About FHI 360
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology; creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of: Economic Strengthening/Livelihoods Specialist
Project Description
FHI 360 is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Economic Strengthening/Livelihoods Specialist for a USAID-funded Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) project in the Nairobi and Coast counties of Kenya. The project will work to improve the welfare and protection of children affected by HIV/AIDS by building the capacity of households to provide for children under their care and strengthening social services systems and structures at the county and community levels to improve care and support of OVC. The expected duration of the project is five years.
The Economic Strengthening/Livelihoods Specialist will be responsible for the technical aspects of project implementation that relate household economic strengthening activities. She/he reports directly to the OVC Manager and will advise and support the OVC Manager and COP, providing technical direction to project implementation and ensuring the project meets stated goals, expected results and reporting requirements. She/he will take technical leadership role designing and promoting use of low-risk activities to diversify and stimulate growth in household income and integrate economic activities with complementary interventions across the project. She/he will be knowledgeable about evidence-based and start-of-the-art household economic strengthening approaches/strategies that address the different levels of household vulnerability.
The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and will report to the Chief of Party or Deputy Chief of Party. Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project to FHI 360 and the selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.
Job Summary / Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement strategies and interventions for household income-generation and savings among families with OVC. This includes assisting families in earning and saving income, managing money, and allocating household resources to improving children and youth's wellness outcomes.
- Develop and implement strategies and interventions that promote the economic empowerment of youth
- Provide technical leadership to project to ensure economic strengthening activities are in line with state-of-the-art, globally-recognized best practices for addressing needs of OVC, youth and their caregivers.
- Build capacity of staff, implementing partners, government counterparts, and other stakeholders in strategies for economic strengthening of households.
- Ensure all economic strengthening strategies are gender-sensitive and promote equitable programming.
- Monitor and maintain relevant manuals, training materials and reports for economic strengthening.
- Contribute to work plans, quarterly and annual reports, financial reports, and other reports and papers summarizing project results and evidence.
- Develop and instruct partners in effective methodologies for identifying appropriate HES interventions for specific households, depending on the needs and resources of those households; train/mentor these partners in principles and standards for good implementation of these interventions.
- At a minimum, a Master's Degree in commerce, economics, business management and administration or related field.
- Equip partners with skills and resources to assess outcomes, as well as strengths and weaknesses of HES activities.
- Facilitate access through partner and stakeholder organizations to a full range of economic strengthening options depending on the needs and resources available to households (i.e. market opportunities, group savings, income generation, micro-enterprise development training, farming-as-a-business, extension services, other vocational training opportunities, etc.),
- Promote linkages and complementarities between similar donor funded projects and facilitate relationships between partners, market actors and organizations with special expertise in HES activities
- Engage in regular monitoring visits to project sites to evaluate ES effectiveness.
- Supervise other technical staff within project.
- Deliver presentations at professional meetings and conferences.M
- May serve as a departmental resource on procedural, administrative and operational issues.
Qualifications:
- At least five years of experience managing complex development projects, with least two of these years working in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably Kenya. During this period she/he should have been involved in the design, implementation, reporting and evaluation of evidence-based economic/livelihood projects for vulnerable groups.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government representatives, for-profit private sector entities, local community organizations, donors and other stakeholders, particularly at the sub-national level.
- Experience in leveraging private sector partnerships and resources for creation of business opportunities, business mentorship and skills training, market access, strategies to strengthen household resilience, etc.
- Demonstrated leadership qualities, depth and breadth of technical and management expertise and experience, and strong interpersonal, writing, and oral presentation skills in English.
- Experience with a USG cooperative agreement preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with host country government personnel, stakeholders, NGO partners, and international donor agencies.
- Ability to work independently and manage a high volume work flow and ability.
- Willingness to travel to program areas throughout Kenya.
This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
We offer competitive compensation and an outstanding benefit package. Please visit FHI 360's Career Center at https://jobs-fhi360.icims.com/jobs for a list of all open positions.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. FHI 360 is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran with respect to policies, programs, or activities.
