VSF-Belgium
is a recognized developmental International NGO founded in 1995 working with disadvantaged
communities to increase their standards of living, improve food security and
livelihood sustainability through improved animal health and animal production.
Position
Title: Community Development Officer (CDO)
Duty Station:
Turkana County
Availability:
Immediately
Role: The CDO’s main role will be
to mobilize and organize communities in the implementation of the VSF Belgium
animal welfare project funded by The Brooke.
This will be
done in a culturally appropriate manner and in accordance with standards and
guidelines provided by VSF Belgium and the Brooke.
The holder of
this position will be required to travel extensively to project sites within
Turkana County.
The position
will report to the Field Vet, Doweli project.
Responsibilities
Project
implementation, monitoring and reporting
·
Apply techniques
and tool kits such as PRA tools to mobilize and engage effectively with equine
owning communities in project areas to advance equine welfare
·
Carry out
needs assessment in a participatory way to identify knowledge gaps and
appropriate training aids for the local community
·
Develop work
plans, facilitate implementation and formulate monitoring plans for the project
in consultation with the programme manager and field team
·
Conduct
trainings and provide technical advice to target project beneficiaries and
project partners following needs assessment/expression of need
·
Investigate
the sustainability of the project activities in improving equine welfare and in
linkage with other projects strengthening community resilience
·
Be at all
times a role model for sympathetic and humane handling, treatment and
management of working equine animals
·
Monitor and
evaluate the community engagement aspects of their project to ensure desired
change is being realized among equine owning communities
·
Liaise with
other players in the county with similar interventions to ensure synergy and
collaboration
·
Support the
Kenya team in development of project concepts and proposals with reference to
specific donor regulations
·
Compile
comprehensive mission specific, monthly and other relevant project reports or
documentation
·
Responsible
in promoting cross-learning between communities through gathering, documenting
and sharing best practices
·
Support in
other project activities as advised by supervisor
Project
finance management
·
Ensure prudent
use of funds allocated to project activities and all field missions as per VSF
B and specific donor policies
Communication
and information
·
Inform and
collaborate with the project manager on continuous basis
·
Representing
and communicating the interests of VSF Belgium work internally and externally
Promotion of
team spirit at all levels
·
Assist the
Programme Manager to identify and effectively manage all community development
related risks
Minimum
requirements
·
University
degree in either rural development, Livestock Production, Development studies,
Social sciences or related fields from a recognized university
Knowledge and
Experience
·
Knowledge of
basic animal welfare concepts and an understanding of the importance of working
equines to the economies of developing countries
·
At least
three years experience in community empowerment initiatives in pastoral regions
is ideal
·
Experience in
conducting participatory monitoring and planning of programmes at community
level
·
Experience in
assessing training needs and capacity building of community groups
·
Proven
practical experience in identifying, establishing and managing community
development issues and related conflicts
·
Knowledge and
experience in participatory training approaches
Skills and
Altitudes
·
Clear strategic
thinker with strong analytical and problem solving skills
·
A culturally
sensitive communicator and excellent negotiation skills
·
Motivation to
engage and learn and be at all times a role model
·
Good writing
and reporting skills
·
Good
organization, planning and follow up skills
·
Ability to
work under pressure in remote areas with pastoral communities
·
Ability to
deal with conflict and crises and mobilize communities for appropriate
responses
·
Computer
literacy especially with MS Word, Excel and power point
·
Fluent in
written and spoken Swahili and English; knowledge of the local language would
be an added advantage
·
Strong
interpersonal and communication skills
·
Willingness
to work flexibly and on occasions, outside of office hours
·
Committed to
the mission of VSF Belgium, adherence to animal welfare minimum standards and
community development principles
·
Proven
ability to work with a range of local stakeholders including local government
and project partners
·
Attentive to
detail
·
Team player
Please send
your application (reference to Community Development Officer - Turkana), CV and
3 references (one must be your current employer, by e-mail torecruitment@vsfb.or.ke on or before 1st August
2014.
This Vacancy
is open to male and female candidates.
Only short
listed candidates will be contacted.
For more
information: www.vsf-belgium.org