Vacancy #: 7302 Unit: ESARO -Drylands Resilience Programme(DRP) Organisation: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Location: Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya Reporting to: Regional Head, Land Systems / Country Representative, Kenya Work percentage: 100% Grade: P2 Expected start date: 01 July 2025 Type of contract: Fixed-term (24 months) Closing date: 04 July 2025 BACKGROUND THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION
BACKGROUND:
IUCN is an Accredited Entity of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and works closely with the GCF secretariat, governments, civil society, private sector and partner organizations to identify, design and implement projects that meet GCFโs ambitious standards. After three years of detailed design and development, the GCF board formally approved IUCNโs โTowards Ending Drought Emergencies: Ecosystem Based Adaptation in Kenyaโs Arid and Semi-Arid Rangelandsโ (TWENDE) project in January 2019.
The objective of the TWENDE project is to reduce the cost of climate change induced drought on Kenyaโs national economy by increasing resilience of the livestock and other land use sectors in restored and effectively governed rangeland ecosystems. The project will contribute to improved adaptation to climate change of Kenyaโs national policy of โEnding Drought Emergenciesโ, as outlined in โKenya Vision 2030. The Project addresses the overarching climate change challenges through three components, and their relevant outputs and activities:
Component 1: Climate change adapted planning for drought resilience. The National Drought Management Authority (โNDMAโ) will act as the Executing Entity for this Component.
Component 2: Restoration of rangeland landscapes for ecosystem-based adaptation. The Government of Kenya (โGoKโ), acting through the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (โMoAIโ), will act as the Executing Entity for this Component.
Component 3: Climate change resilient ecosystem management for investments. Conservation International (โCIโ) will act as the Executing Entity for this Component.
The project will strengthen climate change adaptation in Kenyaโs arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). The project will be implemented in 2 landscapes encompassing 11 counties, which have devolved powers under Kenyaโs new constitution. The project will benefit 620,000 people in 104,000 households and will protect or restore 500,000 hectares of rangelands in a landscape of 2.5 million hectares. The target landscapes are dry season grazing areas: critical resource zones that provide refuge during periods of drought. JOB DESCRIPTION MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting to the Chief of Party, the Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (PMEAL) Officer will support the PMU in coordinating the planning, monitoring and reporting functions at both landscape hubs and Implementing Partners level, in line with the GCF-approved TWENDEโs M&E Plan, Implementation Timetable, and Reporting calendar, as well as the IUCN Reporting standards. The Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (PMEAL) Officer will be responsible for coordination and support of executing entities teams to ensure effective and timely activity planning, monitoring, and reporting of their scopes (components, outputs or deliverables). A key aspect of the position will be to facilitate integration and implementation of the project level approved workplan at the landscape/site level and to assist the landscape coordination officer with monitoring and reporting of the field level deliverables. S/he will also serve as a member of the Landscape management team (LMT) and at the same time of the Project Management Unit (PMU).
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
Provide technical support to integrated and coherent planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting across the different components of the TWENDE Project:
Develop project programming processes and products, including annual and quarterly workplan and budget and their review cycles
Support to provide strategic linkages, ensure coherence, coordination and collaboration between different project components and workstreams
Support implementing partners and landscape coordination officer in translating the steering committee approved programme of work into the landscape plan of actions.
Follow up with implementing partners on required action/outstanding issues and report on outcome/ result and alert the Project Management Unit on critical issues to be addressed.
Provide technical support and guidance to the PMU and Kenya Country Office in incorporating monitoring, reporting and learning from audits and evaluation into annual/quarterly planning and programme formulation:
Manage the development of monitoring indicators, monitoring calendars, and field monitoring plans and quality assurance processes, and coordinate their roll out through monitoring, reviews and reporting
Ensure use of relevant audit, monitoring/supervision missions and evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations are incorporated into updated implementation plans and new programme formulation
Ensure that partnersโ project managers respond to recommendations and implement remedial measures
Provide strategic guidance to implementing partners in developing activities that are complying to GCF Result Management Framework, and project results framework and annual result performance surveys;
Provide technical guidance to the PMU in and oversee monitoring and tracking of results against annual, mid-term and final targets, and IUCN country programme targets
Support partners and project officers in completing the annual Project Implementation Review reports, based on the quarterly/semiannually project progress reports
Ensure data collection and analysis from field visits are coordinated and standardized across components, partners and landscapes
Using activity and indicator performance monitoring trackers, monitor data from partners on a quarterly basis and draft regular management briefs to inform decision making
Visit partners to support monitoring of results and planning processes
Support the Finance Officer to monitor the spending of donor funds and other programme expenditures against reported results
Project reporting and knowledge management;
Lead the development of annual performance reports that comply with GCF requirements
Identify, document, package and disseminate good practices, lessons and knowledge for awareness, visibility, advocacy and policy influencing.
Ensure the collection, collation, reporting, organization, and keeping records of all project data and documents.
The candidate will also be required to support Kenya Country Office programme development as needs arise. REQUIREMENTS โข POSITION REQUIREMENTS;
Education;
Masterโs degree in environmental science/natural resources/management/policy, or other relevant subject. A project/programme management certification (such as PMPยฎ, PRINCE2ยฎ, or MSPยฎ) would be an added advantage. Monitoring and Evaluation certification will also be an added advantage.
Work Experience;
At least 8 years of experience working with project/program design, monitoring, implementation and management in environment, and conservation or development.
Strong knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, and reporting standards of major donors in the conservation/environment/climate change space
Capacity to work with diverse partners including governments, civil society and local communities,
Ability to lead implementation of new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.
Very strong oral and written communication skills with ability to synthesize project performance data.
Ability to manage for results including excellent planning, goal-setting, prioritization and organizational skills;
Language Proficiency;
Excellent command of English and strong verbal and written communication skills including public speaking
A good understanding of Swahili is a must
Core Competencies;
Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team.
Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provides a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates ability to work in a multicultural, multiethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds.
Professionalism: Promote the organizationโs interests, objectives and values in a diligent and professional manner.
Accountability: Takes responsibility of individual and collective actions, promotes the IUCN One Programme approach.
Functional competencies;
Must be a strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with all levels of staff and partners from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Must be a hands-on, highly motivated, results driven and resourceful individual.
Demonstrated ability to work under pressure managing competing demands and complex situations and deliver satisfactory and timely results.
Capability to develop and implement effective strategies and tactics for accomplishing assigned duties.
Strong ability to work independently and/or remotely, while maintaining productivity.
Proven networking, team building, organizational and communication skills.
Proficiency with data management and/or project management software and tools (e.g. Smartsheet, Kobo toolbox, PowerBI, SQL, GIS, Tableau and other related tools) is highly desirable.
Computer literacy in relation to office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint) use of internet and online communication tools; and
Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development.
Be willing to undertake frequent travel APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the \"Apply\" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the worldโs largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve peopleโs well-being.
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