Pact Economic Strengthening / Livelihoods Specialist (OVC Support Project) Job in Kenya

Position Title: Economic Strengthening / Livelihoods Specialist 

Office Location: Kenya 

Supervisor Name: Chief of Party, TBD 

Supervisor Title: Chief of Party 

New or Replacement: New 

Replacement for: N/A 

Full or Part-Time: Full time 

Project End Date: 2020

Pact Overview: At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. The promise of a healthy life. Of a decent livelihood. Of sustainable natural resources that benefit communities. 

Now more than ever in its 42-year history, Pact is helping millions of people who are poor and marginalized discover and build their own solutions and take ownership over their future. 

Pact enables systemic solutions that allow those who are poor and marginalized to earn a dignified living, be healthy, and take part in the benefits that nature provides. 

Pact accomplishes this by strengthening local capacity, forging effective governance systems, and transforming markets into a force for development. 

Department Overview: Pact seeks an Economic Strengthening/Livelihoods Specialist for the proposed USAID-funded five-year Support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Nairobi and Coast Counties of Kenya to improve the welfare and protection of children affected by HIV/AIDS by building the capacity of households to provide for children under their care and strengthening social services systems and structures at the county and community levels to improve care and support of OVC.

This position is contingent on award. 

Position Purpose: Reporting to the Chief of Party and OVC Manager, the Economic Strengthening / Livelihoods Specialist will be responsible for the technical aspects of project implementation that relate household economic strengthening activities.

 She/he will advise and support the OVC Manager and COP, providing technical direction to project implementation and ensuring the project meets stated goals, expected results and reporting requirements. 

She/he will take technical leadership role designing and promoting use of low-risk activities to diversify and stimulate growth in household income and integrate economic activities with complementary interventions across the project. 

She/he will be knowledgeable about evidence-based and start-of-the-art household economic strengthening approaches/strategies that address the different levels of household vulnerability. 

Key Responsibilities
 

Specific Duties:

• Ensure high-quality technical programming related to economic strengthening and livelihoods generation at the household level
• Advise and support the COP and OVC Manager in providing technical direction to project implementation, including but not limited to providing input into and assure that all donor reporting requirements on program impact are met
• Design and promote use of low-risk activities to diversify and stimulate growth in household income and integrate economic activities with complementary interventions across the project
• Ensure high quality program delivery and the cost-effective use of Pact and USAID resources
• Provide regular written/oral program progress updates, as requested
• Any other tasks as assigned by COP or OVC Manager

Basic Requirements
 

Skills and Abilities
 

Leadership

• Ability to sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with internal colleagues and contacts in donor and peer organizations
• Deep understanding of Pact’s strategy and how efforts contribute to the greater good
• Consistently works within internal process and procedures
• Strong interpersonal and team building skills
• Proactive engagement in corporate initiatives

Project Management

• Strong planning and time management skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to effectively present complex ideas to diverse audiences
• Ability to problem-solve difficult issues
• Ability to multitask with ease, adapting to frequently changing priorities
• Strong negotiating and conflict resolution skills
• Proficiency in developing and managing a budget

Technical Skills

• Strong experience in one of Pact’s technical areas or a support function
• Strong knowledge and understanding of donor policies and regulations
• High competence using common desktop applications and internal systems

People Management

• Demonstrated proficiency in supervising staff, including providing honest feedback
• Ability to mentor others

Preferred Qualifications

• At a minimum, a Master’s Degree in commerce, economics, business management and administration or related field
• At least five years of experience managing complex development projects, with least two of these years working in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably Kenya. During this period she/he should have been involved in the design, implementation, reporting and evaluation of evidence-based economic/livelihood projects for vulnerable groups.
• Professional level of oral and written fluency in English language
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government representatives, for-profit private sector entities, local community organizations, donors and other stakeholders, particularly at the sub-national level

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

We encourage interested applicants to submit their applications to the attention of Pact HR Office in Kenya via the following email address: kenyahr@pactworld.org clearly indicating in the subject field of your email Economics Strengthening Specialist (OVC) by 29th December 2014. 

All applicants should submit their application with a detailed CV, which should include names and contacts of 3 referees.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.