Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI / VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society.ACDI / VOCA has approximately 76 projects in 36 countries and revenues of about $170 million.
Livestock Policy and Gender Officer, Kenya
We currently seek a Livestock Gender and Policy Officer for an ongoing, multi-year USAID-funded program focused on reducing poverty and hunger by improving the inclusiveness and competitiveness of the livestock value chain in two counties in the arid lands of Kenya.
This position will report to the Deputy Chief of Party and will be based in Isiolo with frequent travel to Marsabit.
Responsibilities
Training
Designing and delivering context specific training on organizational gender policies and relevance of gender to programmatic components
Working with sector specific technical staff to develop formal trainings and informal sessions with a gender lens utilizing new or existing resources
Training staff on the delivery of gender specific topics that are relevant to livestock, with particular emphasis on addressing sensitive issues (i.e. GBV, child/forced marriage, human rights)Analysis
Supporting other technical specialists, advisors, and/or consultants in conducting relevant project analysis and incorporating a gender perspective (e.g. barrier analysis, value chain analysis, market systems analysis)
Fostering internal and external relationships for coordination and collaboration, including, but not limited to, program partners, government entities and organizations doing similar workM&E and reporting
Supporting the design of M&E tools for gender indicators and monitoring for negative impacts
Collaborating and coordinating with the M&E manager to support the collection of M&E data, particularly with attention to gender targets and impacts
Regularly review M&E data and interpret results and findings
Based on data, develop recommendations to modify activities or mitigate risks and negative impacts
Reviewing of reports to donor and providing input where needed
Developing and sharing materials on lessons learned internally for project staff, partners and HQ
Offer direct coaching to project beneficiaries that help the program meet gender related targetsEnsure staff are held accountable for their role in promoting gender equitable opportunities and identifying and reporting potentially harmful strategies and activities.
Developing and implementing advocacy strategies and corresponding activities to advance livestock markets and animal health best practices in Marsabit and Isiolo county
Cultivate and strengthen relationships with relevant county level policymakers, government and key ministry of livestock officials and staff, livestock markets associations and key opinion leaders to promote priority policy and legislative changes necessary to implement best practices
Build relationships with livestock Markets Associations, key livestock market and animal health actors and other county level civil society organizations’ working in Marsabit and Isiolo to advance economic growth agenda through market and animal health best practice implementation
Analyze existing policies and practices and work with relevant livestock officials, county government to remove the bottlenecks that curtail livestock value chain competitiveness as well as spur livestock markets and private-sector led solutions.
Collaborate with communications officer to develop innovative advocacy materials and disseminate Livestock Markets and Animal Health best practices to effectively promote priority changes based on above analysis to key policy makers and other external audiences
Plan and coordinate events related to the above, which may include advocacy and outreach meetings, workshops, briefings and conferences with relevant actors
Oversee the programs gender inclusion strategy/policy and develop innovative steps to realize project goals
Qualifications
A minimum of Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, economics or livestock related field
Minimum of 5 years of professional experience developing mainstreaming gender in the livestock/agriculture sector and/or implementing a wide variety of advocacy and policy initiatives in livestock sector in the Kenyan context
Experience working in arid lands communities will be an added advantageRequired Skills
Demonstrated success in planning and conducting advocacy activities to influence and achieve livestock or development-related policy outcomes
Knowledge of livestock sector in arid lands. Extensive knowledge of the political, social, economic and cultural context of horn of Africa.
Demonstrated ability to communicate (orally and writing) complex issues in a concise, compelling and easily understandable manner
Demonstrated skill in strategic thinking and policy analysis and ability to dialogue with host country governmentThe deadline for applications is September 07, 2015.
Please reference the job title and send your Curriculum Vitae to regalag@joinav.org
