Save the Children is the world’s leading independent child rights organisation. We’re outraged that millions of children are still denied proper healthcare, food, education and protection and we’re determined to change this.
We are seeking to fill the following positions, all offered one (1) year contract with possibility of extension if additional funding is secured.
1. Programme Quality & Design Director
1 Position
Based in Nairobi with field travel
Job purpose
S/He will ensure that Save the Children UK Programme in Kenya delivers technically sound programmes that attract significant donor funding and contributes significantly to national/global learning, advocacy and programme development.
As part of the core Senior Management Team, the post-holder will also contribute to the development and/review of the country strategic direction and policy formulation.
The incumbent will be responsible for coordinating effective programming in Save the Children UK Kenya, lead in the development of thematic plans and technical content of project proposals based on comprehensive and sound technical analysis of child rights situations in country, informed by innovative models for improving children’s rights and in line with donor strategy and guidelines.
Supervise the Programme Quality Manager to lead and coordinate activities of thematic technical advisors who are responsible for the provision of adequate, synergistic and high quality technical support to thematic programmes/project implementation.
The incumbent will also oversee the design and implementation of Save the Children UK Kenya advocacy strategies and campaigns.
Person Specification:
- Masters degree in Development Studies or Social Sciences or relevant thematic discipline with minimum seven (7) years of INGO experience in programme development and implementation at senior management level
- Excellent people and team orientation skills
- Conversant with current thematic issues and debates in developing countries
- Good thematic strategic orientation skills; Project proposal and technical paper writing skills
- Excellent planning and coordination skills
- Excellent written and oral presentation skills
- Ability to lead and motivate a team of highly qualified technical experts
- Extensive experience of working in at least one Save the Children technical area (health, education, child protection, nutrition, food security or livelihoods)
- Tact and diplomacy are essential
2. Health Advisor
1 Position
Based in Nairobi with field travel
Job purpose
Under the general direction and guidance of the Programme Design and Quality Director, the incumbent will ensure that health programming is of excellent technical quality, attracts significant donor funding and contributes significantly to Save the Children’s strategic objectives, national/global learning and advocacy.
The post holder is expected to provide technical advice and support to project staff to ensure programming objectives are successfully achieved.
The post-holder will also contribute and support the implementation of the Newborn and Child Survival Strategy.
Person Specification:
- A health professional with a Masters degree in public health or equivalent with minimum five years (5) professional experience at a senior advisory level in health for international NGOs or the private sector in Kenya
- Excellent understanding of the health sector within the Kenyan context, particularly maternal, newborn and child health issues
- Proven representation and advocacy skills
- Strong commitment to capacity building of national staff and partners with willingness to adopt participatory and consultative approaches
- Strong report writing skills, including experience in writing funding proposals and donor reports
- Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels, taking into account cultural and language difficulties.
- Tact and diplomacy are essential
3. Child Survival Research & Advocacy Advisor
1 Position
Based in Nairobi
Job purpose
Under the supervision of the Programme Quality Director and in close collaboration with the technical advisory team, the Research and Advocacy Advisor will lead the development of SC Kenya’s research and advocacy agenda.
The postholder will ensure information and data generated by SCUK programmes contributes to national and global advocacy efforts that improve child survival outcomes for children.
Person Specification:
- A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline is preferred, with minimum five (5) years international experience in humanitarian work
- Solid background in programming and policy analysis or advocacy is desired
- Working knowledge of the dynamics of managing programmes with government, donor and implementing partners
- Demonstrable experience of high level conceptual, strategic thinking and analysis
- Experience of developing alliances, partnerships and/ or other collaborative relationships with a wide range of development sector actors, such as national and local governments, donors, UN agencies and NGOs
- Experience of designing, managing and writing up independent research in relevant sectors
- Ability to identify and analyze information from diverse sources
4. Child Protection Advisor
1 Position
Based in Dadaab
Job Purpose
Under the general direction and guidance of the Programme Design and Quality Director expand Save the Children UK’s portfolio of child protection programming and ensure this programming is of excellent technical quality.
S/He will build on technical knowledge, personal understanding of the operation of child protection policy and services in Dadaab, current/previous programming to develop proposals for new programming in close coordination with the programme staff, ensure all new programming supports the achievement of Save the Children’s strategic and thematic objectives, in particular Child Protection in Emergencies.
S/He will be responsible for drawing links between child protection and other sectors and regularly assess and communicate the implications and priorities of any changes in the operating environment relevant to this theme in close collaboration with other relevant advisor(s).
Person Specification:
- A Masters degree in social sciences or relevant field with minimum five (5) years professional experience at field-based and /or advisory level in child protection at an international-level
- Proven national or preferably international-level representation, analysis and advocacy skills
- Strong commitment to capacity building of national staff, partners and communities with experience of using participatory and consultative approaches.
- Strong report writing skills, including experience in designing child protection programmes and monitoring and evaluation frameworks
- Good interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy, with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels, taking into account cultural and language difficulties
- Excellent understanding of the child protection sector within a refugee context
- Experience in mental health and psychosocial support, child labour prevention and UNHCR’s Best Interests Determination programming
- Experience in facilitating child participation in programme design and implementation
- Experience in promoting and mainstreaming Child Rights Programming
- Proven experience of successful fundraising
- Good understanding of the linkages between child protection and other key sectors of Save the Children’s work specifically education, food security, health and nutrition
5. Report and Proposal Writing Coordinator
1 Position
Based in Nairobi
Job Purpose
The Report and Proposal Co-ordinator will monitor the timely submission of quality reports and proposals to donors.
The Co-ordinator will support the Senior Management Team members and Technical Advisors to plan for upcoming calls for proposals and reporting deadlines and where necessary, s/he will serve as a primary writer for the development of proposals and reports.
Person specification
- Demonstrated experience of writing winning proposals for different key institutional donors and Save the Children Members
- Demonstrated experience of reporting and proposal development in at least three of Save the Children’s thematic areas namely child protection, health, nutrition, food security & livelihoods, and education
- Understanding of donor compliance and key Save the Children reporting procedures
- Good negotiation, communication, decision-making and interpersonal skills
- Team orientation skills
- Fluency in written and spoken English
- Budgeting experience
6. County Coordinator
1 Position
Based in Wajir
Duration: 4 months
Job Purpose
The County Coordinator will ensure the coordination of the Improving Resilience and Reducing Dependence (IRRD) Project Consortium activities within the county.
The incumbent will report directly to the Consortium Manager but also work closely with Drought Management Officer, IRRD Consortium and other partners within the county to support the mapping and documentation of various organizational activities within the County, ensure a relevant monitoring of drought early warning systems in the County, through the formally agreed monitoring system and to participate in the existing partners’ network at district level, ensuring that the IRRD Consortium and its’ activities are fully represented at key technical forums.
Personal Specification
- University degree in Agriculture/ livestock production or socio-economic development related fields. Masters degree or relevant qualification in Monitoring and Evaluation is preferred
- Minimum five (5) years experience in M & E with an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) in a developing country
- Demonstrated experience in managing partnerships with NGOs / CBOs and government
- Excellent Communication (written and oral) and good interpersonal skills
- Good organizational skills, research, negotiation and analytical skills
- Ability to work as team leader and part of teams (multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary and inter-agency).
- Ability and willingness to travel extensively to the field, under sometimes difficult and occasionally insecure circumstances.
- Knowledge of the area and region where the post is located
Application process
If you meet the above requirements, please send your detailed CV together with a cover letter and current contacts of three referees including immediate supervisor addressed to:
Head of Human Resources,
Save the Children UK, Kenya Programme
email: jobskenya@scuk.or.ke
not later than 8th December 2011.
Quote the job title on the subject line.
“Candidates from North Eastern Province are strongly encouraged to apply”
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Save the Children (UK) recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to equal employment opportunities and the protection of children from abuse. 
