PO- Natural Resource Mgt and DRR Governance – Marsabit At Catholic Relief Services

Reports To: Systems Strengthening Specialist
Contract Period: 3 Years
About CRS:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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.
CRS has worked in Kenya since 1965. Over the years, CRS’ focus shifted from direct relief and food distributions to a comprehensive development program that works with partners and enhances local capacity. CRS Kenya programs now support children affected by HIV, and community-based efforts to increase household incomes, improve family health and sanitation , and enhance agriculture livelihoods.
Background:
CRS, representing a consortium of international non-governmental organizations, local implementing partners and research institutions is leading the USAID Nawiri Program in Isiolo and Marsabit, a USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) funded 5-year Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) in Kenya. The overarching goal of this multi-sectoral activity is to sustainably reduce persistent levels of acute malnutrition in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). The activity will be implemented in two phases:

• Phase I (1.5-2 years) Research, test approaches and collaboratively design a context-sensitive, multi-sectoral activity that sustainably reduces acute malnutrition.
• Phase II (3- 3.5 years): Multi-sectoral Activity implementation and adaptation and Local System and Institutional Strengthening.

Job Summary:
As a member of the USAID Nawiri systems strengthening and institutionalization team, the Project Officer – NRM/DRR Governance will support Nawiri’s efforts to strengthen the capacity of Marsabit and Isiolo County Governm ents to deliver natural resource management and disaster risk reduction interventions, strengthening the county governance and facilitating development of appropriate regulations and capacities to address issues related to natural resource management and disaster risk reduction. S/he will build effective working relationships with county departments of water, environment and natural resources, agriculture, livestock and public health counterparts, and local administration, and other relevant structures and institutions. Through accompaniment, coordination, and on-the-job support, s/he will support efforts to build preparedness of county government and o ther local partners and institutions to assume financial and technical responsibility for maintaining commitments in managing natural resources across Marsabit and Isiolo Counties.
Job Responsibilities:

• Work with Nawiri’s Local I mplementing Partners (LIPs) and the relevant county government departments to identify gaps and strengthen the capacity of community-based institutions and ensure they deliver on their respective mandates in Disaster Risk Reduction, Natural Resources Management and Peace Building.
• Together with the LIP and the relevant county government departments assist the village-based institutions to develop their annual plans.
• Ensure coordinated support by other non-state to community based institutions to avoid duplication of effort and for increased efficiency.
• Participate in multi-sectoral stakeholder engagement and coordination with relevant county and community-based government of Kenya (GOK) staff, key stakeholders, and other local institutions.
• Engage in NRM/DRR and other relevant technical working groups and other multi-sector platforms to enhance communication of goals and objectives, obtain buy-in, enhance awareness, and ensure collective engageme nt.
• Provide ongoing support to ensure linkages between Nawiri activities and GOK’s strategic plans at county levels (e.g., Kenya Ending Drought Emergencies Framework, County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs)). Incorporate strategies to address NRM/DRR governance and systems-related drivers of acute malnutrition in the county into Nawiri activity design.
• Along with the County M&E specialist and System Strengthening Specialist, support county government counterparts to use available agriculture, livestock, NRM and other relevant sector information for decision making, program planning, and performance and results monitoring.
• Contribute inputs to transition plan from Nawiri Phase 1 (Research and Collaboration) to Phase 2 (Activity Implementation).
• Utilize tools and materials designed to effectively measure capacity improvements of community-based institutions.
• Along with the County M&E specialist, identify and monitor key metrics to measure institutional strengthening.
• Along with System Strengthening Specialist, identify capacity strengthening needs through ongoing capacity assessments using agreed upon tools and procedures of county government, partner organizations, and other local stakeholders.

Required/Desired Foreign Language:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; ability to draft and edit reports.
• Excellent verbal communication skills in Kiswahili.
• Dialects local to Marsabit County a plus.

Travel Required: the position will be based at the sub counties.
Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory: none
Internal: County Systems Strengthening Specialist, County Research Coordinator Marsabit, County M&E Specialist, Multi-Sec toral Nutrition Governance Officer
External: Nawiri consortium members, County government of Marsabit and Isiolo staffs especially Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Public Administration and Civic engagement and other related government bodies and authorities, Local Implementing partners and private sector service providers
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Natural Resource Management, Agriculture, Public Administration, International Development, or other relevant fields.
• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in project support, with at least 2 years’ experience related to natural resource management, disaster risk management and/or systems strengthening.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in one or more of t he following areas: policy reform, stakeholder coordination, and/or related areas of system strengthening.
• Experience with conducting conflict analysis, risk analysis, gender analyses, assessments and evaluations and other governance-related research, including applying data collection tools and methodologies.
• Experience in participatory action planning and local government engagement.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Personal skills

• Observation, active listening, and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Good relationship, partnership, coordination and management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners, local government, and community members.
• Ability to exercise diplomacy and tact as demonstrated in previous roles that have required communication with a broad and diverse set of partners.
• Atten tion to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to work in challenging and changing environments, and to see through challenges to find solutions.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talents
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability and Stewardship

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
What we offer:
CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
*Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.** C RS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.**
CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified empl oyees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities. By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate m y behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vul nerable 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.