Project Officer Sr - (Field Only) at Palladium International

Background:

CRS, representing a consortium of international non-governmental organizations, local implementing partners and research institutions is leading the USAID Nawiri Project in Isiolo and Marsabit, a USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) funded 5-year Development Food Security Activity (DFSA) in Kenya. The overarc hing goal of this multi-sectoral activity is to sustainably reduce persistent levels of acute malnutrition in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).

The activity will be implemented in two phases:

• Phase I (1.5-2 years) Research, test approaches and collaboratively design a context-sensitive, multi-sectoral activity that sustainably reduces acute malnutrition.
• Phase II (3- 3.5 years): Multi-sectoral Activity implementation and adaptation and Local System and Institutional Strengthening.

Job Summary:

The County Research Coordinator will ensure effective coordination and management of Nawiri formative and implementation research activities across Isiolo and Marsabit counties. S/he will provide both administrative and technical support to targeted CRS studies in both Isiolo and Marsabit counties. S/he will provide support to data collection teams and maintain key relationships with both local implementing partners and relevant county government actors.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support the Nawiri Research team to roll out strategic mix of research methodologies appropriate for the geographic and sociocultural context as well as the Nawiri timeframe.
• Provide technical and administrative support to external consultants and research field teams for specific research activities. Collaborate with the Nawiri Research team and external consultants to organize trainings for enumerators
• Analyze and evaluate project performance data following MEAL policy. Proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.
• Manage partnerships with county research institutions
• Actively engage county government counterparts on Nawiri research agenda development and pilot study design, to facilitate on-going collaboration and buy-in.
• Conduct regular sub-county field visits to support research teams and enhance understanding of local contexts.
• Contribute to transition plan moving from Phase 1 (Research and Collaboration) to Phase 2 (Activity Implementation) by ensuring research results are useful, accessible, and applicable for making activity design decisions
• Coordinate and monitor financial and material resources relevant to project needs.
• Through planning and oversight, ensure efficient use of project resources

Required/Desired Foreign Language: English and Kiswahili required (Ability to speak one or more of the local languages an asset)

Preference will be given to candidates from either Marsabit or Isiolo County

Travel Required: 30% field travel

Personal Skills

• Very good strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Very good relations management abilities. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
• Manages financial resources with integrity.
• Excellent communication skills.

Key Working Relationships:
None

Internal: Nawiri Research & Design Lead, Nawiri Research & Design Manager, County Head of offices

External: Consortium partners, research institutions, government bodies at different levels

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Masters degree in public health, economics, agricultural/development economics, statistics, bio-statistics, nutrition, applied sociology, anthropology, or another relevant subject. Bachelors degree in similar fields with additional experience may substitute for some education.
• Minimum of four years professional experience in research, including progressive experience in leading large participa tory, multi-disciplinary and multi-site research teams
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative and quantitative methods
• Experience working with research and academic institutions in Kenya.
• Experience and skills in networking and relations with donors, peer organizations, and faith-based and civil society partners. Understanding of partnership principles.
• Experience in MS Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio), Web Conferencing Applications, and information and budget management systems.
• Previous experience or familiarity with the local communities and counties

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Integrity
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Strategic Mindset
• Accountability & Stewardship