure that projects are planned appropriately and delivered to a high quality.
3) Cleaner
Program/Department Summary:
The Administration department aims to provide excellent support to Program implementation in the greater Wajir district.
General Position Summary:
The cleaner is responsible for ensuring that the Mercy Corps office in Wajir and the Mercy Corps guest house are clean and tidy at all times. In addition, has to ensure that the necessary office and GH supplies are obtained in time.
Essential Job Functions:
- Be able to communicate effectively with other staff
- Maintain the cleanness of the office, kitchen facilities and bathrooms; vacuuming, dusting, sweeping, mopping the MC offices, furniture, equipments, etc
- Emptying the bins
- Do the laundry of office and guesthouses (curtains, sheets and kitchen towels included)
- Identify needed repairs in the house and premises - alert administration officer for action;
- Be available to help the HR/Admin officer to organize and plan for meetings and gatherings.
- Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission
- Other duties as assigned
Supervisory Responsibility: None
Accountability
Reports Directly To: HR/Administration Officer
Works Directly With: MC employees and visitors
Knowledge and Experience:
- Responsible, trustworthy, punctual, clean and tidy.
- A working knowledge of English is desired.
- Must have initiative and work largely unsupervised.
Success Factors:
- High standard of cleanliness
- Able to verify risks of using household chemicals and kitchen appliances
Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a current or/and previous supervisor) to hr@ke.mercycorps.org or delivered to Mercy Corps office in Wajir, Airport Road (former VSF office) on or before 21 September, 2011 4.00 p.m.
Applicants must clearly indicate on the email subject the position that she/he is applying for i.e. “Application for the position of HR/Administration Officer”.
Applications without a subject heading will be disqualified.
Please do not attach any certificates.
Only qualified short-listed candidates will be contacted
Visit
Smart Jobs Kenya for more job deals
