Mercy Corps Livelihoods and Food Security Officer Jobs in Samburu, Kenya
Mercy Corps Livelihoods and Food Security Officer Jobs in Samburu, Kenya
About Mercy Corps Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible.
In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Now, and for the future.
Program / Department Summary
With funding from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), Mercy Corps’ Nawiri Program is leading a consortium of Kenyan and international partners on a five year journey to sustainably reduce persistent acute malnutrition in Samburu Counties of Kenya.
Through a phased approach that emphasizes evidence gap analysis, as well as partnership, learning, and co-creation, the program takes a robust county-centered design with government leadership, active engagement from communities, the private sector, and civil society.
Mercy Corps’ consortium brings together the global leadership, research capacity, technical expertise, and implementation experience necessary to partner with local institutions to test, adapt, and scale evidence-based solutions.
The Position Summary
The Livelihoods and Food Security officer will be a member of the USAID Nawiri Resilient Livelihoods Team supporting program implementation at sub-office level.
He/she will lead work plan implementation of livelihood interventions as appropriate to context, for sustained vulnerable households’ access to nutrient-dense foods and overall food security despite exposure to shocks and stresses.
S/he works alongside other officers in layering interventions for collective impact at household and community level.
The officer is able to translate how the interconnected actions at household and community level contribute to sustainable household food security and therefore motivate community-driven leadership of actions at local level.
The holder has an in-depth contextual understanding of pastoral, agro-pastoral context and can co-create solutions with local stakeholders, communities and households.
S/he can translate evidence and insights contextually to drive actions that sustainably address malnutrition at local level.
S/he supports the County Resilience Livelihoods coordinator and the RL team to map and strengthen capacity of local stakeholders (groups, households, individuals) and is directly responsible for implementing nutrition-sensitive resilient livelihood interventions at sub-county (all wards, village, household) level.
The position is based at the USAID Nawiri sub-county (sub-office) office level supporting interventions within the sub-county and prioritized wards -that continuously experience high rates of acute malnutrition.
S/He will work closely with relevant sub-county, ward officials, village level officials, CSOs and private sector players involved in livelihoods and food security & nutrition within their areas of operation.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Program Management
Leading implementation of work plan in line with agreed approaches and milestones and specifically responsible for Livestock and crop interventions, including irrigation in resilient livelihood scope. Lead implementation of livestock, crops interventions including coordination with target communities and partners at the sub-office level.
Directly oversee crop and fodder production through irrigation in selected irrigation schemes
Supports household engagements for improved economies, transforming household and social dynamics and responsible for layering interventions for collective impact at household and community level.
Plans and leads TOT training sessions to Community Mobilizers / Champions in collaboration with Government counterparts.
Liaise with other project teams and staff at the sub office level to ensure that all USAID Nawiri interventions are well-coordinated and prioritized
Prepares activity reports and supports County Resilience Livelihoods Coordinator in the review and development of work plans and thematic reports.
Collaborate with the M&E team to support monitoring and evaluation on effectiveness and impact of livelihoods activities at the Sub-office level and make recommendations for improvements.
Collaborate with Nawiri health and nutrition staff to integrate messaging into crop and livestock production training curriculum.
Contribute to team work plans and guide successful implementation of program activities, ensuring teams and partners activities
are on track and in alignment to achieve desired impact;
Actively participate in the periodic program planning, review and reflection meetings and sessions.
Prepare accurate and timely reports and other project documentation and communication that contribute to a learning organization.
Coordinate with other Mercy Corps programs and local government bodies to ensure coherent program implementation and to capitalize on business opportunities in Mercy Corps’ target communities.
Collaboration & Networking
Conduct community mobilization and sensitization meetings that are inclusive and to help prioritize the economic needs of target communities.
Support with collaborative partnership with other development partners and identify potential opportunities for linkages
Engage and support systems strengthening actions including Ward Development planning
Continuously update stakeholder mapping and coordinate activities with various stakeholders, to ensure strong linkages between resilient livelihood and other priority pathways for strengthening nutrition resilience in the context.
Conduct community mobilization and engagement meetings with ward and community-level leaders to implement USAID Nawiri livelihoods activities
Support community visioning process for resilient livelihoods
Support with collaborative partnership with other development partners and identify potential opportunities for linkage
Influence and Representation
Assist sub-office coordinator and County Field Director to coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government and other implementers
Support the facilitation of planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in;
Collaborate with Consortium partners, sub grantees, local government, and other implementers working at the sub-office level.
Facilitate planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in at the sub-office level
Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission
Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills
Degree in agricultural related field or Diploma with over 5 years’ relevant working experience
A minimum of 3 years’ experience directly implementing agriculture (crop and livestock) interventions at the field level in Kenya ASALs. Learning and experience in agronomy will be an advantage.
Demonstrable familiarity with Kenya’s ASAL, agriculture crop and livestock and natural resources sectors.
Proficient analytical skills that demonstrate an understanding of the current concepts, priorities, and issues in program monitoring, data collection, and evaluation.
Team player who takes initiative and is a problem-solver.
Effective verbal and written communication, multitasking and organizational s
Ability to manage priorities independently
Excellent attention to detail and ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.
Excellent teamwork abilities and interpersonal skills.
Familiarity with M&E, information, communications and knowledge sharing technologies and use of innovative approaches on digital financial services.
Demonstrated computer competency of Microsoft Excel/Word and knowledge of data management software;
Strong analytical and quantitative skills
Ability to focus on day-to-day tasks at hand while also working towards longer-term objectives with an understanding that these will change continuously;
Ability to work without constant supervision and as part of a diverse team;
Good reporting, communication and representation skills;
Good problem solving, written and oral communication skills;
Confident, sound training facilitation and representation/relationship skills;
Strong written and spoken English and Kiswahili.
Local language skills required especially Samburu and Turkana Languages.
How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; Mercy Corps Livelihoods and Food Security Officer Jobs in Samburu, Kenya
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