Mercy Corps Natural Resource Management Officer Jobs in West Pokot County
Mercy Corps Natural Resource Management Officer Jobs in West Pokot County
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. We help communities survive and move beyond emergencies. When natural disasters strike, economies collapse or conflict flares, Mercy Corps is there.
We see global challenges as an invitation to pioneer innovative, sustainable solutions. Mercy Corps is looking for committed and dynamic individual to take up the following position:
Position:
Natural Resource Management Officer
Location:
West Pokot County
Program / Department Summary:
Mercy Corps began working in Kenya in 2008 to address the societal wounds following the 2007 post-election violence.
Since that time, Mercy Corps has built a robust and diverse portfolio in Kenya that is working to address structural causes of poverty and injustice and to strengthen systems that enable men, women and children to access opportunities, participate in and contribute to peaceful democratic processes, and thrive in the face of ecological and social change.
To do this, we deliver integrated programming to strengthen market and governance systems, address the root causes of conflict, and equip vulnerable populations- in particular youth, women, adolescents and marginalized social groups- with the skills, opportunities and resources they need to be healthy, productive and to drive the development of their communities.
We work closely with the private sector, civil society and governance structures at local and national levels to facilitate change and ensure that opportunities are inclusive of all Kenyans.
Enhancing Climate Change Resilience in West Pokot County is a 2-year climate change adaptation program funded by the Deepening Democracy Program, designed to enhance resilience of vulnerable households in West Pokot to climate extremes and disasters.
The program will achieve this through a community-led, systems-driven approach aimed to strengthen community resilience to climate change shocks and stresses by supporting responsive, community-led climate change adaptation processes to mitigate climate vulnerability.
Essential Job Functions:
Program Management
Oversee the implementation of Ward Development Planning (WDP) process.
Support the Program Manager in the design of appropriate models for natural resource and climate change adaptation planning based on best practices.
Conduct NRM and conflict mapping in collaboration with communities and county government.
Build the capacity of partner staff to undertake WDP approaches.
Contribute to team work plans and guide successful implementation of natural resource management activities, ensuring teams follow work plans so activities are on time, target and within the approved budget, and program deliverables achieve desired impact.
Provide technical guidance on natural resource management and ensure that interventions are responsive to stakeholders and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan.
Ensure that interventions are evidence-based and adhere to adaptive management principles;
Conduct, participate in and/or update conflict and/or NRM assessments, involving a wide variety of stakeholders;
In collaboration with National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and county governments, facilitate discussions within communities aimed at promoting Disaster Risk Reduction approaches including for drought cycle management as important components of NRM.
Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards;
Community and County Government Engagement
Conduct community mobilization and sensitization for the WDP process.
Engage and support county government in the WDP process and ensure their participation and integration of plans into county priorities.
Work with County technical departments and leadership to integrate Ward Development Plans (WDPs) within County development plans.
Engage WAPC members, local leaders and the County Peace Directorate to resolve resource-based conflict and facilitate community dialogues.
Facilitate planning meetings and workshops with
government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in.
Support county government initiatives to develop appropriate policies related to NRM and climate change.
Partnership
Link Ward Planning Committees to county government department and other development partners.
Establish collaborative partnerships with other development partners working on rangelands, NRM and conflict.
Identify potential opportunities for linkage with other development partners.
Support and mentor partner staff to implement program activities and build technical skills.
Program Monitoring
Support MEL team to develop appropriate monitoring tools for the WDP process, NRM and conflict management.
Support participatory community based monitoring in the county where initiatives are taking place – organize and coordinate capacity building in relation to community-based monitoring, including experience sharing.
In coordination with the MEL team, monitor the implementation of activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact.
Document best practices and lessons learned across counties and share with management and team members.
Supervisory Responsibility:
None
Accountability
Reports Directly to:
Program Manager
Works Directly with:
Program Manager, implementing partners, and
Monitoring and Evaluation Team.
Knowledge and Experience:
BA/S or equivalent in Natural Resource Management, Development Studies, Disaster Risk Reduction, Conflict Mitigation, Social Sciences or other relevant field.
A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in NRM specifically where there is Natural Resource based conflicts with hands on experience in peace building initiatives.
Strong understanding of the underlying dynamics of NRM, drought cycle management, water and rangeland management and agro-pastoral livelihoods in ASAL areas essential.
Experience drafting contingency plans with communities is required.
Experience with Participatory Rural Appraisal or other participatory needs assessment methodologies preferred.
Strong management skills, including effective personnel management, adaptive management coordination and decision-making, strong facilitation and consensus-building skills.
Competent in building networks, strong problem-solving skills, and ability to influence with effective listening, persuasion, negotiation and other techniques.
Strong understanding of DFID compliance issues.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including report writing, in English. Local dialects spoken in West Pokot are strongly desired.
Previous work experience in Northern Kenya desirable.
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
Success Factors: The NRM Officer will be familiar with the particular challenges of natural resources management in West Pokot County. S/he will combine exceptional management skills and capacity to manage relationships with different stakeholders including implementing partners.
The position requires an ability to think creatively about improving the management of resources in an inclusive and sustainable way. A heavy emphasis will be placed on coordination with other actors implementing in the areas of intervention including county government.
The NRM Officer will have the capacity to spark innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to programming and to inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs.
How to apply
Application Procedure:
Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit a Cover Letter and detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent supervisor) to ke-hrkenya@mercycorps.org on or before 11th December, 2018.
The email subject line must clearly show the job title and location they are applying for.
Applications without an appropriate subject heading will be automatically disqualified. Please do not attach any certificates.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
NB: We do not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process
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