Family Strengthening Coordinator Job Vacancy in Kisumu, Kenya

SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya

Position Title: Family Strengthening Coordinator

(1 Position)

Location: Kisumu

SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya is a member of the SOS Children’s Villages International (CVI) Federation.

SOS Children’s Villages is a child-focused Non-Governmental Organization established in 1973 to provide care and support to children who have lost or are at risk of losing the care of their biological family.

The organization’s vision is “No child should grow up alone” and its programmes are driven by the mission of “building families for children in need, helping them shape their own futures and sharing in the development of their communities”.

In this regard, the organization works to reduce poverty; increase access to quality education and decent work; reduce inequalities and build strong institutions as laid out in SDGs 1, 4,8,10 and 16.

This is done through programmes that are geared towards addressing the political, economic, health and social root causes that lead to high levels of child vulnerability and put families at risk of breaking down. The programmes focus on Alternative Care, Family Strengthening, Youth Empowerment, Education, Health Care and Advocacy.

SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya implements programmes in five (5) of Kenya’s 47 Counties namely Nairobi, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Kisumu and Meru.

We seek to recruit suitably qualified person to fill the following position:

Family Strengthening Coordinator (Kisumu) (1 Position)

Position Summary: Reporting to the Program Director, the Program Coordinator is responsible for ensuring effective programme planning and implementation including timely reporting for the Family Strengthening Programme activities in Kisumu.

H/She supervises the social workers and support staff assigned to the Family Strengthening Programme.

The Program Coordinator ensures that all field activities are well coordinated, creates and maintains direct linkages with the SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya National office, peer organizations, grass root stakeholders, key government departments both at the County and National level and may take up representational role on behalf of the Program Director where needed.

Key performance areas and main responsibilities

  • Provides effective leadership for the SOS Children Villages FSP team based in Kisumu
  • Holds regular staff meetings for performance review and sharing of programme updates to motivate.
  • Manages the Kisumu FSP office, safe guarding organizational assets and ensures proper utilization of funds disbursed to the FSP.
  • With the support of different line managers at the National Office, work with staff to develop annual FSP work plans and budgets that align to organizational focus and strategies.
  • With the support of Program Director, work with FSP staff to develop and implement annual individual work plans complete with objectives, timelines and key outputs
  • Responsible for capacity development including mentoring, coaching, performance appraisals, for FSP staff under his/her supervision in liaison with the Admin/HR Manager and the Program Director,
  • Provides timely and regular written/oral program progress reports
  • Provides direction, leadership and training to the livelihoods beneficiaries/groups on business planning, income generation, group savings and loans, revolving funds, vocational skills training and strengthening of small-scale businesses for the beneficiaries/groups to enhance their self-reliance.
  • Guides the social workers in rolling out all FSP components with particular emphasis on community mobilization and development.
  • Assist the Programme Director to identify new opportunities for new projects, write concept notes and project proposals and ensure their timely submission
  • Ensures strong linkages with county-level structures and systems to support coordination and collaboration for quality, efficiency, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the programme
  • Maintains good relationship with existing investors/donors and respond to their requests regularly and keep updating them about the programme when required and as will be guided.

Required Qualifications / Abilities

1. A holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Development / Social Sciences (Sociology, Development studies, Economics or related field)

2. A thorough understanding, preferably 3 years’ experience of project planning and community implementation of OVC, Child Protection and Livelihoods programs.

3. Demonstrated experience working as a mid/senior level manager in at least 3 of the following areas: child protection, household economic strengthening, social protection, education, health and nutrition including HIV care and support; social service systems strengthening, including social services workforce and M&E. Strong preference for experience in case management and case planning, community level capacity building, facilitating appropriate referrals/linkages and other strategies with the aim of ensuring empowered children, families and communities who are self-reliant.

4. Familiarity with programme cycle management approaches and tools – including participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation with good understanding of financial controls and procedures.

5. Excellent interpersonal, strong writing and oral presentation skills to meet diverse requirements of immediate beneficiaries and other stakeholders

6. Experience of facilitation, training and network building.

Child Protection Policy

At all times, avoid actions or behaviour that could be construed as poor or potentially abusive practice. Whatever decisions and actions taken should be with the best interest of the child in mind.

Data Protection Policy

At all times ensure that personal data of donors, sponsors, SOS Children’s Villages Kenya beneficiaries and their families as well as co-workers is handled confidentially and in accordance with prevailing SOS-Kinderdorf International data protection laws.

How to Apply

If you believe your experience, competencies and qualifications match the job and role specifications described; send your application & updated CV (with details of at least 3 traceable referees one of which must be immediate former employer) to recruitment@soskenya.org addressed to the Human Resources Manager to reach us on or before 5th February 2023.

Please specify the position of interest.

SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace, code of conduct and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered.

Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasize to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, police clearance reference check processes.

SOS Children’s Villages in Kenya is an equal opportunity employer and its Recruitment Policy addresses itself to the core values of best practice, diversity and equality.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.