Social Economist/ Social Scientist Key Expert, Nairobi 112 views0 applications

Company Description

1.1 About SNV

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is a non-profit, Netherlands based international development organisation that delivers capacity development advisory services to over 2,000 clients in developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America. SNV’s current focus is in 3 key sectors namely water, sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Agriculture and Renewable Energy.

We provide capacity building support through three mutually reinforcing roles, namely advisory services, knowledge networking and evidence-based advocacy. The aim is to support SNV’s clients, which include governments, civil society organisations and the private sector, to improve the delivery of development processes that genuinely affect the quality of life of people living in poverty.

1.2 Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Sector

In WASH, SNV aims to impact the lives of under-served communities in rural, peri-urban, and small town areas to improve their health and well-being through our contribution to (1) adequate and sustainable access to safe, sufficient, and reliable drinking water, (2) access to improved sanitation and sustained hygiene behaviour change as part of their daily lives and (3) improving water resource management and the natural environment.

In all the programmes, SNV provides capacity building support to national and local government institutions towards better service delivery through improved targeting, transparency and efficiency of investments, more equitable access, improved management of assets, and improved alignment to the sector policies and guidelines.

Job Description

2. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE WATER TOWER PROTECTION AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION (WaTER) PROGRAMME

The overall objective of the WaTER Programme is to support Kenya to eradicate poverty through enhancing the productivity of ecosystem services of Kenya’s critical ecosystems and enhanced resilience to climate change of its water sources.

The programme purpose is to improve the quality and quantity of ecosystem services provided by Kenya’s water towers through increased forest cover, improved landscape and natural resource management, and waste management systems leading to increased benefits to communities from forest, agriculture and agroforestry land use systems.

The programme is expected to address the following cross-cutting issues and the Social Economist/Social must demonstrate an ability to bring added value to each of the following:

1. a) Climate Change which is the core element of the WaTER Programme which should be addressed through the design and implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures.
2. b) Environmental sustainability through enhancing ecosystems’ productivity. Communities’ capacity should be enhanced to ensure that the outputs are delivered. A key aspect of the programme purpose is to develop incentives for sustainable land management, by supporting communities to apply for funding through a call for proposals, identifying opportunities for green micro-finances and developing PES systems with the private sector.
3. c) Livelihoods and minorities are affected by the changes to forest and land management that happen within this project. It is therefore a key element of this project that these issues are identified and addressed throughout the project and communities are engaged with and their needs given full consideration at all stages of research, planning and implementation.
4. d) Gender Equality through targeting small-scale women farmers who are the main farmers in the two landscapes. Harmonisation of good working practices and training interventions at community level should be undertaken to build the capacity of both genders. Both men and women should be involved at different stages of project design and implementation. The mobilisation of young people in sustainable land management and conservation, through engagement of school children and tertiary institutions through awareness-raising activities, capacity building, mentorship and internships is considered essential to the success and sustainability of the WaTER programme. The programme should make use of opportunities to promote awareness on HIV/AIDS including sexual and reproductive health.
5. e) Good Governance: the programme should enhance openness and transparency at project level, including inclusion of vulnerable groups, promoting cohesion especially on use of common resources, and encourage ethnic cohesion and diverse leadership in the management of projects.
6. f) Human Rights should be promoted through the programme’s activities ensuring environmental, social and economic rights through the provisions provided for in the Bill of Rights Chapter of the 2010 Kenya Constitution, with special attention to Article 63 2 d of the Kenyan Constitution and in the 2016 Community Land Act which makes it possible for the rights of indigenous people to be recognised in practice.
7. THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SOCIAL ECONOMIST/SOCIAL SCIENTIST KEY EXPERT ARE AS FOLLOWS:

To represent SNV within the project consortium team and work proactively towards delivering the project’s overall objectives and address the identified cross-cutting issues.

Qualifications

4. SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

To deliver the above SNV is requires a Key Expert who can bring the following skills and experience to the project:

• At least 7 years proven experience in providing advisory support and management to integrated natural resource management and conservation initiatives.
• At least 4 years proven experience in knowledge transfer through training and other capacity development methods
• Proven knowledge of issues of livelihoods and experience managing and advising on issues relating to minorities are required.
• Familiarity with social related policies and regulations in Kenya (including gender considerations) is an added advantage
• Experience in designing and carrying out social and gender assessment feasibility reports and related environmental and social management plans, resettlement action plans (RAP) and/or risk management and other mitigation measures are desirable.

The individual must be practical and be oriented towards action learning to achieve the objectives. He/she is expected to work positively towards growing the ability and productivity of the project team and to uphold SNV’s ethics and professionalism at all times.

5. KEY DELIVERABLES

The incumbent will report directly to the AESA appointed Team Leader who will provide day-to-day supervision, guidance and work tasks.

The incumbent is expected to work collaboratively with all other project experts and with the project Coordinator from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to meet the project deliverables.

The SNV WASH Sector Leader will provide technical support and approval for timesheet submissions, absences from work (for holidays or through ill-health) and travel requests.

SNV HR Department will provide support in all matters relating to contract and conditions of employment.

SNV and Implementing Partners must be incorporated into the subsequent works and reports.

Additional Information

6. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS AND ESTIMATED INPUTS

This assignment is expected to take place over a three year period between September 2018 and August 2021 with the length of the contract dependent on project requirements and staff/consultant performance. The incumbent is expected to be available on a full time basis to meet the requirements of the project.

The incumbent will be expected to engage directly with the AESA led team and will be responsible for contributing to the overall outputs mentioned above. SNV will facilitate the initial contacts and provide clarification on the assignment where needed.

This assignment will require travel. While on travel, DSA and accommodation will paid according to SNV financial policy and regulations in consultation with the AESA appointed Project Manager. The necessary supporting documents and receipts will be required before payment is made.

7. INFORMATION TO THE PROSPECTIVE CONSULTANTS

Interested and capable individuals are requested to apply by close of business on Sunday, 18th August 2018 by clicking on the I’M INTERESTED button to complete your application in our in-house recruitment system. Please attach a cover letter as well as your CV containing three referees as you apply with position title as subject/reference.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.

NB: Only shortlisted will be contacted.

SNV does not require candidates to undergo medical examination prior to a successful interview process.