Consultancy Position at IFRC: GRSP In-Country Road Safety Advocacy Consultant–Kenya

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Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

The IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

The IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

The IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The IFRC also has country cluster delegation and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

The Global Road Safety Partnership (GRSP) (www.grsproadsafety.org) is a hosted programme of the IFRC and is a voluntary association of governments, businesses, and civil society organizations. Both the IFRC and GRSP are headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The GRSP has full time staff based in Geneva, Kuala Lumpur and Budapest and a cadre of globally based consultants. The aim of the GRSP’s work is to reduce death and serious injuries as a result of road crashes with a focus on low-and middle-income countries.

According to the World Health Organization, road traffic injuries claim more than 1.35 million lives each year and result in approximately 50 million injuries. Low and middle-income countries are disproportionately negatively affected. Globally, road traffic deaths are the leading cause of death among young people aged 5 to 29 years and can cost governments between 3 and 5% of GDP. Road traffic injuries and deaths represent a manmade humanitarian crisis and GRSP/IFRC are committed to evidence-based interventions to address this global pandemic. GRSP’s work includes:

  • Carrying out a variety of member and non-member funded road safety projects and research throughout the world but focused primarily in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
  • Managing a Road Safety Grants Programme that supports civil society and RedCross/Red Crescent National Societies to strengthen legislation and policies that impact on road safety.
  • Undertaking projects in low-and middle-income countries to reduce road crash deaths and serious injuries.
  • Running road policing capacity building and training programmes in multiple cities and countries.
  • In conjunction with Johns Hopkins University International Injury Research Unit, running Global Road Safety and Road Policing Leadership programmes.

GRSP’s work is funded by members, donors and development banks with two philanthropies contributing to two large programmes, namely;

  • Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) –funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
  • Botnar Child Road Safety Challenge (BCRSC) –funded by Fondation Botnar.GRSP’s work specifically contributes to meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3.6 -“By2030, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes” and 11.2 –“By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.” GRSP also contributes to meeting the broader SDG sustainability agenda.

Purpose of Consultancy

GRSP is seeking an in-country coordinator to assist in supporting our Road Safety Grants Programme in Kenya, implemented through road safety government agencies working on road safety issues and through civil society organizations. This is a GRSP activity under the BIGRS initiative.

This role requires the consultant to serve as the primary GRSP point of contact for organizations in Kenya that may receive funds from the Road Safety Grants Programme, especially in relation to identifying potential grantees and supporting existing grantees to advocate for stronger road safety laws.

The consultant will be required to undertake activities, at the direction of GRSP Headquarters staff including:

  • Coordinate work of GRSP to advance comprehensive road safety policies in Kenya.
  • Represent GRSP at in-country road safety-related meetings and events.
  • Provide regular updates on the road safety situation in Kenya, specifically linked to the existing road safety legal framework and possible improvements to meet global best practice.
  • Work collaboratively with all GRSP teams and other BIGRS partners.
  • Identify the political landscape, administrative systems, processes and actors to identify opportunities for change in policies to improve road safety in Kenya.
  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with local advocacy and road safety-related organizations and regularly update knowledge of local civil society and road safety policy landscape in Kenya.
  • Cultivate relationships with key government officials and political leaders involved in road safety.
  • Support the identification of road safety policy opportunities in Kenya and contribute to the country strategy formulation process and periodic review.
  • Liaise with in-country stakeholders to identify potential grantees and provide input and support as required during the proposal development and grant negotiation processes.
  • In consultation with GRSP Headquarters, support GRSP grantees through provision of guidance, support, advice, and relevant capacity building activities to enable them to deliver effective advocacy for evidence-based road safety polices.
  • Assist in co-ordination of advocacy activities among GRSP grantees and the broader road safety stakeholder community in Kenya.
  • Support the organization of workshops, training, meetings and other events as required.
  • Work with all BIGRS in-country partners to progress the aims of the initiative.
  • Complete regular programme reporting as required by GRSP Headquarters.
  • Participate in regular calls with GRSP and other BIGRS partners, providing updates as required.

Requirements

Education

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in road safety, public health, law, management, social sciences or a related field

Preferred:

  • Graduate degree in road safety, public health, law, management, social sciences or a related field
  • Advanced training in project management or advocacy

Experience

Required:

  • A minimum of 5years’experience in policy or policy advocacy
  • Demonstrated experience in project management, including coordination of multiple stakeholders
  • High degree of demonstrated competence working collaboratively in networks or coalitions to create a shared vision and progress shared work plans
  • Experience in supporting a policy process in Kenya
  • Demonstrated experience in managing complex formal and informal relationships to support policymaking in Kenya
  • Ability to travel internationally

Preferred

  • Experience in road safety advocacy or related road safety field

Knowledge and Skills

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills
  • Strong organizational skills

Languages

Required: Fluent spoken and written English

Preferred: Knowledge of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Further Information:

The successful applicant will be based in Nairobi and will require excellent internet connectivity to facilitate performing the functions of the role and will be required to provide their own working space (e.g. work from home). Some travel may be required within the country, in addition to limited international travel when required and when possible.

Upon commission of consultant services, specific Terms of Reference (ToR) will be provided. ToR will include specific project objectives, desired outcomes, consultancy outputs, method of delivery and time requirements. The time requirements for this consultancy will vary but are expected to commence at approximately 3 days per week, and this may increase over the first year. The consultancy is expected to last 12-24monthsbutmay be extended. Consultancy rates that are consistent with rates in the location the appointee is resident will be offered.

To apply, please forward the documents listed below to the GRSP Support Team at email GRSP@ifrc.org with ‘GRSP In-Country Road Safety Advocacy Consultant –Kenya’ in the subject line by 17:00 Central European Time (UTC +1) on Wednesday, 12January2022.

Application content:

  • Cover letter of no more than three pages(which includes the expected daily rate of remuneration in Swiss francs) and explains how the applicant meets each of the education and experience requirements outlined above;
  • Summarized CV of no more than five pages of relevant experience, including confirmation of residence (or work permit) in Kenya;
  • Applications are not to include attachments or other supporting documents;
  • Note: Applications that exceed length limits will not be considered.

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