Deputy Regional Officers Jobs in Kenya

 Recruitment of Programme Management Staff for Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF)

 (A joint Government of Kenya and European UNION Programme)

Community Development Trust Fund (CDTF) is a joint initiative of the Government of Kenya and the European Union that was established in March 1996 through Legal Notice No. 303 of 26th March 1996.

Under this collaboration and funding arrangement, CDTF is implementing a four year Programme, the Community Development Programme Phase Four (CDP 4) with two components, the Community Environment Facility Phase Two (CEF II) and the Community Based Development Initiatives (CDI) with funding from the European Union. The CEF II has received funding also from the Government of the Royal Kingdom of Denmark (DANIDA) through the Natural Resource Management Programme (NRMP).

The main objective of the CDTF is to contribute to poverty alleviation efforts in Kenya by offering support in form of grants to community-based projects, which address basic social, economic and sound environment management priorities.

CDTF’s mandate is to oversee the transfer of funds for implementation of community based development projects, and further oversee implementation of projects.

Job vacancies have arisen in the CDI component that require to be filled on contractual basis by highly qualified and experienced Kenyan Nationals.

The contract duration will be up to 30th June 2014 with a possibility of an extension to 30th September 2015 subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds for the extended period.

The positions are:

Designation: Deputy Regional Officer – Engineering

Department/Station: Programmes Department, Central Regional Office, Nairobi

Supervisor: Reports to the Regional Officer, Central Region

Key functions

In addition to duties as a Technical Officer involved in the project Cycle Management of funded projects, this position shall also provide guidance on technical and engineering aspects of projects funded by the CDTF in the Central Region of CDTF including reviewing designs and drawings, verifying project budgets and monitoring compliance with statutory and engineering standards.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

    Provide technical support on matters pertaining to project engineering aspects
    Implement new and innovative cost effective approaches and techniques in engineering design and services
    Advise project applicants on the technical requirements during application stage
    Check technical specifications and budgets during project technical assessment
    Conduct field verification exercise for recommended projects
    Assist with preparation of full project proposals for approval by the Board of Trustees of CDTF
    Assist in CDI project development including drawing up Grant Contracts
    Assist in project pre-launch and launch activities
    Verify community up-front contributions as per pre-financing special conditions
    Undertake monitoring and evaluation of on-going projects
    Ensure works are executed according to relevant statutory and engineering standards
    Undertake routine or ad hoc technical audits of projects
    Assist in co-ordinating and monitoring of key cross cutting issues promoted by CDTF
    Training of PIC members on project implementation procedures
    Working closely with Regional Officer to ensure work-plans for the region are achieved
    Participating in the preparations of quarterly and annual programme reports for the region
    Prepare project completion reports
    Act as Regional Officer in absence of incumbent
    Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor

Performance Indicators

    Improved standardised practice on engineering design and services integrated in the programme and project designs
    The effect and impacts of the new practices are monitored and best practice documented
    Projects successfully completed within required scope, scheduled time, budget and quality

Qualifications

Level of Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Specialization: Civil Engineering

Experience

    Minimum of 5 years experience in planning, supervision and completion of infrastructure projects
    Experience in project management at operational level
    Experience in developing and documenting standardised technical guidelines, manuals and staff training
    Minimum of 5 years working with donor funded projects
    Minimum of 5 years working with communities at grass-root level
    Experience in cross-cutting issues for project strengthening, including Environmental and climate change management, good governance practices, gender and HIV/AIDS consciousness will be an added advantage
    Excellent communication and presentation skills
    Valid driver’s license without endorsements

General Information

    Fixed term position for 15 months with the possibility of extension for another 15 months subject to performance and availability of funding
    Based at the CDTF Central Regional Office in Nairobi
    Extensive travel throughout the CDTF Central Region that covers Nairobi, Narok, Kajiado, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Kiambu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Kitui, Machakos, Murang’a and Makueni counties with occasional travel to other regions is also expected.

Designation: Deputy Regional Officer – Social and Economic Infrastructure

Department/Station:  Programmes Department, Western Regional Office, Eldoret

Supervisor:  Reports to the Regional Officer, Western Region

Key functions

Assist the Regional Officer in developing a portfolio of CDI projects that will contribute to poverty reduction and sustained social and economic development amongst poorer communities in counties covered under the CDTF Western Region.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

    Assist in drafting technical and financial systems and procedures for project implementation and prepare guidelines to be used by CDTF staff and external stakeholders, especially the Project Implementation Committees (PICs)
    Facilitate in identification of social and economic infrastructure projects for CDI, targeting poverty reduction among poorer communities
    Assist in CDI project development processes including preparation of project full proposals for approval by the Board of Trustees of CDTF and drawing up of Grant Contracts
    Assist in project pre-launch and launch activities
    Verify community up-front contributions as per pre-financing special conditions
    Facilitate and participate in the capacity building and training of local communities
    Develop and promote new and innovative cost-effective approaches and techniques for community development
    Together with the Regional Officer, supervise external consultants and other personnel providing technical support services to CDI during implementation
    Assist in supervision and monitoring of project implementation
    Ensure local communities and strategic partners (where applicable) have capacity to exercise and promote cross-cutting issues that include: good governance, environmental conservation, gender equality, HIV/AIDS and reproductive health
    Assist in creation of linkages and collaboration with County government, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies for sustainability of community projects
    Support communities to ensure timely release and prudent use of project funds
    Working closely with Regional Officer to ensure work-plans for the region are achieved
    Prepare project completion reports
    Participate in the preparation of quarterly and annual work-plans and reports for the region
    Act as Regional Officer in absence of incumbent
    Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor

Performance Indicators

    A well established portfolio of CDI projects implemented efficiently and effectively
    Introduction of new and cost-effective community development approaches and techniques in CDI projects
    CDI is effectively using the CDTF outreach structures, Technical Support Services, M&E services as well as support from Finance and Administration Department of CDTF

Qualifications

Level of Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences or Economics

Specialization: Community Development or Development Economics or Gender and Development

Experience

    Minimum of 5 years experience in management of community based development projects
    Experience with programme management at operational level
    Experience working with development partners
    Practical experience in developing and documenting project implementation systems and procedures
    Minimum of 5 years experience working with donor funded projects
    Minimum of 5 years experience working with communities at grass-root level
    Experience in project strengthening cross cutting issues: including Environmental and climate change management, good governance practices, gender, HIV/AIDS and reproductive health consciousness will be an added advantage
    Excellent communication and presentation skills
    Valid driver’s license without endorsements

General Information

    Fixed term position for 15 months with the possibility of extension for another 15 months subject to performance and availability of funding
    Based at the CDTF Western Regional Office in Eldoret
    Extensive travel throughout Western Region that comprises of Turkana, West Pokot, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Uasin-Gishu, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet, Busia, Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii and Nyamira counties, as well as travel to other regions including CDTF head office in Nairobi

How to apply

If you feel you are the right candidate CDTF is looking for, apply by filling the Job Application Personal History Form available from this site (download form) and send together with your CV to email address: vacancies@cdtfkenya.org.

Hard copy applications will NOT BE CONSIDERED.


Closing date for receipt of applications is 25th January 2013 at 5.00pm.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

Applicants, who will not have received a response by 18th March 2013, should consider themselves not successful.