IUCN Participation for Change Project Field Officer Job in Kenya

The International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organization.

IUCN operates through regional offices including the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO).

ESARO has the following programmes in fulfilling its inter-sessional goals: drylands programme, water and wetlands programme, forest programme, business and biodiversity programme and conservation areas and species diversity programme.

The vacant position falls under the regional drylands programme.
The goal of the ESARO drylands programme is that “Dryland landscapes are sustainably managed to protect biodiversity and contribute to local livelihoods and national economies”.

IUCN will use its influence to encourage and assist societies to promote good governance and to respect local knowledge to ensure that dryland ecosystems are sustainably managed.

To protect Drylands Biodiversity, IUCN addresses the underlying constraints to effective natural resource governance, builds the institutional capacity for sustainable natural resource management, and supports access to markets for the products of sustainably managed drylands.

IUCN emphasizes building the capacity of local environment and development partners, empowering natural resource managers, and enabling them to influence policy processes that will lead to sustainable investment and resilient livelihoods.

Project Background

The Participation for Change Project within the drylands programme goal is to ensure the development of appropriate pastoralist policies in East Africa that are based on local participation and knowledge and that enhance food security for pastoralist communities.

Specifically the project aims to strengthen the engagement and coordination of indigenous pastoral associations in local and national food-security-related policy processes to promote participation, accountability and transparency in policy formulation and implementation.

The main results areas are:

• Strengthened capacity of pastoralists association to effectively participate in evidence-based decision-making related to food security, at local, national and cross border levels.
• Increased opportunities to effectively engage with decision-makers on food security-related issues at local, national and cross border levels and link to regional and global networks.
• Greater generation, use and sharing of local and scientific knowledge and learning on ecosystem based approaches to dryland food security across local pastoralist associations, to influence national and regional policies.
• Support to key food security-related biodiversity enterprises which model policies in practice and support linkages across pastoralist community groups.

IUCN is therefore inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the following position:

Field Officer, Participation for Change Project

Location: Marsabit, Kenya and Southern Ethiopia Local Recruitment

General Scope

Under the general supervision of the Senior Programme Officer; he/she will ensure the coordination, and implementation of the project in Northern Kenya and Ethiopia.

He /she will ensure that the project outputs and deliverables are effectively attained within the project time frame. 

Specific responsibilities include:

Specific Responsibilities and Tasks
1. General

• Ensure that Project activities are implemented and contributing to the achievement of the project’s objectives;
• Under the guidance of the Head of Office, provide technical inputs and guide project outputs at national and sub‐national levels as required;
• Collate information on a regular basis from the project components and prepare project reports and other required project documents.

2. Specific tasks

2.1 Project management and implementation

• Oversee and support the implementation of all project activities within the Northern Kenya and Southern Ethiopia project;
• Work closely with project implementing partners to develop project work plans;
• Ensure that project budgets are efficiently managed according to activity work plans;
• Ensure that project budgets are utilized and monitored in accordance with IUCN internal controls and donor regulations;
• Develop strong relationships with local communities and ensure community ownership and engagement in all activities;
• Work closely with project implementing partners in the organization and implementation of project workshops, training and community activities and provide technical guidance and logistical support to these events;
• Ensure the close engagement of local government and other stakeholders in the implementation of the project’s activities;
• Contribute to implementation of regional activities when required.

2.2 Project monitoring and reporting

• Assist in the preparation of technical and financial reports, according to the donor reporting requirements monitoring requirements;
• Assist in the development of project monitoring and evaluation and ensure the regular collection of performance data;
• Create positive functional link between the project and the project steering committee;
• Assist in the convening of learning events and ensure the resultant lessons are adequately captured and documented;
• Support the development of communication products and contribute to the effective presentation of project experiences and lessons learned.

2.3 Technical support and guidance

• Working closely with the IUCN Regional Office, and project implementing partners, facilitate the establishment and maintenance of national and cross-border Networks;
• Contribute to and support awareness raising on pastoral food security issues;
• Provide guidance and technical input to ensure IUCN’s principles of nature-based solutions are incorporated into project activities.

Qualifications

The position requires a professional with at least 3 years of professional field experience in the implementation of projects within the natural resource management or pastoral development sectors. 

The following specific qualifications are required:

Knowledge Base

• A university degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, or natural resources management. A Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• Experience with results-based project cycle management including monitoring and evaluation methodologies and principles and project budget management.
• Experience in community based natural resource management (CBNRM).
• A good understanding of drylands conservation and sustainable development issues.
• Experience in interacting with multiple stakeholders including local government officials and in mobilising and developing relationships with local communities.
• A track record of constructive advocacy with decision‐makers and of influencing the outcomes of policy debates.
• Good communication skills and proven writing ability.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.

Personal Attributes

• High personal integrity especially in matters related to finance, official information and communications.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision and function in multicultural and remote environments.
• A good team worker who can also display leadership abilities.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the region for not less than 40% of work year, sometimes at a short notice.

Applications

Applicants are asked to submit their CV in English and a supporting letter of motivation along with the names and contact details of three referees, one of whom should be a recent employer by e-mail before 15th March, 2013: IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office Email: earohr@iucn.org IUCN is an Equal Opportunity employer

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted