Vetworks Community Development Officer Job in Narok Kenya

Vetworks Eastern Africa is a Kenyan organisation founded in 2007 and has wide experience in livestock programming. 

Vetworks Eastern Africa works in livestock sector enhancing capacities of communities, institutions and governments in reducing vulnerabilities of the livestock keeping communities and supporting improvement and investments in livestock based livelihoods. 

Vetworks believes in practical applications of sustainable livelihood approaches. 
 

Community Development Officer

Reports to: Project Manager
 

Location: Based in Narok town. To support project in Narok and Kericho Counties with occasional travel for meetings in Nairobi.
 

Hours: Normal working hours plus out of hours work as required
 

Conditions: Local appointment. One year with possibility of extension.
 

Closing date: 20th April 2013
 

Roles
 

To implement, monitor, supervise and provide technical support to the animal welfare activities of the project in a culturally appropriate manner and in accordance with standards and guidelines agreed by Vetworks Eastern Africa and its partners.
 

Responsibilities
 

Project implementation

• Be at all times a role model for sympathetic and humane handling, treatment and management of working equine animals
• Responsible for supporting and building the capacities of communities and livestock service providers to develop and effectively implement plans that lead to the desired change at community level in Knowledge, attitudes and practice, which support the overall organizational goal of improving equine welfare
• Responsible for providing ongoing technical and mentoring support in community engagement and monitoring aspects of the animal welfare project
• Apply techniques and tool kits such PRA tools to mobilize and engage effectively with equine owning communities to advance equine welfare
• Monitor and evaluate the community engagement aspects of their project  to ensure desired change is being realized among equine owning communities
• Responsible in promoting cross-learning between Counties in community mobilisation aspects through gathering, documenting and sharing best practices
• Support and carry out studies and assessments as required.

Project finance management

• Ensure adequate use of finances allocated to project activities

Communication and network

• As required, work closely with the Research Team to support relevant community-based participatory (action) research
• Representing and communicating the interests of the Vetworks animal welfare work internally and externally
• Assist the Programme Manager to identify and effectively manage all community development related risks.

Minimum requirement
 

At least a relevant higher Diploma or first degree (Bachelors) in a relevant livestock development discipline; such as livestock production with bias of rural development;  or in a discipline such as rural development studies, development  and social sciences studies.
 

Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge of basic animal welfare concepts and an understanding of the importance of working equines to the economies of developing countries
• Experience in conducting participatory monitoring and planning of programmes at community level,
• Experience in assessing training needs and capacity building of community groups
• Proven practical experience in identifying, establishing and managing community development issues and related conflicts
• Knowledge and experienced in participatory training approaches

Skills and Altitudes

• Clear strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• A culturally sensitive communicator and excellent negotiation skills
• Motivation to engage and learn and be at all times a role model
• Strong and engaging communication and presentational skills to a variety of audience
• Have training and facilitator skills
• Good organisation, planning and follow up skills
• Ability to prioritise and handle a diverse and heavy workload, working under pressure and often to tight dead line
• Strong IT skills
• Fluent in Swahili and English
• Good information management skills including the ability to write clear concise reports for a variety of audiences in Swahili and English
• Willingness to work flexibly and, on occasions, outside of office hours
• Committed to the aims of the Vetworks, animal welfare and community development

Please send your application and CV with three Referees Reference “COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER”  to fredme2013@live.com