Program Assistant at JRS October 2024

Job type: Full-time

Position Title : Program Assistant

Location : Kibondo, Tanzania

Reports to: Program Officer for Burundi-

Supervisor: Project Director-Tanzania

Starting date: As soon as possible

Number of Post : 01

JRS is an international Catholic organisation that provides specialised support to refugees and other forcibly displaced people. Our mission is to accompany, serve and defend the rights of refugees and other forcibly displaced persons. This mission is based on a faith in God present in human history, even in its most tragic moments.

JRS is currently working in the Tanzania refugee camps located in Kigoma region, having three departments: one for education, another one for psychosocial support and the last one for reconciliation. Therefore, JRS is looking for an assistant Human resource officer to support carrying out its mission.

JRS Tanzania operates with several administration, implementation, and support staff members at all levels from the incentive workers in the camps, the office attendants, drivers, assistant coordinators and coordinators in different bases, the projects director, the program, finance, and logistic teams.

It is in this context that JRS Burundi – Tanzania is recruiting a Program Assistant to manage the project related matters to JRS Tanzania under the direct technical supervision of the Tanzania Project Director and the et reporting to Program Officer for Burundi-Tanzania.

Responsibilities and tasks

• Supervision

The Program Assistant is under the technical supervision of the Program Officer for Burundi-Tanzania.

Persons reporting to him/her: Tanzania Program Assistant

• General objective

The Program Assistant is part of the team responsible for implementing the programmatic priorities identified in the strategic plan.

This role is responsible for cross-functional management of programmatic information, sound design of high-quality programming, comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning, and ensuring compliance with donor and JRS policies and minimum standards. The Assistant Program Officer will also be responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction in the development and implementation of the JRS vision and strategy in Tanzania. His/her role is to support the implementation of high quality cross-border programs that are relevant, timely, implemented in accordance with best practice and technical standards, and to lead quality assurance of program implementation.

This position is also responsible for ensuring the successful and high-quality development of the Tanzania program. This position represents an excellent opportunity to provide strategic leadership in an exciting and challenging context, and to lead the development of the quality, impact and sectoral integration of JRS’s work in Tanzania.

• Strategy and Leadership
• Lead and coordinate the development, implementation and monitoring of the programmatic strategy in Tanzania.
• Develop and implement a development strategy in JRS’ main geographic and thematic areas, in line with regional and national strategic plans.
• Identify and develop border/cross-border programs between national operations.
• Represent JRS in all relevant coordination forums as required in Tanzania and across borders.
• Participate in the negotiation of new funding contracts for Tanzania and cross-border areas
• Maintain good relations with JRS partners and other stakeholders (UNHCR, donors, church organizations) in Tanzania.
• Project Evaluation (MEL)
• Carry out regular evaluations of ongoing projects, with the support of the monitoring and evaluation officer
• Guide the work of field teams with detailed reports
• Formalize capacity-building plans for field teams based on identified skill needs
• Monitor cash flows for projects, in collaboration with the Finance Officer, and ensure that they comply with donor regulations/guidelines
• Support and validate the direction of budget preparation, project expenditure review, in close collaboration with the national Finance and HR team
• Coordinate and submit quality narrative reports (internal and contractual) to the PC on time, in collaboration with the Education Officer and Project Directors, and with the Finance Officer, budget monitoring in accordance with contractual conditions
• Advise and guide the work of the Project Directors, in collaboration with the Program Manager, according to contractual conditions, in particular with regard to donor requirements, format and deadlines
• Liaise with the National Office, with the finance and compliance department.
• Advocacy
• Works to develop initiatives that have a lasting impact on people
• Advocacy on behalf of refugees and returnees

  Experience and technical skills:

• At least four (4) years’ experience working in an International Organization or other agency in insecure, fragile environments, including at least three (03) years’ experience in project management
• Proven leadership and people management skills, including remote personnel management.
• University degree with advanced training or technical qualification in a relevant field of activity/sector (project management, monitoring and evaluation)
• Proven technical experience in education, protection or economic recovery at program and project management level is a requirement.
• Proven experience in program management with key institutional donors such as EU, ECW, UNICEF, ECHO, UNHCR, SIDA, US government and UN agencies. Experience with foundations and private fundraising
• Experience in project cycle management and project management tools such as logical frameworks, work plans, budget tracking, etc.
• Good communicator and proven diplomacy with all types of stakeholders; Fluent in spoken and written English and French. Spanish will be an asset.
• Ability to work independently, but also to coordinate effectively within a team.
• Strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point)
• Ability and willingness to work and live in diverse, challenging and potentially unstable environments.
• Proven interest in programs focusing on refugees, returnees and other vulnerable people, and in reducing environmental degradation as a cross-cutting issue.
• Good knowledge of basic humanitarian standards or other standards Sphere, INEE ect.
• Previous experience in inter-country project coordination.

  On this position five core JRS competencies are sought:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on achieving results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborate: you involve stakeholders and encourage feedback.
• Take the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicate: You listen and speak effectively and honestly
• Demonstrate integrity: You act in accordance with our vision and values.
• Desirable
• Understanding of/and commitment to humanitarian relief work and international humanitarian standards
• Previous working experience with faith-based organizations is an asset
• Experience handling and investigating PSEAH cases.

Core values and ethics

• Commitment to JRS’s mission, vision, and values; ability to convey with enthusiasm JRS’s role in accompanying and serving forcibly displaced people and to advocate for their right to protection and a life in dignity.
• High integrity, honesty, and confidentiality; ability to deal tactfully and discreetly with people, situations and information
• Acceptance of diversity and inclusion as a core value.

Terms and Conditions

The contract is for 1 (one) year, renewable with an initial probationary period of 03 (three) months. The JRS remuneration policy is aligned with the JRS ethos of offering effective and professional services and at the same time expressing solidarity with the people served. Details will be discussed with short-listed candidates.

Please send your application in one PDF file to: 

[email protected] attaching the following documents:

• A one-page Cover letter
• A CV relevant to the position (maximum 3 pages) including three referees
• Work Certificates and last Diploma (copies)

Deadline: the closing date is November 30, 2024, at 17:00 (pm)-Burundi Time

PLEASE NOTE: due to urgent need to fill this vacant position, we will be reviewing the application as we receive. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.