Project Officer Job in Kenya

Plan
International

Career
Opportunities: Project Officer – COSME Project (45464)

Requisition
ID 45464

WHO WE
ARE

Plan
International is a rights-based development and humanitarian organization
working for better lives for all children. We are independent of government and
have no political or religious affiliation.

Our
purpose is to strive for a just world that advances children’s rights and
equality for girls. We have been building powerful partnerships for children
for more than 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Our
global strategy has a specific focus on girls, as they are often the most
marginalized and most often left behind.

We have
committed ourselves to the ambitious target of reaching 100 million girls over
5 years, to ensure they can learn, lead, decide and thrive. This is our
contribution to reaching the sustainable development goals, and in particular
the goals on gender equality.

Our
organization is transforming itself to meet this enormous challenge everywhere
we work. We need bold, forward-thinking and innovative individuals to lead our
country operations, driving change and delivering results that will allow us to
reach our target of 100 million girls.

With
approximately 38 years of experience in implementing its programme, Plan
International Kenya (PIK) mainly operates in 10 geographical areas; Nairobi,
Machakos, Kajiado, Tharaka-Nithi, Siaya, Kwale, Kilifi, Homa Bay, Kisumu and
Tana River.

OUR
STRATEGY STATEMENT

Plan
International Kenya’s (PIK) strategic goal in the next five years is to end
teenage pregnancies and end all forms of sexual and gender-based violence
against adolescent girls and young women.

We aim
to help create an enabling environment where girls and young women are safe,
valued, equally cared for, and have equal opportunities.

PIK
will contribute to the global strategy by aiming to reach directly
approximately 2.75 million (children, including girls and young women over the
period of the strategy 2022-2026 and to reach additional beneficiaries through
its interventions.

ABOUT
COSME PROJECT

Plan
International’s Conservation and Sustainable Management of Coastal and Marine
Ecosystems (COSME) project aims to significantly scale up Plan International
Kenya’s current women-led, climate-resilient livelihoods and coastal management
project in Kwale and Kilifi counties.

It
takes an ecosystems-based approach in partnership with Jane Goodall Institute
(JGI) Canada, COSME will also capitalize on opportunities for South-South
learning by working between Kenya/Tanzania cross-border communities within the
same marine coastal and coastal forest eco-regions.

The
project will be instrumental in driving Nature Based Solutions (NbS) for
climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation in the selected eco-regions:

i)
mangrove restoration and conservation;

ii)
sustainable seaweed farming; and

iii)
locally-led forest management and conservation.

Small-scale
conservation agriculture practices will also be deployed to build the
resilience of women in selected communities.

The
ultimate project outcome is improved climate-resilient, equitable economies
within communities relying on coastal and marine ecosystems.

THE
ROLE

The
Project Officer (PO) will work under the Conservation and Sustainable
Management of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (COSME) project.

His/
Her role will include to drive the day to day implementation of the COSME
project in Kilifi/Kwale Counties, while ensuring effective partnership
management and meaningful participation of the stakeholders to deliver on the
project.

The
role will implement, mobilisation of project stakeholders, monitor and report
on progress of project activities in line with the detailed implementation
plan.

The
role is intended to manage partnerships (county government, community groups,
learning institutions, national NGOs, corporate agencies etc.) and sustain a
good working relationship with all stakeholders for seamless project success.

MANAGEMENT
SCOPE, REPORTING LINES, KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Reports
to – Project Coordinator, COSME

Direct
reports – None

Key
relationships

Internal;

The
position reports to the Project Coordinator- COSME. Internally, the role will
require liaison with other project team members in both Kilifi and Kwale,
Program Unit staff across the different departments to ensure synergy and
integration of project interventions.

The
role will also interact with the Technical advisors, Monitoring, Evaluation,
Research and Learning teams.

External:

The
incumbent will work closely with stakeholders including multiple community
groups, Beach Management Unit, Learning Institutions, implementing partners,
CBOs, local authorities and line ministries to enhance participation and realisation
of project objectives.

LEVEL
OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

·  High
level: Frequent interaction with children

PHYSICAL
ENVIRONMENT

Typical
office and field environment with 80% travel using a motorbike for frequent
visits to the field sites for project visit, meetings, community groups
engagement, partnerships management and project implementation.

ACCOUNTABILITIES
AND MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES

Planning,
Strategy and Policy (10%)

·  Ensure
the project contributes to the outcomes for girls and young women are realised
and that girls and women occupy spaces to continually address issues affecting
them and realisation of gender equality.

·  Employ
a gender-transformative approach, to address power and gender inequalities that
undermine responsive, locally-led climate change adaptation and biodiversity
conservation

·  Design
and implement the project while advancing gender transformation and aligned to
the Country and Global strategies.

·  Promote
safeguarding and safe programming through the project cycles and ensure Plan’s
policy on safeguarding the rights of children and young people is adhered to by
all associates.

·  Build
relationship with relevant staff to ensure all logistics and procurement
processes are in conformity with Plan policies, procedures and standards

·  Facilitate
meaningful engagement, consultation, participation and feedback to the
community in relation to Plan programs and policies.

Programme
and Project Design, implementation, Reporting and Influencing (30%)

·  Mobilization
and participation of women in climate governance and weak collective action
among women’s rights organizations (WROs) and youth-led organizations (YLOs) in
local climate action

·  Promote
participation of children, girls and communities in project cycle to explore
and challenge gender norms.

·  Ensure
project stakeholders effectively engage at all project levels.

·  Facilitate
access to relevant and accurate information on the project to stakeholders.

·  Contribute
to gender sensitive responses/intervention through continuous data collection
during project implementation.

·  Consolidate/write
project periodic reports in line with the laid down donor requirements and Plan
standards.

Working
in Partnership (10%)

·  Partnership
management while ensuring adherence to Building Better partnership principles

·  Facilitate
authentic community led beneficiary targeting processes and reporting on
interventions being undertaken.

·  Engage
and maintain cordial stakeholder relationships throughout the project cycle for
effective project delivery and achievement of project results.

·  Maintain
a high level of external communication and contact at the community and county
levels.

·  Build
and strengthen working relations with local structures (local administration,
schools among others) and ensure their participation

·  Engage
and influence different technical working groups at sub-county level

Monitoring,
Evaluation and Quality Assurance (15%)

·  Timely
development and utilizations of all project tools to support technically sound
project implementation.

·  Deliver
timely and quality project activity and scheduled reports

·  Operationalise
procedures of data quality assurance during collection and submission of all
related project data.

·  Work
with the Project and the M&E team in documenting project achievements, best
practices and lessons learnt.

·  Facilitate
and coordinate project reflection meetings with communities and other
stakeholders to inform programming/improve on quality of interventions.

Financial
Responsibility (10%)

·  Develop
monthly activities and budget plans as per approved work plan and ensure all
activities are on track with appropriate scheduling, quality and timelines.

·  Monitor
expenditures by interventions and ensure compliance within the approved budget.

·  Review
expenditure reports on a monthly basis.

Risk
Management (5%)

·  Develop
project and activity risk assessments and put in place mechanisms to
mitigate/manage the risks during the project cycle.

·  Continually
manage all program safeguarding risks.

Capability
Building and People Management (10%)

·  Support
rural communities in learning about, customizing and applying NBS for climate
adaptation

·  Assess
local partners’ capacity gaps in delivery of program and sponsorship work and
develop capacity building plans for mutual development.

·  Internally
resources and establish external linkages/referral for capacity development of
the local partners

Safeguarding
Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion
(GEI) (5%)

·  Understands
and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies
and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are
reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

·  Leads
the orientation of programme staff to ensure that they are properly inducted on
and understands their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and
GEI policies;

·  Ensures
that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young
People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in project design,
during implementation and as principles applied in day-to-day work of Programme
team;

·  Ensures
that Plan Kenya contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure
safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data
are submitted.

Other
Duties (5%)

As
assigned by the supervisor

LEADERSHIP
COMPETENCIES

·  Courageous
in taking a lead, focussed on Plan International’s purpose and making the most
effective contribution within their own work context.

·  Behaves
in line with Plan International values and safeguarding practices, inside and
outside work.

·  Challenges
own attitudes, unconscious bias and behaviour and speaks up when they see wrong
doing, especially by those who use their power over others to create fear or
abuse.

·  Understand
and adhere to the policies, processes, practices and standards relevant to own
work and keeps their knowledge and skills up to date.

·  Honest
and efficient in use of resources, including own time.

·  Takes
responsibility for own performance and development: reflecting; seeking and
listening to feedback; learning from mistakes; finding people or resources to help
them learn.

·  Constructive
and optimistic in facing setbacks, challenges and change, using own initiative
to analyse issues and improve things.

·  Good
team player, communicating effectively and being open and supportive towards
those around them.

BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

·  Understands
Plan International in context, including its purpose, values and country
strategy, and can communicate these to varied audiences, including how Plan
International will deliver on its objectives.

·  Managing
activities and resources including skills in project design, planning,
monitoring and reporting

·  Managing
people and information including skills in capacity assessment and coaching,
communication skills, both speaking and writing, and digital working, including
personal digital skills

TECHNICAL
EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications
/ experience essential:

·  Bachelor’s
Degree in Environmental studies, Climate Science, Natural Resource Management
or in Agricultural Related courses

·  At
least 3 or more years of relevant work experience.

·  At least
2 years’ experience managing partnerships in projects

·  Direct
project management experience, preferably in the climate action, conservation,
environment, and disaster risk management or related field.

·  Must
have proven knowledge of or an interest in Nature Based Solutions and marine
ecosystems

·  Knowledge
of women economic empowerment and gender integration best practices

·  Knowledge
and Experience on sustainable Livelihoods

·  Hold
personal values, ethics and attitudes which are in alignment with the
principles of the Plan’s values

·  Motorcycle
riding skills and experience

Qualifications/
experience desirable:

·  Strong
report writing skills

·  Documentation
of project impact stories of change

·  Community
facilitation, networking, partnership development and management skills

·  Good
communication, negotiation and advocacy skills

·  Good
interpersonal, relationship and team working

·  Conflict
Management skills

·  Experience
in humanitarian programming

·  Experience
in program phase out management

Languages
required:

·  Excellent
written and verbal communication skills in Kiswahili and English.

TECHNICAL
COMPETENCIES

·  Shapes
work programmes with relevant leaders and stakeholders, aligned with relevant
strategies, and balancing global and local priorities with opportunities

·  Designs
projects with clear objectives and measurable results contributing to overall
outcomes.

·  Coaches
partners as part of daily work by explaining key concepts, standards and
resources; and working alongside others to apply effective evidence-based practice.

·  Identifies,
assesses and nurtures mutually beneficial relationships with appropriate
partners. [supporting partnership relationships]

·  Embeds
capability building of relevant stakeholders into programme and project design

·  Mainstreams
gender and inclusion into programming and influencing work by applying
strategies for gender transformative change.

·  Uses
participatory approaches and the engagement of our Primary Impact Groups and
other key actors and stakeholders throughout the programme and project cycle,
including monitoring and evaluation.

·  Works
politically to engage with and influence key actors and stakeholders in own
field(s), including government, inter-governmental organisations and the
private sector

Knowledge:

·  In-depth
knowledge local development issues, with particular knowledge in girls’ rights
and child rights, feminist movements, the key actors and institutions, and the
power dynamics involved.

·  Mastery
of key gender inequalities, gaps, barriers and opportunities at the local level

·  In-depth
understanding of the policies, processes, institutions and organizations that
shape the development and humanitarian context and standards within Kenya.

·  Knowledge
and experience of working with children and youths

·  Strong
Knowledge of community development.

·  Knowledge
on management of partners including capacity assessment and strengthening.

Skills:

·  Ability
to design, implement and monitor evidence based solutions for gender
transformative programmes.

·  Ability
to influence power holders about the need for and benefits of addressing gender
equality and inclusion, including being able to offer a range of evidence based
solutions.

·  Excellent
relationship building skills – networking, influencing and stakeholder
management skills

·  Ability
to identify, analyze and monitor diverse, relevant external actors to work with
and understand the purpose and implications of working with them.

·  Experience
in capacity building

·  Hands
on experience and skill in result based MERL system

Behaviors:

·  Role
model Plan International values and behaviors both internally and externally.

·  Engages
sensitively with community members on issues of gender equality and inclusion,
demonstrating an understanding of the local culture and context.

·  Promotes
equality, including gender equality, inclusion and girls’ empowerment in Plan’s
work and in its work with partners

·  Apply
participatory influencing methodologies both internally and externally

·  The
ability to build collaborative working relationships

·  Communicates
effectively at a high level and with a range of appropriate styles for
different audiences

·  Builds
capability through knowledge sharing, networking and coaching.

Equality,
diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan
International stands for.

We want
Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with,
offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender
reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race,
religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan
International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a
workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every
country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We
foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial
justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan
International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of
harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we
can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities
to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any
way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range
of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan
International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan
International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure
Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants
previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or
sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the
applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant
confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Disclaimer:
Plan International is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate
applicants on any basis. We also do not charge Job seekers any fees at any
point of the recruitment process.

Early
application is encouraged as we will review applications on a rolling basis
throughout the advertising period.

CLICK HERE to apply
online.

Female
candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position.