Senior Project Officer/County Program Lead (Ref.2016/09) - Kenya

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

POSITION IDENTIFICATION:

Department : WASH

Job Title : Senior Project Officer/County Program Lead

Isiolo (Ref.2016/09)

Grade : 6

Reports To : Program Manager - WASH

Supervises (Direct Reports Only) : N/A

Based In (Location) : Isiolo

Background of Kenya Rapid WASH Program

The Kenya Resilient Arid Lands Partnership for Integrated Development (KENYA RAPID) is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) program, in which multiple partners cooperate. It aims to support sustainable and resilient livelihoods in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), by improving water availability and water service delivery to people and livestock, and improve rangelands. KENYA RAPID mobilizes financial and technical resources from development partners, national government, county government and the private sector.

Over the next five years (2015-2020) the KENYA RAPID program focuses on five Kenyan counties with high poverty rates, chronic food and water insecurity, and low access to basic services: Marsabit, Garissa, Isiolo, Wajir, and Turkana. The Kenya RAPID program will facilitate a process that supports the growth and capacity strengthening of public, civil society, community and private sector institutions to increase access to water for people and livestock and rebuild a healthy rangeland management ecosystem. The program is designed to create a successful intervention model that, with local adaptation, can be replicated by other counties and thus substantially contribute to the Government of Kenya’s goal of universal coverage of WASH services in Kenya by 2030.

There are three strategic objectives:

• A responsive and accountable governance framework is in place and operational at county government level that ensures sustainable provision of water and pasture;
• Replicable and scalable business models for sustainable WASH and livestock service delivery are developed and operationalized; and
• Communities have increased access to sustainable WASH services and improved rangeland management
  Catholic Relief Services Kenya will be implementing the multi-donor funded, 5-year WASH & Livestock program in Turkana and Isiolo counties of Kenya.
  Job Summary
  The Senior Project Officer WASH/County program lead Isiolo will take the overall responsibility of managing all the program related activities of the KENYA RAPID WASH program which will be implemented in Isiolo County. As a member and chair of the Isiolo County Coordinating Unit based in Isiolo, s/he will also work closely with the local implementing partners and the County Government of Isiolo in the day to day implementation of the program. The Senior Project officer WASH/County program lead Isiolo will additionally guide the implementation all WASH related activities in the Isiolo and work closely with the Millennium Water Alliance WASH Specialist based in Nairobi. The Senior Project Officer WASH/County program lead Isiolo will be based in Isiolo Town. S/he will report to the Program Manager WASH.
  SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
  Responsibility 1: Project implementation and reporting including monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Coordinate implementation of the KENYA RAPID program activities in Isiolo County as per the approved work plan;
• Participate in the development and implementation of operational work plans in accordance with the budget, results framework, and administrative guidelines approved by the Program Steering Committee (PSC);
• Consistently track and identify KENYA RAPID program performance gaps/challenges in Isiolo County and recommend timely remedial actions;
• Lead the CCU team in compiling reports every six months to be provided to the CPSC that summarizes program achievements, key challenges, lessons learned to date and detailing budget expenditures and investment plans from all stakeholders under the KENYA RAPID program in Isiolo County;
• Implement decisions made by the Program Steering Committee (PSC) and the County Program Steering Committee (CPSC);
• Select intervention sites, expansion areas and (new) program partners based on set criteria by the county and after consultation with all stakeholders;
• Monitor compliance of all contract service providers, consultants and implementing entities contracted by the CCU;
• Technical support to the CCU in launching tenders and calls for proposal; contract service providers and implementing entities;
• Monitor progress of work plan implementation, identifying issues (technical and coordination) and formulate solutions to address the identified issues;
• Support the information/data management officer to develop annual learning agenda, data analysis from the field and producing customized reports for various applications/interventions.

Responsibility 2: Networking, representation and collaboration.

• Support the local implementing partner in preparation of project technical and financial reports, and in review of partner liquidations, periodic work plans and budgets;
• Maintain and or develop productive relationships and communication with church officials and diocesan staff through regular visits and share CRS resources (web links, manuals, best practice guidance, training opportunities, etc.) relevant to their programs;
• Represent CRS in sectoral meetings with the government and other development agencies in Isiolo County and ensure that partners are informed and represented;
• Strengthen program linkages and foster good working relations with civil society organizations, government representatives, private sector and community based organizations;
• Participate in planning for donor visits and keep partners involved and informed of all such visits;
• Actively participate in Partners for Resilience and Economic Growth (PREG) periodic meetings.
  Responsibility 3: WASH programmatic roles
• Provide WASH related technical support to the Isiolo County Coordination Units. This includes providing technical assistance in the areas of community water supply, irrigation, sanitation and hygiene;
• Lead the development and implementation of innovative WASH programme, through community based systems, addressing the needs of the most vulnerable members of society;
• Lead in development of a contextual analysis of economic policy, WASH issues affecting the Isiolo county and particularly the target groups;
• Facilitate the county governments of Isiolo in development of a detailed WASH strategy that aligns with the county integrated development plans;
• Formulate WASH related guidelines, regulations and plans for KENYA RAPID operations at the county level and ensure the program operates efficiently and effectively;
• Stay abreast of new developments in WASH and participate actively in related technical working groups and forums;
• Provide technical assistance in the areas of community water supply, irrigation, sanitation and hygiene;
• Coordinate the adoption of innovative approaches in WASH though linkages with private sector actors;
• Facilitate WASH training needs identification and capacity building for the implementing partner and county staff, and other public and private partners;
• Develop a monitoring, evaluation and learning plan for the WASH activities in Isiolo County in close consultation with the information/data management officers;

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning
  Competencies Relevant for the Specific Position:
• A broad grasp of socio - economic policy issues with respect to WASH development in both in rural and urban settings;
• Technical knowledge in WASH, Social Protection, Gender issues and Environment;
• Experience with working with county governments, civil society, donors and local communities;
• Diplomacy, tact and negotiating skills;
• Training/coaching skills;
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills;
• The ability to work independently, think innovatively and strategically, and work effectively within a team;
• Fluency in written and spoken English;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Detailed understanding and experience of gender and diversity issues and commitment to addressing inequalities in all the key areas of responsibility;
• Demonstrate high levels of initiative and innovation;
• Flexibility in tasks undertaken;
• Ability to work under pressure and deadlines;
• Extensive knowledge of participatory approaches;
• Understanding of development/relief issues;
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and action;
• Needs good strategic thinking and vision;
• Strong financial/budget management skills required.

MEAL Competencies:

• Track project MEAL requirements – both CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP) and donor requirements.
• Work with MEAL staff and partner staff to implement the MPP and donor MEAL requirements applicable to your projects.
• Complete the annual MEAL procedure self-assessment for your project, and develop action plan to advance MEAL practice.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• MEAL/Information officer – Isiolo County
• Food Security, Nutrition and Livelihoods Officer – Isiolo County
• CRS driver/mechanic – Isiolo County.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal:

• MEAL/Information Officer, WASH officer – Turkana County and the CRS Driver/mechanic.
• Program Manager WASH and the head of programs
• CRS’s finance, human resources and procurement department.

External:

• The Governor’s Office Isiolo County.
• National Government officials e.g. County and Sub County Commissioners, and area chiefs in Isiolo.
• Ministries of Water, irrigation, health, finance and planning, agriculture, livestock in Isiolo County.
• Catholic Diocese of Lodwar and the local implementing partners in Isiolo
• Program consultants and contractors
• County Program Steering Committee
• PREG members i.e. AphiaPlus Imarisha, NRT, REGAL AG, REGAL IR, World Food Program and AHADI.
• Millennium Water Alliance Program Coordinating Unit and the program technical leads.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor degree in Civil or Water Engineering or related field, a master’s degree will be an added advantage;
• At least 5 years work experience in WASH programming; experience in managing multiyear donor funded WASH projects is an added advantage..
• Previous experience in managing USAID funded projects.

Required Foreign Language

None.

Required Travel (where and expected %):

None

Work Environment : Isiolo County

Disclaimer:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

The following statement/declaration shall be included ON ALL job applications:

“I understand that CRS takes all allegations of abuse and exploitation seriously. Abuse or exploitation of children or vulnerable adults is grounds for immediate dismissal.”

HOW TO APPLY:

Written applications indicating the reference number of position applied for and CV including day-time contact phone numbers, as well as names and contact information of three references should reach the below-mentioned by Close of Business Monday February 8, 2016;

Human Resources Manager

Catholic Relief Services – Kenya Program

E-mail: hr@ke.earo.crs.org

Please indicate the Reference Number (Ref: 2016/09) on the ‘email subject. Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Note: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) does not charge any fees from applicants for any recruitment. Further, CRS has not retained any agent in connection with this recruitment