Technical Advisor Livelihoods Diversification – REGAL-IR

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Adeso, formerly known as Horn Relief, is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.

For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. Currently, Adeso has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan.

Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.

PROJECT SUMMARY

The REGAL IR program is a 5 year initiative aiming to reduce hunger and poverty, increase social stability and build strong foundations for economic growth by strengthening social, economic, and environmental resilience in pastoral and transitioning communities in Kenya’s arid lands. It has six strategic objectives including diversifying livelihoods, improving value chain inclusiveness, natural resource management, conflict management, disaster risk reduction, and improving nutrition. The program will be based in Isiolo County and implementing in Isiolo, Garissa, Wajir, Marsabit, and Turkana.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Technical Advisor – Livelihoods Diversification (TA-LH) provides overall strategic and technical leadership in REGAL-IR’s Thematic Area 1 (Livelihoods Diversification) in all five project counties in order to improve the capacity of individuals and community-based enterprises to become more competitive in business and non-pastoral activities, thereby diversifying traditional subsistence livelihoods and increasing collective resilience to environmental and other shocks. This includes continuous learning, strategy upgrading, project team and partner capacity building, supervision of project officers, ensuring high implementation quality, backstopping of implementing partners, coordination with other stakeholders, and documentation. The TA LH is a member of the REGAL-IR senior technical leadership team and coordinates and collaborates with other REGAL-IR TAs to maximize synergy between thematic areas. The TA LH reports to the Deputy Chief of Party. The position’s duty station is in Isiolo with at least 50% travel to other project counties.

MAIN ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead strategy development and technical implementation to hit targets and obtain desired results in REGAL-IR’s Thematic Area 1, including:

1. Continuous upgrading of the thematic area strategic road map and technical implementation;
2. Development and updating of work plans, budgets, M&E, work targets, etc;
3. Ensure quality of technical project implementation and that project activities meet stated objectives within the timeframe and budget;
4. Ensure that the project reaches targeted livelihood beneficiaries, including women and marginalized groups;
5. Lead regular reviews of implementation progress and develop and implement strategies for constant improvements of implementation effectiveness and efficiency;
6. Integrate the thematic area’s value chain approach with community-based implementation;
7. Provide technical expertise and leadership in value chain analysis and assessments of economic viability and technical feasibility of micro-businesses;
8. Plan and lead the implementation of value chain improvements that result in resilience impacts for project communities (increased and diversified income that is less dependent on favorable weather conditions);
9. Promote improved forward and backward value chain linkages and entrepreneurs’ access to services, including financial, technical trainings, functional literacy and numeracy;
10. Ensure adequate community institution building (including formation of producer/saving and credit/self help and entrepreneur groups/associations/cooperatives, institutional federation);
11. Promote the development of entrepreneurship, business mind-set and business competencies, including development and use of business plans and strategies for improvements of productivity and profitability;
12. Implement private sector/stakeholder/innovation platforms for shared learning, networking and the development of appropriate solutions;
13. Ensure adequate staff capacity building (SPOs, POs, other TAs, government experts, etc.), including development of guidelines, practical trainings and technical support during implementation;
14. Promote knowledge management, innovations and cross learning;
15. Provide technical supervision for Senior Project Officers and Project Officers in all project counties;
16. Provide methodological leadership and backstopping in PLPA implementation;
17. Ensure disaster risk proofing and Do-No-Harm integration for all REGAL-IR interventions;
18. Contribute to advocacy through policy briefs and other interventions;
19. Contribute to the development and implementation of project strategies, including sustainability and gender;
20. Document better practices, prepare reports and publications, organize round table discussions;
21. Complete other duties as required.

Lead coordination and collaboration of implementing partners in REGAL-IR Thematic Area 1 and other actors, including:

1. Contribute to building and upgrading a strong network of REGAL-IR implementing NGO partners, including technical appraisals, support to the development and implementation of capacity building plans;
2. Support implementing partners in their development and adjustments of up-to-date work plans and budgets;
3. Provide trainings and technical capacity building;
4. Provide regular technical backstopping and supervision;
5. Foster thematic integration, ensure harmonized approaches, promote synergies and complementarity in programming and implementation;
6. Conduct regular reviews of partner implementation progress and reports;
7. Coordinate with private sector actors, other projects and government partners;
8. Represent REGAL-IR in the county, national or regional meetings;
9. Complete other duties as required.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s in Agricultural Economics, Business Administration, Economics, or relevant discipline; (Bachelor with extensive practical experience can be considered); • 5+ years professional experience in economic strengthening/livelihoods development preferably in ASAL areas in Kenya with a minimum 3 years in supervisory positions; • Experience working with private sector, local communities, governmental and traditional authorities in ASAL regions;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, networking and representation skills • Fluency in English, Swahili, and at least one local language of the implementation counties; • Excellent report writing and editing skills; • Experience implementing results-oriented projects, preferably USAID programs; • Proven leadership qualities, problem-solving and negotiation skills, and evidence of successful team player; • Strong IT skills, analytical and very good report writing skills; • Ability to provide training and mentoring to project staff and partners. • Ability to manage own workload and juggle competing priorities in order to meet deadlines. • Ability to analyze information, evaluate options, and think and plan strategically. • Preparedness to travel frequently in project counties including to remote locations.

How to apply:

This is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional. If you would like to join this dynamic team and be part of building resilience and economic growth in Africa, please submit your application to jobs@adesoafrica.org quoting the position in the email subject matter by 10th January, 2014 by 5.00PM.

Each application should be addressed to the Regional Human Resources Manager and include the following: • An updated CV; and • An application letter which should include remuneration requirements and contact information for three work-related referees. Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. The short listing will be an ongoing process and Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Adeso is an equal opportunity employer and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.