Job summary:

The purpose of the Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) Project Coordinator position is to implement delegated ICLA project portfolio in Turkana West sub-county including Kakuma camp, Kalobeyei settlement and the surrounding host community. This includes overall responsibility for the implementation of programming in the following key areas: (1) supporting the voluntary repatriation of predominately Somali refugees in coordination with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) with a focus on provision of information and facilitating safe and dignified return; (2) programming related to improving refugees and vulnerable host communities access to timely legal and civil documentation including birth, marriage and death certificates and supporting the mainstreaming of housing, land and property rights in camp contexts including through supporting collaborative dispute resolution; and (3) supporting NRC’s integrated livelihoods approach through provision of information, counselling and legal assistance related to employment laws and procedures and conducting assessments, research and local advocacy to remove barriers to refugee self-reliance. The ICLA Project Coordinator will provide support on technical programme competences related to programme development and implementation and supervise two ICLA Project Officers and oversee the line management for all staff in ICLA department including refugee community staff. The Project Coordinator will be responsible for developing strong working relationships to ensure integration with other NRC core competencies (Education, WASH and Livelihoods and Food Security) and with a wide range of external stakeholders to ensure that ICLA projects are being delivered within wider coordination in Turkana-West. NRC’s ICLA programming has a strong focus on quality and ensuring that programming is delivered in a safe and inclusive manner with a particular focus on supporting referrals of protection cases to specialised partners and adherence to NRC’s Child Safeguarding Policy.

Job responsibilities:

• Line management of ICLA project field staff


• Adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures


• Contribute to ICLA strategy development, project proposals and provide input on needs and gaps


• Manage and implement delegated portfolio of ICLA (2) projects (activities, budget and project documentation) in line with proposals, strategies and donor requirements, and ensure high technical quality


• Provide regular progress reports to Area Manager (AM)


• Ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore and asses new and better ways to assist


• Promote and share ideas for improvement and necessary changes in the activities


• Ensure capacity of project staff and transfer key skills


• Liaise and collaborate with relevant local authorities and other key stakeholders


• Promote the rights of refugees/IDPs/returnees in line with advocacy strategy


• Oversee implementation of ICLA projects focussed on legal and civil documentation, housing, land and property rights and employment laws and procedures in Turkana West, targeting both refugees and host communities


• Provide day-to-day support to ICLA programme team at field level in developing clear work plans and targets and following up on implementation and engage in regular performance monitoring of projects


• Support the development of quality programming, identifying key areas for further follow up, devising strategies and supporting implementation to improve and monitor quality in NRC’s ICLA approaches


• Conduct ICLA specific technical assessments and research, present recommendations and adapt programme implementation to needs and context


• Actively participate in relevant coordination forums including camp level protection, child protection, sexual and gender-based violence, shelter and livelihood working groups and county coordination forums


• Develop training modules and provide specific technical learning or/and training for project staff including refugee community staff and support capacity building on ICLA thematic areas amongst partners


• Develop and implement approaches that promote safe programming and protection mainstreaming and coordinate with NRC’s Protection Officer and partners including on protection case referrals


• Promote NRC’s Child Safeguarding Policy and ensure awareness of the policy amongst NRC ICLA staff and partners including reporting and investigation procedures


• Participate in the monthly area office coordination meetings including the monthly programme meeting and the Area Management Team


• Conduct work planning, mid-term and end-term performance review for staff under your supervision.


• Any other tasks assigned by your line-manager

Job competencies:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience within field of expertise


• 2 years of experience managing protection projects


• Familiarity with international refugee law and human rights law. Knowledge of SPHERE standards and other global humanitarian and protection standards


• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts


• Documented technical competences related to the position’s responsibilities


• Experience in proposal and report writing and excellent computer skills


• Good communication skills


• Project implementation supervisory skills


• Ability to resolve individual and group conflicts


• Ability to work with minimum supervision and deliver on deadlines


• Possess high cultural awareness and sensitivity


• Fluency in English language both written and verbal


• University degree in law, political science, social science or other relevant discipline. Diploma with relevant experience will be considered.


• Relevant experience in humanitarian settings, especially protracted crisis


• Good understanding of refugee situation in Kenya


• Knowledge of the local language (Kiswahili, Juba Arabic, Somali) – if different than English

Behavioral competencies:

• Handling insecure environments


• Managing resources to optimise results


• Empowering and building trust


• Managing performance and development


• Planning and delivery results