Project Officer Lodwar Kenya

Background:

Saferworld is an independent international organisation working to prevent violent conflict and build safer lives. We work with people affected by conflict to improve their safety and sense of security and conduct wider research and analysis. We use this evidence and learning to improve local, national and international policies and practices that can help build lasting peace. Our priority is people – we believe in a world where everyone can lead peaceful, fulfilling lives, free from fear and insecurity. We are a not-for-profit organisation operational across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, and in policy/advocacy locations in Beijing, Brussels, London, and Washington DC.

The success of our organisation’s mission depends on people. Capitalising on what is unique about individuals and drawing on their different perspectives and experiences will add value to the way we work. Saferworld is committed to the principles of equality of opportunity for all and seeks to promote a positive approach to equality and diversity and within the scope of the relevant legislation, to have a workforce and working environment that is free of discrimination, prejudice, stereotyping, harassment, victimisation and undignified behaviour. We oppose all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination

From February 2024, Saferworld and its partners will commence the implementation of a project titled Strengthening integrated peace, resilience and disaster risk reduction for cross-border communities in the Karamoja Cluster. The overall objective of the project is to enhance effectiveness of conflict prevention and mitigation, disaster risk reduction and management, and resilience building in cross-border communities in the border region of the Karamoja Cluster (South Omo/Ethiopia, Turkana/Kenya and Eastern Equatoria/South Sudan). Specifically the project aims at enhanced capacities of formal and informal cross-border stakeholders in conflict prevention and management and social cohesion building, with particular focus on women (and youth). in addition to this is the enhanced access to income generating opportunities and shared natural resources for borderlands community members.

Job purpose:

The Project Officer will support the effective delivery of the project ‘Strengthening Locally-led solutions to intersecting peace, gender and climate change challenges in the borderlands of Kenya’, and will be responsible for the regular day-to-day implementation, documentation, and operations of project activities.

The Project Officer provide support to the planning, implementation and delivery of the project, provide technical expertise, coordination and monitoring of the overall programme.

The Project Officer will work closely with the Project Manager partners to ensure delivery of key project deliverables.

Key areas of responsibility:

1. Work with the Project Manager to ensure the effective delivery of the project and take responsibility for the regular day-to-day implementation, documentation and operation of project activities.
2. Build and maintain effective relationships in support of Saferworld’s work in Kenya.
3. Ensure regular liaison and information sharing across the organisation.
4. Undertake ongoing monitoring and evaluation and reporting on the project’s work.

Roles and responsibilities:

Support the effective delivery of the project and take responsibility for the day-to-day implementation, documentation and operation of project activities:

• Work with the Project Manager in coordinating work with partners to deliver timely and high-quality activities, including training, consultation, research and analysis.
• Ensure the delivery of training, including designing, facilitating or co-facilitating where necessary.
• Build and maintain strong relations with staff in partner organisations who are working on project implementation.
• Ensure timely completion of internal reporting requirements and contribute to the completion of donor reports
• Contribute to the development and regular revision of project work plans for Saferworld staff and partners.
• Monitor project budgets on a monthly basis in coordination with colleagues to ensure optimum expenditure of funds and timely and accountable financial reporting by local partners.

Build and maintain effective relationships in support of Saferworld’s work in Kenya:

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with project partners.
• Contribute to the strengthening of Saferworld’s coordination with other civil society organisations, national and international peacebuilding actors in Kenya.
• Represent Saferworld at external meetings, and promote lessons learnt from the organisation’s work.

Ensure regular liaison and information sharing with other parts of Saferworld

• Contribute to cross-organisational learning and sharing, including drafting pieces for the weekly internal news.
• Ensure effective communication of project activities, results and lessons learnt within Saferworld, including contributing to organisational outcome harvesting workshops and biannual reporting.

Support ongoing monitoring and evaluation and reporting on the project’s work

• In collaboration with the Research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator, monitor the impact of Saferworld’s work in Kenya and participate in regular debriefings and lesson learning sessions with Saferworld and partners.
• Ensure critical project reflection and reviews take place on regular basis to inform decision making, and that learning informs wider Saferworld community of practice, including within the Saferworld gender team.
• Maintain a database of project outcomes.
• Coordinate staff and donor monitoring visits and evaluations as appropriate.
• Write timely and accurate activity reports and support the Project Manager in the drafting of donor reports.

Capacity strengthening, movement building, and advocacy

• Support community groups, local partners to develop of common strategies to address threats to pastoralism and other gendered climate/conflict issues which cut across administrative boundaries.
• Support local and national government officials, local partners to facilitate consultations with communities for local/county/sub-national/national authorities and the private sector (including SMEs and women-owned businesses) on the development or improvement of policies and frameworks for effective and inclusive natural resource management and green innovation.
• Build organisational contacts at all levels and represent Saferworld & the project/consortium in relevant networks and fora at different levels.

Funding, budgets and administration

• Support the identification of funding opportunities and establishment/maintenance of relevant donor relations.
• Draft project donor and other reports as necessary.
• Prepare budget forecasts for ongoing projects and funding proposals.

Knowledge, qualifications and experience

Person specification:

Knowledge and qualifications:

• Degree or professional qualification in either: peace and conflict studies, social sciences or development studies or equivalent relevant experience;
• Understanding of peace, governance, and conflict sensitivity, and an active interest in the workings of civil society;
• Knowledge and experience of working on gender-sensitive programming would be an advantage;
• Understanding of conflict sensitive programming is desirable.
• Knowledge in budgeting, forecasting and reporting
• Good knowledge and understanding of the local context and sensitivities

Experience:

• 3-5 years’ experience working on peace and/or governance issues in a non– governmental
• organisation
• Demonstrable experience of project administration, planning and implementation
• Experience with peacebuilding and natural resources/land-related projects would be an advantage
• Experience in designing and facilitating workshops and seminars is desirable.
• Experience in working and/or living in ASALs of Kenya highly desirable

Skills:

• Excellent communication skills, written and oral
• Ability to relate sensitively to diverse groups
• Capacity building skills
• Self-driven and able to deliver results with minimum supervision
• Good report-writing skills with excellent written and spoken English
• Demonstrable interpersonal and team working skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and use of internet for research
• Skills in participatory approaches to research and programming.

Personal qualities:

• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society organisations, government bodies and officials, and international donors
• Commitment to and compliance with Saferworld’s safeguarding principles
• Commitment to respect and value equality and diversity, and understanding of how this applies to own area of work
• Commitment to own continuing personal and professional development
• Commitment to the vision, mission and values of Saferworld
• Flexibility in traveling and working in challenging situations with unpredictable working hours;

Other requirements

• The position will be based in Turkana with frequent travels to project sites

Application process

To apply: Send your CV and a covering letter addressing the person specification and why you feel your experience matches the requirements of the role to[email protected] Ref: (PO__EU Borderlands).

Saferworld is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Saferworld does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process.

Deadline for applications: 17th December 2023 shortlisting and interviews on a rolling basis