Community Engagement/Natural Resource Management Officer at Mercy Corps

Job Description

Community Engagement/Natural Resource Management Officer at Mercy Corps

Program Summary  

Mercy Corps has been a leader in the drylands of the Horn of Africa for the last decade, supporting households affected by climate change, drought, conflict, and other challenges to adapt and thrive in the face of increasing shocks. Our programming focuses on strengthening livestock production and markets, enhancing food and water security, addressing gender inequality and youth opportunities, and strengthening devolved governance outcomes to support dryland communities to break from the cycle of humanitarian need and lay the foundations for a more food secure, resilient future. Working across Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, Mercy Corps is implementing three phases – 12-year Regional Livestock Program (RLP), which looks to leverage the significant potential for livestock production and trade within the region by building vibrant regional livestock markets, strengthening livestock production and trade, supporting climate adaptation and enhanced regeneration and governance of rangeland to enhance household food security and livelihoods.   The program will be managed by Mercy Corps’ regional team, with close coordination with Mercy Corps’ Ethiopia, Kenya & Somalia country teams. Key RLP partners include Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Helvetas and Welthungerhilfe (WHH). The Program target four livestock trade corridors – Tog wajalle, Galkacayo, Afmadow ,Moyale and one camel milk Corridor of Wajir. The RLP program is part of a growing regional program portfolio for Mercy Corps East and Southern Africa region.

General Position Summary

The community engagement/ Natural Resources Management officer will be responsible for technical oversight and ensuring management for all activities related to community development, conflict management and peaceful co-existence around natural resource. They will define implementation strategies in coordination with the county government, RLP coordinators and other leadership team. The community engagement/ Natural Resources Management officer will train Rangeland management Committees (RMCs) after conducting technical capacity assessment. They will provide technical assistance based on identified gaps; and ensure common strategies and approaches are applied consistently in all communities’ priorities as envisaged on community Rangeland plans. They will coordinate closely with the M&E team to ensure that systems are in place to track, analyze and report results. The Officer will be required to keep abreast of the latest research and evolutions in the field of conflict management around natural resources and integrate new ideas and approaches as appropriate, seek additional technical assistance as needed and ensure effective working relationships with collaborating agencies.  They will work closely with NDMA on community participatory scenario planning, and other partners that advocate the adoption of sustainable Rangeland management approaches. 

Essential Responsibilities

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• Oversee the development process of Ward based community grazeland plans
• Identify and Capacity builds the RMCs to strengthen their governance and natural resources management skill.
• Conduct RMCs capacity assessment in collaboration with communities and county governments
• Contribute to teamwork plans and guide successful implementation of conflict management and natural resources management activities, ensuring teams follow work plans so activities are on time, target and within the approved budget, and program deliverables achieve desired impact;
• Conduct, participate in and/or update community grassland plan development process, involving a variety of stakeholders;
• In collaboration with National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and county governments, facilitate discussions within communities aimed at promoting Disaster Risk Reduction approaches including for drought cycle management as important components to community resilience to shocks and other stress.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity and capacity building into all activities as appropriate. Certify all interventions adhere to Mercy Corps’ Gender Policy, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards;
• Work with other mercy corps program on rangeland degeneration, digitization and protection.

COMMUNITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT

• Conduct community engagement, mobilization and sensitization for the RMC selection process
• Engage development actors to resolve resource-based conflict and facilitate community dialogues
• Engage and support county government in the WDP process and ensure their participation and integration of plans into county priorities.
• Facilitate planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in.
• Support county government initiatives to develop appropriate policies related to ward planning approach.

PARTNERSHIP

• Link Ward based RMCs to ongoing county government department of livestock rangeland management bill, IGAD regional livestock policies,
• Work with relevant county departments including Livestock, natural resource, environment, water and other development partners
• Establish collaborative partnership with other development partners working on community resilience and community development.
• Identify potential opportunities for linkage with other development partners such as Partnership for Resilience and Economic Growth (PREG), SDC funded project.
• Familiarize and support implementation of rangeland management laws and regulation both nationally, county level and regionally!

PROGRAM MONITORING

• Support MEL team to develop appropriate monitoring tools for the natural resource management activities ,
• Support participatory community-based monitoring in counties where initiatives are taking place – organize and coordinate capacity building in relation to community-based monitoring, including experience sharing. 
• In coordination with the MEL team, monitor the implementation of activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact.
• Document best practices and lessons learned across counties and share with management and team members

COORDINATION

• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, finance, administration and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities
• Support operations team to facilitate procurement of goods and services related to the WDP process and conflict management 
• Coordinate with the program with other corridors

INFLUENCE & REPRESENTATION

• Represent Mercy Corps at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events, in close coordination with the County project coordinator and country leadership. 
• Coordinate activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government, and other implementers, as well as with other Mercy Corps programs
• Facilitate planning meetings and workshops with government, NGO, private sector, and community partners to revise plans and promote partner acceptance/buy-in;
• In coordination with the MEL team, monitor the implementation of activities through regular field visits and assessments to ensure program quality and impact. Document approaches, successes and lessons learned;
• Coordinate with procurement, logistics, security, administration and human resources teams to ensure operational systems support field activities.

SECURITY

• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to develop and maintain systems that promote the safety and security of all team members. 
• Ensure that programs are designed and implemented with a clear analysis and understanding of security.

OTHERS:

• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability

Reports Directly To: County trade Coordinators – Garissa and Wajir

Works Directly With: RLP country lead, women empowerment officer , M/E manager, communication officer, finance and operations teams, Partner Organizations, and broader RLP team in the region.

Knowledge and Experience

• BA/S or equivalent in development studies, Disaster Risk Reduction, Range management, conflict mitigation, social sciences or other relevant field;
• A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in community development where there is Natural Resource based conflicts with hands on experience in working with community engagement, mobilization and capacity building.
• Experience in working with Community Rangeland management committees, ward development committees and other community level governance
• Experience drafting contingency plans with communities in ASAL areas is required;
• Strong management skills, including effective personnel management, adaptive management coordination and decision-making Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills;
• Competent in building networks, strong problem-solving skills, and ability to influence with effective listening, persuasion, negotiation and other techniques.
• Strong understanding of donor compliance issues SDC, EU, USAID etc
• Excellent and persuasive oral and written communication skills, including report writing, in English and other language(s), and fluency in Kiswahili.  Local dialects spoken in duty station is a plus;
• Previous work experience in northern Kenya desirable.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members

Community Engagement/Natural Resource Management Officer at Mercy Corps