Finn Church Aid (FCA) – School Meals Program (SMP) Officer.

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is Finland’s biggest development co-operation organization and the second biggest organization in Finland working in humanitarian aid. FCA is a member of the ACT Alliance (ACT), an alliance of faith-based development and humanitarian aid organizations forming one of the world’s largest aid organizations. Finn Church Aid (FCA) is Finland’s biggest development co-operation organization and the second biggest organization in Finland working in humanitarian aid. FCA is a member of the ACT Alliance (ACT), an alliance of faith-based development and humanitarian aid organizations forming one of the world’s largest aid organizations.

The School Meals Program (SMP) Officer will be responsible for developing and fostering appropriate skills and social abilities to enable refugee learners achieve optimum development according to age, ability and aptitude. This position is under direct supervision of the Program Coordinator, Kakuma/Kalobeyei.

Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to-

• Provide leadership and a sense of direction to the School meals program (SMP) monitors and head teachers on the clearly set objectives of SMP. In addition to this, the position holder orients the head teachers and SMP monitors on the strategies and modalities of achieving the set objectives of the program.
• Liaise with Education Officer and WFP field staff to sensitize the stakeholders on the importance of SMP in meeting education objectives.
• Representing FCA in food coordination meetings and sharing the minutes with education specialist, education coordinator and education officer.
• The position holder will supervise SMP monitors and Head Teachers and closely scrutinizes the performance and the quality of their service delivery.
• The position holder will give professional advice to SMP monitors so that they carry out their monitoring activities, which will in turn help them to monitor food usage and impact on learners’ school attendance and academic performance thus helping them carry out their duty in a manner that is consistent to the general objectives of FCA Kenya.
• The position holder positively will relate and liaise with, FCA, WFP/UNHCR and staff from the other implementing partners’ and community leaders in a manner that promotes good relationship.
• Attending at WFP monthly/annual food coordination meetings and sharing the findings.
• Taking part in mid-term reviews with WFP.
• Sharing of transport plans and coordinating SMP activities and term dates with the relevant stakeholders.
• Helping SMP monitors and, Head teachers grow professionally taking them through induction courses and teaching them report-writing skills.
• Working and relating closely with other workers, thus ensuring for the common success of the organizational objectives.
• Embracing the rights‐based approach when interacting with people of concern and when implementing project activities. Interacting with rights holders and forming or selecting committees among the stakeholders to promote and safe guard the rights of the people of concern.
• Orienting the learners on their food entitlement so that each child knows what he/she is supposed to get.
• Writing reports on SMP activities/progress and influence learners school attendance and academic performance via indicators, challenges and potentiality for growth.
• Ensuring that all cross‐cutting issues (i.e. gender, environmental conservation, conflict resolution, accountability and FCA approaches (i.e. rights‐based approach, integrated approach, and community empowerment) are integrated into all the project activities.
• Help the Project Coordinator, through supporting delegations and taking instructions outside of ones area of jurisdiction thus contributing to the general objectives of the project.

Professional Qualification:

• At least a degree in Education (B.ED) or Nutrition related studies from a recognized university or any other social science with additional training in logistics, candidates with a diploma in logistics may be considered.
• Strong analytical, administration and documentation skills in the management of a schools meals program.
• At least 1 year of experience in in a similar capacity
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong reporting skills
• Ability to manage a complex and diverse workload and to work within tight schedules.
• Ability to contribute to a small, proactive team, motivating staff and working collaboratively with colleagues and providing support and advice as necessary
• A full appreciation of the value of co-operation, a team player.

Relevant Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in international humanitarian or development work or other related fields, including at least two years of direct experience managing a school feeding program
• Good operational, analytical and problem solving skills;
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan and those under his/her supervision;
• Good understanding of project lifecycle, humanitarian principles and tools, programs and transfer modalities;
• Good understanding of school feeding program principles and practices
• Ability to explain projects to field counterparts and to communicate with Government and partners clearly and effectively;
• Ability to effectively represent FCA at working level and inter agency SMP meetings.
• Ability to work in a team, and establish effective working relations with persons of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to cope with situations which may threaten health or safety;
• Flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description.
• Training and/or experience utilizing computers, including word processing, spread sheet