Stakeholder Engagement Specialist (LISA)

Background

SoCha, LLC is an independent Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) firm that provides bespoke solutions to social challenges. SoCha is the prime implementer of the United States Agency for International Development Kenya and East Africa (USAID/KEA) Localization, Inclusion, and Sustainability Activity (LISA) with the aim of assisting USAID/KEA staff and stakeholders to be more efficient, effective, transparent, inclusive, and skilled in achieving development outcomes. LISA utilizes local expertise and seeks to partner with local entities with in-depth knowledge and networks in Kenya and to utilize this expertise strategically.

Scope of Work

SoCha is currently recruiting for a Stakeholder Engagement Specialist to support the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) with coordinating stakeholders within the disability sector through both in-person and virtual meetings to foster a cohesive and inclusive approach to disability-inclusive development in Kenya. Tasks to be completed include:

1. Design and undertake a national stakeholder mapping exercise borrowing from the recently concluded Disability Landscape Analysis.
   1. Identify and map all relevant stakeholders including government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), advocacy groups, organizations of and for persons with disabilities, and community representatives.
   2. Analyze the interests, influence, and importance of each stakeholder in the disability sector.
   3. Review of the NCPWD stakeholder database and support the updating of the database based on the outcome of the mapping exercise.
2. Support the development of a coordination framework that ensures buy-in from all stakeholders, enhances collaboration and participation, and stimulates a deep sense of ownership and commitment to the various responsibilities.
   1. Organize and facilitate an initial meeting to kick-off the stakeholder coordination forum.
   2. Develop agenda and note taking templates to capture meeting deliberations.
   3. Support the establishment of the coordination structures (e.g., working groups) for stakeholders in the disability sector.
3. Support planning and execution of stakeholder coordination meetings (frequency to be determined in the coordination framework). This will include providing support in the development of the agenda; facilitation and moderation of meetings as needed; note-taking and documentation.
4. Building the capacity of the stakeholders to own and take over the coordination responsibility and activities sustainably.
   1. Planning ahead and allocating enough time and resources (reports, manuals, code, data, or presentations) for the handover process.
   2. Creating a communication plan early in the process.
   3. Organizing knowledge sharing sessions.
   4. Planning for mini- handovers before the complete handover.

Qualifications

Technical Knowledge and Professional Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in public policy, law, governance, social science, sociology, development, or any other relevant field. An advanced degree in these fields will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in stakeholder engagement, local community mobilization, capacity building, and negotiation.
• At least five (5) years of experience in policy engagement/policy impact/ institutional development or institutional reforms, preferably in disability inclusion.
• Knowledge of disability inclusion in national institutions and communities is highly desirable.

Technical Skills

• Strong analytical, reporting, and writing abilities.
• Ability to conduct analysis with strong synthesis skills.
• At least five (5) years of experience in project development and management.

Interpersonal, team, and communication Skills

• Proven communication and leadership skills.
• Strong negotiation and networking skills.
• Excellent team player with good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage workload with minimum supervision.
• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines.

Period of Performance

March 2024 – September 2024

Location

Nairobi, Kenya with local travel.