Economic Empowerment/Livelihoods Specialist

In recent years, Infrastructure investments in Kenya has been focusing on roads and the current development is the construction of the North Eastern Transport Improvement Project (NETIP), which the Government considers as an important element of the country’s economic development. Though the development projects are beneficial to the community, they can also expose women, children and communities living around the construction sites to many negative impacts such as loss of livelihoods due to displacement, school drop outs, Sexual exploitation and abuse, child marriage, child labor and human trafficking.

IRC has submitted a bid for a project on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse along the North Eastern Transport Improvement Project Corridor and as such seeks to fill the position Economic Empowerment/Livelihood specialist

IRC through NETIP Project is focused on encouraging the ability to become self-sufficient, particularly where livelihoods are concerned, for survivors of SGBV, youth, women, and girls and other marginalized groups. The economic empowerment and livelihood approaches will foster gender equity and equality given that women and girls are even more vulnerable during developments or proposed change of status.

Scope of Role

Under the supervision of the team leader, the Economic Empowerment/Livelihood Specialist will be responsible for NETIP livelihoods program quality and implementation. He/she will coordinate and oversee the development, implementation, knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation of livelihoods aspects of the programs focused on beneficiary income and asset generation.The Economic Empowerment Specialist will actively participate in implementation of livelihood interventions with a goal of ensuring program quality and compliance. He/she will represent IRC in livelihoods forums at Counties level and will develop strong collaborative relationships with NETIP stakeholders.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

Program quality, planning and implementation

• Provide technical leadership, support and guidance to NETIP livelihoods and empowerment program initiatives
• Assist in context and stakeholder mapping and analysis to contribute to the conceptual development of livelihoods resource centers and mobile services
• Conduct outreach to community and local leaders, private sector partners, government and other stakeholders
• Help develop work plans for specific livelihoods activities, such as Voluntary Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and oversee the direct implementation and monitoring of activities
• Build partner capacity through training in areas related to empowerment or livelihoods and providing guidance on technical approaches.
• Assist in the design, collection and analysis of data on local labor market, trends, livelihoods profiles of specific project implementation areas, market opportunities and skills gaps, in order to identify demand-driven opportunities for job creation
• Organize and assist in data collection and analysis for beneficiary and community selection, as well as for monitoring and evaluation of program activities, as well as ensure analysis is used in reporting.
• Coordinate closely with IRC logistics, finance, and grant staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures; including active participation in procurement, supply chain, grant and other meetings as necessary
• Adopt IRC training manuals (Learn 2 Earn and EA$E) and facilitate trainings on empowerment and livelihoods, including training of governmental partners, Counties and Sub-County health representatives, CSOs, and other NETIP stakeholders
• Conduct ToTs to partner staff on Business Skills training
• Closely liaise with the Team Leader and grants on budget management
• Provide administrative support as required for program procurement, payments and consultant agreements, liaising with livelihoods center staff on requirements and helping to facilitate purchase and payment requests
• Contribute to the implementation of livelihoods and empowerment strategies at the project sites, including working with CSOs, women’s groups, and other community groups to link the beneficiaries to private sector and income generating activities.
• Conduct continuous analysis of the achievements of the project and undertake field monitoring visits to identify technical quality of services, evaluate gaps in performance of team and amend/adjust work plan accordingly.
• Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
  

Program Development and Monitoring

• Support the Team Leader in providing evidence-based input in the development of new proposals and concept notes.
• Participate in writing monthly, quarterly and annual reports
• Set specific goals and expectations and provide regular, positive and constructive feedback to direct reports.
• Support livelihoods knowledge management for the NETIP team, ensuring Box structures and filing are up to date and utilized by team members.Pilot other information sharing mechanisms across program sites and teams and lead regular information sharing meetings, developing material and agenda items with other team members to ensure team learning, coordination and harmonization of approaches.

Coordination, Representation and Advocacy

• Liaise with the IRC Protection team and communications team to provide input into advocacy and lobbying approaches, outreach and products, particularly those directly related to employment and enterprise development.
• Work with client feedback focal point to support implementers capacity and understanding of feedback mechanisms and ensure monitoring data is understood and used to better NETIP project
• Assist the team leader and center staff in assessing training and apprenticeship providers and relationships, and maintain documentation of partnership engagement.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders, including community members and leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, and other IRC team members to enhance multi-agency and multi-sectoral cooperation and coordination.

Staff Development

• Coach, train, supervise and mentor other project staff with the aim of strengthening their livelihoods technical capacity and to guarantee quality programming.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.

Kenyan nationals are encouraged to apply.  International allowances are not available for this position. Salary and employee benefits are compliant to the Kenyan NGO Sector. 

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.

Disclaimer:

Please take note that International Rescue Committee (IRC) does not ask for any fees in connection with its recruitment processes. In the event that you receive any request for payment of any sort, please get in touch with us on Tel: +(254-020) 2727730, Email: IRCKenya@rescue.org or report to the nearest police.