Job Description
Provide technical leadership and guide the successful implementation of livelihoods and resilience (Food Security/Economic Development/Environmental protection) interventions in the WVUS-funded "The Kenya BIG DREAM" project being implemented in Samburu County contributing to empowerment of Households to protect, nurture and support girls and boys from all forms of abuse and to improve children wellbeing outcomes within the respective areas as guided by National Office Strategy. The L&R Officer will ensure the effective and efficient community mobilization, implementation, monitoring and reporting of interventions directly related to adoption of alternative livelihoods and increase of productive assets through Crop & livestock value chains, enterprise development and marketing, increased savings and access to financial services by targeted households (HH with at-risk girls, reformed circumcisers) in assigned operation areas. S/He will also be involved in networking and linkages at ward, sub county and county level with relevant L&R technical working groups and other partner platforms or forums.
Effective Project Design, Planning and Implementation
Facilitate adoption of best practice/approaches/models in the course of the implementation of the Agriculture & Food Security (AFS) and ED components of the The Kenya BIG DREAM project
Ensure that business processes, standards and guidelines related to AFS & ED initiatives are effectively applied in project implementation and monitoring
Participate in the preparation of overall work plan and budget for AFS & ED activities for the specific County.
Develop activity plans and budgets for technical support activities related to AFS & ED component of the project.
Collaborate with relevant ward, sub county and County government ministries and partners at the Ward/sub county/County and community levels to ensure integration and high level implementation of all AFS & ED activities.
Make technical input into the planning and design of project specific operational researches, including baseline and end line evaluation related to AFS & ED outcomes.
Work closely with the Project manager and other program staff in identification of existing gaps in AFS & ED and Environment sectors of the project
Facilitate adoption of best practice/approaches/models in the course of the implementation of the project
Work closely with relevant authorities to ensure all L&R interventions deployed in the communities are in alignment with L&R Standards.
Work together with other staff to ensure that key trainings meet the standards required to facilitate, provide knowledge and reinforcement of desired L&R behaviour and practices.
Be able to systemically review DIP/budget and other key implementation tools and initiate innovative approaches that will open new frontiers for L&R in the area of operation
Quality Assurance - Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation
Support M&E role of L&R activities in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
Provide technical support and timely feedback to the Project Manager on L&R interventions outlined in the The Kenya BIG DREAM project proposal.
Build capacity of field staff, project ToTs and partners (CBOs and Farmer groups) on Crop & Livestock production, Climate Smart Agriculture, S4T.
Identify other opportunities in an ongoing manner that will add value to the overarching goal of the program.
Track and prepare monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual progress reports of activities related to AFS & ED key indicators; including documentation of key lessons learnt and successes stories
Contribute to the development and dissemination of publications for learning.
Support supply chain through offering all the technical advice on AFS & ED project procurements.
Ensure cross cutting themes such as gender, disability, and environmental protection are integrated into the project interventions.
Ensure integration of L&R interventions with other Child protection interventions as appropriate.
Routine collection of data related to the project outputs.
Carrying out joint monitoring of project outputs with partners and stakeholders.
Documentation of change stories, learnings and best practices.
Enhanced Empowerment & Capacity building
Mobilize and sensitize community for empowerment & sustainability
Build capacity of communities and partners on integration for synergy & Community based monitoring for sustainability.
Establish specific capacity building for effective delivery & sustainability of project interventions
Build the capacity of partners (FBOs, CBOs, Farmers Groups) to enable them effectively intervene in food security & economic empowerment appropriately
Take a lead in building program staff and community capacities in food security & economic empowerment sector interventions through trainings and other information sharing avenues (field days, demonstrations) to handle project activities effectively
Together with partners, conduct regular extension service provision for participating groups and households
Mobilise, equip and empower the Church, other faith groups and Community based organization to integrate empowered World View in Livelihood interventions
Advocacy, Engagement, Networks & Partnerships
Gather and provide quality feedback and data to be used to develop technical papers and recommendations on key issues for external engagement with decision makers in respective counties
Establish and sustain working relationships with Government Departments and Agencies relevant to the The Kenya BIG DREAM project focus area at the Ward, Sub County and County levels
Ensure that Project participants and partners are kept informed of all the Government laws and policies in respect to the Technical aspects being implemented and any changes to government laws, policies and budgets
Work with partners and coalitions to engage in advocacy activities with the government structures at the Ward/County level, to address the needs of local communities and inform national level advocacy initiatives
Ensure effective mobilisation of community groups, youth and children, empowering them to hold their governments to account through utilization of advocacy approaches such as Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) and Child Protection Advocacy (CPA)
Support community groups, youth and children to engage constructively with duty bearers and service providers to improve access to, and quality of, essential services
Ensure representation of WV Kenya in key L&R stakeholder forum/meetings at the Ward, Sub-County and County levels.
Actively participate and contribute to County level technical working groups to inform policies/strategies relevant to L&R
Provide support to community led processes of monitoring public service delivery.
Resources Acquisition
Participate in development of timely and accurate funding proposals in line with donor requirements and WVK standards in collaboration with Project Manager and other sector specialists
Mobilize the community for community contribution for project interventions
Support development of technically sound funding concepts/proposals through provision of information & data and review in collaboration with Program Manager and other sector specialists.
Support successful donor visits as may be necessary.
Promote organizational visibility and branding within the project area and beyond.
Any Other
Support any other duty as assigned by the supervisor
KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE
Minimum education, training and experience
Minimum of a Bachelor Degree in Agricultural Sciences/Agronomy/Horticulture/Agricultural Economics/Business Management or a closely related field from a recognized university.
Minimum three years of work experience in local value chains development, Savings for Transformation, Ultra-poor graduation and Building secure Livelihood project models, economic development, food security projects and other related sectors
Good understanding of gender and child protection mainstreaming in AFS and ED projects.
Ability to conduct community L&R needs assessment, project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of L&R interventions.
Excellent English communication skills (both oral and written).
A team player, capable of building staff and community capacity in L & R projects through training.
Ability to take initiative, a team leader able to work with minimum supervision
Cross-cultural sensitivity and emotional maturity and ability to incarnate in the community
Ability to maintain performance expectations in diverse cultural and inter-faith contexts