Project Coordinator

Background of the Project Kenya County Government Workers Union (KCGWU) (previously Kenya Local Government Workers Union) is a trade union and was founded in 1952. KCGWU represents around 30.000 employees in the local governments of Kenya at local to regional level. The membership includes a big variety of professions from nurses, medics, administrative staff, maintenance and supply staff from shop floor to top-management. The overall aim of KCGWU is to take care of and promote the interest of its members towards the employers. KCGWU’s main service to members is the negotiation every second year on the collective bargaining agreement (CBA). This determines the main work conditions for the membership including salaries and allowances. Based on this KCGWU defends members rights in different aspects e.g. unfair dismissals, transfers, work conditions etc.

FIC, which is a Danish NGO working towards promoting labour rights in Kenya and Tanzania together with local partners, have worked together with KCGWU since 2012 through a partnership activity called: “Constitutional devolution in Kenya Local Government Workers Union”. Through the partnership activity KCGWU carried out the above mentioned revision of its constitution, and thus changed its structures accordingly, so that KCGWU now consists of 47 branches representing the newly formed 47 counties in Kenya. As part of the partnership activity, a comprehensive baseline study was carried out by an external, local consultant with the purpose of identifying the needs and challenges of KCGWU and its members, especially in the wake of the devolution process.

Based on the findings from the survey, KCGWU and FIC developed a new project “Way forward for Kenya County Workers” with the objectives stated below: The overall objective: A vibrant, democratic and well-consolidated Kenya County Workers Union that is able to secure fair and decent conditions of employment for its workers.

This includes income, safety and health, non-discrimination on basis of gender, tribe among others, observance of CBAs, labour laws and other regulations at the labour market.

The overall indicators are at end year 3:
- Increased membership, +25% at end year 3 in the involved counties. - More than 50 % of members finds union and branch performance satisfying in the involved counties - Annual meetings and democratic elections are held in full observance of the constitution. - Minimum 50 % of members participate in the annual meetings at branch level.

Immediate objectives: 1) Members’ interests as employees of the Kenyan counties are secured by competent and active branches, representatives, and shop stewards of KCGWU.

2) Members interests at national level are secured and coordinated by a well-functioning national office with competent management, training and administration departments.

3) Observance of members’ rights is improved and members are actively involved in union activities beside the annual meetings.

The project organization and Structure KCGWU and FIC is in common responsible for the day-day project coordination for the first 2-3 years, When KCGWU has achieved the needed capacity the responsibility for this will be fully transferred to KCGWU. A local (Kenyan) highly qualified person, particularly in project management is to be employed as project coordinator and is to be responsible for the overall day-to-day implementation of the project. The project coordination is responsible for ensuring that the activities are organized and implemented according to the implementation plan and the decisions from steering committee. There is to be continuous communications and consultations between the Project office, KCGWU and FIC, particularly at the set up stage of the project to ensure that consistency is maintained. The project coordination is also responsible for submitting reports as well as financial statements and budgets.

The project coordinator will in common with the counterpart and the accountant be responsible for handling of finances related to the project.

KCGWU and FIC in common will also identify a qualified person well knowing of and well trusted in the union, preferably drawn from a branch, to act as internal KCGWU counterpart to the project coordinator. This person is to secure coherence in project activities and the activities of the union (project related as non-project related). Communication with the officials/HQ, branches, members and counties will be an important task for the counterpart.

The office has to cater for a project coordinator, the KCGWU counterpart, a secretary and an accountant (both part time)

Project Coordinator The Project Coordinator is responsible on a day to day monitoring and is to make sure that the implementation is maintained according to the activity plan. The responsibilities of the project coordinator includes: Core Tasks - Overall responsibility in planning, coordinating, implementing and following up on the activities done in cooperation with the KCGWU in line with the project document and the decisions made by the Steering Committee. - Preparing Terms Of References (TOR) for consultants, collecting quotations and entering into agreements based on best offer. The coordination is made in close collaboration with the representatives from each of the partner organisations and in agreement with FIC. - Responsible for the project monitoring system, which will be developed and implemented in close cooperation with the KCGWU and FIC. - Any other tasks assigned and agreed on by FIC or project Steering Committee and in line with the Project Document - Organizing Steering committee by preparing necessary documents and reports and coordinating correspondences before and after the meetings. Writing of minutes and distribution of reports. Circulating the agenda. - Ensure that the project information reaches the partner. Ideally to ensure once every quarter the report is prepared. - Finance and Administration: Working closely with the Project accountant, Project office set-up, petty cash handling, financial reporting of the project account (e.g. a monthly cash report including documentation of expenses). Also responsible for projects assets and other administration requirement such as Statutory processes. - The Project Coordinator is answerable to and consults closely with FIC representative (the FIC Project Coordinator or Project Manager).

Person’s Specifications

Competency
Minimum Requirement

Education - A Bachelor’s degree

Experience
-Working with civil society and or labour organizations: Experience in workers organization - Capacity building Experience - Four years’ Project Management or coordination of project activities in a complex environment is critical for this position. - Strong character that is effective in a challenging environment involving diverse stakeholders: essential - Coordinated project involving more than two partners and stakeholders - Basic experiences with project monitoring Skills
- Finance and Administration: essential - Language: Fluent in both English and Swahili - Negotiation, communication and interpersonal skills is essential - Training and facilitation: essential

Knowledge
- Project Management and monitoring and evaluation are very essential - Familiarity with Labour laws and ILO and other international conventions: additional value - Familiarity with the new Constitution of Kenya particularly sections that deal with labour laws

Personal qualities - Self-­‐driven: Working with minimum supervision and independence - Ability to interact with both skilled and unskilled workforce is desirable - Effective planner
Other - This is a local position reserved for Kenyan citizens or residents only

The project is scheduled to start at the beginning of October 2013 up till October of 2016. The Project Coordinator is to work under a two-year contract with a possibility of extension till the end of the project in 2016. The Project Coordinator is employed under the Kenya County Government Union (KCGWU) however the position will require regular direction and consultation with FIC which has the overall responsibility towards the funding agency

How to apply:

If you are interested and feel qualified kindly send your application to Caspar.pedo@fic.dk,casparpedo@gmail.com and Annette.larsen@fic.dk to reach us by the 1st October 2013