Background:
The Kenya Resilient Arid Lands Partnership for Integrated Development (KENYA RAPID) is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) program, in which multiple partners cooperate. It aims to support sustainable and resilient livelihoods in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), by improving water availability and water service delivery to people and livestock, and improve rangelands. KENYA RAPID mobilizes financial and technical resources from development partners, national government, county government and the private sector. Over a five-year period (2015-2020), the program focuses on five Kenyan counties: Marsabit, Garissa, Isiolo, Wajir, and Turkana. Catholic Relief Services Kenya will be implementing the program in Turkana and Isiolo counties of Kenya.
Job Summary:
The Project Manager will manage, coordinate, and monitor project activities and relationships with partners and other project stakeholders to assist the achievement of the Kenya RAPID (Isiolo) project objectives advancing Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. The Project Manager will additionally provide technical support on WASH infrastructure development related activities. Project management skills and knowledge of the program area will ensure high-quality programming and continuously work towards improving the impact of this project.
Job Responsibilities:
Manage and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan, manage K-RAPID Isiolo budget and support in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
Effectively manage and supervise the K-RAPID team in Isiolo. Manage team dynamics and staff well-being. Provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, contribute to the recruitment process of project staff, and complete performance management for direct reports.
Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
Manage and oversee working relationships with all local project stakeholders, including county government officials, and serve as the liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact.
Coordinate activities required for ensuring the financial, material and human resources for the quality implementation of the project. Conduct periodic budget reviews.
Identify staff capacity needs and technical assistance needs of partner organizations and contribute to capacity strengthening and required interventions to support quality project implementation.
Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.
Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Lead preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices within the project implementation area.
Provide technical support in the design and development of BoQ for the identified and designed Multiple Use Water Systems and supervision of water infrastructure activities.
MEAL Competencies:
Track project MEAL requirements – both CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP) and donor requirements.
Work with MEAL staff and partner staff to implement the MPP and donor MEAL requirements applicable to your projects.
Complete the annual MEAL procedure self-assessment for your project, and develop action plan to advance MEAL practice.
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Water Engineering
Minimum of 6 years of work experience in project support, ideally in the field of WASH.
Experience in managing USAID funded projects is an added advantage.
Experience working with partners, participatory action planning and community engagement.
Staff supervision experience.
Experience with private sector engagement is an added advantage.
Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data.
Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
Personal Skills
Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners
Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
Required/Desired Foreign Language: None
Travel Required: None
Key Working Relationships:
Supervisory: Information officer, Food Security, Nutrition and Livelihoods Officer and CRS driver/mechanic.
Internal: Information officer, Food Security, Nutrition and Livelihoods Officer and CRS driver/mechanic, Program Manager WASH, Deputy Head of Programs, CRS’s finance, human resources and procurement departments.
External: The Governor’s Office Isiolo County, National Government officials e.g. County and Sub County Commissioners, and area chiefs in Isiolo, ministries of water, irrigation, health, finance and planning, agriculture, livestock in Isiolo County, Program consultants and contractors, PREG members and Millennium Water Alliance Program Coordinating Unit, Private sector partner.
Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
Trusting Relationships
Professional Growth
Partnership
Accountability
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
Equal Opportunity Employer
