Programme Social Scientist at Royal Danish Embassy (DANIDA)

Background

The Governments of Denmark and Kenya in 2015, signed a Development Engagement agreement for the Kenya Country Programme. This is a five-year programme that is being implemented by various actors including National Government line ministries and Agencies, and a few Non state Actors.

Each of the Implementing Organizations has signed Development Engagement Documents and Bilateral Agreements with the Embassy. Among such organizations is Water Sector Trust Fund (WSTF), which is a public institution, established under the Act of Parliament Water Act 2002 and currently operating under the revised Water Act 2016. The Mandate of WSTF is to ensure there is assured water resources availability, and accessibility of water and sanitation to the underserved areas of the country.

Under the DANIDA Green Growth and Employment Programme (GGEP) Development Engagement Document, WSTF at the end of 2017 received additional financing to facilitate improved access to water and sanitation for Refugees, host communities and other Vulnerable communities of Turkana West Sub county in Turkana County.

To achieve the objectives of the GGEP and its mandate, the Danish Embassy has agreed to support WSTF with a team of experts who will support them in implementation of the Green Growth and Employment Programme. The team of experts will comprise of Programme Coordinator, Programme Engineer, Social Scientist and a Procurement expert as per the below job descriptions

The recruited implementation team led by Programme coordinator will work under the Rural Investments Programme at WSTF and in close collaboration with other Danida Technical and Financial advisers, and reporting to WSTF Rural Investment Manager.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following listed vacancy:-

Reporting to: GGEP / WLP, Programme Coordinator

Duty Station: Turkana West, Kakuma

Contract Period: Fixed 24 Months

Main purpose of the role

The position is responsible for ensuring that communities of Turkana West are effectively engaged in the planning, implementation and subsequent management of water investments in the selected ASAL counties and particular in relation to host/refugee interactions.

The main roles include interaction with county governments and implementing agencies on issues of inclusion and access to resources for all communities and groups. The position requires extensive fieldwork and liaison with the County Resident Monitors (CRMs) and WSTF staff.

Duties and responsibilities

• Assess issues of social organization among host communities and refugees and the humanitarian-development nexus, and develop a simple practical engagement strategy to guide implementation of the projects in Turkana West,
• Support in mainstreaming cross-cutting issues including gender, disability and environmental protection at project designs and implementation stages,
• Support staff capacity building, in technical matters such as water management, environmental, social cultural aspects, organizational management, monitoring and reporting,
• Support in desk and field appraisals of proposals from rural communities and implementing agencies to facilitate investment decisions,
• Undertake routine field monitoring of funded project in collaboration with implementing agencies,
• Participate in the conduct of baseline survey, water point mapping, value for money and other studies in target county,
• Reviewing progress reports from implementing partners and other entities and appropriately giving timely feedback,
• Support in building the capacity and sensitization of County and other stakeholders particularly on host/refugee issues and interactions,
• Assist in designing and facilitating implementation of host/refugee programmes and projects ensuring both equity and harmony,
• Assist in preparation of budgets, work plans, strategies and reports for the Programme management,
• Assist in the preparation and facilitation of technical evaluation missions.

Qualification & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences/Environmental studies/Water Resources Management,
• Experience working in refugee/ humanitarian areas is required,
• Experience working in conflict prone and ASAL areas is required,
• Experience working with County and national Government on donor funded programmes is an added advantage
• At least 5 years’ work experience in humanitarian and/or development programmes in similar position,
• Ability to engage in fluent Kiswahili and local language an added advantage,
• Experience with Environmental Assessments and audits is an added advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Social aspects of access to and management of local resources
• Decision making and negotiation skills
• Experience in disputes and conflict resolution
• Public relations and networking
• Written and oral communication skills
• Project Management skills
• Analytical and Computer skills.