Cross-border Livelihood Officer – Protect Project at The Strategies for Northern Development

Contract Duration: 

• 1 year, with possibility of extension subject to availability of funds

Position Summary

• The Livelihood Officer will support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of targeted livelihood and economic strengthening interventions under the PROTECT Project in the Moyale cross-border cluster (Kenya–Ethiopia).
• The officer will work closely with vulnerable households, at-risk youth, women’s groups, community structures, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen sustainable and context-appropriate livelihood opportunities that contribute to reducing child protection risks, including unsafe migration, harmful practices, and economic vulnerability.
• The role focuses on promoting small-scale, diversified income-generating activities, vocational skills development, and financial inclusion, while ensuring strong linkages between livelihoods, protection outcomes, and community resilience in fragile cross-border contexts.

Key Competencies and Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Livelihoods, Community Development, Business Development, or a related field

Professional Experience

• At least 3–5 years’ experience in livelihood development, climate-smart agriculture, or related sectors in ASAL and cross-border contexts
• Strong background in community mobilization and capacity building
• Experience with financial inclusion initiatives such as Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), SACCOs, and market linkage facilitation
• Proven ability to integrate gender equality, child protection, youth empowerment, and conflict-sensitive approaches
• Good understanding of pastoralist and cross-border community dynamics in Kenya–Ethiopia is an added advantage

Skills and Competencies

• Strong communication, interpersonal, facilitation, and training skills
• Proficiency in monitoring tools such as KoboCollect and Power BI is desirable
• Fluency in English, with knowledge of local language (Borana) considered an asset
• Ability to prioritize workload and work with minimal supervision
• Strong teamwork skills
• Self-driven with ability to meet tight deadlines
• Detail-oriented, dependable, flexible, and capable of handling multiple tasks simultaneously

Roles and Responsibilities

Implementation of Livelihood Activities

• Coordinate delivery of Income Generating Activities (IGAs) for vulnerable households
• Oversee distribution and proper utilization of livelihood starter kits
• Support households to engage in small-scale livelihoods such as:
• Poultry and small ruminant livestock
• Kitchen gardening
• Micro-trading and small businesses
• Ensure livelihood support is context-appropriate and aligned to household capacity

Youth Skills Development and Economic Inclusion

• Support implementation of local vocational training programmes for vulnerable youth
• Coordinate with training centres and artisans to deliver practical, low-threshold skills training such as:
• Tailoring
• Mechanics
• Hairdressing
• Other vocational skills
• Monitor progress of trainees and support transition into self-employment or income-generating activities

Life Skills and Financial Literacy Support

• Facilitate basic financial education and business skills training
• Support beneficiaries in:
• Simple business planning
• Managing small income-generating activities
• Link beneficiaries to existing Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) where applicable

Household Economic Strengthening (Protection Link)

• Ensure livelihood support targets highly vulnerable households, especially those:
• At risk of child trafficking
• Affected by harmful traditional practices
• Supporting reintegrated children
• Work closely with protection teams to ensure livelihoods reduce risk factors for children

Mentorship and Follow-Up

• Conduct regular field visits and mentoring sessions for supported households and youth
• Provide practical guidance to improve sustainability of income-generating activities
• Identify challenges early and support adaptive solutions

Monitoring, Documentation and Reporting

• Track progress of livelihood beneficiaries in terms of income, stability, and engagement
• Maintain accurate records of:
• Starter kit distribution
• Training participation
• Beneficiary outcomes
• Contribute to donor reports and case studies linking livelihoods to protection outcomes

Cross-Border Coordination

• Participate in cross-border coordination with Ethiopia team
• Ensure consistency in targeting approaches, implementation, and reporting
• Support learning and exchange of experiences across project sites

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• Application letter
• Updated CV
• Contact telephone number
• Copies of academic certificates
• Professional certificates
• Testimonials
• Names and contacts of three referees (preferably from previous workplaces)