Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Adeso DRR Technical Advisor & Program Manager Jobs in Isiolo, Kenya


Organization: Adeso - African Development Solutions

Position title: Technical Advisor Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) & Program Manager
 
Reporting to: Deputy Chief of Party
 
Working with: REGAL-IR core team, consortium members, project partners and beneficiaries, NDMA, and other DRR stakeholders
 
Program / duty station: Isiolo, Kenya
 
Duration: One year, renewable
 
Starting date: Immediate
 
Organizational Context:
 
Adeso, formerly known as Horn Relief, is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. 
At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. 
We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.
 
For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. 
At present, Adeso has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan. Our current donor portfolio includes the European Commission, USAID, SIDA, CIDA, UNICEF, and the Government of Netherlands, among others.
 
Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.
 
Position Summary:
 
This position is part of the Resilience and Economic Growth in Arid Lands - Improving Resilience (REGAL-IR) project. The REGAL-IR initiative is a five year program sponsored by USAID as part of their Feed the Future strategy for Kenya. 
This program aims to reduce hunger and poverty, increase social stability and build strong foundations for economic growth amongst pastoralists and transitioning pastoralists in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands. 
REGAL-IR is designed to empower communities to take charge of their development and to strengthen their capacity to select, design, implement and monitor activities focused on increasing their social, economic and environmental resilience to natural and human-induced shocks.

Pending the outcome of an intensive community engagement process – Participatory Learning, Planning and Action (PLPA) – REGAL-IR anticipates facilitating activities in six or more thematic areas including diversifying livelihoods, improving value chain inclusiveness, natural resource management, conflict management and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and improving nutrition.
 
The program will be based in Isiolo town and implemented in Isiolo, Garissa, Wajir, Marsabit, and Turkana counties.
 
Position Purpose:
 
This position is based in Isiolo town with frequent travel to project counties and Nairobi. 
The successful candidate will design and coordinate disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities. 
In addition, the incumbent will ensure that DRR is fully integrated across REGAL-IR technical components so that project activities empower communities and strengthen them to withstand the effects of drought and other shocks and disturbances. 
As appropriate and feasible, DRR activities will link with the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and other governmental agencies, donors and NGO stakeholders to facilitate:
  • Community disaster contingency planning and integration of these plans in ward and county government planning;
  • Community early warning systems, linking them with other existing early warning mechanisms;
  • Community establishment of cereal, fodder and grass banks in cooperation with the Technical Advisor for NRM;
  • Community participation in insurance schemes;
  • Community pre-positioning for access to relief and assistance in the event of a major shock.
The TA/DRR - Program Manager functions within the REGAL-IR Technical Advisory Team that includes five technical advisors. 
S/he supervises five Project Officers, and reports directly to the REGAL-IR Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP).
 
Specific Roles and Responsibilities:
  • Liaise with DRR stakeholders including Hunger Safety Nets Program (HSNP), the NDMA and other GoK MDAs leading DRR-related activities in northern Kenya;
  • Coordinate members of the REGAL-IR team, consortium and project partners to ensure that REGAL-IR sector activities contribute to sustainable social, economic and environmental resilience in project communities;
  • Provide technical direction to the REGAL-IR Project Officers;
  • Co-design, develop and deliver activities and training programs with communities to anticipate, prepare for and mitigate the impacts of drought and other shocks;
  • Facilitate community monitoring of peace, climate, weather and other conditions in project areas that could affect social, economic and ecological stability in the ASALs and lead the implementation of related community-based early warning systems;
  • Improve community access to appropriate insurance opportunities;
  • Manage, and if needed, deploy the REGAL-IR Crisis Modifier.
Skills and Qualifications:
  • Five or more years of professional experience in DRR-related work; minimum three years in supervisory positions;
  • Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in social science or relevant discipline;
  • Experience working with local communities and governmental and traditional authorities in ASAL regions;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with fluency in English and Swahili;
  • Experience implementing governmental and donor programs - preferably USAID relief/development programs;
  • Proven leadership qualities, problem-solving and negotiation skills, and a demonstrable ability to work as part of a team;
  • Strong IT skills, analytical and report-writing skills.
Application Process:
 
This is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional. 
If you would like to join this dynamic team and be part of building resilience and economic growth in Africa, please submit your application to jobs@adesoafrica.org, quoting the position in the email subject matter, by 14th June 2013.
 
Each application should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager and include the following:
  • An updated CV;
  • An application letter which should include remuneration requirements and contact information for three work-related referees.
Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed.
 
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 
Adeso is an equal opportunity employer.