Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF) Deputy Regional Officers Jobs in Kenya

Recruitment of Programme Management Staff for Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF)

 (A joint Government of Kenya and European UNION Programme)

Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF) is a joint initiative of the Government of Kenya and the European Union that was established in March 1996 through Legal Notice No. 303 of 26th March 1996. 

Under this collaboration and funding arrangement, CDTF is implementing a four year Programme, the Community Development Programme Phase Four (CDP 4) with two components, the Community Environment Facility Phase Two (CEF II) and the Community Based Development Initiatives (CDI) with funding from the European Union. The CEF II has received funding also from the Government of the Royal Kingdom of Denmark (DANIDA) through the Natural Resource Management Programme (NRMP). The main objective of the CDTF is to contribute to poverty alleviation efforts in Kenya by offering support in form of grants to community-based projects, which address basic social, economic and sound environment management priorities. CDTF’s mandate is to oversee the transfer of funds for implementation of community based development projects, and further oversee implementation of projects.

Job vacancies have arisen in the CDI component that require to be filled on contractual basis by highly qualified and experienced Kenyan Nationals. 

The contract duration will be up to 30th June 2014 with a possibility of an extension to 30th September 2015 subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds for the extended period. The positions are:

Designation: Deputy Regional Officer – Engineering

Department/Station: Programmes Department, Central Regional Office, Nairobi

Supervisor: Reports to the Regional Officer, Central Region

Key functions

In addition to duties as a Technical Officer involved in the project Cycle Management of funded projects, this position shall also provide guidance on technical and engineering aspects of projects funded by the CDTF in the Central Region of CDTF including reviewing designs and drawings, verifying project budgets and monitoring compliance with statutory and engineering standards.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Provide technical support on matters pertaining to project engineering aspectsImplement new and innovative cost effective approaches and techniques in engineering design and servicesAdvise project applicants on the technical requirements during application stageCheck technical specifications and budgets during project technical assessmentConduct field verification exercise for recommended projectsAssist with preparation of full project proposals for approval by the Board of Trustees of CDTFAssist in CDI project development including drawing up Grant ContractsAssist in project pre-launch and launch activitiesVerify community up-front contributions as per pre-financing special conditionsUndertake monitoring and evaluation of on-going projectsEnsure works are executed according to relevant statutory and engineering standardsUndertake routine or ad hoc technical audits of projectsAssist in co-ordinating and monitoring of key cross cutting issues promoted by CDTFTraining of PIC members on project implementation proceduresWorking closely with Regional Officer to ensure work-plans for the region are achievedParticipating in the preparations of quarterly and annual programme reports for the regionPrepare project completion reportsAct as Regional Officer in absence of incumbentPerform any other duties as may be assigned by the SupervisorImproved standardised practice on engineering design and services integrated in the programme and project designsThe effect and impacts of the new practices are monitored and best practice documentedProjects successfully completed within required scope, scheduled time, budget and qualityLevel of Education: Bachelor’s Degree in EngineeringSpecialization: Civil Engineering

Experience

Minimum of 5 years experience in planning, supervision and completion of infrastructure projectsExperience in project management at operational levelExperience in developing and documenting standardised technical guidelines, manuals and staff trainingMinimum of 5 years working with donor funded projectsMinimum of 5 years working with communities at grass-root levelExperience in cross-cutting issues for project strengthening, including Environmental and climate change management, good governance practices, gender and HIV/AIDS consciousness will be an added advantageExcellent communication and presentation skillsValid driver’s license without endorsementsFixed term position for 15 months with the possibility of extension for another 15 months subject to performance and availability of fundingBased at the CDTF Central Regional Office in NairobiExtensive travel throughout the CDTF Central Region that covers Nairobi, Narok, Kajiado, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Kiambu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Kitui, Machakos, Murang’a and Makueni counties with occasional travel to other regions is also expected.Designation: Deputy Regional Officer – Social and Economic Infrastructure

Department/Station:  Programmes Department, Western Regional Office, Eldoret

Supervisor:  Reports to the Regional Officer, Western Region

Key functions

Assist the Regional Officer in developing a portfolio of CDI projects that will contribute to poverty reduction and sustained social and economic development amongst poorer communities in counties covered under the CDTF Western Region.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Assist in drafting technical and financial systems and procedures for project implementation and prepare guidelines to be used by CDTF staff and external stakeholders, especially the Project Implementation Committees (PICs)Facilitate in identification of social and economic infrastructure projects for CDI, targeting poverty reduction among poorer communitiesAssist in CDI project development processes including preparation of project full proposals for approval by the Board of Trustees of CDTF and drawing up of Grant ContractsAssist in project pre-launch and launch activitiesVerify community up-front contributions as per pre-financing special conditionsFacilitate and participate in the capacity building and training of local communitiesDevelop and promote new and innovative cost-effective approaches and techniques for community developmentTogether with the Regional Officer, supervise external consultants and other personnel providing technical support services to CDI during implementationAssist in supervision and monitoring of project implementationEnsure local communities and strategic partners (where applicable) have capacity to exercise and promote cross-cutting issues that include: good governance, environmental conservation, gender equality, HIV/AIDS and reproductive healthAssist in creation of linkages and collaboration with County government, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies for sustainability of community projectsSupport communities to ensure timely release and prudent use of project fundsWorking closely with Regional Officer to ensure work-plans for the region are achievedPrepare project completion reportsParticipate in the preparation of quarterly and annual work-plans and reports for the regionAct as Regional Officer in absence of incumbentPerform any other duties as may be assigned by the SupervisorA well established portfolio of CDI projects implemented efficiently and effectivelyIntroduction of new and cost-effective community development approaches and techniques in CDI projectsCDI is effectively using the CDTF outreach structures, Technical Support Services, M&E services as well as support from Finance and Administration Department of CDTFLevel of Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences or Economics Specialization: Community Development or Development Economics or Gender and Development

Experience

Minimum of 5 years experience in management of community based development projectsExperience with programme management at operational levelExperience working with development partnersPractical experience in developing and documenting project implementation systems and proceduresMinimum of 5 years experience working with donor funded projectsMinimum of 5 years experience working with communities at grass-root levelExperience in project strengthening cross cutting issues: including Environmental and climate change management, good governance practices, gender, HIV/AIDS and reproductive health consciousness will be an added advantageExcellent communication and presentation skillsValid driver’s license without endorsementsFixed term position for 15 months with the possibility of extension for another 15 months subject to performance and availability of fundingBased at the CDTF Western Regional Office in EldoretExtensive travel throughout Western Region that comprises of Turkana, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Uasin-Gishu, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Busia, Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii and Nyamira counties, as well as travel to other regions including CDTF head office in Nairobi  How to apply

If you feel you are the right candidate CDTF is looking for, apply by filling the Job Application Personal History Form available from this site (download form) and send together with your CV to email address: vacancies@cdtfkenya.org. 

Hard copy applications will NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 25th January 2013 at 5.00pm. 

Only short listed candidates will be contacted for interview. Applicants, who will not have received a response by 18th March 2013, should consider themselves not successful.