Posts
Title: Project Officer
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Organizational
Unit/Agency: UNDP
Application Deadline: 22nd October 2013
Type of Contract: Service Contract
Post Level: SB4-
Languages Required: English; Swahili;
Starting Date:
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 1st November 2013
Duration of
Initial Contract: One year
Background
The
“Integrating the Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources into National Climate
Change Adaptation Planning” project seeks to help the government to maintain a
rich diversity of crops along with wild crop relatives as a critical component
of climate change adaptation in the coming years. The main focus of the project
is to reverse the decline of diversity of plant genetic resources - especially
the trend where traditional crop varieties are increasingly being replaced with
elite strains. Specifically, the project will support Kenya’s concerted
conservation effort of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture through
strengthening and integrating genetic resource management approaches. The
initiative will work with among others the National Gene Bank of Kenya whose
key roles include facilitating long-term conservation of seeds.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the
guidance and direct supervision of the Sustainable Land Management Project
Manager (NPM), the Programme Officer shall:-
• Provide technical, administration
and coordination/logistical support to the project.
• Prepare narrative and financial
reports from the project Implementing Partners, Kenya Agricultural Research
Institute (KARI) and ensure these meet UNDP standards.
• Oversee/Support the implementation
of the work plan and budget in the context of GoK/UNDP strategies and plans.
• Ensure that quarterly and annual
project reports are prepared in a timely manner and in the appropriate format.
• Ensure that disbursements and
payment requests are done in conformity with GoK and UNDP requirements.
• Support the development of the
quarterly work plans including reviewing of field reports and highlighting
areas that need adjustment within the framework of the signed AWP.
• Undertake monitoring missions to
assess the validity of information provided as well as assess impact and
progress of activities and capacity building interventions.
• Prepare project briefs and
visibility products, progress reports and other background documents as and
when required.
• Facilitate consultations with major
stakeholders to identify project implementation bottlenecks and propose
remedial measures.
• Liaise with key IPs including
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and KARI to ensure information
sharing and open dialogue.
• Support the project administration
and logistics including procurement, organizing workshops.
• Assist the project manager in
proposal writing for resource mobilization.
• Support follow up of
recommendations of the Project Technical Committee.
• Perform other relevant duties as
assigned by the Project Manager
Competencies
• Demonstrable working experience in
the field of agricultural economics, agribusiness or climate change adaptation.
• Research experience in the area of
adoption of “orphan” crops for food security is highly desirable.
• Strong interpersonal relations and
communication skills.
• Skills in workshop facilitation
• Strong technical reports writing
skills.
• Development projects budget
management skills - applicants with proven experience on UN online projects
management tools/programs will have an added advantage.
• Proven understanding and knowledge
of the NGOs and civil society sectors in Kenya.
Terms of
Service
The Service
Contract is a modality of hiring of UNDP development project personnel, where
UNDP at the request of an executing entity, or implementing partner under the
harmonized operational modalities or where UNDP itself serves as executing
entity/implementing partner of a development project provides personnel
contracting services to support execution or implementation of the project.
This is a
non-staff contract under the Service Contract modality of hiring of the UNDP.
Individuals engaged under a SC serve in their individual capacity and not as
representatives of a government institution, corporative body or other
authority external to UNDP. Therefore the incumbents shall not be considered as
staff of UNDP, the UN system or the Government and therefore are not entitled
to any diplomatic privileges, or to any other special status or conditions.
Required
Skills and Expertise
Education:
A Masters
degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, or related fields.
Experience:
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in
program / project management or other related areas.
• At least two years of responsible
postgraduate professional experience in the management, implementation,
monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects in the area of
Agriculture and Climate Change Adaptation.
• Experience and familiarity with
UNDP/UN and/or government management and financial procedures would be an advantage.
Language and IT Skills:
• Excellent communication skills,
both written and oral in English and Kiswahili.
• Good command of computer
applications
Click here
to apply: http://erecruit.echo-systems.net/Vacancydetail.php?id=326
