Current Opportunities at World Vision Kenya

The Role

• The position will lead in grant acquisition and management. Actively build donor relationship in support of acquisition. The job holder will lead program and proposal development and design for high-value, competitive, complex funding opportunities, in line with WV strategy. S/he will help with the review monthly, quarterly and annual reports for submission to donors and SOs ensuring quality compliance and donor satisfaction. The position will also support the creation and promotion of strategic alliances with donors, multilateral agencies, and other NGOs for purposes of resources mobilization.

Key Responsibilities

• Programming & Proposal Development (Grants Acquisition).
• Grant Management & Compliance.
• External Engagement and competitive intelligence gathering.
• Field support.
• Knowledge Transfer/ Knowledge Management.

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies or related field
• 3-5 years programming experience in a grant funded humanitarian or development program. Preferably with one or two previous assignments in a fragile context.
• Training in humanitarian standards is desirable with specific training in donor requirements e.g. USAID/BHA, DFID, ECHO, and local funding streams from UN agencies
• Proven experience in networking with donors and partners to bring about funding opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to mobilize cross-functional proposal team (technical, ops, field, finance, M&E, Regional/HQ) with right staff at the right time to meet even the tightest deadlines. Can also effectively mobilize multi-partner proposal development teams.
• Demonstrate ability to establish and cultivate strong, collaborative relationships
• Strong writing skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Strong negotiation skills
• Strong proposal writing skills
• Team player: the ability to mobilize and work as part of a diverse team to achieve the overall goal

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Key Responsibilities:

Strategic and technical support -40%

• Develop and continually improve and iterate World Vision Kenya National FMNR Scaling Strategy (2023-2033) to respond to new opportunities and challenges and incorporate new ideas and innovations.
• National FMNR Scaling Strategy regularly updated
• Lead the development of annual work plans to implement World Vision Kenya’s National FMNR Scaling Strategy.
• Work cross-functionally with the directors/heads and members of diverse teams and departments across World Vision Kenya to coordinate the implementation of annual work plans that progress strategy realisation at the national-level. This could include the establishment of internal coordination structures (i.e., committees, working groups etc.) as deemed appropriate.
• Co-lead the development of six-monthly progress reports against annual work plans (together with the National FMNR Evidence Lead).
• Co-lead the development of an annual FMNR scaling report card against the National FMNR Scaling Strategy (together with the National FMNR Evidence Lead).
• Work with the MERL coordinator to monitor, track and report national level contributions by WVK and partners to the World Vision global FMNR Vision
• Using the Kenya restoration barometer template, work with MERL coordinator to monitor, track and report national level contributions by WVK to Kenya’s national restoration targets and AFR100.

Engagement, Networking and Advocacy-20%

• Map and identify scaling partners and prioritise for engagement.
• Mobilise and engage an alliance/network of national partners to support the scale-up of FMNR in Kenya. Where relevant structures have been established via projects, this position will co-lead partner engagement activities with project staff.
• Establish an engagement framework between FMNR scaling efforts by partners at the national level with those occurring at the global level.
• Represent World Vision Kenya at key national, regional and/or global events relating to FMNR and engage relevant national and global public and private partners as required. In liaison with RAM department, engage donors and potential donors supporting FMNR scaling efforts as required.

Programme Development and Grants Acquisition-20%

• Work collaboratively with World Vision Kenya’s Grant Acquisition and Management (GAM) team to ensure that all emerging funding opportunities are leveraged (where relevant) to support the implementation of the National FMNR Scaling Strategy.
• Work collaboratively with key stakeholders from World Vision Australia to design investment ready projects for diverse donors that support the implementation of the National FMNR Scaling Strategy.
• Where relevant, work with RAM department and the Child Learning and Household Resilience Programme to ensure that all new funding opportunities, including PNS and grant opportunities from Support Office are leveraged to support the implementation of the National FMNR Scaling Strategy
• Ensure new FMNR scaling projects are designed in line with World Vision's FMNR scaling approach to activate more diverse pathways to scale
• Support programs/projects to ensure that high quality FMNR Program/Project Designs are in place
• Facilitate Regions and Programs to develop high quality FMNR projects through conceptualization, innovation, development and planning

World Vision partnership engagement-10%

• Contribute and align with World Vision’s global FMNR scaling frameworks and processes, including regular meetings with World Vision Australia and other National FMNR Scaling Teams across the region.
• National FMNR scaling efforts in Kenya are aligned with and support World Vision's global FMNR scaling frameworks and processes
• World Vision Kenya is actively participating in regularly scheduled coordination meetings organised by World Vision Australia
• Opportunities for cross-country learning and collaboration are leveraged

Accountability, Learning and Innovation-5%

• Ensure interpretation and utilization of assessment, baselines, evaluations and verification on quality of designs
• Strengthen research, learning, documentation and dissemination of WVK work in FMNR

Day to day activities-5%

• Participate and contribute in committees and task forces.
• Perform any other task related to the project not mentioned, that affects the sector.

Knowledge/Qualifications for the Role

• The job holder must have a minimum Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Environmental Studies or Agro-forestry related discipline.
• Post-graduate degree or Minimum 5 years of experience in lieu of Master’s degree in the above fields and with some experience in Agriculture will be an added advantage
• He/she must have proven supervisory and project management experience in the related fields. Experience working with NGOs will be an added advantage.
• Proven experience working with different stakeholders in matters of environment and climate change.
• Proven capability to think/plan strategically and act practically (i.e., put plans into action).
• Experience in cross-functional coordination and collaboration for the achievement of shared outcomes.
• Experience working collaboratively with and influencing donors, government and other stakeholders.
• Excellent engagement and influencing skills with an ability to build trust and credibility.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Excellent advocacy and communications skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and resourcefulness
• Past experience and in-depth knowledge and experience of FMNR model as a landscape restoration approach is greatly desired.
• Broad understanding of climate change mitigation and adaptation in practice is greatly desired, particularly in the context of smallholder systems in Kenya.
• Minimum of three (3) years relevant working experience in an advisory or management role with progressive responsibilities, ideally with an international NGO, working for programming-level interventions in climate change adaptation and resilience.
• Strong demonstrated experience in strategy, operations and/or management is a requirement for this work.
• A high level of diplomacy and networking skills is required.
• Strong capacity building and facilitation skills.
• Cross-cultural sensitivity, flexible worldview, emotional maturity and physical stamina.
• Ability to manage work life without supervision.

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Key Responsibilities:

Technical support

• Provide effective and innovative technical leadership in the CL & HHR Technical Program towards the design and implementation of interventions focusing on Household Food & Nutrition Security, economic empowerment and Building of Secure livelihoods for vulnerable Households
• Participate in the development and review of National Strategy and Technical Programs and ensure L & R is well articulated and utilized to implement NO Strategy
• Develop and disseminate detailed plans and guidelines that will support delivery of the CL & HHR objectives throughout the strategy period appreciating the unique contexts where the TP will be implemented.
• Provide effective technical support to field project teams on roll out of World Vision Partnership and other recognized and approved Livelihood and Resilience models and approaches (such as BSL, S4T, UPG, CBDRM etc)
• Coordinate as applicable sector integration interventions for ensuring integrated L&R implementation with other TPs at NO and field level.
• Ensure that business processes, standards and guidelines related to Livelihood & resilience initiatives are effectively applied by field programs

Program Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning, Research and Innovation 20%

• Provide technical linkages and implementation of innovations related to the TP models both with National and Regional Level Governments, public and private partners
• Participate/Support CL & HHR TP adaptation processes, Program assessments, planning, implementation, monitoring & evaluation, documentation and dissemination of promising practices
• Ensure interpretation and utilization of assessment, baselines, evaluations and verification on quality of designs
• Ensure development of standardized monitoring tools including Project Models such as Savings Groups MIS in are in use with appropriate feedback
• Ensure regions and programs develop high quality integrated CL & HHR projects through conceptualization, innovation, development and planning
• Gather data at National level for reporting on L & R (MMR, Semi-Annual, Annual Reports, WVK annual Report)
• Coordinate and participate in regular learning forums to profile, communicate and ensure adoption of promising L & R practices
• Participate in joint program monitoring visits with key partners to track and document program progress in the targeted program sites.
• Ensure the feedback from monitoring exercises feeds into the working of relevant technical working groups within the Program counties.
• Support quality reviews of program reports and core documents as per WVK guidelines and donor standards.
• In liaison with communications team, develop context specific electronic and live media communications on livelihood and market related activities.
• Support development of technical papers and or policy briefs on key issues for external engagement with decision makers
• Design/Coordinate/participate in L & R operational research, documentation, publication and dissemination of useful research findings
• Identify capacity gaps in L & R to inform the National level staff capacity development strategy
• Ensure skills and capacity development for staff and partners in L & R strategies, models and approaches. 

Program Development and Resource Acquisition

• Technically support Resource Acquisition & Management (RAM) team to develop proposals/concepts to prospective donors and SOs for L & R Projects in general as per the yearly set targets
• Participate in Go-No Go Processes, write ups, meeting with prospective donors and submission of concepts/proposals
• Physically present/defend L & R Proposals to donors in coordination with RAM when required
• Respond effectively to calls and queries by donors and SOs on L & R Concepts/Proposals in coordination with RAM
• Develop quality and coherent L & R capacity statements, documentation of innovations/best practices for donor and partner’s engagement and marketing

Partnerships, Engagement, Networking and Advocacy

• Establish and maintain strategic contacts with the UN, Government, INGOs, Universities, Research Institutions, Donors and Embassies
• Ensure WVK representation in key strategic L & R Sector Working Groups and Forums
• Ensure mainstreaming of advocacy in all L & R programs/projects
• Ensure WVK participation in key International Days such as Nairobi Trade Fair, International Day for Poverty Eradication, World Food Day etc
• Gather and provide quality feedback and data to be used to develop technical papers and recommendations on key issues for external engagement with decision makers
• Support advocacy efforts to influence County Governments’ Planning and Budgeting processes and resource allocation to the priority needs within the sector
• Ensure active engagement on policy at County and National level on issues to do with the food and nutrition security and sustainable use of natural resources
• Build capacity of field staff on advocacy to engage service providers and participate in forums relating to sustainable and secure livelihood interventions
• Participate in joint technical coordination, planning and review of all L & R initiatives at NO level

Other Duties

• Participate and contribute in committees and task forces as assigned from time to time
• Any other duty as assigned by the Supervisor.

Knowledge/Qualifications for the role

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness Management, Agriculture Extension, Dryland Agriculture or a closely related field from a recognized University. Relevant post-graduate qualification(s) will be an added advantage
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in designing, planning, implementing and reporting on integrated Livelihood and Resilience Programs covering Economic Development, Agriculture & Food security, Natural Resource Management, Relief and/or advocacy programs and projects
• Demonstrated track record in proposal development, funding acquisitions and grant management for major government donors preferred
• Good understanding of the international development trends and approaches at both national and global levels
• Must possess good understanding, knowledge and experience of WVI global core L & R project models including Building Secure Livelihoods (BSL), UPG, S4T, Empowered World View, Community Based Disaster Risk Management and Conflict Sensitive Programming initiatives
• Computer literate especially in Microsoft Office Suite and basic knowledge of data analysis programs such as SPSS, Stata, EPI Info and use of GIS for socio-economic mapping
• Relevant Post graduate qualification(s) will be an added advantage
• Excellent technical programming and management skills and a good understanding of the entire program/project life cycle
• Must have good facilitation skills and ability to deliver staff and partner capacity building (training, coaching and mentorship) on relevant technical fields including roll out of CPMs
• Ability to take initiative, solve complex problems, exercise independent judgment
• A team player, capable of building staff and partner’s capacity in Livelihoods & Resilience
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and emotional maturity
• Ability to maintain performance expectations in diverse cultural contexts
• Strong budgetary and financial management skills.
• Good interpersonal and organizational skills with leadership & management experience an added advantage
• Should be a self-starter, able to work under minimum supervision and maintain good relationships
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, networking and representation skills with experience in public engagements
• Familiarity with Local Value Chain Development, SMEs development, financial inclusion enhancement for communities
• Excellent project management skills and a good understanding of the project life cycle