National Program Officer (Water) - Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

The Regional Program Office for the Horn of Africa of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in Kenya forms part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.

SDC carries out international development cooperation activities, and is responsible for the humanitarian aid delivered by the Swiss Confederation, including disaster relief assistance abroad.

Vacancy Announcement

Position: National Program Officer (Water)

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

SDC is hiring a NPO for 8 months (extendable) to support activities, project and programs of SDC related to Water, Environment and Sanitation (WES), especially in North-East Kenya.

Responsibilities:

• Concrete expertise in water, environment and sanitation related activities with an emphasis on practical program design, follow up, monitoring and evaluation.
• Extensive travels to areas of implementation, especially in North Eastern Kenya Isiolo and Garissa Counties in order to follow up, supervise, coordinate and report the activities implemented by the partners, consultants and contractors.
• Plan, organise and conduct activity and output/outcome monitoring (joint or SDC) field missions to areas of with implementing partners as well as Direct Action.
• Ensure proper communication with the various stakeholders of the programs and projects, with a special focus on SDC Direct interventions related to WES.
• Provide written inputs for the monitoring, evaluation and upgrading of SDC WES activities
• Support to any other WES activities financed by Switzerland in Kenya or the region.
• Be informed on the political, humanitarian and development situation in Kenya, especially in ASALs through monitoring and research and regularly update the team in weekly briefings.
• Carry out any other duties as assigned by the WES expert or the Regional Director HoA.

Qualifications:

• University degree (minimum master level) in water resource management, water engineering, natural resource management or related field background and related 5 years of experience in an international organisation or government institution related to the Kenya Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASALs).
• Relevant project and programme management experience in capacity building, community training and/or cash for work program related to water resource and rangeland management with pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities is an asset.
• Fluent in English and Swahili languages; Knowledge of local languages (Somali and/or Borana) is an asset.
• Computer literacy in particular Word and Excel, Outlook, Explorer and PPP.
• Good communication and analytical skills; proven ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision and in high-pressure situations under tight deadlines.
• Willingness to work extensively in remote areas on mission.
• Motivated, committed, as well as able to communicate and fit into a working team.

Application Procedure:

Send an email containing a Motivation Letter (1 page) and a complete, typed CV (no more than 2 pages) addressed to:

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC
Head of Finance & Administration
Nai.sdc@eda.admin.ch

Include copies of relevant diplomas & certificates, recommendation letters and former employer working certificates

All these documents will remain the property of SDC Nairobi and will not be returned to the applicants

Only candidates with the proper qualifications and who meet the listed criteria will be selected

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted

Deadline: September 7th, 2012