Senior Project Officer
Duty Station:Marsabit, Kenya
Duration:
Reporting To: Research manager
1. Background and General Description of Tasks
Center for Research and Development in Drylands (CRDD) is a non-profit organization that engages in people-centered research and development partnerships. It develops and implements approaches and provides services that catalyze sustainable development of livelihoods and the welfare of communities living in the drylands of Kenya. Drawing on extensive expertise and networks from the region, CRDD brings together stakeholders with diverse knowledge of the complex situations, challenges and opportunities in drylands. In its work, CRDD emphasizes knowledge integration of academic and societal stakeholders to co-develop and implement development solutions that take the conditions and the capacities of the community and other relevant stakeholders into account. Hence, CRDD works towards generating practical knowledge through inter-phasing participatory research with development in pastoral regions of Kenya. This serves to support and empower the local population to co-develop their own future.
Our work is based on four pillars, all of which are interlinked and essential in achieving the overall mission of the organization:
- Support attainment of sustainable livelihoods in the drylands by designing development approaches that fit the shifting context in drylands and inform the development of appropriate market systems, both livestock and bio-enterprises;
- Strengthen the capacity of local and county-level institutions: This is premised on the idea that the realization of sustainable livelihoods in the drylands requires sustained local action by individuals and institutions that can act in a coordinated approach.
- Knowledge and information management and dissemination - Despite enormous investment in development in the drylands over several decades, change in community livelihoods has not been commensurate.
- Strengthened enabling policy and institutional environment - CRDD will identify and work with institutions at community, county and national government levels to develop and support the implementation on enabling policies.
2. Reporting line
The senior project officer is under the overall supervision of the CRDD Senior Management and specifically reports directly to the Research and Programs manager.
3. Overall Responsibilities
The holder of the position will be tasked with the implementation of various projects providing strategic leadership and timely implementation of the projects in collaboration with other project officers.
4. Specific Responsibilities and tasks
Specific responsibilities of the officer include:-
Project Support and Development:
- Develop the activity plans for the respective project with the support of the research manager.
- Ensure timely and coordinated implementation of project activities as per the work plan.
- Develop regular project implementation briefs for CRDD’s management and for posting on the organization website.
- Lead the documentation of lessons and actions to profile project outcomes.
- Build and strengthen strategic networks and linkages with relevant stakeholders.
- Track the project financial expenditures and ensure that the funds are spent prudently.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of CRDD’s internal strategies
- Support in additional fund-raising possibilities to ensure the sustainability of project activities.
- Ensure safekeeping of all organizational assets in accordance with CRDD internal controls and donor agreements.
- Lead the preparation of quality and timely project reports in accordance with agreed donor formats and templates and deadlines.
- Ensure to submit monthly and quarterly reports as per the donor agreements and timelines.
- Undertake other duties as assigned by the management from time to time.
Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation:
- Carry out data collection and data analysis for the project baseline and for Monitoring and Evaluation of project implementation.
- Ensure that all monitoring forms and monitoring activities are duly maintained.
- Regularly conduct project monitoring exercise and propose changes and communicate updates of the implementation
- Ensure that monitoring internal activity reports are consistently done in a timely manner and meets the expected standard, based on agreed formats and schedules.
- Conduct evaluation of the project activities and propose amendments where needed.
Coordination & Partnerships:
- Coordination with stakeholders to ensure participation in various project activities and share information with them on the activities on a need-to-know basis.
- Attend stakeholder meeting, events, invitation on regular basis that is related to the project implemented.
- Collaborate and network with stakeholders and propose ideas and activities related to project implemented for the community.
Qualifications
The position requires a professional with at least 6 years of professional field experience in the implementation of projects within the natural resource management or pastoral development sectors. The following specific qualifications are required:
- A university degree in natural resources management, Development Studies, Social Sciences or. A Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
- Experience with results-based project cycle management including monitoring and evaluation methodologies and principles and project budget management.
- Experience in donor funding projects, donor reporting templates.
- Experience in interacting with multiple stakeholders including local government officials and in mobilizing and developing relationships with local communities;
- Experience at working with a team and ensuring strong teamwork and morale • Good communication skills and proven writing ability.
- Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. • Strong coordination, representation and interpersonal skills
Languages
Fluency in written and spoken English, Swahili and local language spoken in the region.
How to apply
To express interest and showcase suitability for the position kindly send a letter of motivation, up-to-date Resume, (with 3 references) and copies of testimonials or other relevant documents to head of Human Resource using the email - Send email. Interested candidates to submit applications by 15th March 5.00pm.
CRDD is an equal opportunity employer and provides comparative salary package. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.