Governance & Advocacy Officer

Job Responsibilities
Governance

Assist in identifying technical challenges, opportunities and responsive actions to promote inclusion of the vulnerable in formal decision making through the public participation model.
Assist in identifying and fostering strategic partnerships with county government departments, county assembly, local partners and other stakeholders, in implementation of policies and legislation on public participation (including Marsabit County Civic Education and Public Participation Policy and Marsabit County Civic Education and Public Participation Bill)
Lead in strengthening the link between formal governance structures and Community Conversations at village , ward , sub county and county level
Lead in monitoring the translation of community plans into village, ward , sub county and county plans during the annual county planning and budget processes, ongoing development of 2018-2022 County Integrated
Development Plan and other related processes
Lead in building the capacity of governance structures to facilitate citizen participation
Provide leadership in diagnosing policy knowledge and practice gaps on decentralized government, and
develop corresponding capacity development interventions

Advocacy

Support and build capacity of programme staff to develop and implement their advocacy plans and tasks (never ‘replace’ programme person)
Participate in lobbying and negotiation led by programme sectors
Provide direction to programmes on the content and development of policy briefs
Liaising closely with programme teams on integration of human rights into community conversations
Prepare comprehensive and timely monthly and quarterly narrative reports that conform to organizational standards.
Represent Concern Worldwide in Ward, Sub-County and County technical forums on public participation and strengthening local governance as well as advocacy coalitions/networks
Build and support the capacity of staff and sector programmes to understand the structure and functions of the county government, and to engage with them effectively.
Participate in the development of quarterly costed workplans, annual work plans and project proposals

Responding to Emergencies:

Participate and contribute as necessary towards Concern’s Emergency response as and when necessary
Comply with Concern’s health, safety and security guidelines during emergencies
Programme Participant Protection Policy
Adhere to the standards of conduct outlined in the Programme Participant Protection Policy and Concern Code of Conduct.

Qualifications

A Degree in Social Sciences preferably Law, Political Science or Public Administration.
At least two (2) years of experience in governance programming with a bias towards a Human Rights Based
Approach to Development, policy and advocacy in humanitarian or development context
Strong knowledge of decentralized governance in general and Kenya’s devolved governance system specifically.
Excellent oral, written and editing skills including the ability to produce clear articulate evidence based policy analysis
Excellent advocacy and networking skills including the ability to make public representations.
Good understanding of programme cycle management, and application of advocacy strategies to promote positive development outcomes.
Good trainer of trainers and facilitation skills
Excellent communication &interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively in teams.
Competency in computer applications
Ability to work under pressure often to strict deadlines