ASAL Humanitarian Network Coordinator

Country: Kenya

Organization: Arid Lands Development Focus Kenya

Closing date: 14 Aug 2022

The ASAL Humanitarian Network (AHN) exists foremost as a voluntary collective of local and national organisations present and active in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) counties, unified around common issues and commitments. As organisations based and working directly in the ASAL counties, we have joined forces to become a well-positioned network that voices the developmental and humanitarian needs of the ASAL communities. Our vision is to have ASAL communities that are resilient and empowered. Families and communities in ASAL counties have the means to fulfil their needs and voice their demands to duty bearers in Kenya.

A formal secretariat and governance structure have been set up in 2021.

Reports to: AHN Convener (until at least March 2023); Matrix management: Chairperson, AHN Steering Committee.

Full-Time equivalent (FTE): 1

Duty Station: Kenya (Nairobi, with frequent travel to ASAL counties).

Position Summary

The Coordinator will be responsible for the strategic coordination and day to day management of the ASAL Humanitarian Network. S/he provides strategic steer and leads in the realization of the AHN vision, through broad leadership and management skills, building and maintaining relations and working with a variety of stakeholders under the leadership of the AHN Steering Committee.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership, Management and Development

• Manage and oversee the day-to-day activities of the AHN secretariat, including project management, working groups, monitoring and evaluation.


• Work with the Steering Committee and wider membership to develop strategy and implementing the strategic direction and goals of the AHN.


• Develop and structure the AHN governance and develop and implement necessary policies and procedures.


• Lead the development of work plans and oversee the AHN working groups.


• Plan and coordinate AHN events, trainings and workshops. This includes the Annual Summit where the annual work plans are reported on (previous year) and approved (following year). The Coordinator also oversees the appointments of Steering Committee/Working Group representatives.


• Monitor and propose specific revisions as necessary to AHN Governance Framework (+ Sub working group ToR/SOPs) and Host Agency Agreement, for approval of the AHN Steering Committee, Host Agency, and/or Plenary.


• Manage AHN membership and processes.

Program and resource mobilization

• Develop high quality multi-year proposals, extensions and modifications to ensure ongoing funding for program, initiatives and regional strategies in consultation with the AHN members.


• Maintain fundraising pipeline and database.


• Analyse and pursue suitable funding opportunities.


• Develop fundraising strategy with AHN members.


• Prepare progress reports, annual reports, project completion reports and other reports that may be required by stakeholders. Maintain mapping of member per sector, expertise, reach, donor, beneficiary, and geographic coverage (to be updated quarterly).


• In close coordination with the AHN Host Agency: Manage Secretariat staff and consultants, budgets and expenditures.


• Other duties appropriate to the role as required.

Coordination, Representation and Advocacy

• Support Steering Committee in jointly representing AHN in meetings with donor governments, the UN, INGOs, and other external stakeholders, to convey views of the AHN members and pitch dryland/ASAL agenda.


• Develop and maintain working contacts with relevant external stakeholders (e.g., Resident Coordinator / Humanitarian Coordinator, UN agencies, donors, strategic embassies, line ministries, Red Cross, international, AHN members national and local entities, etc.)


• Coordinate and attend meetings with external stakeholders; consolidate key issues and talking points from AHN members in advance of meetings; record and disseminate notes to all AHN members following meetings.


• Facilitate and ensure consistent representation of AHN externally in relevant humanitarian leadership and planning mechanisms, including, but not limited to, KHPT, Cash Working groups, WESCORD etc.


• Cultivation and management of external relationships, including with government officials at different levels.


• Develop, manage, and implement a branding and communication plan to increase visibility and fundraising for AHN (in collaboration with working group, and with advocacy, media and communications lead).


• Lead the development of evidence-based research, policy briefs and advocacy statements on key humanitarian, development and operational issues and ASAL agenda (in collaboration with advocacy, media and communications lead).


• Follow and undertake analysis on issues relevant to the AHN Strategic Direction; synthesize and provide briefings on key concerns for members and support in identifying recommendations for moving forward.

Secretariat

• Day-to-day oversight and line management of Secretariat staff (may include Humanitarian Response Manager, Advocacy, Communications and Media Lead once recruited, depending on funding).


• Directly or via management of Secretariat staff:


• Timely reporting on AHN funding and proposals.


• Organise and facilitate AHN Plenary Meetings, Steering Committee Meetings, and the meetings of agreed sub-groups.


• Record and disseminate minutes of internal and external meetings to the members


• Maintain an up-to-date Contact List of all AHN member representatives, alternates, and Co-chairs


• Facilitate improved information sharing and exchange by ensuring that relevant reports, announcements, developments, etc. are circulated to all members


• Pro-actively facilitate on-boarding of non-members, applications and approval by the Steering Committee

What does Success Look Like?

• AHN as a Driver of progressive localisation agenda and locally led humanitarian system that meets needs of disaster affected communities in drylands of Kenya and beyond; evidencing existing innovative models (including under an existing AHN Strategic Framework, Localisation Framework Agreement, locally led readiness capacity strengthening initiative, Local humanitarian leadership, Forecast based Action, disaster assessments, early warning and issue based press and advocacy statements, anticipatory /pool funding mechanism accessible to local actors)


• Consolidation of AHN Secretariat as the network’s operational hub.


• Multi-year sustainability achieved through execution of fundraising strategy (including broadened membership drive and collections, in collaboration with AHN members and other secretariat staff and in consortiums with likeminded partners).


• Effective representation of AHN in relevant coordination mechanisms, including KPHT, NRG, C4C, Start Network.

Person Specification

• Fluency in written and spoken English.


• Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree, advance qualifications a plus with a strong background in international development, humanitarian and/or peacebuilding (10 years+).


• Experience of coordination and strategic leadership of multi-stakeholder consortia and/or complex projects.


• Leadership skills and ability to develop program vision.


• Ability to work independently, proactively, and collaboratively within a consortium with large and diverse membership


• Proven Fundraising experience and acumen, with major donors.


• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.


• Good knowledge of the context and working experience in ASAL counties.


• Excellent networking skills.


• Familiarity with local and national organisations, building and strengthening networks, partnerships, localisation of aid and local humanitarian leadership.


• Right to work in Kenya

How to apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications with the subject line clearly marked “AHN Coordinator”, with a letter stating their motivation and fit with the role (max. 2 pages) and an updated CV (max. 2 pages) with a comprehensive summary of similar or comparable work.

Complete applications should be sent to info@aldef.org. The deadline for application is 14th August 2022.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

ASAL Humanitarian Network is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. We welcome applications from women, minority and underrepresented groups