Natural Resource Management Officer Job in Baringo County, Kenya at Self Help Africa

Department: Programmes

Location: Baringo County (Marigat), Kenya

Reports to: Project Manager

Gross salary: Ksh 1,860,000 p.a

Length of contract: 6 Months’ Probation period, 2 years contract renewable and one-month notice period

Benefits: 22 days annual leave, Medical Insurance (self + spouse and up to 4 children), 10% Employer pension contribution and 25% leave allowance

Expected travel: Significant nation-wide travel and minimum international travel required

Job Purpose: The NRM Officer will coordinate the implementation of all NRM activities in accordance with the project objectives and ensure technical quality is achieved within the BAringo Resilience Initiative: Nurturing Greater Opportunity (BARINGO) programme.

Reporting to the Project Manager S/He will work closely with counterparts in strengthening community based natural resources management practices –informed by traditional knowledge and science –for the communities to build resilience to drought and other natural disasters, through implementation of natural resources management activities that contribute to resilience for sustainable livelihoods within Baringo County.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

PROJECT TECHNICAL SUPPORT FUNCTIONS

Working closely with the Programme Coordinator for Agriculture and NRM and the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) the NRM Officer will undertake the following tasks;

• Provide technical expertise to all NRM components of the project, assuring technical quality control of interventions,
• Support the Project Manager in the implementation of all Natural resource Management and Climate change adaptation interventions as stipulated in the project document/work plan.
• Identify the strategic locations for specific interventions (e.g. areas for reclamation and regeneration of grazing lands, rain water harvesting practices and other soil and water conservation methods) for soil stabilization and minimization of landslide risks.
• Recommend and facilitate the implementation of a range of effective community level watershed management measures fitted to reduce direct physical impacts of high intensity rainfall events (landslides) in climate vulnerable hotspots in the target area.
• Identify relevant soil and water conservation and other NRM practices and integrate the recommended NRM practices in the identified locations.
• Engage pastoral and agro-pastoral communities to actively participate in project interventions
• Facilitate technical assistance/support for project partners in all relevant areas as appropriate.

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

• Design, develop and deliver NRM and Resilience training packages/modules, in coordination with other project staff,
• Conduct trainings and relevant research studies that generate evidence-based programming and efficient and sustainable programme interventions
• Identify and carry out a comprehensive capacity assessment of farmer producer organizations and develop and deliver appropriate capacity building programs

COUNTERPART RELATIONSHIP FUNCTIONS

• Nurture and strengthen collaboration with NDMA, the County Government, appropriate networks, civil society organizations and private sector for continued learning and sharing of experiences and best practices
• Represent the project in all Resilience and Humanitarian related meetings/workshops/field visits and other relevant forums as directed by the Project Manager,
• Identify and build network of resource institutions/experts/NGOs at the national and county level on NRM.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION AND REPORTING

• In liaison with the M and E Assistant, conduct regular and accurate assessment, monitoring, and dissemination of information and ensure that NRM and climate change resilience and natural resources management principles are incorporated in the project,
• Support the M and E Assistant in data collection and analysis

LOGISTICS, ADMINISTRATION, HR AND SAFETY

• Ensure efficient use and management of transport and other programme resource
• Work with the PM and Administration and Logistics Officer in procurement processes of project inputs through outlined procurement procedures,
• Ensure all safety or security incidents (fires, vehicle accidents, theft, etc) are appropriately recorded and reported,
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Programme Manager.

Key Relationships:

Internal

• Programme Coordinator Agriculture and NRM
• HQ Technical Advisors for Agriculture
• Humanitarian Director
• Head of Programmes
• Baringo Project Team
• Finance and Administration Team

External

• Project implementation partners
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
• Baringo County Government
• Other relevant stakeholders including national government, research institutions, financial institutions, external auditors, donors, academic institutions and private companies

Knowledge and Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience in the implementation of natural resource management, environmental management and livelihood improvement or climate change adaptation projects;
• Technical experience working in the climate change and climate adaptation field;
• At least 3 years in project management;
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Strong organizational, facilitation and participatory planning skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Experience working with climate information systems and adaptation planning processes is an important asset.

Qualifications / Other Requirements:

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Environmental studies, Agriculture, Rangeland Management and other related field.
• Strong computer skills especially with MS Word and Excel and other related packages
• Excellent Adult participatory training and facilitation skills.

Role Competencies:

• Proactive and motivated with a strong commitment to Self Help Africa’s vision, mission and values
• Strong computer skills especially with MS Word and Excel and other related packages
• Attention to detail and the ability to produce timely and accurate reports
• Ability to work with minimum supervision
• Ability to work under pressure and on own initiative
• Ability to contribute to a small team environment
• Valid riding license