Child Poverty Technical Specialist | ReliefWeb

Child Poverty Technical Specialist

Save the Children is the world"s leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children"s lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfil their potential.

We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

We have over two million supporters worldwide and raised 1.9 billion dollars last year to reach more children than ever before, through programmes in health, nutrition, education, protection and child rights, also in times of humanitarian crises.

Following a major transition, our international programmes are now delivered through a merged operation with 15,000 staff, managed through seven regional hubs and reporting to a relatively small, central office. We"re changing to become more efficient, more aligned, a better partner, a stronger advocate, a magnet for world-class people and relevant for the 21st century.

Role Purpose:

Under the general direction and guidance of the Director of Programme Development and Quality (DPDQ), the Child Poverty Technical Specialist will be responsible for strategic direction, growth and coordination of Save the Children"s work on food security and livelihoods, youth livelihoods, social protection (including social safety nets), markets based approach and financial inclusion. S/he is responsible for leading and overseeing the development and delivery of high quality, innovative, cost effective programmes in both emergency and long-term development settings resulting in immediate and lasting change for children. The Technical Specialist is responsible for monitoring programme quality, initiating and taking technical leadership in child poverty focused studies, documentation and dissemination of innovations and good practices by working together with other members of PDQ team. S/he will ensure child poverty programming is of excellent technical quality, attracts significant donor funding and contributes to Save the Children"s strategic objectives, national/global learning and advocacy.

Contract Duration: 1 Year

Location: Nairobi with regular travel to the field

Qualifications

• An advanced degree in food security, livelihoods, social protection, nutrition, economics, development studies or other relevant discipline or commensurate work experience in lieu of postgraduate qualification.



• Significant international experience, at least 5 years, in child sensitive programming in developing countries with specific experience and/or advanced understanding of at least three of the following:




• social protection systems for vulnerable populations especially pastoral and agro-pastoral populations




• Innovative youth livelihoods programming based on markets principles/approaches.




• experience of running and monitoring cash transfer programmes



• designing and implementing market assessments and analysis of data collected


• job creation and or small and medium enterprise development


• financial service services for low-income populations (e.g. credit, savings or insurance products)



• relevant training and expertise in using Save the Children UK Household Economy Analysis (HEA)




• Excellent understanding of the food security, youth livelihoods and social protection sector within the Kenyan context, particularly issues related to markets, value chains, youth livelihoods, social protection and small enterprise.




• Clear understanding of the intersection of child poverty with other thematic areas, including nutrition, health, child protection and education in Kenya.




• Ability to develop market based programmes to promote a better nutritional status for children and livelihoods development in an integrated approach.



• Proven representation and advocacy skills.


• Strong commitment to capacity building of national staff and partners with willingness to adopt participatory and consultative approaches.


• Experience writing donor funding proposals for large institutional grants in excess of US$1 million.


• Strong report writing skills and ability to compile narrative sections for proposals and donor reports.


• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels, taking into account cultural and language difficulties.


• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.


• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.


• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets.


• Experience solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in.


• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner.


• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies.


• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required. Swahili preferred.


• Commitment to Save the Children values, including willingness to abide by and enforce the Child Safeguarding policy.

Please apply in English saving your CV and covering letter as a single document. To see a full a job description, please visit our website at www.savethechildren.net/jobs

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. Employment is subject to our Child protection standards including background checks and adherence to our Child Safeguarding Policy

Save the Children is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to employ and assign the best qualified talent.

Disclaimer: Save the Children International does not charge any kind of fee at whichever stage of the recruitment process and does not act through recruitment agents