Project Officer, Kumekucha at Green String Network

The Kumekucha program is a community-led social cohesion program that focuses on the transformative power of what is often overlooked — the courage and grace of ordinary people; the communal impulse to be whole again; the will to move past the ravages of violence; and the cultural wealth of traditions and practices of reconciliation. The recent elections have shown that the social divisions within Kenya at both national and community levels are deep. The Kumekucha program s the type of programming that can begin to reweave social connections and begin to rebuild trust and confidence between individuals but also more importantly between groups, communities and even institutions.

There are two positions available. One based in Mombasa and one in Nairobi.

• Objective 1: Support Community Coordinators (CCs) and Community Facilitators (CFs) to carry out activities and introduce the Kumekucha program to project stakeholders, in line with program targets and milestones
• Key activities & responsibilities to achieve this objective:
  • Understand project targets and milestones for the program
  • Understand project targets for the CCs
  • Understand project targets for the CFs
  • Regularly visit, coach, spot check and give feedback to each CC about activities carried out and progress against targets
  • Participate in recruitment panel for Community Coordinators, and Community Facilitators
  • Facilitate strong volunteer morale, support for self-care and positive working environment in area of operation
• Objective 2: Select, train and supervise Community Coordinators and Community Facilitators to be self-supporting and to follow the Kumekucha social healing approach (Community lead healing, inclusive, self-care, multi-technology)
• Key activities & responsibilities to achieve this objective:
  • Together with the Senior Program Coordinator, organize and supervise program trainings for CCs and CFs and other stakeholders
  • Track and report on the implementation of Kumekucha models by CCs, the success of CFs, and any challenges or barriers that may arise that limit or prevent their success
  • Act as a linkage and “hub” between CCs/CFs and GSN – as a trustworthy contact person who can manage the development and expansion of successful community partnerships
  • Maintain active relationship with national, county and local government officials, as required
• Objective 3: Tracking and reporting on Kumekucha activities and results/impact
• Key activities & responsibilities to achieve this objective:
  • Understand and train CCs and CFs on the use of the ONA reporting forms and procedures
  • Submit monthly reports on Kumekucha activities (summarized) to the Senior Program Coordinator on time, following up on any gaps (CCs/CFs who have not reported)
  • Support Senior Program Coordinator on all donor reports
  • Respond to requests and instruction from Director of Program and Admin, Senior Programme Coordinator, and GSN office staff or management, for provision of reports, data or other information or records of network activities
  • Maintain records of trainings of CCs and CFs, and any other activities undertaken in the network
  • Cooperate with and actively engage with Project Officers from GSN to get up to date performance feedback from their spot-checking activities

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Post-secondary education in development studies, international relations, Psychology, Social Work, Conflict Transformation/Peacestudies, or related field.
• 6 months work experience in peacebuilding, and/or trauma-healing.
• Demonstrated experience working with as a team player.
• Demonstrated ability work and solve problems independently and effectively in remote, highly challenging locations.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze conflict, security and political contexts.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

• Understanding of social healing and trauma-informed approaches at the community level
• Excellent people and communication skills
• Respect for local communities a sincere desire to help them in a healing process
• Organized, able to track own activities and those of others
• Honest, hard working and dedicated
• Interested in supporting staff self-care and wellness
• Excellent spoken and written English and Kiswahili

PREFERRED

Technical peacebuilding and/or trauma-informed skills (various areas may be relevant and useful)