Regional Programmes Officer

The Organisation

JRS began working in the MENA region in July 2008, responding to the needs of Iraqi refugees. Today JRS accompanies, serves, and advocates on behalf of refugees, internally displaced persons, returnees and vulnerable host community members in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. JRS programmes in the region deliver multisectoral interventions including home visits, emergency assistance, child and adult education, mental health and psychosocial support, social services, protection, health care, livelihoods, community building and advocacy programmes.

Job Purpose

The Jesuit Refugee Service MENA Regional Programmes Officer for Jordan and Syria is a dynamic and varied role, offering an opportunity to work across a number of programmes. Under the guidance of the Regional Head of Programmes – Grant Management, the Regional Programmes Officer will support the development and management of JRS programmes in Jordan and Syria. The primary functions of the Regional Programmes Officer include supporting the identification, design and delivery of new projects, proposal writing, budgeting, reporting, and capacity building of counterparts in country teams. In addition, they are responsible for building and managing relationships with donors and JRS colleagues in the Country Offices and other international offices.

Main Responsibilities of the Position

1- Programme Development

1. Support the JRS Syria and Jordan Country Offices in the design and review of JRS projects, in coordination with key personnel in the regional team.
2. Lead collaboration with JRS country teams on the development and review of funding applications, including proposals, logical frameworks, workplans and budgets, ensuring timely submission of applications according to internal standards and donor requirements.
3. Coordinate technical inputs from relevant regional and international personal and ensure effective communication is maintained throughout the proposal development process.
4. Support effective matching and alignment of proposed projects with donor/funding opportunities and provide guidance to JRS country teams on donor proposal requirements.
5. Support fundraising by establishing and nurturing new and existing relationships with donors and identify and disseminate new funding opportunities and procedures with JRS colleagues.
6. Provide capacity building support to JRS country staff on project design and proposal development.
7. Represent JRS in appropriate donor liaison meetings as required.

2- Programme Reporting, MEAL and Implementation Support

1. Provide guidance and capacity building to staff in JRS Syria and Jordan on project reporting and grant requirements.
2. Ensure timely and accurate donor reporting in line with internal and donor requirements.
3. Maintain reporting systems and ensure that projects remain compliant with donor contracts.
4. Identify, with country teams, risks and issues with consequences for the project, grant or donor management, resolving where appropriate, and ensuring they are raised at the appropriate level within JRS to be addressed.
5. Support country teams in relation to donor compliance issues, ensuring contract conditions are fully understood.
6. Liaise with donors on contract delivery and compliance issues.
7. Lead the submission of grant amendment requests in close collaboration with country and regional teams.
8. Promote and maintain effective communication with country teams throughout the project cycle.
9. Provide support to MEAL teams at key points in the project cycle, including inputting into the development and delivery of M&E plans, baseline studies and evaluations.
10. Conduct regular monitoring visits to country offices and project sites.
11. Ensure project files are maintained in the agreed system and carry out programme administration takes as required.

3- Programme Finance

1. Review financial reports and ensure spending is in line with workplans, approved budgets and income and expenditure forecasts
2. Participate in monthly income and expenditure reviews with the Regional Finance team to identify funding needs and ensure spending is in line with approved budgets and income.

4- Relationship Management and Information Dissemination

1. Coordinate with counterparts in the JRS international team to support identification and acquisition of funding and ensure grant requirements are met.
2. Provide information concerning JRS projects to communications staff for visibility and fundraising purposes.
3. Build and maintain relationships with programmes and finance staff in JRS country and project offices.
4. Represent JRS Syria and Jordan’s work externally, networking / building relationships with donors, partners and other stakeholders as needed.

Qualifications, Skills, and Attributes

• Compassion and strong commitment to accompanying, serving, and advocating for refugees and other displaced people.
• Advanced university degree relevant subject (e.g., humanitarian / development studies, international relations, social sciences, or related disciplines).
• At least five years of practical work experience with donor-funded programmes, particularly with NGOs in a similar setting.
• Strong experience in programme design, proposal writing, project cycle management, and multi-donor fund management.
• Experience in sectors of health, education, livelihoods and/or community building are an asset.
• Experience with institutional donors such as ECHO, BPRM or UN agencies.
• Good knowledge and experience working with budgets and financial reporting.
• Understanding of protection standards (e.g., SPHERE standards);
• Strong assessment, analysis, strategic, and planning skills/experience.
• Ability to work under pressure and within strict timelines.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Strong coordination and relationship management skills.
• Experience supporting programmes remotely is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience working with marginalised communities of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability and willingness to travel to JRS project sites and adapt to modest living and working conditions.
• Work experience with a faith-based organizations is an asset.
• Fluency in verbal and written English. Good verbal and written Arabic is an asset.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.