ASAL Stakeholder Forum (ASF) National Coordinator Job Vacancy - Kenya Rural Development Programme

Job Ref No: KRDP/ASF/2014 -2015
 

Position: ASAL Stakeholder Forum (ASF) National Coordinator
 

Project Name: Kenya Rural Development Programme / ASAL Drought Management (KRDP / ASAL DM)
 

Reporting to: ASF Chair
 

Kenya Rural Development Programme (KRDP) is a programme funded by the European Union (EU) under Financing Agreement (FA) number KE/FED/022-067 signed between the Government of Kenya (GoK) and the European Union (EU) on 26th June 2011.

The overall objective of the programme is to contribute to improved food security in Kenya.
 

ASAL Drought Management (ASAL DM) is a project under the KRDP which is implemented through the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA). 

Its objectives are to help the NDMA strengthen the drought management structures in Kenya and increase the capacity of communities in arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) to manage drought and improve resilience.
 

One of the components of the ASAL DM project is on policy and institution-building. Within this, the project has been assisting the ASAL Stakeholder Forum (ASF). The ASF is a platform for all stakeholders working in the ASALs.

 It is a forum where non-state actors can engage with each other, with potential partners and supporters, and with both the national and the county governments in order to strengthen cross-sectoral and cross-agency coordination of development policy and practice. 

The ASF is a key partner for the NDMA in taking forward its coordination mandate. 

The ASF was formally launched at a meeting organised by the former Ministry of State for Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands in July 2012 and attended by a wide diversity of stakeholders in ASAL development. 

It is part of the ASAL transformation structures institutionalised in Sessional Paper No. 8 of 2012 on the National Policy for the Sustainable Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands. 

The ASF aims to enhance the sustainable development of Kenya’s ASALs through better coordination and efficient use of resources for increased prosperity and quality of life for ASAL communities.
 

The ASF is a comparatively young institution and does not yet have a permanent Secretariat. It has been supported thus far by the ASAL Secretariat and the NDMA, and other donors. 

The ASF National Coordinator will be responsible for establishing and leading the ASF Secretariat and for the day-to-day management of the ASF, building a sustainable organisation which is valued and supported by its members.
 

This is a full-time position reporting to the Chair of the national ASF Steering Committee.

The position will be housed in the NDMA for an initial one-year period during which time the National Coordinator will be required to raise the funds for the Secretariat’s costs for subsequent years.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• To develop, implement and monitor the ASF work plans and budgets.
• To guide the development of a partner database and ensure that this is effectively managed.
• To guide the development of the ASF communications strategy and ensure that this is fully implemented.
• In consultation with the Chair of the ASF National Steering Committee, to convene and record meetings of the Steering Committee and the national ASF AGM and provide the necessary administrative and logistical support to both.
• To manage the flow of information between county ASFs, and between county ASFs and the national level.
• To liaise closely with relevant actors in support of the ASF agenda.
• To develop and implement a resource mobilisation strategy for the ASF. Specifically, to raise funds for both its programme activities and operational costs, including adequate resources to finance the position of the National Coordinator on a long-term basis.
• To work closely with the ASF National Steering Committee and ASF membership in identifying mechanisms and strategies that will ensure the long-term sustainability of the ASF, including establishment of an independent Secretariat. In due course, to manage the ASF Secretariat.
• To carry out any other responsibility as may be assigned by the Chair of the ASF National Steering Committee.

Academic and Professional Requirements:

• An undergraduate degree in a development-related field is essential. A Masters degree will be an added advantage.
• At least ten years’ experience in the ASALs in one or more of the following areas of work: communications, advocacy, resource mobilization, and development.
• Experience of facilitating or supporting comparable networks.
• High IT literacy, particularly in database management.
• Conversant with the development of work plans and budgets.
• The ability to engage effectively with a very diverse group of stakeholders.
• High level of initiative and the capacity to work with minimal supervision or support.

The post is offered on an initial one-year consultancy contract, which may be renewed subject to performance and subject to the postholder’s success in raising additional resources. 

The post is based in Nairobi, but with frequent travel to ASAL counties.

Interested and qualified individuals should forward their applications including the detailed Curriculum Vitae to the following e- mail address: vacancies @dmikenya.or.ke to reach the undersigned not later than 17th November 2014:

The Imprest Administrator
KRDP - ASAL DM Project
P.O Box 8377 - 00200
Nairobi

Applicants are advised to quote the reference number for the position applied for. 

Applicants who will not have received feedback by 1st December 2014 should consider their applications unsuccessful.