Manager - Governance and Advocacy (Maternity Cover) at Concern Worldwide

Reports to: Programme Director
Liases directly: Externally with the County Executive Committee Member (CEC) and Chief Officer(CO) Public Administration and Coordination, Director Public Participation, Sub county and Ward Administrators in Nairobi, Marsabit, Turkana, Tana River, Wajir Counties.

Internally with Programme Leads in Education, Livelihoods and Health & Nutrition

Job Location: Nairobi with frequent travel to field sites in Marsabit, Turkana, Tana River, Wajir Counties

Contract Details: 6 months ( maternity cover)

Job Purpose: To support implementation of Concern’s strategy of improving governance in Kenya through the increased participation of the extreme poor in civic life. Specifically this position will primarily involve providing technical assistance to the County Governments of Marsabit, Turkana, Tana River, Wajir and Nairobi to strengthen the county government systems to facilitate and support the Community Conversations approach as a means of engaging the Extreme Poor in county planning and decision-making processes.

Main duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop strong and strategic relationships with the County Governments of Marsabit, Turkana, Tana River, Wajir and Nairobi specifically the County Executive and County Assembly to improve the policy environment for public participation at county level(including but not limited to enactment of Marsabit County Civic Education and Public Participation Bill, Marsabit Village Units Bill, Marsabit County Executive Order No 2 of 2019 on Strengthening service delivery and development coordination at sub county level)
• Develop strong and strategic relationships with Local Civil Society Organizations (including media) to augment their efforts to hold county governments accountable for quality service delivery and amplify citizen voices in county governance processes
• Lead Organized Community Groups in the aforementioned counties and Concern sector programs (health and nutrition, livelihoods, education) to influence County Integrated Development Plans(CIDPs), Public Finance Management (PFM) and institutional capacity, to implement pro-poor policies and practices
• Provide technical assistance to the Department of Public Administration and Coordination to strengthen the linkages and coordination between formal governance structures and Organized Community Groups at village, ward, sub county and county level in line with county public participation laws and policies
• Lead in building the capacity of governance structures such as Directorate for Public Participation, Sub County, Ward and Village Administration, Community Development Facilitators(where applicable) and Organized Community Groups to facilitate meaningful citizen participation in the annual county planning and budgeting processes and other governance processes such as policy formulation
• Lead in monitoring the translation of community plans into village, ward , sub county and county development plans during the annual county planning and budget processes and other related processes
• Guide programmes and provide technical oversight for the undertaking of advocacy studies (baseline or otherwise) led by programme sectors.
• Work with programmes to develop Concern policy positions to support advocacy objectives
• Always build capacity of programme staff to lead on advocacy initiatives and tasks
• Participate in programme development and fundraising
• Undertake frequent(monthly) field visits to program sites in target counties to monitor progress, quality and impact of activities approved in the annual program proposal, and quarterly costed work plans
• Compile and submit timely monthly and quarterly reports

Responding to Emergencies:

• Participate and contribute as necessary towards Concern’s Emergency response as and when necessary
• Comply with Concern’s health, safety and security guidelines during emergencies

Education, Qualifications & Experience Required:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Public Policy, Public Administration, Social Science, or a related development field with 4 years’ experience implementing governance and human rights based programmes in pastoralist contexts
• At least 3 years’ experience in governance in Kenya with strong understanding of devolved governance structures at county level and how these structures actually work
• Strong knowledge of public finance management laws, County Government Act and related amendments and other regulatory framework of government.
• -Have proven ability to develop relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders including county leadership (CEC,CO); directors and county staff at technical levels; county assembly; sub county and ward administration , civil society; communities
• Demonstrated experience on facilitating meaningful participation of citizens in the annual county planning and budgeting cycle
• Good understanding of programme cycle management and application of advocacy strategies to promote positive development outcomes.
• Experience in community mobilization and engagement using participatory approaches in ASAL context. Experience in Community Conversations approach is an added advantage
• Must have a working knowledge of Project Cycle Management
• Possess strong written and oral communication skills
• Fluency in English, Kiswahili
• Be able to work independently, as well as in a team
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Be willing to accept responsibility and to show good judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness.

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies.

Concern Worldwide is a non-governmental international humanitarian organization dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.

Concern’ is the trading name of ‘Concern Worldwide’, a company limited by guarantee, registered number 39647; registered charity number CHY 5745, registered in Ireland, registered address is 52-55 Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2, Ireland.