Natural Resource Management Project Manager- Mandera Triangle 58 views0 applications

BACKGROUND

In mid-2010 CARE Somalia initiated a change in its program structure and strategy – from working in technical sectors to working in more holistic programs focusing on the needs of particular ‘impact groups’. CARE has identified a number of particularly vulnerable groups in Somalia. One of the categories of vulnerable groups are urban youth. This is an increasingly large group of people, due to drought, conflict and marginalization. CARE had undertaken a series of studies that aimed to further ‘break down’ this group into specific sub-sets and identify particular causes of poverty for each of them; and on the basis of that analysis further developed our program strategy for working with these groups. At present, the focus of much of the work with urban youth is on education, inclusive governance and livelihoods with an emphasis on TVET. The aim of this program is to promote the economic and private sector development, and greater resilience, particularly among vulnerable groups (e.g. youth, women, and displaced people).

JOB SUMMARY

Serving on a three year fixed term contract, the Natural Resource Management Project Manager (NRM-Manager) will be directly responsible for the overall management of the Mandera triangle project, which involves Tri -border activities in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia focusing on resilience and Natural Resource Management (NRM) activities, grant management, staff oversight, and liaison with Lead agency and other consortium members, regional and local government and other stakeholders who are key to achieving the results of the program. She/he will report to the Programme Coordinator Urban Youth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Operational Leadership and Strategic Oversight

• To provide operational oversight of all CARE activities in the three cross border areas of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia to achieve project objectives of the EU funded Mandera Triangle project.
• Oversee project implementation by staff, government and community structures, leading to impact and quality results which meet or exceed donor expectations
• Project management to ensure on time, on budget, and quality performance to donor standards.
• Ensure quality Monitoring and Evaluation system is in place and executed well, regular field monitoring completed and project indicators tracked.
• Coordinate with key project staff and TAs to ensure data is made available for key reporting periods: monthly, bi-annual and annual reporting

2. Technical Leadership

• Responsible for technical support for project through planning and coordinating technical team to ensure adequate planning and monitoring of the project activities
• Work with the project MEAL teams to build a monitoring mechanism for activities implementation
• Train and mentor CARE field staff as required for quality resilience/NRM program activity implementations.

3. Program Planning & Reporting and compliance

• Serve as the project’s contact in the cross border areas of Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia in close coordination with lead agency and other consortium members.
• Ensure high quality and timely submission of all required and requested reports and plans to lead agency, including annual work plans; planned activities; knowledge management plans.
• Review consolidated monthly and interim project Performance Reports.
• Draft and submit periodic Donor reports to the lead agency and ensure compliance with recommended guidelines, formats and standards.
• Ensure all donor guidelines and instructions adhered to, including for monitoring and evaluation, reporting, use of financial resources, and other EU regulations applying to the project.
• Ensure that project/program monitoring and evaluation system/tools are applied and project progress (activities and outputs), results and immediate objectives (outcomes) and impacts are systematically tracked, documented and shared as appropriate on the basis of CARE and donors’ requirements

4. Field Liaison, Coordination and collaboration

• Collaborate with the Consortium agencies leadership and staff in programming approaches, donor standards, regulations, and impact reporting.
• Work with regional and local government and community structures to implement the Tri- border activities
• Establish working relationships with partners field staffs and provide project staff with necessary guidance and information on how to deliver activities in line with approved budget, milestones, work plans and log frame
• Establish regular planning meetings with the project technical staff; Government structures communities and other stakeholders
• Attend key coordination meetings with the other consortium members
• Serve as project representative to key field and national stakeholders meeting, including district, regional, and national government bodies, locally operating INGOs and LNGOs and UN agencies; field-level sectoral clusters; other EU-funded NRM projects and others.

5. Budget Monitoring and Control for efficient use of Donor Resources

• Timely financial donor reporting to DRC lead agency and other entities as required.
• Effective internal controls in place and functioning to facilitate project activities.
• Policies and procedures followed to ensure resources used as per donor requirements.
• Follow up with procurement teams, logistic departments on pending payments and approvals

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

As deemed relevant and necessary within the Urban Youth Program and similar projects in CARE’s portfolio.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor or Master’s degree in Natural Resources Management (NRM) with advanced skills in training and Organizational Development
• Excellent understanding of rangeland management and sustainable environment
• At least 3 years’ experience in working with environmental institutions
• Experience in the development of legal frameworks in the environment sector
• Strong training and facilitation skills evidenced by at least 5 years’ experience in institutional strengthening;
• Experience of work with government in challenging contexts
• Experience of working in fragile states, and an understanding of the limitations of governments in fragile states, good understanding of the complementary nature of government and communities where institutions are weak
• Excellent assessment, planning, and training experience
• Excellent facilitation skills, and proven ability to develop and manage trainings for various audiences
• A strategic thinker, Strong negotiation skills
• Team player, who is able to develop strong collaborative relations with a wide and diverse range of stakeholders
• Excellent writing and reporting skills

Desired:

• Somali speaker
• Master’s degree
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and coach staff
• Understanding of the role of traditional / customary law in the Somali context

Key Relationships

Consortium Members, Municipal and regional governments, Technical Advisors, project partners, community Committees, district pastoralist associations, Community elders, Line Ministries involved in the project, project staff

Working Conditions

Based in Dollow Somalia and requires substantive travel to project sites covering three regions Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia borders.