CARE International in Kenya is looking for well organized and
highly motivatedindividuals who are result-oriented to fill the following
positions
Job Title: Senior Policy Adviser
Department / Project: Programmes
Supervisor: Livelihoods Sector Manager
Location / Duty Station: Nairobi
Date of Employment: 1/1/2013
Job Summary and Purpose
Job Summary and Purpose
CARE, as part of the SWASH+ project which also includes the
Kenyan Ministry of Education, is seeking a Senior Policy Adviser (SPA) with
significant experience in advocacy and policy change as well as project
management.
SWASH+ is a project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation, which aims to learn about and pursue approaches for effective,
sustainable and scaled water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools in
Kenya.
This position plays a critical role in collaborating with
government and non-government stakeholders to improve investments by the
Government of Kenya in school WASH by setting strategic direction, overall
project and budget management, and line management of key staff.
The SPA will serve as the project director, will serve as the
chair of the project team and secretary of the project steering committee, will
hold primary budget authority and will manage key project staff. She/he will be
the primary person responsible for coordinating interactions and progress
between government, NGO and learning partners.
The SPA will also be in charge of directing communications for
the program, will facilitate or carry out needed analysis of the enabling
policy environment for school WASH in Kenya, will meet regularly with partners
and will update work plans as needed.
Responsibilities and Tasks
Responsibilities and Tasks
R1. Project management
- Overall
responsibility within Kenya for accomplishing project goals and
objectives.
- Design
and finalize strategies and work plans (approval authority rests with project
steering committee).
- Serve
as chair of the project team and secretary of the steering committee (to
be headed by Ministry of Education).
- Primary
budget responsibility and oversight.
- Sets
strategic direction for the project team.
- Line
manage the program manager who will have proximate oversight of budgets,
procurement and will serve a monitoring role for the project.
R2. Policy Analysis & Advocacy
- Develop,
update and coordinate implementation of the SWASH+ Strategy, which will
focus on governance systems and political will related to school WASH.
- Cultivate
and maintain key relationships with relevant line ministries.
- Develop
key advocacy messages and language towards building political will for
school WASH.
- Monitor
and evaluate policy change progress (inclusive of budget expenditures and
implementation of existing policy).
- Design
and implement a communications strategy to accomplish overall SWASH+
advocacy goals.
R3. Coordinate relationships and partnerships for the Kenya-based
project team
- Collaborate
with and coordinate efforts by various partners and stakeholders (the
Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, CARE
and learning partners).
- Mobilize
partnerships with local and international civil society organizations
towards accomplishing project objectives.
- Represent
the project in relevant public fora.
- Participate
in general Ministry of Education and CARE strategic planning as required.
Authority:
1. Spending Authority: 400,000/- limit per transaction with an
overall budget to manage of $838,150 over three years.
3. Decision Making: Decision making is limited to the SWASH+
project within CARE.
Contacts / Key Relationships (internal & external):
- Members
of the School Health Technical Committee and the School WASH Technical Working
Group.
- Ministry
of Education (primary education focused on school health, planning and
infrastructure)
- Ministry
of Public Health (Chief Public Health Officer and staff)
- CARE
Kenya senior management
- CARE
USA Water Team
- TBD
senior researchers internationally and within Kenya
- Gates
Foundation Grants Manager
Working Conditions:
Nairobi based with some field travel to various counties around
Kenya.
Some limited international travel may be required.
Travel unlikely to exceed 25% in any year.
Qualifications
Education:
- Masters
degree in a field of social science, international affairs or public
policy.
- Coursework
in research methodology
Experience:
7-10 years of experience with advocacy and policy analysis,
ideally but not necessarily on a focus of education or WASH.
Management and budget management experience strongly
desired.
Experience working closely with government ministries or
Parliament would be helpful.
Competencies:
Management: Ability to inspire and motivate direct reports. Is able to
accomplish a complex set of outcomes within a set budget. Planning and
organizing: Is capable at collaboratively developing plans and is able to
balance analysis with execution.
Teamwork: Collaborates with others in own unit and across
boundaries; acknowledges others' contributions; works effectively with
individuals of different culture and gender; willing to seek help as needed.
Influencing and resolving differences across organizational boundaries: Gaining
support and commitment from others even without formal authority; resolving
differences by determining needs and forging solutions that benefit all
parties; promoting collaboration and facilitating teamwork across
organizational boundaries. Analytical
Thinking and Decisive Judgment - analyzing issues and
problems systematically, gathering broad and balanced input, drawing sound
conclusions and translating conclusions into timely decisions and actions.
Communicating with impact: Has strong command of written and spoken
English and is able to communicate effectively with partners across a variety
of objectives and incentives to accomplish project outcomes. Thinks
strategically about how the project will communicate its messages to key
stakeholders.
Political Acumen: Has a strong sense of what is politically
possible. Makes use of leverage points or key moments to implement desired
changes. Is strategic about relationships and collaboration with internal and
external partners.
Applications
If you feel you meet the requirements for any of these
positions, send your application letter indicating the reference number, title
of the position along with an updated CV and telephone contacts of three
professional referees to:
The Human Resources & Development Manager,
CARE International in Kenya
Email: Vacancies@care.or.ke
so as to be received not later than 13th December, 2012.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
CARE is an equal opportunity employer and promotes gender
equity.
Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
CARE International in Kenya does not charge a fee at any stage
of the recruitment process. (Application, interview, meeting, processing,
training or any other fees).