Institutional Funding Officer, Horn & East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya

Institutional Funding Officer, Horn & East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
Closing Date: Monday, 06 September 2010
Institutional Funding Officer, Horn & East Africa

Trócaire
Closing date: 06 Sep 2010
Location: Kenya
10/ID/011E

Description of the unit / department: The Horn & East Africa region (HEARO) is one of five regions where Trócaire works overseas, with its regional office based in Nairobi, Kenya

Reporting to: Assistant Regional Manager, Horn & East Africa
Managing: (Individuals/Team) None
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Contract Duration: 2 Years
Grade and Scale: Overseas Programme Officer Scale
Location of Position Based in Nairobi, Kenya, with regular travel in the Region.

Scope of the Role:

1. To increase and broaden the institutional funding base of programmes by developing a co-financing strategy supportive of the Regional Strategic Plan.

2. To assist in proposal development and finalise reports for donors, in agreement with relevant Programme Officers and Regional Management.

3. To support the capacity of Programme Staff and partners to develop and manage co-financing contracts.

4. To establish and strengthen relationships with current and potential donors.

5. To develop and maintain a full understanding of all donor strategies, priorities and requirements.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

1. Develops Regional / Country Funding Strategies

    * Collates information on donor priorities and strategies for programme countries, identifying thematic and geographic areas of overlap with Trócaire priorities.

    * Develops Regional/Country Funding Strategy Papers and annual action plans for countries of responsibility.

    * Works closely with the Co-Financing Unit in Ireland, in order to coordinate contacts with / applications to donors.

2. Programme Support
Based on the Regional Strategic Framework, in close collaboration with HEARO colleagues and identified local partners, as approved by the Regional Manager
:

    * Support programme staff in the elaboration of co-financing submissions and in the management of donor contracts and support partners to meet the contractual obligations of co-financed programmes and projects.

    * Provide training to staff and partners on co-financing programme development, management and report writing skills.

    * Work closely with programme teams to build the capacities of partners to handle conditionality and compliance issues related to co-financed contracts, especially in narrative and financial reporting

    * Support programme teams in identifying direct funding opportunities for suitable partners and in promoting development of partner capacity to manage donor contracts themselves.

    * Assist with narrative and financial reporting on co-financed programmes and projects, and in developing financial management and reporting systems which will facilitate effective multi-partner and multi-component programme budget tracking and management.

    * Pro-actively identify opportunities for securing co-financing from governments, major donors and trusts accessible to Trócaire.

    * Establish and build relationships with potential donors.

    * Strengthen relationships with current donors.

    * Liaise with donors and negotiates contracts.

    * Provide assistance to and collaborate with Trócaire's Co-Financing Unit in Ireland, where appropriate and as requested.

3. Other Duties

    * Any other duty as may be assigned by Regional Management that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility.

Person Specification - Essential Requirements (E)

(E) Qualification

    * Third level qualification in: Social Science, Development Studies, or related area

(E) Experience

    * Two years experience of proposal and report writing for donors such as the EC, Irish Aid, DFID, EU, Trusts and Foundations.

    * Proven success of securing funds from official donors.

    * Planning, monitoring and reporting on development and/or emergency programmes.

    * Experience of working with partner organisations.

    * Two years overseas experience, preferably in the Region.

(E) Skills

    * Excellent written skills, including proposals & reports.

    * Excellent skills for budgeting and financial analysis.

    * Project planning, monitoring and evaluation techniques, especially Logical Frameworks.

    * Good verbal and written communication, presentation and facilitation skills.

    * Good analytical and negotiation skills.

    * Good IT skills, especially word processing & spreadsheets.

    * Strong administrative skills.

    * Fluent in English (spoken & written).

(E) Qualities

    * Commitment to Trócaire's Vision, Mission and Values and an understanding of a partnership approach to development.

    * Sympathetic understanding of the Catholic Church's role in relief and development.

    * Excellent networking skills with the ability to establish good relationships, confident in engaging with senior people.

    * Culturally sensitive and diplomatic.

    * Self motivated with proven ability to take the initiative.

    * Able to prioritise tasks and work to deadlines.

    * Flexible and adaptable.

    * Accuracy and attention to detail.

    * Strong Team Player by supporting team members and participating actively in formal and informal fora.

    * Able to learn from experience and apply to future work.

    * Able and prepared to travel extensively within the HEARO Region

(E) Knowledge

    * Good knowledge of institutional donors, particularly the EU, Irish Aid and DFID.

    * Good understanding of international development issues.

    * Financial controls and procedures.

    * Project Cycle Management.

How to apply

To apply, please download application form from Trocaire website; http://www.trocaire.org and return completed form to Jason Rice, HR Officer at hr@trocaire.ie.

Reference Code: RW_88LJYR-95