Program Officer – Livelihood and Resilience at World Vision Kenya

Reporting To: Child Learning and Household Resilience Manager.

Grade Level: 15

Purpose of Position

To ensure successful implementation of the Livelihood and Resilience projects including; Food Security (FS), Economic Development (ED) and Environmental & Climate Change (ECC) grant and sponsorship projects, all aimed at contributing to the improved children wellbeing outcomes within the Area Programs.

Major Responsibilities

L&R Grants Tracking and Reporting, 30%

• Ensure successful roll out and implementation of L&R grants at the ADP and Regional levels’ including timely start of grants projects;
• Effective follow up on L & R project implementation to ensure they are timely and as per design document and donor standards;
• Technical support rendered in analyzing and utilizing relevant monitoring data by different stakeholders to AP and grant projects teams.
• Standardized monitoring tools applied by project teams including appropriate monitoring for Child wellbeing targets;
• Lessons learned from different projects shared to enhance local planning and implementation, modifications that might be necessary at the local level suggested based on evidence and lessons learned.
• Implementation and expenditure levels regularly reviewed & tracked and work plans and budgets managed with the finance team.
• Timely follow up on implementation of project audit recommendations.
• Effective cross-functional linkages established among L & R projects and between other Technical Programs.
• Timely recruitment of Project staff supported and new staff properly oriented on L&R specific programming processes, products and specific donor requirements;
• Staff capacity built on specific grants programming guidelines as per donor specifications.

Expected End Results

• Timely and quality execution of grant projects
• Lessons learnt during project implementation are applied to improve implementation
• The projects are up to date with their expenditures without any under/overdentures
• Ensure that all audit queries are responded are acted upon and/or responded to on time
• The incoming project staff understand the project well as well as WVK systems that will ensure effective implementation.

Quality Assurance and Technical Support, 20%

• Ensure assessments, designs, monitor and evaluation of Projects in alignment with set standards realized;
• Ensure that Project designs and implementation plans are reviewed and appraised;
• Timely and relevant analysis and recommendations provided to project leadership and staff ;
• Ensure well-coordinated baselines and evaluation processes and participation in these events;
• Implementation of established guidelines and policies monitored for critical milestones in the life cycle of L&R projects during surveys, reviews, evaluations and reports.
• Management and donors notified of any significant changes through regular communication.
• Relevant data from across area programs and grant projects collated, analyzed and interpreted in a systematic way
• Regular narrative and financial progress reports prepared and shared (monthly, quarterly, semi- annual and annual reports) with the NO, Government, SO, donors and other partners.
• Support baseline surveys/assessments/situational analysis on L&R needs, community including reviewing of ToRs and Supply Chain Management in recruitment of Consultants.
• M & E plans are compiled and indicator tracking tables are tracked and updated.
• Appropriate use of information management systems for L&R grants for management decision making;
• Tracking of the set targets and report on project’s contribution to the Well-Being of children
• Documentation of all projects initiatives for accountability well-coordinated;
• Lessons learned from monitoring shared with national office operations staff in a way that supports ongoing learning and development
• The L&R projects profiled internally and externally in liaison with the Communications department;

Expected End Results

• Timely and quality execution of project M&E activities
• Donor guidelines and expectations are met
• Cross learning among projects enhanced for synergy;
• Donors are updated on the progress in the implementation of their projects
• Completed projects reports are consistent with National Office strategic objectives and WV standards and donor requirements
• Effective management of project data at national level.
• Projects are well documented for marketing and sharing of experiences;
• Best practices in RFNS well documented and shared with donors through WVI channels

Resource Acquisition 25%

• Ensure timely and accurate funding proposals are developed in line with donor requirements and WVK standards in collaboration with the other L&R sector specialists and RAM;
• Calls and queries by Government, Donors and Support Offices on the projects effectively responded to in coordination with RAM and L & R leadership
• Concepts and proposals to deepen and scale up the impact of the projects and other livelihood initiatives developed in close liaison with RAM and the other L&R team

Expected End Results

• All planned activities are sufficiently funded with high quality grants and PNS proposal/concepts win rate (>80%)
• Meeting and/or exceeding yearly approved L&R resource/funding targets
• WV Kenya is a preferred choice for Support Offices, Donors, Government and other Partners

Advocacy, Networking and Engagement with Strategic & New Partnerships Development, 20%

• Representation of WV Kenya in key L&R stakeholder forums/meetings at the National level;
• Effective linkages and collaboration forged with key structures that include the GoK’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries, the Ministry of Irrigation, Ministry of Devolution and Planning, UN, Donors and other INGOS and International Agencies;
• Support to community led processes of monitoring public service delivery provided and Community capacity enhanced for participation in policy & advocacy;
• Effective networks established with stakeholders at County and National level
• SO and donor field visits coordinated in liaison with RAM and L & R teams,
• SO and donor queries and requests are timely and satisfactorily responded to

Expected End Results

• Effective representation of WV Kenya in appropriate fora and partnerships
• Strengthened and functioning L&R TP Strategic Partnerships & Networks
• Increased L&R Policy advancement
• Communities are mobilized and participate in L&R interventions;
• Sustained donor engagement for L&R TP resource mobilization

Other duties 5%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Minimum of a Bachelor Degree in Agriculture/Agricultural Economics/Agribusiness/Agricultural Extension Forestry/Natural Resource Management/Environmental Studies/Livestock Production, Agricultural Engineering/Biosystems Engineering, or a closely related field from a recognized university: higher degree will be an added advantage
• At least 5 years of work experience in Livelihoods & Food Security and related sectors;
• Experience in designing, planning, implementation, supervising, monitoring, evaluation and reporting of Livelihoods and Resilience related projects;
• Experience with LEAP and WV partnership Management Information Systems such PMIS, Horizon, etc. is an added advantage.
• The holder of this position must be a results orientated leader who can handle a heavy work load as well as manage and satisfy multiple and at times conflicting organizational, donor and other stakeholder demands
• Ample experience in capacity building, public relations, be a strong team player and have good facilitation skills,
• Should have a good technical grasp of core L & R programming models and FS sector guidelines and standards
• Proficient in written and spoken English and with strong writing skills
• Excellent computer skills
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to engage at a strategic level with government and other stakeholders
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and ability to work with a wide range of people from different backgrounds;
• Emotional and spiritual maturity and ability to lead a team of professionals
• Independence and self -motivated.
• Budgetary and financial management skills