Careers at World Vision Kenya

JOB PURPOSE

This position provides strategic leadership that influences how faith shapes our work and is integrated in programming across different contexts where World Vision International (WVI) has a footprint. 

This will entail overseeing the integration of faith, particularly the Biblical Empowered Worldview (BEWV) principles and practices in transformational development, and disaster management that shapes our advocacy, marketing and donor engagement. It will also entail strong collaboration with the sector leads, regions and field offices to strengthen field capacity for Christian Identity in programming, while supporting the development of appropriate field guidance and tools to achieve this broad objective.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Biblical Empowered Worldview (BEWV):

• Lead BEWV integration in Transformational Development, Future Ready Sponsorship and other sectors
• Support the scale-up of the BEWV/TD Module for staff
• Champion global uptake of the BEWV across regions, field offices, Support offices and partners
• Develop and update tools, manuals and resources for BEWV
• Champion BEWV for Adolescents, youth and children
• Coordinate learning and innovation around BEWV programming

Lead Faith Integration in Programming

• Engage sector leads to explore and develop tools to integrate Christian Identity across all sectors
• Support field capacity for Faith integration in Grants & Resource Acquisition
• Lead faith integration in the NEXUS
• Ensure the Spiritual Landscape Assessment is updated and integral tool for all programming
• Global Center Faith & Development (GC F&D) and VisionFund Integration and collaboration for greater faith impact

Christian Identity programming and integration in Restricted and Challenging Contexts

• Champion Christian Identity programming in restricted and challenging contexts
• F&D Competencies roll-out in all contexts
• Develop/update tools and enhance capacity enhancement
• Build learning “hubs” for contextual Christian identity in restricted and challenging contexts

Innovation & Accountability

• Lead thinking and reflection on innovative approaches to F&D programming
• Keep abreast of latest developments and innovations in the broader F&D sector that are relevant to WV and share them internally through relevant Communities of Practice (CoP’s) - (F&D and sectors)
• Benchmark with peers and other relevant organizations to learn best practices and ensure we are cutting-edge.

Lead team/people 

• Lead a small team to ensure faith integration and capacity enhancement for F&D programming
• Support team development and performance

 Others

• External engagement related to the function as appropriate
• Benchmark with peers and other relevant organisations to learn best practice
• Handle other issues in support of the team

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE FOR THE ROLE

• Master's degree in International Development, Theology, Social Sciences, or another relevant field, with formal theological training.
• Minimum 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in international development programming, including Faith & Development (F&D).
• At least 5 years of field-based experience with strong knowledge of evidence-based programming approaches.
• In-depth knowledge of Faith & Development principles, methodologies, metrics, and indicators.
• Demonstrated experience working with faith leaders, faith actors, and faith-related issues within development and humanitarian contexts.
• Experience supporting or overseeing multi-country programmes and collaborating across diverse cultural and geographic contexts.
• Experience working with grant-funded programmes supported by bilateral and multilateral donors.
• Strong project, programme, organizational, and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including facilitation, training, stakeholder engagement, and influencing across multiple audiences.
• Proven ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively in multicultural environments with high emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity.
• Demonstrates a Christ-centred life and work, with a deep personal commitment to Christian faith and values.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE THE ROLE

• 5-7 years of experience within the international development and humanitarian sector.
• Demonstrated success working across complex, matrixed, and globally distributed organizations to achieve strategic objectives.
• Proven experience influencing and collaborating with senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of World Vision's mission, Christian identity, policies, frameworks, and programming approaches.
• Demonstrated experience working across diverse cultural, faith, and geopolitical contexts.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing high-performing teams.
• Experience developing innovative approaches, tools, or resources that strengthen faith-integrated programming.
• Familiarity with sponsorship-funded and grant-funded programming models within international NGOs.

 LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:

• Fluency/high level of professional and technical spoken and written English. Fluency in another language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese) is an added advantage.

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Job Responsibilities:

Technical-MRV

• Lead the design, development, deployment, and management of field data collection protocols, tools, and systems (including Kobo Toolbox, ArcGIS Field Maps, and related platforms) to facilitate efficient and accurate data capture by field teams.
• Support the design and implementation of forest inventories, biomass assessments, socio-economic surveys, and the design and establishment and monitoring of permanent and temporary sample plots in accordance with approved carbon methodologies and best-practice standards.
• Oversee the collection, management, analysis, and reporting of inventory and survey data to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with project monitoring and applicable standard requirements.
• Deploy and manage Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing technologies, and spatial analysis tools (such as Google Earth Engine, QGIS, and ArcGIS) to support project monitoring of land-use changes, deforestation, forest degradation, and other project performance indicators.
• Support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Monitoring Plans that comply with applicable carbon standards and methodologies, including Verra VCS and Gold Standard requirements.
• Support the preparation, compilation, and maintenance of validation/verification-ready project documentation, including Project Design Documents/Project descriptions (PDDs/PDs), Monitoring Reports (MRs), spatial maps, calculation spreadsheets, field datasets, and auditable evidence packages, in collaboration with relevant project stakeholders and counterparts.
• Serve as the primary technical focal point for third-party identified Validation/Verification Bodies (VVBs)
• Coordinate and ensure timely resolution of validation and verification findings, Corrective Action Requests (CARs), Clarification Requests (CLs), and other auditor observations to achieve successful project registration, verification, and carbon credit issuance.
• Support continuous improvement of project monitoring systems through the integration of emerging technologies, data management best practices, and lessons learned from validation and verification processes
• Ensure that all greenhouse gas (GHG) data, carbon accounting processes, and project reporting requirements are aligned with Kenya's National Carbon Registry (KNCR) systems, relevant regulatory frameworks, and applicable international transparency and reporting requirements.

Quality Assurance - Implementation, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning

• Lead the development, implementation and strengthening of Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) systems for field-collected project level data, spatial datasets, and monitoring processes to ensure data integrity, accuracy, and audit readiness.
• Ensure that an effective monitoring, evaluation, accounting and learning system is established and maintained to track project performance and impacts.
• Ensure submission of timely and quality periodic project reports to the WVK, project stakeholders, and donors and other relevant stakeholders
• Document lessons learned and best practices to improve project implementation and inform future initiative
• In liaison with the communications department, ensure regular documentation of best practices, success stories / innovation and lessons learnt over the project implementation period for sharing across the partnership and project stakeholders.

Capacity Building

• Facilitate capacity building and training for field teams, local communities and project partners on monitoring methodologies, data collection protocols, GIS applications, and long-term Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems.
• Lead in the identification/assessment of MRV capacity building gaps among project staff, communities and other relevant stakeholders.
• Lead and participate in the planning, mobilisation, coordination, and promotion of capacity building of MRV events/activities such as training workshops, webinars for NATURE+ project staff/stakeholders etc

Partnership, Coordination and Networking

• Liaise with relevant government institutions and project partners to facilitate data harmonization, reporting consistency, and compliance with national and international carbon market requirements.

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE

Required Professional experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in development and implementation of MRV systems for forest carbon projects.
• Strong technical expertise in forest inventory, forest mensuration, forest carbon accounting and MRV systems
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in designing and implementing field inventories, permanent sample plots, sampling methodologies and biomass measurement     
• Proficiency in GIS tools e.g. QGIS, ArcGIS Pro, Google Earth Engine for satellite data monitoringStrong understanding of carbon data QA/QC, uncertainty, audit trails, validation and verification readiness

Required Education & Certification

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Geospatial sciences, Climate Change, Natural Resource Management, or a related discipline
• Certification in GIS tools e.g. QGIS, ArcGIS Pro and/or Google Earth Engine
• Certification in GHG accounting

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of the carbon project lifecycle, including carbon accounting and monitoring protocols, and international carbon standards e.g. VCS, Gold Standard, Plan Vivo e.t.c
• Demonstrated knowledge of national carbon market policies and schemes, including evolving government policies and regulations, in the forest and biodiversity sectors.
• Familiarity with GHG emissions calculation methodologies used in the AFOLU sector is an asset.
• Carbon MRV training is highly preferable

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Job Description:

The Technical Specialist-NRM will support the design, planning, implementation, monitoring and documentation of sustainable land use and forestry interventions that sequester carbon, restore degraded landscapes, generate verified carbon credits and enhance livelihoods. The Specialist will coordinate field planning, landscape restoration, nursery management and other natural resource management activities across project sites. He/she will provide technical training to staff and communities on sustainable forest restoration, including Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) and silvicultural practices, while integrating nature-based livelihoods to strengthen community climate resilience.

Please Note: World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization with a mission centred on following Jesus Christ in service to the world´s most vulnerable children. Therefore, in all locations to the fullest extent legally permissible, the successful applicant will affirm our core documents, observe conduct compatible with Christian principles, serve at a high level of professional ethics, and strive to act in accordance with cultural sensitivities. Furthermore, regular attendance with team and office devotions, chapel, and prayer gatherings are expected in line with policies in the World Vision host location and its departments.

Technical Support- Field Implementation & Management

• In collaboration with KFS, provide technical support to Community Forest Associations (CFAs) to increase their capacity for production of high-quality seedlings at the project identified tree nurseries.
• Support the development and implementation of Tree Planting & Management Plans (TPMPs), seedling production plans for priority indigenous species and support identification and capacity-strengthening of target nurseries for material production.
• Provide technical support to project team on tree species selection, site-specific planting protocols and models, nursery management, agroforestry and other silvicultural interventions.
• Provide oversight to seedling production, quality assurance, site preparation, planting, and maintenance of restoration sites.
• Provide technical support in the development and/or review of Participatory Forest Management Plans (PFMPs) by collaborating with existing and/or new Community Forest Associations (CFAs) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS).
• Collaborate with the MRV Specialist in designing and execution of forest inventory protocols, including establishment of Permanent Sample Plots (PSPs), tracking of the project’s ecological impacts, monitoring carbon/biodiversity metrics and preparation of the project’s technical reports.
• Collaborate with Community Restoration Officers (CROs) to provide supervision to community-based structures and effectively manage performance – to ensure ecosystem restoration and management objectives are met.
• Provide technical and logistical oversight related to the handling and transfer/transportation of planting materials from nurseries to targeted restoration sites, oversee site preparation and guide actual planting and maintenance in accordance with the TPMP.
• Collaborate with Community Restoration Officers to oversee nursery operations, seed sourcing, seedling quality control and monitoring of seedling survival rates.
• Collaborate with the MRV Specialist and other project staff to collect baseline data, monitor biomass growth, and measure carbon stocks.
• Support in the preparation of forest carbon inventories, analytical reports and Project Design Document (PDD)
• Ensure focused implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project’s interventions on forest restoration, improved landscape management systems, and natural resource management initiatives.
• Identify and promote innovative nature-based livelihood programming approaches and interventions to achieve project objectives and suited to the particular conditions and needs of diverse client groups in the project implementation areas.

Quality Assurance - M &E, Reporting and Documentation

• Supervise and monitor project interventions in strict adherence to the project’s monitoring protocols and standards.
• Participate in the development of Project Designs and Annual Operation Plans. (4D matrices, DIPs, Annual Budgets) and ensure budgetary utilization is within acceptable limits/range.
• Contextualize and use reporting guidelines to track and develop quality, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual and end of projects reports, key lessons and success stories in accordance with the guidelines and standardized tools.
• Identify and document best practices and successes of approaches & models as a result of the project interventions
• Provide technical inputs to the preparation and/or review of the project’s technical reports and publications based on the project’s forest carbon data and contribute to other publications associated with the project results.
• Support and monitor the implementation of annual work plan and project progress reports.

Capacity building

• Facilitate and support development of training modules and lead capacity-building workshops for local stakeholders, field staff, and partner NGOs on sustainable approaches to forest restoration.
• Collaborate with KFS and other stakeholders to ensure that key trainings meet the standard required to facilitate, provide knowledge and required skills set on ecosystem restoration/natural resource management and livelihood initiatives and practices.
• Work with the project team on developing community sensitization and information material, protocols and approaches for forest restoration and natural resource management interventions in their project contexts.
• Together with partners, the project team and stakeholders conduct regular reflection and learning events;

Advocacy, Engagement, Partnership and Networking

• Ensure representation of WV Kenya in key stakeholder forum/meetings at the County level.
• Actively participate in County level Sector Technical Working Groups and relevant to policy and planning forums for ecosystem restoration.
• Organize, track, and attend meetings with key stakeholders, and represent the project team at external meetings and conferences as needed;

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE

Required Professional experience

• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in forest landscape restoration (FLR), silviculture, or agroforestry project management
• Strong grasp of climate-adaptive forestry, native species selection, soil health, and ecological monitoring
• Practical exposure to forest carbon inventories, biodiversity monitoring, or carbon certification standards (VCS, CCB, Gold Standard, REDD+)
• Knowledge of and experience in working with the Government and community structures  
• Experience in implementation of integrated development programs with a focus on ecosystem restoration

Required Education & Certification

• Minimum of Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Agroforestry, Climate Change, or a related field.

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

• Proficiency in forest inventory data collection, growth and yield modelling and biomass estimation
• Proficiency in use of GIS tools like ArcGIS and QGIS.
• Strong communication skills to coordinate effectively with landowners, corporate partners, and multidisciplinary teams
• Familiarity with voluntary and compliance carbon markets and standards e.g. VCS, Gold Standard, Plan Vivo e.t.c