Defending Dignity, Fighting Poverty. That’s what it’s about – and for over 40 years now, CARE has worked tirelessly in Kenya to this aim – to find long-lasting and sustainable solutions to poverty in Kenya. Join us on a journey through the years, from CARE’s little project in 1968 to now.

JOB SCORE:   

CARE has a commitment to gender, equity and diversity in our workplace and operations. CARE respects and values diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexuality, ethnicity, age, disability, religion or politics. This is reflected in our recruitment decisions which are made entirely through a transparent, merit-based selection process. All CARE staff are required to comply with the Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) policies. CARE is committed to protecting the rights of the communities whom we serve, and therefore reserves the right to conduct background checks and other screening procedures to ensure a safe, dignified work environment                                                                                                                    

JOB SUMMARY & PURPOSE:

The Policy and Advocacy Manager shall provide technical oversight and administrative roles to deliver a successful for the Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change in Western Kenya Project by ensuring timely and adequate implementation. He/she will be responsible for overall project and budget management, and line management of key project staff. The Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change in Western Kenya project proposes to support the three County governments of Siaya, Migori and Trans Nzoia to develop and establish sustainable climate change governance structures, policy environment and climate financing mechanisms. In addition the project will sensitize and mobilize a diverse range of climate change actors - private sector, community-based organizations, research and academia bodies, and women and youth - to form coalitions that will facilitate climate change actions in the Counties. As such the holder of the position shall have significant experience in advocacy and policy change as well as project management. She/he will be the primary person responsible for coordinating interactions and progress between government, NGO and other coalition partners.

With support from the Project Officers and the Monitoring and Evaluation Coordination, the Advocacy and Policy Manager will in addition have responsibility for:

• • Planning, Implementation, supervision, monitoring and evaluation,
  • Compiling technical reports narratives – quarterly, annual and final progress reports
  • Developing programmatic tools including budget plans, work plans (with quarterly detailed implementation plans - DIPs) and procurement schedules
  • Review expenditure reports, budget realignments and financial reports

Tasks and responsibilities

R1: Delivery of project milestones

1.1  With support of project team build County capacity to develop climate change policies and plans

1.2  Support County government to establish Institutions for climate change governance at county, ward and community levels

1.3  Coordinate partnerships and coalitions to influence effectively for social transformation and accountability at County level

1.4  Support the establishment of County Climate Change Funds (CCCFs)

1.5 Provide oversight for the development of an effective MEAL system that responds to and contributes to national climate governance initiatives and work of other relevant actors.

R2:      Program administration and operations

2.1    Approve all travel expenses reports (TERs), Project advances and Procurement requests of the program field staffs after verifications.

2.2    Arrange and recommend staff leave requests in a manner that will not disrupt project or program activities.

2.3 Liaise with the Procurement Manager and Field staff to ensure smooth and timeliness in the operations of the project financial and procurement services’ needs.

2.4   Prepare quarterly procurement schedules and process according to CARE and donor         regulations with the Program Coordinator.

2.5    Monitor project expenses in coordination with the CARE Finance’s tracking systems and monthly Contract Budget Statement reports and maintain strict adherence to CARE financial policy.

2.6 Ensure rationalized utility of the program assets

R3:      Staff supervision and HR management

3.1   Promoting staffs’ teamwork and team spirit and jointly develop a common program vision.

3.2   Ensure timely, consistent and adequate compliance with CARE-Kenya’s performance management system including midterm and annual performance appraisal processes.

 3.3   Participate in hiring of the program staffs as appropriate or necessary.

3.4    Responsible for promoting gender sensitivity, equity and rights within the project set up.

3.5    Facilitate the staffs to develop their job descriptions (JDs) to meet the job and program requirements, individual operation plans (IOPs) and Annual operation plans (AOPs).

3.7    Ensure the program staffs have appropriate technical support, equipment, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and communication systems to facilitate their daily chores.

R4:   Reporting and contract compliance

4.1     Ensure early preparations of narrative reports and financial reports according to donor standards for submission to the Livelihoods Senior Sector Manager.

 4.2    Provide feedback to project staff on final reports, financial reports and evaluations reports

R5:  Contribute to synergies with CARE’s programmes and projects

5.1  Ensure that linkages and synergies with other CARE programmes and projects are exploited for increased impact and avoidance of duplication.

5.2  Contribute to strategic reviews and development of CARE’s programmes in general.

5.3  Inform other CARE programmes and projects about developments in climate change and suggest ways to mainstream climate change concerns in other activities.

R4: Any other appropriate duties assigned by supervisor

AUTHORITY:

1.        Spending Authority:                          

Spending up to a maximum of Four hundred Thousands Shillings (Kshs. 400,000.00) as stipulated in the CARE financial policy.

2.        Supervision:    

The incumbent supervises the positions of MEAL Coordinator, 2 Senior Project Officers and Project Officer.

3 Decision Making:

All aspect of the program implementation, supervision, monitoring & development

CONTACTS/KEY RELATIONSHIPS (internal & external):

Internal

1. The Policy and Advocacy Manager reports directly to the Resilience and Climate Change Sector Manager        
2. Apart from the direct reports, the Policy and Advocacy Manager will work closely with Resilience and Climate change Sector Manager; Climate Change Specialist; Program Quality and Accountability Manager; and the Knowledge Management and Learning Coordinator and other members of the Senior Management Team

External 

1.County and Sub county departmental heads in Environment, Agriculture, Water, Health and Finance.

2.Other INGOs, local NGOs, FBOs, research and academia in the 3 Counties

3.Community members and leaders

4.Lake Region Economic Bloc representatives

5. Other DDPK partners operating in the LREB

Qualifications and experience Required

Education

The Policy and Advocacy Manager will have a minimum qualification of a university degree, and preferably an advanced degree, in a relevant discipline such as international affairs or public policy, Climate Science, international/rural development, agricultural or environmental science, public administration or similar. The candidate must have practical experience in rural development, advocacy and networking and in managing diverse teams.

S/he must be an experienced and mature officer; capable of working largely independently.   In addition to managing the members of the Country Project Team, s/he is expected to interact extensively with the Programme Technical Team.

Experience

§  At least eight years of relevant working experience, including a minimum of five years project management experience

§  Strong facilitation and communication skills

§  Positive experiences working with local and international partners and relationship-building

§  Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to gender and diversity

Skills and Competencies

§  People Skills: Ability to provide leadership and strategic guidance to team. Demonstrated ability to listen to and support programme staff and partners, and to work with communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.

§  Communication Skills: Well developed written and oral communication skills in English/French/Portuguese, and preferably also in English. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders.

§  Computer Skills:  Basic computing skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Preferably skills related to virtual network communication using the Internet.  

§  Integrity: Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to CARE's core values and humanitarian principles.

§  Resilience/Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under difficult circumstances.  Willing to travel up to 40% of time.