Mercy Corps NGO Job Vacancy : Rangeland Specialist - Jobs in Kenya

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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:

The four objectives serve to increase community resilience to drought and other shocks and stresses, and to decrease fragility with a particular focus on Kenya’s Arid Lands.

Mercy Corps’ vision for change requires the private sector, government and civil society to work together to create meaningful and sustainable change.

Mercy Corps is recruiting a water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)/Nutrition Advisor to ensure the delivery of high quality WASH and nutrition interventions for a five-year USAID-funded Feed the Future (FtF) Livestock Market Systems (LMS) Development Activity for northern Kenya.

This position will support the Strengthening Community Capacities for Resilience and Growth associate award.

This project will support USAID’s Feed the Future Initiative and specifically will improve households’ income, productive assets and resilience to drought and other shocks.

Specific areas of focus include: strengthened and sustained rangeland and water management; strengthened drought risk management; strengthened conflict management; improved and sustained health, nutrition, and hygiene practices; improved literacy, numeracy, and life skills; and collaborative action and learning for community empowerment.

General Position Summary

The Rangeland Specialist will offer support to the LMS program quality and impact through provision of technical assistance and advice in the areas of sustainable Natural Resource Management (NRM).

This is anticipated to include early warning systems, climate information systems, participatory rangeland management, watershed management, sustainable community water management systems in pastoral and peri urban areas and livestock productivity improvement (including forage development) and small business group development.

The Rangeland Specialist will work closely with the project team to achieve program synergy. S/he will provide capacity building and technical assistance to LMS staff and partners in NRM aspects of implementing project interventions and encourage active participation of and networking between individuals and communities in recognizing NRM problems, identify solutions and implement project activities related to the identified solutions.

The post holder will also build capacities of communities and institutions in sustainable NRM.

S/he will work closely with community facilitators, community leaders, committees and local government development agents and take part in community meetings for information gathering, exchange and carry out participatory planning supporting field implementation.

The Rangeland Specialist will be responsible to advice and promote linking innovative market and finance based solutions to sustainable NRM.

As part of this, s/he will ensure the establishment and effective maintenance of linkage between all relevant staff and partners.

Rangeland Specialist NGO Job Responsibilities

Program Management

• Contribute to team work plans and guide successful implementation of natural resources management activities, ensuring teams follow work plans so activities are on time, target and within the approved budget, and program deliverables achieve desired impact;


• Identify partnerships and innovation that could be supported by the LMS Grant Fund;
  Work closely with our partner ACDI/VOCA, who will be leading the implementation of the LMS and look for opportunities to link programming and clients with their programming and programming across the LMS;


• Collaborate with program team members to integrate activities across sectors (peace/conflict, gender, etc) and prevent siloed approaches to activity implementation;


• Provide advice and support to initiatives designed to consolidate and scale up sustainable Natural


• Resources Management linked to innovative market and finance solutions (including early warning systems, climate information systems, participatory rangeland management and participatory NRM approaches) 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;


• Facilitate NRM investigations, negotiations and implementation, and any formation of appropriate local level institutions;


• Network and coordinate with sector stakeholders to identify and learn from emerging technologies or approaches that can be trialed and/or scaled-up;


• In collaboration with program team, identify required training for government (local, regional, national), private sector, community and project staff and assist in identifying trainers and / or directly provide training and capacity building;


• Support participatory community based monitoring in counties where initiatives are taking place – organize and coordinate capacity building in relation to community-based monitoring, including experience sharing;


• In collaboration with NDMA, 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;


• Facilitate planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in;


• Keep abreast of the latest research and evolutions in the field of rangeland management and natural resources management;


• Define implementation strategies in coordination with the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party and leadership team;


• In coordination with the MEL team, monitor the implement activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact. Document approaches, successes and lessons learned.


• S/he will also coordinate closely with the M&E team to ensure that systems are in place to track, analyze and report results;


• Coordinate closely with the M&E team to ensure that systems are in place to track, analyze and report results;


• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.

Influence & Representation

• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party and country leadership.


• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.

Security

• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.


• Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.

Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Requirements for the Rangeland Specialist NGO Job

• MSc or equivalent in Rangeland Management Disaster Risk Reduction, Natural Resource Management, social sciences or other relevant field;


• A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in NRM or climate change where there is natural resource based conflicts with hands on experience in peace building initiatives;


• Skilled in NRM approaches including participatory rangeland management, participatory NRM, early warning and climate information systems;


• Proven experience in designing and implementing approaches that reach large numbers of pastoralist households with quality programming;


• Experience working with NDMA at the county level as well as working with county government officials;


• Experience in drafting contingency plans with communities in ASAL areas is required;


• Strong management skills, including effective personnel management, adaptive management coordination and decision-making;


• Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills;


• Competence in building networks, strong problem-solving skills, and ability to influence with effective listening, persuasion, negotiation and other techniques;


• Strong understanding of USAID compliance issues;


• Internationally recognized qualification in project or program management or a commitment to obtain the qualification in the early months of work;


• Excellent and persuasive oral and written communication skills, including report writing, in English and other language(s), and fluency in Kiswahili, and local dialects spoken in Northern Kenya are an added advantage;


• Previous work experience in Northern Kenya is desirable;


• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Success Factors

• The successful Rangeland Specialist will be familiar with the particular challenges of Natural Resources Management in Northern Kenya.


• S/he will combine exceptional management skills and capacity to manage relationships with different stakeholders including the greater LMS team.


• The position requires an ability to think creatively about improving opportunities for sustainable drought cycle management.


• A heavy emphasis will be placed on coordination with other actors implementing in the areas of intervention including county government.


• The specialist will have the capacity to spark innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to programming and to inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs.


• S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level.


• Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential.


• The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority


• Environmental Conditions: This position will be Isiolo based, with regular travel to Nairobi, Turkana, Garissa, Marsabit and Wajir.


• This position requires approximately 50% travel regularly by road and air to program offices in often insecure environments.


• Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit.


• Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.