Dimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners.
Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH.
In 2012, as part of a global reorganization process, Save the Children combined the programmes of SC UK, SC Canada and SC Finland to create a single operation in Kenya. In Feb 2014, we completed a second transition, which saw us join forces with the British INGO, Merlin, and merge their health and nutrition programmes with our own.
Save the Children now has an operational presence in Bungoma, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Mandera, Turkana and Wajir and we work through partners in many other parts of the country. We employ more than 300 staff and have an operating annual budget in 2014 of approximately US$25 million.
Save the Children International Kenya Country Office has through Save the Children Germany secured funding from Deutshe Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) for the implementation of the Food and Nutrition Security- Enhanced Resilience (FNS-ER) Programme in Turkana County.
The programme is aimed at improving food and nutrition security for women of reproductive age and children in Turkana County.
The programme will cover Turkana North, Turkana Central, Turkana South and Loima sub Counties.
The project includes Groups Savings and Loans Association, Income Generating Activities, Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN), supporting World Breastfeeding day and Malezi Bora campaigns in areas of operation.
Staff directly reporting to this post: Project Assistant
Key Areas of Accountability:
Focal Point for FNS-ER Project: The Project Coordinator- Food and Nutrition Security will be the focal point and lead person for a Food and Nutrition Security – Enhance Resilience (FNS-ER) project aimed at improving food and nutrition security for women of reproductive age and children in Turkana County.
S/he will work closely with Health and Nutrition Programme Manager to particularly implement the intervention meant to increase maternal, infant and young children nutrition (MIYCN).
With support from the Child Poverty Technical Specialist, Nutrition Technical Specialist and Child Poverty Technical Coordinator, the Project Coordinator will:
Programme delivery
With regular support from the Child Poverty Technical Coordinator and Health and Nutrition Programme Manager, plan and lead the implementation of the FNS-ER project in Turkana County covering the four sub Counties over the project period. This will involve implementation of the Groups Savings and Loans Association, Income Generating Activities, MIYCN, supporting the commemoration of World Breastfeeding day and Malezi Bora campaigns.
Plan and implement project activities ensuring effective community engagement, mobilisation and social dialogue. S/he will particularly work with mother to mother groups (MTMSGs) and other organised groups in establishment of group savings and loans and also dissemination of MIYCN messages.
With support and guidance from the Child Poverty Technical Coordinator and Health and Nutrition Programme Manager, engage and coordinate with relevant Turkana County government ministries, Non-State Actors, and the private sector for the successful implementation of the project in Turkana County.
Coordinate technical and logistical arrangements for the programme review meeting and training with relevant stakeholders.
Support and oversee the day to day activities of the Food Security and Nutrition Project Assistant. Assign tasks and conduct performance appraisal of the Project Assistant.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
Compile, analyse and share key materials, studies and data related to food security and nutrition in Turkana County.
Work with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of programme activities including Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation with relevant stakeholders, regular monitoring, joint baseline assessment with GIZ and final evaluation to ensure quality programme implementation.
Compile and share activity and periodic project reports.
Lead and ensure documentation and sharing of case studies and success stories.
Conduct any additional assessments and relevant data analysis based on needs identified with support from the Child Poverty Technical Specialist, Child Poverty Technical Coordinator and Health and Nutrition Programme Manager.
Partnerships and Advocacy
Liaise with the Turkana County based GIZ FNS-ER County Programme Manager on the FNS-ER Project. This will include involvement in the joint baseline and designing of the monitoring and evaluation framework of the project.
Represent Save the Children in relevant coordination meeting and fora to share good practice and ensure the achievement of advocacy and policy objectives.
Any other tasks assigned by Turkana Area Programme Manager and Child Poverty Technical Specialist/Coordinator.
Key Competencies (our Values in Practice)
Delivering results: Takes personal responsibility and holds others to account to deliver our ambitious Goals for children, continually improving own performance or that of the team/ organization.
Problem solving and decision making: Takes effective, considered and timely decisions by gathering and evaluating relevant information from within or outside the organization and making appropriate Judgments.
Applying technical and professional expertise: Applies the required technical and professional expertise to the highest standards; promotes and shares best practice within and outside the Organization.
Communicating with impact: Communicates clearly and confidently with others to engage and influence; promotes dialogue and ensures timely and appropriate messages, building confidence and Trust with others.
Networking: Builds and uses sustainable relationships and networks to support the work of Save the Children.
SCI Values: Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity, Accountability and Integrity.
Qualifications and Experience
University degree in Social sciences, economics, development, food security and livelihoods, nutrition, agriculture/livestock production or related field.
Extensive and proven experience in management and implementation of food security and nutrition projects in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) or similar context.
Minimum of 3 years of experience of managing the project cycle, including assessments, project design, proposal and report writing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Excellent planning, coordination, facilitation and reporting skills, with the ability to organize and manage substantial workload. Experience of working with and coordinating with multiple stakeholders including the government required.
Highly developed research, analytical, monitoring and evaluation, and report-writing abilities;
Strong, demonstrable, financial management skills, particularly in budgeting and reporting;
Strong communication, people management and interpersonal skills, with experience in leading multicultural, multi-location, values driven teams;
Experience working in the marginalised communities in Northern Kenya and understanding of challenges facing women, youth and children in Kenya.
Computer literacy, particularly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
Commitment to Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding and other global policies, and values.
Excellent understanding of child rights programming.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are required to submit a CV and mandatory Cover letter to turkana.jobapplications@savethechildren.org indicating the Position Code on the subject line by 30th October 2015.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.