Project Assistant

Reports to: Senior Programme Coordinator – Kenya
Location: Nairobi – Kenya
Hours: Fulltime – 37.5 hours a week
Contract type: 1 year – renewable depending on performance and availability of funding.
Responsible for: None

General Description of the Role

Sense International – Kenya (SI Kenya) is a Non-Governmental Organization locally registered in Kenya in 2005 with the registration number OP.218/051/2004/0380/3458. It is the only organization in Kenya exclusively supporting people with deafblindness / multisensory impairments (MSI) and other complex disabilities. Our work supports people with deafblindness / MSI on a journey from isolation to independence, ensuring that they have the economical, emotional, health and educational support to become active and valued members of their communities.

Key aspects of the role include:

1. To support the coordination of Sense International Kenya’s projects.
2. To support the Senior Programme Coordinator with efficient coordination and monitoring of the project budgets and deliverables.
3. To ensure that project outputs are delivered to the expected level of quality, through coordination with relevant County departments, Hospitals, schools and other stakeholders; and through taking corrective action where necessary to ensure the project outcomes and impact is achieved.

Key Areas of Responsibility

1. Project Coordination

• In collaboration with the Senior Programme Coordinator, support the implementation of SIK’s projects in alignment with the project work plan, including Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (PMEAL) framework.
• With support from the Senior Programme Coordinator, ensure that project outputs and outcomes are delivered to the expected level of quality by effectively supporting the management of relationships with stakeholders, including government offices, and by taking corrective actions, when necessary, to achieve the desired project outcomes and impact.
• Contribute to the implementation of advocacy work for the projects, including participating in advocacy meetings and networks as required, influencing government officials and other key stakeholders in line with the organisation’s advocacy objectives.
• Coordinate the relationships with key stakeholders, such as government offices, education and health professionals, development agencies, and Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and hospitals in order to ensure successful achievement of project outcomes.
• Attending meetings on behalf of Sense International Kenya as well as any other relevant working groups, online and in person.

2. Monitoring and evaluation

• Support the development and periodic updating of the PMEAL plan and tools for the project, as needed, under the guidance of the Senior Programme Coordinator.
• Monitor the progress of the project by ensuring that the monitoring systems and tools are developed and adhered to, as well as Sense International Kenya’s quality standards across the projects are upheld.
• Support the organising of Annual Stakeholder Review meetings, periodic project reviews, and evaluation of the project implementation, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability.
• Collect and develop case studies from the project on a quarterly basis.

3. Reporting

• With support from the Senior Programme Coordinator, facilitate the collection of data and ensure reports are completed according to the agreed schedule, which will include at least quarterly and annual reporting.
• Support regular reporting on project progress to the Senior Programme Coordinator, in line with the monitoring and reporting schedule, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• With support from the Senior Programme Coordinator, contribute to the preparation of project progress reports for donors, including both financial and narrative reports, as well as updates to the PMEAL plan, risk register, workplan and case studies.

4. Financial Monitoring

• Support the Senior Programme Coordinator with efficient monitoring of the project budget and workplan.
• Working closely with the Senior Programme Coordinator on reviewing monthly expenditure reports, forecasts, variance explanations, and budget revisions when necessary.

5. Advocacy and Awareness Raising

• Contribute to advocacy work, participating in advocacy meetings and networks and influencing government officials and other key stakeholders in line with the project’s advocacy objectives.

6. Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Ensure familiarity, and compliance with, Sense International Kenya’s child and vulnerable adult protection policy, and Code of Conduct for staff.
• Participate in any training offered on Safeguarding by Sense International Kenya.
• Report any concerns or suspicions regarding safeguarding violations using the Sense International Kenya procedures and appropriate Government reporting channels.
• Ensure all stakeholders understand and adhere to the Sense International Kenya’s safeguarding procedures prior to the engagement with the project or beneficiaries.
• Provide guidance to members of staff, contractors, partners, people in our projects (i.e. direct beneficiaries and caregivers as appropriate), or the general public (as appropriate) on issues of safeguarding with support and guidance from the Sense International Safeguarding Lead.

7. Other

• Contribute to Sense International Kenya’s team meetings and the general running of the team’s work when needed.
• Contribute to the concept development process for new Inclusive Education project concepts, as and when required.
• To perform any other duties that may be assigned to him/her.

Person Specification: Project Officer – Early Intervention

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential Criteria 

• A diploma in project management or related field.
• At least 2 years’ experience delivering inclusive education projects/programmes for people with disabilities.
• Sound knowledge of monitoring and evaluation practices, including the design of log frames and monitoring, evaluation and managing data collection and analysis, and accountability frameworks,
• Understanding of and sensitivity to the rights of people with disability, including knowledge of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), Kenya Disability Act, etc.
• Knowledge of the challenges facing people with disabilities, and preferably some understanding of deafblindness and multi-sensory impairments.

Desired Criteria

• Educated to bachelor’s degree level.
• Knowledge of both sign language and tactile sign language,
• Advanced computer skills, especially Microsoft Excel skills.
• Understanding of deafblindness and multi-sensory impairments.

Achievements and experience

Essential Criteria

• At least 2 years’ experience in project coordination, implementation and monitoring.
• Experience / knowledge of the disability field, particularly understanding the challenges facing people with disabilities, and it would be beneficial to have some understanding of deafblindness and multi-sensory impairments.
• An understanding and commitment to upholding strong safeguarding principles and systems.

Desired Criteria

• Demonstrated experience with grant management and donor compliance, including writing reports to funders, Trustees, and other stakeholders.

Skills and ability

Essential Criteria

• Ability to work effectively to tight deadlines with minimum support.
• Experience and skills to support interns, volunteers, trainers, and consultants.
• Independent worker and self-starter with close attention to detail at all times, including when under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal and team skills including tolerance and flexibility.
• Strong training and workshop facilitation skills.
• Ability to monitor budgets, report on variances, and highlight concerns.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili languages.
• Excellent verbal and written presentation and facilitation skills.

Desired Criteria

• Ability to present programme outcomes and impact in a powerful way to non-specialist audiences and understanding of the best ways to communicate achievements, and build support through engaging communications.

Please note:

The successful candidate must meet Sense International Kenya’s mandatory background checks to comply with the organisational Safeguarding System.

Applicants must already have the right to live and work in Kenya.