Senior Project Officer-Climate Adaptation Project at Catholic Relief

Job Summary: 

The Senior Project Officer – Landscapes & Livelihoods will be responsible for technical and operational coordination of the Urejesho Rutba wa Ardhi Yetu (URAY) Project based in Isiolo County, ensuring delivery of high-quality outputs and outcomes. The project focusses on scaling the restoration of pastoral rangelands through community-managed pilots of a variety of rainwater harvesting approaches, re-seeding of rangelands and strengthening and formalizing market access and growth of the gum-arabic value chain. The Senior Project Officer will work closely with the CRS team and consortium partners implementing the NAWIRI program, as well as key private sector and government agencies in Isiolo County.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Manage day to day operations of the project, which include effective administration and tracking of project finances, project work plan, project monitoring and evaluation, timely preparation of reports for onward submission to the donor and effective coordination and cooperation between project partners.
• Assist in processes related to inception and start-up of activities including the project’s baseline assessment and liaising with relevant stakeholders to map and validate sites for rainwater harvesting infrastructure.
• Facilitate linkages between community groups, including those benefitting from other CRS interventions within the project area, the private sector and government agencies.
• Guide on strengthening community-based natural resources management practices within the project area and build the capacity of grazing committees and rangeland user groups on pasture seed management and fodder preservation techniques.
• Ensure sound environmental practices/guidelines are in place, monitored and reported on
• In coordination with the M&E officer, develop and apply the project’s monitoring instruments and systems.
• Document case studies, best practices, lessons learned and develop communication materials for dissemination to target audiences.
• Ensure the meaningful participation and benefitting of women, youth and people with disability in all project activities.
• Lead CRS’ field level workshops and similar events.
• Represent CRS on issues at strategic, political and technical meetings, seminars and other events and processes as may be required from time to time.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relations across multi-functional teams as well as with the private sector.
• A strong delivery-oriented work ethic with the ability to meet competing demands and challenging timelines
• Excellent interpersonal skills to support building and maintaining networks and partnerships.
• Committed to continuous learning, proactive and self-development.
• Strong strategic, analytical and problem-solving skills, with ability to make sound judgment and decisions and offer innovative solutions.
• Excellent technical report writing, presentation and facilitation skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented
• Committed to gender sensitive management and respect, equity, diversity, inclusion initiatives. Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Key Working Relationships: 

• Internal – Technical advisor climate change adaptation, MEAL department, CRS Nawiri project team
• External – Government, community groups, Acacia EPZ, KEFRI, 

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in conservation, water and land management, environmental management, climate change or related fields.
• At least five (5) years of experience in sustainable land and water management either in the non-profit sector, the private sector or research institutions.
• Demonstrable project management skills including design, budgeting, procurement, implementation, monitoring and reporting skills.
• Experience working with pastoral and agro-pastoral communities on climate change related and resilience building interventions.
• Experience in partnership development and management with the private sector, community groups and government agencies
• Knowledge of national/global development agenda and goals related to climate risk management.
• Understanding of the project management cycle