Background
The WWF GEF Project “Lake Naivasha Ecosystem Based Management” will work at the
Lake Naivasha Basin (LNB) level to strengthen integrated natural resources management.
More specifically, the project will work in the upper catchment (Nyandarua County) with
the Wanjohi and Kianjohu Water Resources Users Associations (WRUAs), and around Lake
Naivasha itself, in Nakuru County (under the jurisdiction of the Naivasha WRUA).The
project objective to ‘restore forest ecosystems and reduce land degradation in the LNB
catchment for increased protection of Lake Naivasha’s water resources, biodiversity, and
associated ecosystem services to support the local and national economy’ will be delivered
through the following four components: (1) Strengthening the enabling conditions for
integrated natural resources management in Lake Naivasha Basin (LNB); (2) Market and
financial mechanisms for implementation of the Lake Naivasha Basin Integrated
Management Plan (LNBIMP); (3) Improved land management in upper Lake Naivasha
Basin; and (4) Knowledge Management and Monitoring and Evaluation.
Major functions
Under the guidance and supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Field Officer –
Community Engagement and Gender will be responsible for leading the delivery of the
project’s Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Stakeholder
Engagement Plan (SEP), and Gender Action Plan (GAP), as well as the community
engagement processes to achieve all the project outputs. The position will also assist with
research projects on the ground; assist in day to day running of the project office; support
the coordination of meetings and workshops with communities or other stakeholders in
the landscape; support the implementation of initiatives to strengthen the communities in
sustainable horticulture production and forest landscape management and restoration;
liaise closely with communities, traditional leaders, district and provincial offices and
relevant government departments to ensure synergy and support for site activities to
deliver gender equity, stakeholder inclusion and social and environmental risk mitigation
across the project.. The Field Officer will work in close collaboration with the project
teams, especially the MEL specialist, and implementing partners and external organizations
and will report to the Project Coordinator.
Responsibilities
I. Lead implementation of steps and procedures as outlined in the Environmental
and Social Management Framework (ESMF), including screening of annual
budget/work plans, conduct consultations with local stakeholders, develop
additional safeguards documents and mitigation plans where relevant, and
ensure the review, approval, and disclosure of safeguard documents;
II. Ensure that all documents necessary for full compliance with ESMF/Process
Framework (PF)/Indigenous People Planning Framework (IPPF), are prepared,
implemented, regularly updated, and are available to relevant stakeholders;
III. Review annual work plans and budgets and provide recommendations to ensure
that project activities are designed to include avoidance of potential social and
environmental risks, as recommended in the ESMF; and that where such risks are
not avoidable, mitigation plans or measures are in place to minimize or mitigate
these risks;
IV. Provide overall Environmental and Social Management oversight during the
implementation of the project activities and advise the Project Monitoring Unit
(PMU) in addressing the environmental and social issues;
V. Coordinate and track implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP)
and Gender Action Plan (GAP), under the supervision of the Project
Coordinator;
VI. Assess knowledge and capacity needs of project staff and partners on
environmental and social safeguards, stakeholder engagement and gender issues,
concepts and mainstreaming at the onset of the project;
VII. Develop Livelihood Restoration Plans (LRPs) due to access restrictions resulting
from the project in a highly participatory process implementing the stakeholder
engagement as outlined in the SEP and Stakeholder Engagement Matrix, and
ensuring mitigation measures are in line with the Process Framework;
VIII. Develop Indigenous Peoples Plans in locations identified in the ESMF
IX. Provide capacity building as needed over the life of the project on the issues
mentioned above and on how to support the implementation of the ESMF, SEP,
and GAP;
X. Carry out regular monitoring and capacity-building visits to the project sites;
XI. Support the coordination of meetings and workshops with communities and
other stakeholders in the landscape;
XII. Support initiatives to strengthen the communities in project areas.
XIII. Liaise closely with communities, traditional leaders, district and provincial offices
and relevant government.
XIV. Work with the Project Coordinator to design methodologies and
implementation plans for the execution of project outputs and activities in close
collaboration with technical specialists;
XV. Work with field teams and implementation partners to build an understanding
of project processes and technical requirements aligned with the project work
plans;
XVI. Record information on field activities and provide inputs to semi-annual, and
annual reports on project progress and impact in partnership with the Project
Coordinator;
XVII. Provide inputs to project reports on the status of safeguards, stakeholder
engagement and gender compliance of project activities and GRM
implementation with the ESMF/PF to support Results Framework and Work
Plan Tracking for the WWF-GEF Project at the end of each project year;
XVIII. Provide inputs to the development of project work plans and participate in
project management meetings and annual reflection workshops to inform
adaptive management of the project;
XIX. Troubleshoot project delivery challenges in collaboration with the Project
Coordinator;
XX. Provide logistical support and technical inputs to project supervision missions
and evaluations.
XXI. Document project learning and provide inputs to knowledge products with
relevant parties;
XXII. Set up and lead the socialization of and ensure implementation of the Grievance
Redress Mechanism with communities, acting as a point person for submission of
and addressing community grievances.
XXIII. Participate in monthly calls with the ESS Specialist in the WWF GEF Agency
XXIV. Work with the project coordinator and the M&E specialist to mainstream
safeguards and gender-related action plans in project planning documents,
implementation of project activities, and monitoring
Qualifications and Experience
I. A Bachelor’s degree is required in social sciences, gender studies, community development, social anthropology, natural resource management or a related field;
II. A Master’s degree in the above-mentioned fields is an added advantage;
III. Must have at least 2 years relevant experience in the application of environmental and social safeguards to project management, including familiarity with access restrictions and equitable benefit sharing;
IV. Must have at least 3 years of relevant work experience of project management, planning, and implementation including community mobilization and engagement in Kenya;
V. Ideally 2 those years of experience will be in the execution of natural resource management projects implemented by national/international NGOs/agencies/government;
VI. Must have experience in gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment, preferably in a natural resource management project setting;
VII. With technical knowledge of various safeguards related to laws, policies, and processes, particularly on Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Processes, Kenyan Environmental Laws, and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) systems
VIII. Knowledge of the institutional and legal framework of land, forest, and water resources management, as well as of relevant policy issues in Kenya.
IX. Proven leadership, communication, facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills;
X. Experience in working with traditional leaders and communities (including with more marginalized groups), and collaborating with multi-sectorial teams as well as government officials;
XI. Excellent conflict management and mitigation skills in local community environments;
XII. Capability to guide negotiations and conflict resolution processes;
XIII. Skills in project planning and implementation, monitoring, financing, management and reporting;
XIV. Excellent inter-personal and lobbying skills, including the ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders and partners at district and community levels;
XV. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
XVI. Knowledge of local languages (Kiswahili and local dialect) is a requirement;
XVII. Excellent conflict management and mitigation skills in local community environments;
XVIII. Excellent organizational and logistical skills, and the ability to work in strenuous field conditions in a remote rural setting;
XIX. Must be proficient in the use of MS Office programs; expertise using database and Excel preferred.
XX. Valid driver’s license with an endorsement to ride a motorcycle and the willingness to do so is highly preferred.
Application Procedure
• Detailed job description and person specifications are to be obtained from the Fund`s website www.netfund.go.ke.
• Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit hard/soft copies of their applications together with their updated Curriculum Vitae, and certified copies of academic and professional certificates on or before the closing dates on 26th August 2024 at 5:00 pm.
• Send soft copies to [email protected]. The application envelope is to be clearly marked with a reference number for each position. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• NETFUND is an equal opportunity employer (EOE), and is committed to diversity and gender equality. Any form of canvassing shall lead to automatic disqualification.
• Hard copies of applications should be sent to:
The Chief Executive Officer
National Environment Trust Fund
P.o. Box 19324-00202 Nairobi.
