Job Title: Community Engagement Officer
Hiring Organization: Mercy Corps
Location – Locality:
Location – Region: Kenya
Industry: NGO
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: KES
Date Posted: 06/03/2024
About
Mercy Corps
Mercy
Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better
world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around
the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people
triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for
the future.
Program Summary
Mercy
Corps has been a leader in the drylands of the Horn of Africa for the last
decade, supporting households affected by climate change, drought, conflict,
and other challenges to adapt and thrive in the face of increasing shocks. Our
programming focuses on strengthening livestock production and markets,
enhancing food and water security, addressing gender inequality and youth
opportunities, and strengthening devolved governance outcomes to support
dryland communities to break from the cycle of humanitarian need and lay the
foundations for a more food secure, resilient future. Working across Kenya,
Ethiopia and Somalia, Mercy Corps is implementing three phases – 12-year
Regional Livestock Program (RLP), which looks to leverage the significant
potential for livestock production and trade within the region by building
vibrant regional livestock markets, strengthening livestock production and
trade, supporting climate adaptation and enhanced regeneration and governance
of rangeland to enhance household food security and livelihoods. The program
will be managed by Mercy Corps’ regional team, with close coordination with
Mercy Corps’ Ethiopia, Kenya & Somalia country teams. Key RLP partners
include Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Helvetas and
Welthungerhilfe (WHH). The Program target four livestock trade corridors – Tog
wajalle, Galkacayo, Afmadow ,Moyale and one camel milk Corridor of Wajir. The
RLP program is part of a growing regional program portfolio for Mercy Corps
East and Southern Africa region.
General
Position Summary
The
community engagement/ Natural Resources Management officer will be responsible
for technical oversight and ensuring management for all activities related to
community development, conflict management and peaceful co-existence around
natural resource. They will define implementation strategies in coordination
with the county government, RLP coordinators and other leadership team. The
community engagement/ Natural Resources Management officer will train Rangeland
management Committees (RMCs) after conducting technical capacity assessment.
They will provide technical assistance based on identified gaps; and ensure
common strategies and approaches are applied consistently in all communities’
priorities as envisaged on community Rangeland plans. They will coordinate
closely with the M&E team to ensure that systems are in place to track,
analyze and report results. The Officer will be required to keep abreast of the
latest research and evolutions in the field of conflict management around
natural resources and integrate new ideas and approaches as appropriate, seek
additional technical assistance as needed and ensure effective working
relationships with collaborating agencies. They will work closely with NDMA on
community participatory scenario planning, and other partners that advocate the
adoption of sustainable Rangeland management approaches.
Essential
Responsibilities
Program
Management
Oversee
the development process of Ward based community grazeland plans
Identify
and Capacity builds the RMCs to strengthen their governance and natural
resources management skill.
Conduct
RMCs capacity assessment in collaboration with communities and county
governments
Contribute
to teamwork plans and guide successful implementation of conflict management
and natural resources management activities, ensuring teams follow work plans
so activities are on time, target and within the approved budget, and program
deliverables achieve desired impact;
Conduct,
participate in and/or update community grassland plan development process,
involving a variety of stakeholders;
In
collaboration with National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and county
governments, facilitate discussions within communities aimed at promoting
Disaster Risk Reduction approaches including for drought cycle management as
important components to community resilience to shocks and other stress.
Integrate
community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all
activities as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’
Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards;
Work with
other mercy corps program on rangeland degeneration, digitization and
protection.
Community
And County Government Engagement
Conduct
community engagement, mobilization and sensitization for the RMC selection
process
Engage
development actors to resolve resource-based conflict and facilitate community
dialogues
Engage
and support county government in the WDP process and ensure their participation
and integration of plans into county priorities.
Facilitate
planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and
community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in.
Support
county government initiatives to develop appropriate policies related to ward
planning approach.
Partnership
Link Ward
based RMCs to ongoing county government department of livestock rangeland
management bill, IGAD regional livestock policies,
Work with
relevant county departments including Livestock, natural resource, environment,
water and other development partners
Establish
collaborative partnership with other development partners working on community
resilience and community development.
Identify
potential opportunities for linkage with other development partners such as
Partnership for Resilience and Economic Growth (PREG), SDC funded project.
Familiarize
and support implementation of rangeland management laws and regulation both
nationally, county level and regionally!
Program
Monitoring
Support
MEL team to develop appropriate monitoring tools for the natural resource
management activities ,
Support
participatory community-based monitoring in counties where initiatives are
taking place – organize and coordinate capacity building in relation to
community-based monitoring, including experience sharing.
In
coordination with the MEL team, monitor the implementation of activities
through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and
impact.
Document
best practices and lessons learned across counties and share with management
and team members
Coordination
Coordinate
with procurement, logistics, security, finance, administration and human
resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities
Support
operations team to facilitate procurement of goods and services related to the
WDP process and conflict management
Coordinate
with the program with other corridors
Influence
& Representation
Represent
Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close
coordination with the County project coordinator and country leadership.
Coordinate
activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government, and other
implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs
Facilitate
planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and
community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in;
In
coordination with the MEL team, monitor the implementation of activities
through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and
impact. Document approaches, successes and lessons learned;
Coordinate
with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resources teams
to ensure operational systems support field activities.
Security
Work
closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain
systems that promote the safety and security of all team members.
Ensure
that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and
understanding of security.
