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Project Officer, People and Landscapes Programme

Vacancy #:   1324
Unit:   Eastern and Southern Africa Region
Organisation:   International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Location:   Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya
Reporting to:   Programme Officer, People & Landscapes Programme (Yassin Mahadi)
Work percentage:   100%
Grade:   P1
Expected start date:   01 August 2016
Type of contract:   Fixed-term (5 months)
Closing date:   18 July 2016
BACKGROUND
POSITION TO BE BASED IN HURI HILLS, MARSABIT, KENYA.

The People and Landscapes programme aims to deploy nature based solutions to regional challenges faced by communities through effective and equitable governance of rangelands and forest landscapes and ecosystems to provide multiple benefits to communities of Eastern and Southern Africa. The goal of the programme is that dryland, forest and woodland ecosystems are sustainably managed to protect biodiversity and contribute to local livelihoods and national economies. Under People and Landscapes (P&L) Programme IUCN has secured funding from (GIZ) to implement “Integrated plan to enhance socio-economic and ecological resilience of the wider Huri Hills landscape, Marsabit Kenya” project. The overall objective of the project is to improve resilience through the development of potential pathways towards sustainable development of communities, conserve and rehabilitate ecosystems in the wider Huri hills landscape and Shur area. The key result areas of the project are:

• The development of an integrated and holistic plan for sustainable ecosystems management, resilience building and sustainable livelihood in the wider Huri Hills landscape ;
• Implement three strategic natural resource management interventions that promote sustainable livelihoods and enhance resilience of communities and ecosystems on a pilot basis and according to community/user group ranking of priorities in Huri hills
• Development of integrated community natural resource management plan and implementation of strategic natural resource management interventions.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Programme Officer, the Project Officer will oversee and implement assigned project activities in coordination with IUCN people and Landscape staff, implementing partners, relevant government departments, local communities and other relevant stakeholders. The Project Officer will support the Programme officer, in programme development when required and foster cross programme linkages with other ESARO projects and programme areas.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Specific duties and responsibilities

1.1 Project implementation

a) Ensure the effective and efficient implementation and coordination of project activities in collaboration with project implementing partners and IUCN People and Landscapes staff at regional office
b) Lead in the production of the project outputs (Integrated plan, studies, reports, policy briefs, etc), and getting them laid out (or designed) appropriately for specific audiences;
c) Lead and ensure the collection, collation, and reporting of all project data and documents, and assist with the submission of technical progress reports according to the agreed formats and deadlines
d) Lead in organising steering committee meetings and other coordination forums in collaboration with county staff and relevant stakeholders
e) Document, package and disseminate the information and or lessons from the project to a wider audience for awareness, advocacy and policy influencing;
f) Provide capacity strengthening to project partners to improve capacity to deliver on project activities and objectives,
g) Maintain appropriate and effective (timely, respectful and professional) communications with all IUCN and programme stakeholders
h) Assist in building and maintaining strong relationships with IUCN partners, donors, project participants and wider stakeholders
• Ensure involvement of the county personnel in project activities
• Actively engage with the lead and other county departments in reporting the progress of the project and planned activities
• Report timely to donor request and participate in coordination meetings as required

1.2 Project administration

a) Assist with the development and administration of work-plans, budgets, internal agreements, contracts and production of progress reports as required by IUCN and collaborating partners;
b) Ensure due diligence in the planning, monitoring and evaluation and reporting of assigned project activities;
c) Assist the management of the project related expenditures in accordance with IUCN procurement procedures;
d) Ensure the collection, collation, reporting, organization, and keeping records of all project data and documents;
e) Provide follow up support and tracking of administrative, programmatic and financial issues with project implementing partners.

1.3 Support People and Landscape Programme

The project officer will also play a support role to leadership of the building dryland resilience sub-programme of the P&L programme especially the interaction with county governments, national government, CSOs and private sector actors. This will be through e-mail and telephone communication, the occasional mission to Nairobi and other counties and writing of short reports.

1.4 Representation

• With prior approval from the line manager, represent IUCN at internal and external meetings at local, national, regional and international levels.
REQUIREMENTS
  • Minimum of a first degree in, Natural Resource Management, Social Sciences or related field;

• At least 3 years project management experience

• Experience in participatory and community based development or natural resource management approaches;

• A good understanding of drylands conservation and sustainable development issues;

• A good understanding of participatory planning in natural resource sector in dryland set up

• A good understanding of ecosystem based and landscapes approaches in resource management and climate change adaptation

• Experience in interacting confidently with multiple stakeholders including with government officials and local communities

• Hands-on experience in report writing, scientific publications

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal; understanding of the local languages specifically Borana is desirable

• Adheres to IUCN ESARO core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism and Accountability

• Good communication skills and proven writing ability

• Highly motivated and results-oriented individual

• Demonstrated ability to work with limited supervision to prioritize tasking and manage workflow in a high pressure environment.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong team player with proven communication and diplomacy with the ability to work effectively with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams with sensitivity and respect for diversity;

• Knowledge of Marsabit county and familiarity with local culture and languages is considered a strong asset

• Willing to stay in remote area in Northern Kenya and travel frequently in the project area

• Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development;
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.

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