Introduction We are the world’s leading independent organization for children.
Our Vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation.
Our Mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.
Save the Children has been working in Kenya since 1984. Currently we are working in the Mandera and Wajir Districts of North East Province in the provision of health, nutrition and livelihoods programmes. Our child protection programme in Dadaab is also continuing to expand and grow as refugee numbers continue to increase. In 2011 we will be launching our EVERY ONE campaign which seeks to ensure the MDGs in Kenya are achieved through advocacy and campaigning with a wide range of stakeholders including Kenyans themselves.
Context of Position The current crisis in the Horn of Africa is not simply about no rain. While pastoralists and agro-pastoralist communities have been the most seriously affected, yet have robust and effective traditional coping strategies for dealing with droughts and environmental stresses. These have been successively eroded by a combination of marginalisation, successive droughts, conflict and socio-economic struggles. Their capacity to cope with shocks such as this drought is critically undermined, and they have been tipped over the edge from chronic vulnerability into crisis through the addition of consecutive failed rains, hugely inflated food prices and aid reduction. The severity of this crisis and the consequent response needs to be understood through the lens of these longer-term structural problems as integral to the overall emergency. SCUK emergency strategy 2011-2012 and thematic strategies currently being developed to guide program design have given prominence to DRR and the organisation is keen to enhance its capacity for DRR mainstreaming and capacity building of key stakeholders and communities that we work with. Save the Children’s response strategy is structured in 3 pillars. Lifesaving humanitarian response, immediate recovery and the integrating of risk reduction into long term development process breaking the cycle of entrenched vulnerability. This role will be focused on protection of livelihoods and reducing risks, building resilience, and accelerate adaptation through research, advocacy and practical action to transform how assistance is delivered.
Job Purpose
Under the general direction and guidance of the Programme Quality Manager the DRR/CCA Advisor is expected to provide technical guidance and support to the country program in DRR/CCA programming as well as ensure the strategic positioning of Save the Children within the newly created Drought Management Authority. Broadly this will entail leading in the adaptation of the regional DRR/CCA strategy by the country program, strengthening DRR mainstreaming across thematic sectors (both in sector strategies and program interventions), capacity building of key stakeholders and advocacy at national and county levels. The post-holder will also play a major role towards the continued development and improvement of the SC regional and global DRR/CCA strategy and plans with a view to enhancing the visibility and strategic positioning of the country program as a leader in DRR/CCA programming nationally. Your support will play a key role in the expansion of Save the Children programmes to increase impact and enable positive change for children through building resilient communities.
Key Accountabilities
Analysis Lead processes for the collection and analysis of country and county level DRR and CCA information Ensure sector leads are consulted and involved in the collection and analysis of relevant data for program design and implementation Support and participate in assessment processes (ground truthing)
Strategy development and implementation
Lead the Country Program in the development/adaptation of the DRR/CCA strategy including continuous review and updating to reflect emerging issues and innovations. Work with the newly created Drought Management Authority to continually review existing policies or develop new policies/guidelines for enhancing DRR/CCA interventions for ASAL areas. Ensure effective mainstreaming of SCUK interests and priorities ( including child participation and child safeguarding principles) in relevant national policies and programs on drought management Ensuring alignment and consistence between country and regional strategy High level input into project design, proposal development and project implementation to ensure effective and context appropriate mainstreaming of innovative DRR/CCA strategies and ideas
Technical inputs- Contribute to the development of systems and tools to support quality programming that adequately integrates DRR interventions and ideas and as required support the uptake and utilisations these tools across the program areas
Broker technical input to programs using regional and global resources available Design and monitor implementation of DRR and CCA capacity building initiatives for national and field office staffs (including thematic advisors, area managers, project coordinators and project officers and area managers), partners organisations, governments officials at county levels and beneficiary community representatives.
Provide technical advice and support to individual programs or projects as required and according to specific skills – integrate drr/cca lens into other sectors Develop and introduce quality standards for DRR & CCA activities Provide the country program, peers and other program staff with up to date information of best practice in DRR and CCA in the Horn of Africa region (and other similar regions, i.e sahel)
Policy and Advocacy Working with technical sector leads and senior management to drive overarching regional policy and advocacy messaging Support the advocacy team in the implementation of advocacy strategies based on lessons and best practices in DRR/CCA mainstreaming across the country programs Provide high quality feedback to SCI policy work Develop and operationalize an internal advocacy strategy to ensure effective integration of DRR/CCA
Networking and influencing High level representation of Save the Children to external stakeholders Participate in and represent SC at relevant coordination and working group fora at national and county levels Establish and maintain a network of people and organisations who’s work compliments that of SC.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience Essential: • Tertiary qualification/s in International Development, Social/Political Science, Climate Change or related discipline. Masters Degree is a Must. • Substantial experience in regional and /or global policy forums • Proven track record in delivering multi-million dollar programs, preferably in the Horn • Prior experience at Senior Management Team level within a complex country program • Experience of managing technical advisory teams, Experience of working with or within a large team of technical advisors • Track record in successful fundraising for DRR and CCA • Substantial experience of working in remote field bases with limited infrastructure, Willingness to work and travel in often difficult and insecure environments • Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities • Excellent representational, advocacy and diplomatic skills to enable the post holder to operate effectively within Save the Children and externally. • Strong communication, and interpersonal skills in English, with experience in managing multicultural teams • Commitment to Save the Children International’s global policies and values
Desirable: • Expertise in a SC programmatic sector • Experience with setting up and running knowledge management systems • Knowledge of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child • Experience with child-focused program approaches
To apply for this position, visit our website: http://www7.i-grasp.com/fe/tpl_savethechildren01.asp?newms=info1
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