|
Programme Officer, Landscape Livelihoods, Isiolo or Laikipia County, Kenya..
|
BACKGROUND
THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION
BACKGROUND:
IUCN’s Kenya Country Programme supports priorities defined under Kenya's National Development Plan, National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, National Climate Change Strategy, Agriculture and Water Sector Development Strategies and Marine and Fisheries Action Plans, Blue Economy Policies and Strategies, IUCN 20-year vision (2026-2045), IUCN programme 2026-2028 as well as relevant multi-lateral environmental agreements. Our 2026-2030 strategic goals include sustainable land and landscapes management, conservation of critical natural habitats, Integrated water resources management, capacity building for climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable urban resilience and coastal and ocean resilience (COR) building.
Under the Land Systems Programme, IUCN’s Kenya is currently implementing a project called “BUILDING RESILIENT COMMUNITY CONSERVANCIES FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION, RESILIENCE, LIVELIHOOD IMPROVEMENT AND PEACE/SECURITY IN CHURO-KIRISIA-MUKOGODO- OLDONYIRO-NDOTO-MATHEWS RANGES-SABARWAWA ECOSYSTEMS IN NORTHERN KENYA – in short form “REPLAN”. This is a 4-year project (2026 – 2029) with the overall objective of enhancing the resilience of communities across the four micro-landscapes (Melako-Shurr, Mathews-Ndoto Ranges, Mukogodo–Naibunga-Oldonyiro and Ruko-Kaptuya-Mukutan) through identification and scaling-up livelihoods and biodiversity conservation innovations. The project consists of four components:
•Component 1: Improved biodiversity and ecosystems conservation across the four micro-landscapes.
•Component 2: Improve livelihoods and resilience of communities.
•Component 3: Strengthened multi-stakeholder coordination and dedicated mainstreaming of human rights, gender and security across the micro-landscapes and beyond. Inclusive natural resources governance in the project landscapes and advocacy strengthened.
•Component 4: Project management, Coordination and Acceleration of Impact.
The REPLAN project is part of NaturAfrica programme which is an EU International Partnerships (INTPA) initiative to support biodiversity conservation in Africa by taking an innovative people-centred approach. By structuring support around landscapes that are crucial for conservation and human development and target these areas to boost job creation and improve security and livelihoods while also protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
The Programme Officer, Landscape Livelihoods will drive the implementation of component 2 of the REPLAN project. He/she will serve as a member of the Country Land Systems Team that helps set strategic directions and define priorities for IUCN’s broader engagement on Land Systems issues at the country level and, accordingly, works with the other members of the team in developing the Land Systems Programme portfolio; strategic planning; monitoring and evaluation; and learning, innovation and knowledge generation at the overall Programme level. This position reports directly to the Chief of Party, REPLAN Project.
The Programme Officer, Landscape Livelihoods will be based in Isiolo or Laikipia County, Kenya with frequent travel in other project and programme sites.
BACKGROUND:
IUCN’s Kenya Country Programme supports priorities defined under Kenya's National Development Plan, National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, National Climate Change Strategy, Agriculture and Water Sector Development Strategies and Marine and Fisheries Action Plans, Blue Economy Policies and Strategies, IUCN 20-year vision (2026-2045), IUCN programme 2026-2028 as well as relevant multi-lateral environmental agreements. Our 2026-2030 strategic goals include sustainable land and landscapes management, conservation of critical natural habitats, Integrated water resources management, capacity building for climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainable urban resilience and coastal and ocean resilience (COR) building.
Under the Land Systems Programme, IUCN’s Kenya is currently implementing a project called “BUILDING RESILIENT COMMUNITY CONSERVANCIES FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION, RESILIENCE, LIVELIHOOD IMPROVEMENT AND PEACE/SECURITY IN CHURO-KIRISIA-MUKOGODO- OLDONYIRO-NDOTO-MATHEWS RANGES-SABARWAWA ECOSYSTEMS IN NORTHERN KENYA – in short form “REPLAN”. This is a 4-year project (2026 – 2029) with the overall objective of enhancing the resilience of communities across the four micro-landscapes (Melako-Shurr, Mathews-Ndoto Ranges, Mukogodo–Naibunga-Oldonyiro and Ruko-Kaptuya-Mukutan) through identification and scaling-up livelihoods and biodiversity conservation innovations. The project consists of four components:
•Component 1: Improved biodiversity and ecosystems conservation across the four micro-landscapes.
•Component 2: Improve livelihoods and resilience of communities.
•Component 3: Strengthened multi-stakeholder coordination and dedicated mainstreaming of human rights, gender and security across the micro-landscapes and beyond. Inclusive natural resources governance in the project landscapes and advocacy strengthened.
•Component 4: Project management, Coordination and Acceleration of Impact.
The REPLAN project is part of NaturAfrica programme which is an EU International Partnerships (INTPA) initiative to support biodiversity conservation in Africa by taking an innovative people-centred approach. By structuring support around landscapes that are crucial for conservation and human development and target these areas to boost job creation and improve security and livelihoods while also protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
The Programme Officer, Landscape Livelihoods will drive the implementation of component 2 of the REPLAN project. He/she will serve as a member of the Country Land Systems Team that helps set strategic directions and define priorities for IUCN’s broader engagement on Land Systems issues at the country level and, accordingly, works with the other members of the team in developing the Land Systems Programme portfolio; strategic planning; monitoring and evaluation; and learning, innovation and knowledge generation at the overall Programme level. This position reports directly to the Chief of Party, REPLAN Project.
The Programme Officer, Landscape Livelihoods will be based in Isiolo or Laikipia County, Kenya with frequent travel in other project and programme sites.
JOB DESCRIPTION
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Implementation and portfolio management;
Coordination, planning, budgeting, management and oversight of REPLAN project’s component 2;
Day-to-day coordination of projects implementation and activities delivery to ensure the highest quality of outputs and outcomes as well as guarantee that activities are implemented in line with project workplans and budgets;
Support and coordinate implementing partners and consultants with focus on livelihoods and resilience of communities to ensure effective delivery of their tasks;
Support national Land Systems team on technical reporting and on the development of annual reports;
Participate in the development of the Kenya Land Systems projects portfolio.
External engagement and communication;
In consultation with CoP, ensure that IUCN is adequately represented in relevant country fora and facilitate discussions on relevant land systems emerging issues to position IUCN as a reference in the country;
Provide evidence-based support and facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues on emerging issues and policy debates;
Communication of lessons learnt to key decision-makers and other stakeholders within the country, region and globally as appropriate, including via the web, print and media;
In collaboration with the Senior Officer-Natural Resources Management identify and manage potential risks associated with IUCN’s public positions in the country and design strategies to mitigate the risks that have been identified;
Act as a focal point for facilitating and supporting the involvement of IUCN Commissions, Members and other members of the Secretariat in the development and implementation of programmatic activities.
Programme development and resource mobilization;
As appropriate, contribute to fundraising activities including development of concepts and projects proposals. This will involve establishing, maintaining and nurturing good relationships with donors, funding agencies and other technical partners so as to ensure the financial viability of the Land Systems programme in Kenya;
Monitoring and Evaluation;
Contribute to the development and implementation of the project and Kenya Land Systems Monitoring and Evaluation Framework;
Support REPLAN project and Land System Programme monitoring and evaluation;
In collaboration with the Senior Officer-Natural Resources Management ensure IUCN work is accountable to donors and other stakeholders through the establishment and management of effective accountability mechanisms and processes;
Provide leadership to use data for project decision making, for the implementation of management actions based on the findings of monitoring, and to ensure that feedback from stakeholders inform programme development;
Lead landscapes livelihoods and resilience of communities reporting processes and requirements.
Other responsibilities;
Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
Implementation and portfolio management;
Coordination, planning, budgeting, management and oversight of REPLAN project’s component 2;
Day-to-day coordination of projects implementation and activities delivery to ensure the highest quality of outputs and outcomes as well as guarantee that activities are implemented in line with project workplans and budgets;
Support and coordinate implementing partners and consultants with focus on livelihoods and resilience of communities to ensure effective delivery of their tasks;
Support national Land Systems team on technical reporting and on the development of annual reports;
Participate in the development of the Kenya Land Systems projects portfolio.
External engagement and communication;
In consultation with CoP, ensure that IUCN is adequately represented in relevant country fora and facilitate discussions on relevant land systems emerging issues to position IUCN as a reference in the country;
Provide evidence-based support and facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues on emerging issues and policy debates;
Communication of lessons learnt to key decision-makers and other stakeholders within the country, region and globally as appropriate, including via the web, print and media;
In collaboration with the Senior Officer-Natural Resources Management identify and manage potential risks associated with IUCN’s public positions in the country and design strategies to mitigate the risks that have been identified;
Act as a focal point for facilitating and supporting the involvement of IUCN Commissions, Members and other members of the Secretariat in the development and implementation of programmatic activities.
Programme development and resource mobilization;
As appropriate, contribute to fundraising activities including development of concepts and projects proposals. This will involve establishing, maintaining and nurturing good relationships with donors, funding agencies and other technical partners so as to ensure the financial viability of the Land Systems programme in Kenya;
Monitoring and Evaluation;
Contribute to the development and implementation of the project and Kenya Land Systems Monitoring and Evaluation Framework;
Support REPLAN project and Land System Programme monitoring and evaluation;
In collaboration with the Senior Officer-Natural Resources Management ensure IUCN work is accountable to donors and other stakeholders through the establishment and management of effective accountability mechanisms and processes;
Provide leadership to use data for project decision making, for the implementation of management actions based on the findings of monitoring, and to ensure that feedback from stakeholders inform programme development;
Lead landscapes livelihoods and resilience of communities reporting processes and requirements.
Other responsibilities;
Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
REQUIREMENTS
|
• POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Education; A degree in an appropriate field related to Sustainable Finance, Natural resources economics, Development Studies, Sustainable Livelihood, Community Development, Environmental Studies / Natural Resource Management, or related fields; Computer literacy in relation to office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint) use of internet and online communication tools; Master’s degree will be an added advantage. Work Experience; We’re looking for an outstanding, hands-on, highly motivated, autonomous, innovative, solution-oriented, result-driven and resourceful individual with at least five years of proven experience with: Sound expertise and experience in sustainable finance including climate/biodiversity finance, green/blue finance, impact investing, blended finance, financial inclusion and community-based financing mechanisms etc; Strong expertise and experience in livelihoods programming, business plans for community enterprises and resilience building; Up-to-date knowledge on the nexus between livelihood, biodiversity conservation, climate change, governance and human based approaches; Computer literacy in relation to office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint) use of internet and online communication tools; Demonstrates strong leadership and people - management experience including supervision of consultants and coordination and effective management of virtual team settings; Demonstrated ability to work under pressure managing competing demands and complex situations and deliver satisfactory and timely results; Must be a strong team player with proven communication and diplomacy skills and ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams displaying sensitivity and respect for diversity; Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development. Language requirement; Excellent verbal and communication skills in English and Swahili is essential; Core Competencies; Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team. Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provide a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner. Accountability: Takes responsibility of individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach. Functional competencies; Adheres to IUCN core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism and Accountability; Strong interpersonal, management and supervisory skills and experience, with a minimum of 2 years’ in managing teams; Ability to manage complex situations and facilitate the establishment of networks and multi-stakeholder participatory processes; Be willing to undertake frequent travel and interact with different stakeholders from diverse cultures. |
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.
www.iucn.org
https://twitter.com/IUCN