Church World Service
Position Title: Project Officer, Climate Change Adaptation & Resilience - Kenya National Hire
Job Description
Position Title: Project Officer, Climate Change Adaptation & Resilience
Reports To: Emergency Response and Disaster Risk Reduction Coordinator.
Department: RDP
Job Location: Kenya, Kitui
Grade Level: Grade 5
Introduction:
Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.
Primary Purpose:
This position is responsible for the implementation of the climate change and resilience project in Kitui, Kenya under the auspices of the Church World Service (CWS) Climate Change, Adaptation and Resilience Project. The project includes action research into the causes and effects of climate change induced migration, mobilizing and educating farmers to undertake climate change adaptation and resilience activities including beekeeping, village savings and loans associations (VSLA) water and soil conversation, climate smart agriculture production and in selected areas of Mwingi West Sub County. The project seeks to provide comprehensive training to the selected farmers in groups so as to effectively undertake the enterprises to realize increased adaptation, income and resilience. The task will also encompass providing technical support for the research on causes and effects of climate induced migration. The selected candidate will work closely with the contracted service providers as well as Lead Farmers
Essential Duties:
- Takes lead in the implementation of the CWS Climate Change and Adaptation & Resilience Project in Kitui County
- Expert training of Lead farmers as well as community members on climate change, climate resilient agriculture, early warning systems and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).
- Linkage meetings between the community, the Kenya meteorological department and the ministry of agriculture to undertake climate smart agriculture and use of indigenous knowledge and sharing of the developed advisories.
- Train farmers for use of technology to get weather information smart agricultural practices including crisis digital transformation for Climate-Related Preparedness in the event of natural disasters due to climate change and weather unpredictability.
- Train young farmers on modern climate smart poultry and bee keeping; business management, inclusion of technology in agriculture production including marketing
- Create linkage with private sectors in the poultry value chain for access of services and markets while working closely with local animal health assistants for continuous extension services
- Coordinate trainings on poultry husbandry practices which will include housing, feeding, vaccination and marketing.
- Training communities on appropriate conservation agriculture technologies
- Manage the establishment of kitchen gardens for improved food security and nutrition.
- Train the target groups on financial literacy and review VSLA record keeping from time to time
- Undertake FMNR participatory sensitization and training meetings at group level (with MOA and forestry department).
- Train and support establishment of tree nurseries in the established water structure. This will in turn support restoration of Degraded lands.
- Train and promote of energy saving stoves - at household level
- Identify and train community resource persons (CORPs) on Soil & water conservation and equip them with terracing kits/levels.
- Strengthening key institutions involved in catchment management, strengthening the multi-stakeholder approach in solving water-related challenges in different catchment areas. Support to establishment of appropriate institutional structures and capacity building, such as County Government Departments
- Building Water Resilient Communities: Improving community knowledge in application of IWRM strategies,
- Provide regular project updates to the Coordinator.
- Adapt and use training materials and ensure existing training materials are up to date.
- Prepare weekly, monthly and quarterly project reports both quantitative and qualitative, aspects of the project.
- Maintain up to date project documents/file
- Other duties as assigned by the Coordinator.
Qualifications:
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental studies, Natural Resource Management, Community Development, Agricultural Related courses with two years’ experience or Diploma in the relevant field with five years of paid work experience.
Experience:
- Two to Five years of experience is required.
- One (1) year of direct supervisory experience is required
- Experience writing reports and proposals are required.
- Previous experience conducting community trainings or presentations preferred
- Previous reporting and monitoring and evaluation experience preferred
Knowledge/Skills:
- Thorough knowledge of the Natural Resource Management; Resilience and Community Development.
- Knowledge of National Climate Change Action Plan.
- Excellent writing skills
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Excellent computer skills, in particular Microsoft Office
- Knowledge of Climate Change Adaptation; Disaster Risk Reduction or Resilience.
Abilities:
The Project Officer – Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience must have the ability to:
- Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;
- Follow instructions with a positive and receptive attitude;
- Deal effectively and courteously with collaborators, government agencies, and members of the general public;
- Conduct oneself in a professional and courteous manner to represent the best interests of CWS Africa;
- Maintain a high-performance standard with attention to detail;
- Carry out all of the duties of the position efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision.
- Take initiative in the development and completion of projects within the specified timeframe;
- Maintain strict confidentiality with CWS and operational information;
- Manage a large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities;
- Work well as a team in a multi-cultural environment while maintaining a high level of motivation.
- Effectively manage CWS resources; and
Working Conditions:
Physical: This position requires sitting, standing, walking, handling objects (manual dexterity)
Environmental: Incumbents in this position must be able to travel to remote locations.
Important Requirements:
- Strong English communication skills, both oral and written
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS’ Platform on RacialJusticeas a CWS employee required.
Special Requirements:
- COVID Vaccination is strongly recommended for all successful candidates
- The candidate should be of good health, willing and able to travel extensively in often difficult conditions and have a high degree of flexibility. Must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling for RSC Africa/Remove if not applicable.
- This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya
- This position always requires use of laptops, competence in Microsoft office packages is required.
- This position may require travel in sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and under sometimes difficult conditions to meet demands of a dynamic operational program
- Background check which includes references, and an educational criminal check is required before the start of employment for international applicants.
- A valid passport and the ability to maintain a valid passport throughout the entire appointment is required, which includes having enough passport pages for travel.
- Physical: This position requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, pushing/pulling, handling objects (manual dexterity), reaching above shoulder level, using fine finger movements, and lifting/carrying heavy loads.
- Environmental: Incumbents in this position will be exposed to excessive noise, marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust and infectious diseases, harsh weather climates, long work hours, bumpy roads, extended travel, excessive sun exposure, and non-ventilated spaces.
- All employees should be prepared to work from the CWS office within their location of hire. Remote work arrangements may vary depending on location and the governing rulings regarding the COVID-19 pandemic
How to apply
Log on to CWS careers site - https://cwsglobal.org/work-with-cws/