Regional Programmes Officer

General Purpose of the Position

The Jesuit Refugee Service MENA Regional Programmes Officer is responsible for coordinating and supporting programming, and managing grants. As a member of the regional team, s/he plays a pivotal role in establishing programme priorities after careful assessments of needs, regularly visiting projects in the region and working closely with country and project directors, as well with partner agencies and organizations. 

Main Responsibilities of the Position

1. Coordination of Programmes Work and Grant Management at the Regional Level

1. In coordination with the Regional director, support the Country Directors for the planning and evaluation of JRS projects within the region
2. Review project proposals, budgets and reports according to JRS standards (project proposals/reports) and produce timely donor-related requirements (funding proposals/ reports)
3. Contribute to the preparation of plans, proposals, and budgets for project extensions;
4. Contribute to keep track of projects undertaken in the region; and correct archiving;
5. Train and update Project Directors and coordinators in project proposal writing, management and evaluation according to JRS standards and guidelines.
6. Ensure regular assessment, analyse the needs of the refugees and suggest new initiatives to the Regional Director and Country Director
7. Coordinate with the M&E officer, Country Directors and Project Directors for project evaluations.
8. Ensure JRS applies the conditions and standards documented in the JRS Exit Strategies Guidelines.

2. Relations with Partner and Donor Agencies

1. Maintain close working relations with JRS’ partner agencies, as well as with other international development organizations and funding agencies.
2. Participate in meetings with donors
3. Facilitate relations between the JRS Regional Director and Partner agencies.
4. Explore and help create possibilities for new partnerships/donors.

3. Budgeting

1. Monitor regularly project funding in close conjunction with the Regional Finance team. Coordinate the grant management (activities / expenditures) with the Country programmes and the Regional Finance team
2. Assist the Regional Director in ensuring that regional projects have sufficient funding for their implementation
3. Submit in conjunction with the Regional Finance Officer the annual budget for the region’s projects to the Regional Director for approval.

4. Support and Communication

1. Visit the projects on regular basis, for continuous assessment and follow-up
2. Participate and act as a resource in country meetings or workshops as requested;
3. Communicate regularly with the International office team (grant manager, programmes…), informing them on all major issues and developments in programming within the region.

5. Works with the Regional Team

1. Work closely with other staff in the region to fulfil his/her function of shared leadership through the coordination of regional programming efforts;
2. Attend regular team meetings, planning meetings and workshops;
3. Cooperate with the regional finance, M&E, Education and other programmes officers, communications, advocacy and human resources officers for successful operations;
4. Represent the organization by giving talks and presentations, and by writing articles, as requested.

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in a field such as economics, social sciences, humanitarian or another related discipline;
• At least six years of practical work experience with donor-funded programmes, particularly with INGOs in a similar setting;
• Experience with templates, procedures, etc. used by institutional donors such as ECHO or UN agencies particularly UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF;
• Experience in managing people/teams;
• Strong assessment skills/experience;
• Strong analytical, strategic-thinking and planning skills;
• Ability to work under pressure and strict timelines
• Excellent communication and PR skills, excellent writing skills
• Integrity and honesty; good team worker
• Excellent oral and written English.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel and Access;
• Demonstrated experience and commitment working with marginalised communities;
• Ability and willingness to travel to JRS refugee sites and adapt to modest living and working conditions;
• Previous working experience with faith based organizations, and good oral and written Arabic and French are assets.