Programme Coordinator at ACAL Consulting

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

TECHNICAL

• Coordinate and work with relevant National ministries, County-level Government authorities, and institutions, international agencies, private sector/aggregators, financing institutions, non- Governmental organizations, beneficiaries and community-based organizations, and local communities in order to ensure smooth execution of the Programme activities;
• Establish the Programme Coordination Office in Nyeri and Regional Programme Coordination Office in Kisumu in accordance with the Programme documents;
• Finalize the selection of the last nine Counties that will be selected by end of year 2 of Programme implementation;
• Support establishment of the Counties State Coordination Units in accordance with the Programme document using the procedures as indicated;
• Take overall responsibility of the recruitment process of the service providers and formalization of MoUs with Programme partners and formation of other bodies that are necessary for the implementation of the different activities under Component 1 &2 as per the Programme document;
• Ensure that MoUs between the Programme and respected Counties are signed at Programme start-up;
• Provide overall management of the ABDP in coordination with the different CPFTs in a manner that is financially sound, professional, participatory, sensitive to local needs and socio-economic context, and in accordance with the policies, procedures, and guidelines set forth in the Programme design document and Programme Implementation Manual (PIM);
• Adhere to the Programme poverty targeting group,  youth and gender mainstreaming strategies,  sensitize implementation teams and partners to their rationale and implementation arrangements;
• Ensure, give guidance and monitor the delivery of appropriate technical expertise (for examples, training, capacity building process, institutional strengthening, and policy advice) to the Programme and its partners/participants in the Programme area as specified in the final design report;
• Ensure the efficient achievement of the Programme’s outputs and outcomes as set forth in the Programme-related documents;
• Maintain the Programme management systems including the PPPP service provider, service provider/partner under Component - 1, County Programme Coordination Teams (CPCTs) and field offices; and create a team-based, participatory work environment that promotes knowledge sharing and learning from experiences among members of the Programme staff, Counties teams and those of the implementing partners, participating Government institutions at the National and Counties levels and with local/international technical advisors and consultants;
• Supervise the PCU, regional office and oversee the work of the different service providers and teams;
• Implement the Programme’s performance measurement and monitoring systems, which includes regular performance monitoring and evaluation of the Programme using a participatory approach with partners/participants, and provide regular progress reports to different Coordination Committees, Programme Steering Committee, and others;
• Ensure timely preparation, clearances and approvals of AWPBs, Procurement Plans (PPs), and progress reports;
• Ensure that Counties AWPBs and PPs are prepared and approved and implemented in accordance with the overall Programme objectives, PIM and IFAD regulations and guidelines, including but not limited to fiduciary requirements;
• Organize timely  financial and technical audit of the Programme in line with the Project Financing Agreement (PFA) and PIM;
• Facilitate and support the work of IFAD supervision, follow-up, midterm and completion missions;
• Guide the preparation of written materials (such as impact evaluations, policy papers, manuals, thematic studies and training materials), communication outputs (articles, newsletter, promotional materials and web-based articles), and special reports for the Programme;
• Ensure that strong local Programme management systems is maintained, by keeping County Coordination Bodies, the PSC, and IFAD, fully informed of all Programme-related activities, and consulted regularly on strategic issues, work plans, Programme evolution, and all major decisions related to the Programme;
• Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with the Programme’s local networks and contacts, including partner organizations, PPPP stakeholders, other stakeholders and beneficiaries, and engage these individuals and organizations on a regular basis to integrate their feedback into the implementation and progress of the Programme;
• Coordinate the scaling up of the technological packages promoted by the Programme in coordination with Programme partners, such as FIs;
• Ensure harmonization of ABDP activities with the different Counties integrated development plans and coordinate closely with the different departments and agencies at the Counties and National levels;
• Pursue linkages and cooperation with other relevant bilateral/multilateral cooperation development projects/programmes where appropriate;
• Ensure that the Programme’s poverty, gender and environment strategies are fully integrated into all features of Programme planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Ensure natural resources management aspects are fully integrated in the programme interventions.
• Review Programme deliverables in form of reports.

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Manage with integrity and transparency the Programme funds, including the regular development of budgets, monitoring of expenditures, and providing to the PSC and responsible line agencies quarterly financial reports together with other key financial records for certification and audit (original receipts, bank statements, and other financial records as necessary);
• Ensure the completion of the procurement process and full compliance with IFAD and GoK procurement guidelines as well as other procurement arrangements outlined in the Programme documents;
• Coordinate the contract administration of the service providers/specialists hired for implementation and assess their performance on a regular basis;
• Secure the submission of a detailed expenditure report on quarterly advance payments;
• Ensure timely endorsement of Withdrawal Applications and submit them to IFAD and Treasury;
• Coordinate preparation of annual work plans & budgets; management and motivation of Programme staff; and
• Liaise with the Fund on Programme implementation issues, facilitate and participate in regular supervision of Programme activities.

POLICY INTERPRETATION AND REVIEWS

• Lead the Programme’s agenda for policy dialogue at National and County levels;
• Provide guidance to PCU and Counties staff and the service providers/partners in identifying and analyzing policy issues constraining Programme implementation;
• Support the enforcement of relevant National and Counties regulations and the resolution of conflicts;
• Bring together relevant stakeholders at different levels to review policy issues and lead policy dialogue with key policy makers; and
• Ensure gender and youth aspects are mainstreamed within all Components as planned.

Key Qualifications

• A  Bachelor`s Degree in any of the following areas; Aquaculture, Fisheries, Agricultural Economics, Aquatic and Biological Sciences from a recognized institution;
• A Master`s Degree in any of the following; Aquaculture, Fisheries, Agricultural Economics, Aquatic and Biological Sciences, Business Administration, Public Administration or related discipline relevant to fisheries/aquaculture areas;
• Sound knowledge of contemporary issues in the rural economy of Kenya. A background on Natural Resource Management (NRM) is an added advantage;
• Demonstrated relevant professional work experience of at least ten (10) years, five (5) of which is in: a) project management, including the leadership of multi-disciplinary expert teams and project financial administration and budgeting, b) managing initiatives related to poverty alleviation, and agriculture development, c) promoting stakeholder/community awareness of and participation in Programme;
• Skills in process facilitation, strategic planning, and partnership building;
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in English and Kiswahili (comprehension, written, and spoken);
• Excellent understanding of the social, economic, political and historical trends underpinning poverty alleviation strategies and policy and technological reform processes;
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills, sound judgment, resourcefulness, ability to take initiative, capacity to work in a self-directed manner and ability to create a team-based, participatory work environment;
• Excellent PC user skills in Windows-based software;
• The candidate should have ability and flexibility to travel intensively within the  Programme area, as may be required;

Applicants will be required to satisfy the requirements of Chapter Six of Kenya Constitution 2010 by attaching copies of the following:

• Certificate of Good Conduct from the Director of Criminal Investigations;
• Clearance Certificate from the Higher Education Loans Board;
• Tax Compliance Certificate from the Kenya Revenue Authority;
• Clearance from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission; and
• Report from an Approved Credit Reference Bureau.