DanChurchAid (DCA) is seeking to recruit an energetic Kenyan National for the position of Peace & Resilience Project Manager (PRPM) under the Kenya Country office aspects of the EU funded project titled “Strengthening Integrated Peace, Resilience, and Disaster Risk Reduction for Cross-Border Communities in the border regions of South Omo (Ethiopia), Turkana (Kenya), and Eastern Equatoria (South Sudan)” (SPREAD). The position is responsible for the DCA and partner led components of the project in Kenya and is based in Lodwar – with frequent travel to DCA and partner SPREAD project areas in Kenya, as well as cross border areas in South Sudan and Ethiopia. The PRPM reports to the Head of Programme based in Nairobi. The PRPM will line manage the Project Coordinator and collaborate closely with Turkana-based MEAL, ProLog and Finance Officers, as well as the Nairobi-based MEAL Coordinator and Finance Coordinator. The role will also be closely supported by the SPREAD project Consortium Management Unit (CMU) based in Nairobi.

The PRPM will be responsible for the overall management and operations of the SPREAD project implementation in Kenya, including the cross-border components. She/he will supervise project implementation and ensure the project meets stated goals and the internal and donor reporting requirements. The PRPM will take a leadership role in coordination among key stakeholders, the CMU and other implementing partners in the SPREAD consortium as well as other similar projects funded under the EU Borderlands program. The position requires a politically savvy and diplomatic staff who will proactively interact at the county, national and cross border levels with numerous stakeholders, Government institutions and senior government officials as well as regional bodies like IGAD.

Considering that the SPREAD project is implemented in the Kenyan ASALs that are adversely affected by impacts of climate change and conflict, the position requires a conflict-sensitive professional with strong experience in peacebuilding, dialogue facilitation, cross-border dynamics, community and stakeholder engagement, with a profound understanding of the context specific interlinkages of conflict, climate change, inequality and economic resilience needs..

With impact and evidence being critical components of the project, the PRPM should also bring strong experience in results-based management, MEAL systems, adaptive learning, and the use of evidence and analysis to inform strategic decision-making, reporting, and continuous improvement of peace and resilience programming.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Technical leadership in peacebuilding

a) As the in-project senior peacebuilding technical focal point in Turkana, offer strategic and operational leadership in conflict-sensitive programming and promotion of social cohesion interventions under the project. This includes supporting the partner organisation in strengthening community-based peace structures, facilitating cross-border dialogue processes, and ensuring that all activities are designed and implemented in a conflict-sensitive manner. The PRPM will collaborate closely with local authorities, traditional leaders, community structures, CSOs, and other partners to foster sustainable peace and stability across the targeted areas.

b) Offer adaptive management in the implementation of peacebuilding and conflict mitigation strategies in line with project objectives. This will include collaborating with counterparts in South Sudan and Ethiopia and conducting both in-country and cross-border context analysis, conflict assessments, and providing real-time conflict sensitivity guidance to project teams.

c) Support the integration of gender, youth, and social inclusion in all peacebuilding activities in the project in the spirit of leaving no one behind.

d) Represent the project in technical working groups, coordination platforms, county/cross border peace meetings, and relevant national-level forums. Build and maintain relationships with local government authorities, peacebuilding forums, traditional leaders, and civil society organizations.

e) Provide training and mentorship to project staff and community structures on peacebuilding, dialogue facilitation, negotiation, conflict early warning, and Do-No-Harm principles. Together with the partner organization facilitate the development of peacebuilding plans, community agreements, and collaborative mechanisms across borders.

2. Technical support to resilience building

a) Support the SPREAD project coordinator responsible for resilience building in planning and implementation of the resilience components of the project, in collaboration with CMU level technical leads, focused on improving targeted value chains, strengthening financial inclusion, and facilitating cross-border trade and market linkages.

b) Foster proactive coordination between the peace and resilience aspects of the SPREAD project to ensure synergies and prevent the two aspects of the project taking a siloed programming trajectory.

c) Offer peace and resilience building technical backstopping as well as field level partnership management to the SPREAD implementing partner in Kenya.

3. Project Management & Field-Level Leadership

a) Offer overall field level programming leadership in the SPREAD project including facilitating coordination with the implementing partners in Kenya and cross border. This includes serving as the field level focal point for coordination with the Nairobi based CMU.

b) Proactively monitor the security situation in the operating areas. Lead in the identification of project risks and proactively work with partners to mitigate risk factors against partnership and project delivery plan.

c) Ensure the project is implemented according to donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with DCA, donor, country, and international standards, e.g., Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).

d) Under the guidance of the line manager and working with project staff, ensure that budgets are spent according to donor proposals and regulations and within the appropriate timeframe, making any budget adjustment recommendations to the HoP, and Head of Finance & Support Services (HoFSS).

e) Monitor project spending to ensure the operation is in line with DCA and donor guidelines for financial accounting and reporting practices and sign off on expenditures.

f) As relevant, oversee and manage all local grant making mechanisms, ensuring compliance with donor regulations and DCA policy; coordinate and/or conduct monitoring visits to grantees under the EU FSTP interventions.

g) Oversee the management of Lodwar office and its human resources to ensure a diverse, skilled and productive workforce, an effective project team, and an organizational culture where DCA values are practiced.

4. Programme Quality & MEAL

a) Promote and use the DCA Country level and SPREAD project results framework, PPD, and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardized formats are used and guidelines are followed.

b) Work closely with the MEAL team to put in place a robust project MEAL plan that promotes generation of high-quality data, analysis, reports, presentations, and dashboards of key findings that foster learning and decision-making and share in key project and program strategic learning meetings to inform corrective measures and project improvement.

c) Working closely with the project MEAL team, ensure timely generation and review of project reports for internal QA before submission to CMU/HQ for further QA and onward submission to the donors.

d) In collaboration with the CO communication focal point, support documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, best practices, and success stories on peace and resilience building.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies, Political or Social Sciences, Sociology or Social Work studies, Community Development Studies, Governance, or a related field. A bachelor’s degree with significant practical experience may be considered.
• At least 5 years of experience in project management of peacebuilding, conflict prevention, conflict analysis, or social cohesion programming, within a framework of resilience building preferably in fragile or cross-border contexts.
• Experience within the region, preferably from at least two of the countries in question: Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
• Experience in cross-border interventions in the ASAL areas of the Horn of Africa.
• Experience working on EU-funded projects is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience working with traditional governance systems, community peace structures, local authorities and resilience building.
• Proven track record in resilience building, conflict-sensitive approaches, including application of tools such as Do-No-Harm, PEA, or scenario planning.
• Strong understanding of pastoralist dynamics, communal resource-based conflicts, and cross-border issues.
• Excellent communication, diplomacy, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work in complex environments and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong report writing, analytical, and documentation skills.

Personal qualities:

• Ability to work independently, provide technical leadership and facilitate good team collaboration and contributing to learning across resilience colleagues in the three countries SPREAD countries.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information effectively, build capacities and engage a variety of stakeholders effectively for achievement of results.
• Ability to support and provide advice on challenging technical matters, energize colleagues and develop solutions.

The position is for ­­­­18 months (renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds), with a three-month probation period. DCA offers a competitive salary package (salary, insurance, and benefits) in accordance to experience and DCA Kenya Employee Handbook.

About DCA

DanChurchAid (DCA) is working in Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Kilifi and Nairobi counties with refugees and local communities to enhance peace, livelihoods, and resilience. DCA implements projects directly as well as through local partner organizations. For more information on DCA, please visit https://www.danchurchaid.org/