Natural Resource Management Officer at Mercy Corps

General Position Summary: The Natural Resource Management (NRM) Officer will be responsible for technical oversight and management of all activities related to natural resources management and ward development planning.

S/he will work closely with local partners, local communities and County Government Officials to support sustainable natural resource management, climate change adaptation planning and integrated local development planning. The NRM Officer will provide technical assistance and oversight to ensure that common strategies and approaches are applied consistently in all communities.

Essential Job Functions:

Program Management

• Oversee the implementation of Ward Development Planning (WDP) process.
• Support the Program Manager in the design of appropriate models for natural resource and climate change adaptation planning based on best practices.
• Conduct NRM and conflict mapping in collaboration with communities and county government.
• Build the capacity of partner staff to undertake WDP approaches.
• Contribute to team work plans and guide successful implementation of natural resource management activities, ensuring teams follow work plans so activities are on time, target and within the approved budget, and program deliverables achieve desired impact.
• Provide technical guidance on natural resource management and ensure that interventions are responsive to stakeholders and consistent with Mercy Corps’ relevant program guidelines, principles, values, quality standards and strategic plan. Ensure that interventions are evidence-based and adhere to adaptive management principles;
• Conduct, participate in and/or update conflict and/or NRM assessments, involving a wide variety of stakeholders;
• In collaboration with National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and county governments, facilitate discussions within communities aimed at promoting Disaster Risk Reduction approaches including for drought cycle management as important components of NRM.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards;

Community and County Government Engagement

• Conduct community mobilization and sensitization for the WDP process.
• Engage and support county government in the WDP process and ensure their participation and integration of plans into county priorities.
• Work with County technical departments and leadership to integrate Ward Development Plans (WDPs) within County development plans.
• Engage WAPC members, local leaders and the County Peace Directorate to resolve resource-based conflict and facilitate community dialogues.
• Facilitate planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in.
• Support county government initiatives to develop appropriate policies related to NRM and climate change.

Partnership

• Link Ward Planning Committees to county government department and other development partners.
• Establish collaborative partnerships with other development partners working on rangelands, NRM and conflict.
• Identify potential opportunities for linkage with other development partners.
• Support and mentor partner staff to implement program activities and build technical skills.

Program Monitoring

• Support MEL team to develop appropriate monitoring tools for the WDP process, NRM and conflict management.
• Support participatory community based monitoring in the county where initiatives are taking place – organize and coordinate capacity building in relation to community-based monitoring, including experience sharing.
• In coordination with the MEL team, monitor the implementation of activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact.
• Document best practices and lessons learned across counties and share with management and team members.

Influence & Representation

• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the Program Manager and country leadership.
• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Accountability

• Reports Directly to: Program Manager
• Works Directly with: Program Manager, implementing partners, and Monitoring and Evaluation Team.

Knowledge and Experience:

• BA/S or equivalent in Natural Resource Management, Development Studies, Disaster Risk Reduction, Conflict Mitigation, Social Sciences or other relevant field.
• A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in NRM specifically where there is Natural Resource based conflicts with hands on experience in peace building initiatives.
• Strong understanding of the underlying dynamics of NRM, drought cycle management, water and rangeland management and agro-pastoral livelihoods in ASAL areas essential.
• Experience drafting contingency plans with communities is required.
• Experience with Participatory Rural Appraisal or other participatory needs assessment methodologies preferred.
• Strong management skills, including effective personnel management, adaptive management coordination and decision-making, strong facilitation and consensus-building skills.
• Competent in building networks, strong problem-solving skills, and ability to influence with effective listening, persuasion, negotiation and other techniques.
• Strong understanding of DFID compliance issues.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including report writing, in English. Local dialects spoken in West Pokot are strongly desired.
• Previous work experience in Northern Kenya desirable.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.

Success Factors: The NRM Officer will be familiar with the particular challenges of natural resources management in West Pokot County. S/he will combine exceptional management skills and capacity to manage relationships with different stakeholders including implementing partners.

The position requires an ability to think creatively about improving the management of resources in an inclusive and sustainable way. A heavy emphasis will be placed on coordination with other actors implementing in the areas of intervention including county government.

The NRM Officer will have the capacity to spark innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to programming and to inspire groups to collaborate closely to implement high-quality programs.