Food Security and Livelihood Coordinator needed at Islamic Relief Kenya

1. Background

Established in 1984 in the UK, Islamic Relief is an international NGO seeking to promote sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities through relief and development activities regardless of race, color, and religion, and without expecting anything in return.

IR started operations in Kenya in 1993 on orphan’s sponsorship program through a local CBO in Mandera District, Northern Kenya. It opened its fully fledged office in March in 2006 at the height of drought in the Horn of Africa. Since then, IR has been providing humanitarian and development assistance to vulnerable communities. Over these years it has implemented various development and relief activities in Mandera. This has remarkably changed the lives of the vulnerable and disadvantaged communities. In January 2010, IRK extended its operation to Wajir County, neighboring Mandera, in January 2012 expanded to Garissa and Dadaab, and in October 2017 opened a program office in Kilifi County.

Islamic Relief Kenya is currently focusing on three major themes: Sustainable Community Empowerment, Food security and livelihoods, Disaster Risk reduction (DRR); and Inclusive and protection

Islamic Relief Kenya in pursuit to support and strengthen its operations, seeks to employ motivated, hardworking, and pro-active individuals to fill in the following position.

Reporting To: Program Manager

Base Location: Nairobi 100% (with frequent visit to Mandera, Garissa, Kilifi, Wajir and Moyale, Tana River)

Responsible For: Program officers and Assistants

Liaises With: Managers (Finance, Coordinators & Support Services Units, Regional Food Security Advisor**)

2. Overall Responsibility

Under the supervision of the Program Manager in Kenya, the Food Security and Livelihood Coordinator will be responsible for the vision, strategy, design, monitoring, and quality delivery of both the Livelihood Program for IR-Kenya and Emergency response programs. He/she shall ensure that both emergency and Livelihood program plans are in place and kept updated as per the objectives of the Country Strategic Plan; and that program interventions and projects re implemented in line with the overall country Program. The position also manages/oversees the program growth and manages program Team across all field offices.

3. Key Duties and Responsibilities (Key results areas)

a) Program Strategy and Planning (10%)

• Provide leadership in the review/updating of IRK’s Resilience/Livelihood and Emergency/Humanitarian strategy, in line with Global Strategy, Country Strategy and Annual Business Plans.
• Provide leadership in developing/ updating IRK’s specific guidelines/policies Resilience/Sustainable Livelihoods, Food Security, and core emergency response and recovery guidelines, including Disaster Preparedness Plans (DPPs) etc.
• Promote understanding of and ensure the appropriate use of and adherence to global Humanitarian standards/guidelines including SPHERE and CHS.
• Provide leadership in undertaking of Needs assessment in line with priorities of the program and community needs.
• Ensure that the emergency response programs are appropriately linked where possible to IR-Kenya other resilience and longer-term development programs.

b) Program Development & Resource Acquisition (25%)

• Support development and updating of the Donor mapping Tool for the potential funding sources.
• In coordination with Business Development Manager and Program Management Unit and Communication & MEAL Unit, develop/update capacity statements and other program marketing Materials.
• Provide leadership in identification of potential funding sources/donors and plan for engagement meetings
• Lead the funding diversification that supports core interventions and projects for the program across geographical spread
• Provide leadership in concepts and proposals development (as necessary) for both Emergency and development programs and contribute the program’s growth.
• To initiate innovative sustainable projects around emerging thematic issues in line with the funding trends including climate smart interventions.

c) Program Implementation & Management (25%)

• Provide technical advice on best practices and approaches to the program staff
• Lead the overall management, implementation and development of the emergency preparedness and response component of the Kenya country program.
• Provide leadership in projects/programs set-ups/initiation, including development and adoption of precise Implementation tools.
• To work with the field implementation team and partners to ensure projects are implemented in a sustainable way and achieving the envisaged change.
• Provide regular technical support/Backstopping/supervision during program/projects
• Support program/Project reviews – drawing key recommendations, lessons, best practices, technical advances etc.
• Provide support in development of third party (Consultant, IPs) program delivery engagement plans & Tool such as MOUs, Agreements, TORs, Inductions, and field support.
• Provide leadership in planning and Implementation of special Programs- Ramadan and Qurbani Programs.

d) Program Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Reporting & learning (15%)

• Lead the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluations plans of projects in line with the Donor & IRK’ Strategy and internal standards and support measuring of program and project performances.
• Ensure that rights holders have access to feedback mechanisms and that data is monitored and responses given within appropriate time periods.
• Provide Leadership in Development and Submission of (internal) Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-Annual and Annual program reports and submitted to MEAL Unit for review
• Ensure timely development and submission of quality donor reports.
• Provide leadership in documentation of best practices and learnings from program works
• Support undertaking of regular projects’ Grant Review Meetings and provide progress to the PM/CD and members of the SMT.
• Provide leadership in the adoption, application and implementation of program Standards, Including Core Humanitarian Standard and Safeguarding Standard and policies

e) Capacity Building & Team Management (5 %)

• To ensure timely development of staff JDs, KPOs and recruitment of sector as may be required.
• To ensure effective orientation of new project staff on proper project implementation and follow ups.
• Identify the needs and organize trainings to develop the capacity of IRK staff and partners to increase their competence in program/projects delivery
• To ensure staff appraisals including probation reports, development of clear KPIs by all the staff.

f) Networking and Partnership Development (15%)

• Active participation and engagement in and with donors (institutional, UN & IPs) meeting, briefing session, Funding Information Sessions.
• Establish and sustain effective relationship with the Government (National & Counties) and other NGOs for coordination, compliance with regulations & policies and synergy building.
• Represent IRK at all relevant technical forums, Clusters, Workshops and Meetings and contribute to technical interactions and discussions on the same.

g) Coordination and Collaboration with Support Services Team (5% )

• Jointly work with procurement unit to generate/update precise project procurement Plans at inception and follow its (Plan) implementation.
• Work with procurement unit and Committee to support and provide required technical support during procurement processes of the project activities and interventions relation to the program
• Work with Finance Unit on project budgets planning, Budget Monitoring/Controls, Risk mapping, and reporting, Audits (Internal & external), related financial accounting
• Work with HR Unit to Assess the human resources requirements for the program, skills expected of staff at different levels in hierarchy and assist the Human Resource department in program staff Management and development
• Work with Communication Unit to provide and generate high quality program communication materials including documentation of program works.

Fulfil any additional assignment as deem necessary by the organization and/or as assigned by Line manager

4. Person Specification

i. Education, Qualifications & Experience Required:

• Advanced Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agriculture, climate change adaptation, Disaster management or any other social sciences related fields.
• Minimum of at least for five years’ Experience on disaster management and resilience building
• Be able versed with the GAP, FACT and BASIS procedures
• Experience in sustainable livelihoods program design and management
• Proven analytical skills and ability to think strategically.
• Conceptual understanding of participatory approach and sustainable development.

ii. Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

• Must have a ‘hands on’, practical mentality, be self-driven and very motivated.
• Must be well organized.
• Able to take initiative and work independently.
• Very high attention to detail.
• Cultural and political sensitivity.
• Must be flexible and willing to adapt to a fluid situation.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills and good command of English.
• Good interpersonal skills.

iii. Desirable

• Knowledge of local language- Kiswahili
• Willing to travel to the remote areas of Coast, Northern & Northeastern Kenya