UTaNRMP Jobs Sep 2012

The Government of Kenya has received financial support from International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Spanish Trust Fund for the implementation of Upper Tana Natural Resources Management Project. 

The overall goal of the project is to contribute to reduction of rural poverty in the Upper Tana River catchment. 

This goal will be pursued through two development objectives which reflect the poverty-environment nexus: 

(i) Increased sustainable food production and incomes for poor rural households living in the project area and 

(ii) Sustainable management of natural resources for provision of environmental services. 

The project will cover six counties namely: Embu, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Kirinyaga, Murang’a and Nyeri. The project duration shall be eight (8) years (2012/2020). 

The Project Coordination Team (PCT) will be based at Embu County.The PCT will be responsible for project coordination and management and will ensure that the project is implemented according to the Financing Agreement and within the Government regulations. The PCT will supervise, backstop and advise all implementing agencies on their roles in the project.

The government plans to utilize a portion of the funds to support placement of a PCT whose staff will be serving on one year contract renewable annually for the period of the project subject to satisfactory annual assessment. 

The PCT will be composed of the following staff who must be Kenyan citizens and have capacity to work with minimum supervision to meet strict deadlines as well as willingness to work outside normal office working hours

Water Resources Coordinator (WRC) 

One (1) Post

Reporting to the Project Coordinator, the WRC will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of Sustainable Management of Water Resources activities.

Key Responsibilities

• In collaboration with Community Empowerment Coordinator, Water Service Trust Fund (WSTF) and Water Resource Management Authority (WRMA), coordinate the formation and strengthening of WRUAs and preparation and implementation of sub-catchment management plans (SCMPs);
• Coordinate with relevant parties such as KFS and KWS the preparation and implementation of remedial actions for environmental hotspots that impact on point sources of water;
• Facilitate the revision of the operational guidelines for the matching grants managed by WSTF and PCT on the basis of implementation experience;
• Coordinate the assessment of water resources in the sub-basins, and the development of the water resources management plan for each sub-basin; 
• Coordinate the implementation of water and pollution monitoring systems;
• Ensure compliance with professional and technical standards by implementers in the design and implementation of water development projects;
• Facilitate sensitization and training of communities with respect to their roles and responsibilities under the present and planned legislative framework in the sector;
• Support implementing County Departmental Heads and other technical personnel, to determine practical interventions for protection, conservation and optimal use of water resources; and
• Together with the Community Empowerment Coordinator, ensure gender mainstreaming and equality in all project activities.

Qualifications

• Must have a first degree in Natural Sciences/Agricultural Engineering/Civil Engineering or a related field from a recognized university. Master’s degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage;
• Management training certificate will be an added advantage;
• Have at least 10 years working experience in a similar field, three (3) of which must be in senior management position handling community based projects;
• Have experience in planning, design and implementation of community water schemes (domestic and irrigation) and in water resources management;
• Be up to date with policies in the sector as well as be conversant with appropriate technologies applied in the sector; and
• Be computer literate.

Land and Environment Coordinator (LEC)

One (1) Post

Reporting to the Project Coordinator, the LEC will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of Sustainable Management of Forest and Agricultural Ecosystems activities.

Key Responsibilities

• In collaboration with other project implementers, undertake or update inventories of natural and environmental resources in the project area;
• In collaboration with other implementing partners, raise awareness and capacity building on environment issues among the communities and other stakeholders;
• Facilitate the monitoring of environmental variables in the project area and help to build a database on natural resources of the area;
• Facilitate the revision of the operational guidelines for the matching grants managed by WSTF and PCT on the basis of implementation experience;
• Coordinate the preparation and use of environmental impact assessments/Environmental Audits of project activities and ensure the integration of environmental aspects in all project activities;
• Coordinate the project-assisted environmental, off-farm soil and water conservation interventions undertaken by communities with support from KFS, KWS and other national, NGO and donor partners;
• In collaboration with other implementing partners, support the development and implementation of Participatory Forest Management Plans of gazetted forests and hilltops; and
• Together with the Community Empowerment Coordinator, ensure gender mainstreaming and equality in all project activities.

Qualifications

• Must have a first degree in Natural Resources Management/ (preferably in Biological Sciences)/ Forestry or a related field from a recognized university. Master’s degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage;
• Management training certificate will be an added advantage;
• Have at least 10 years working experience in a similar field, three (3) of which must be at senior management position handling community based project;
• Must have experience in: community forestry and environmental conservation strategies, practices of forest management, have worked closely with other stakeholders including communities, KFS, NEMA, KWS and other agencies handling community based projects;
• Be up to date with relevant sector policies; and
• Be computer literate.

Accounts Assistants (AA)

Two (2) Posts

Key Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Project Financial Controller (PFC), the Accountant Assistants will be responsible for maintaining Project financial and accountings records at the PCT and in particular perform the following duties:

• Be responsible for the maintenance of principal books of accounts and records on project expenditure as directed by the PFC;
• Ensure the project’s financial procedures as detailed in the project Implementation and Financial Manuals are strictly adhered to by all project staff and executing agencies at the national and county level;
• Under the direction of the PFC assist in the preparation of the annual work plans and budget in line with the guidelines provided by Ministry of Finance and IFAD for inclusion into the national and county Budgets;
• Compiling the Statements of Expenditures (SOE) and Withdrawal Applications (WAs)for the PCT, the counties for submission and follow up with the Project Lead Agency, the Ministry of Finance and IFAD;
• Perform: Bank Reconciliation of all county Bank Accounts, maintain the ledgers, maintain all records on Withdrawal Applications and other financial records for the project up to the Trial Balance stage;
• Under the direction of the PFC assist in the preparation of monthly and annual financial reports as required by the GOK and IFAD project agreement;
• Assist in ensuring that project accounting records in the project area are properly maintained for Internal Audit and External Audit as detailed in the Loan Agreement and GOK regulation;
• Assisting in the preparation of monthly, bi-annual and annual financial reports as required by the GOK and IFAD; and
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the PFC.

Qualifications

• Must be holder of CPA (K) or its equivalent. Those with Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting option) degree, or relevant Master’s Degree will have an added advantage;
• Must have a minimum of 3 years similar working experience in a government ministry/department handling GOK and donor projects;
• Strong computer skills (spreadsheets, word and other accounting packages);
• Ability to prepare financial statements as per International Accounting Standards;
• Must have excellent report writing, communication skills and demonstrate a high level of integrity; and
• Be a team player.

Secretarial Personnel

Two (2) Posts

Key Responsibilities:

• the Secretaries will be responsible for manning the Project Coordinator’s office and giving services to the PCT;
• Carrying out routine office duties including receipt and dispatch of mail, filling documents, receiving and attending to visitors and handling incoming and outgoing telephone calls;
• Drafting routine correspondence for Project Coordinator’s signature;
• Editing reports;
• Assisting the Project Coordinator in administrative and office executive matters;
• Offer logistical support to PCT travel arrangements, meetings/workshops/and conferences organization;
• Handle PCT Personnel issues;
• Carrying out elementary accounts operations;
• Ensuring security of office documents and equipment;
• Supervising other support staff serving at PCT; and
• Any other duty as may be assigned by the Project Coordinator.

Qualifications

• Must have a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education(KCSE), Mean Grade C-(minus) or Kenya Certificate Examination (KCE) division III or its equivalent with at least C(plain) in English language or its equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
• Must have the following qualifications from the Kenya National examinations Council;- Typewriting stages I,II, and III/ computerized document processing I,II, and III, Shorthand stages II and III, Office Practice stages I & II, Business English stage I, II & III/communications I and II, Commerce stages I & II, Secretarial Duties stage II Office Management stage III/ office administration and management III
• Certificate in computer applications (windows, Ms-word, Ms-Excel, Msaccess and internet) from a recognized institution;
• Diploma/higher Diploma in secretarial studies from Kenya National Examinations council or equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution;
• Bachelor’s degree in secretarial studies or Bachelor of Business and Office Management or equivalent qualifications from a recognized institution will be an added advantage
• The applicant must have 10 years of experience working at an executive management level three (3) of which must be in a multisectoral project.

Telephone Operator / Receptionist

One (1) Post

Key responsibilities:

• Telephone operating duties;
• Clerical work and routine testing of the switchboard facilities;
• Liaising with the maintenance engineers on switchboard maintenance;
• Receiving and attending to visitors/guests and providing required information;
• Managing front office tidiness, promotional material displays;
• Maintaining visitors/guests records;
• Assisting in secretarial office duties; and
• Any other relevant duty as may be assigned by the Project Coordinator.

Qualifications

• Holder of Kenya certificate of education (KCE) division III or Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade D+ (plus), and above with at least C (plain) in English or Kiswahili;
• Telephone occupation test II and I from recognized institution. Must have at least secretarial training stage one in all subjects. Higher qualifications will be an added advantage;
• Strong interpersonal and customer care skills;
• Computer skills; and
• Have experience of at least 3 years continuous service in a busy office preferably in a multidisciplinary/multisectoral project.

Drivers 

Five (5) Posts

Key Responsibilities:

• Carrying out routine checks on the vehicle’s cooling and oil systems, electrical system, tyre pressure and brakes;
• Driving the vehicle as authorized;
• Carrying out minor mechanical adjustments;
• Detecting and reporting malfunctioning of vehicle systems;
• Maintenance of work tickets for assigned vehicle;
• Ensuring security of the vehicle both on the off the road; and
• Ensuring security and safety of passengers and goods.

Qualification

• Kenya certificate of secondary education mean grade D (plain); its equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, or 10 years continuous service five (5) of which must be in a project or in an executive office;
• Have a valid driving license free from any current endorsements (s);
• Passed occupational Trade Test I for drivers;
• Defensive Driving Certificate from the Automobile Association (AA) of Kenya or its equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
• Attended a refresher course for drivers lasting not less than one (1) week within the last three (3) years at Kenya Institute of Highway and Building Technology (KIHBT) or any other recognized Institute;
• A valid certificate of good conduct from the Kenya Police; and
• Attended a First-Aid certificate course lasting not less than one (1) week from St. John Ambulance or Kenya Institutes of Highway and Building Technology (KIHBT) or any other recognized institution.

Support Staff 

One (1) Post

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintaining cleanliness of all PCT offices;
• Delivery of documents to the relevant offices;
• Posting of relevant project documents;
• Preparation and service of tea/coffee/refreshments; and
• Any other relevant duty as may be assigned by the Secretaries.

Qualifications

• Holder of Kenya Certificate of Education (KCE) Division IV or Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Mean Grade “D” (Plain);
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience three (3) of which must be in a busy office preferably in a multi discipline/multisector project.

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should send their application letter, detailed CV, copies of certificates and testimonials to:

The Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Water and Irrigation

P.O. Box 49720-00100

Nairobi

Attn: Human Resources Department, Room NO 145

So as to reach on or before 15th October 2012. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews.