Natural Resource Management & Advocacy Officer Job Vacancy: Help Self Help Centre (HSHC)

HELP SELF HELP CENTRE

seeks a

Natural Resource Management & Advocacy Officer (m/f)

Duty station: Naro Moru (Central Province)

Start of service: as soon as possible

Help Self Help Centre (HSHC) is a local NGO founded in 1993.

The organisation works with forest-adjacent communities and small-scale farmers to promote rural entrepreneurship based on agriculture and Non-Wood Forest Products.

The aim of our work is eradication of poverty and conservation of the environment.

One of our successful projects is the setting up of a small-scale plant where oil seeds are processed into vegetable oils, essential oils and bio-diesel.

Our geographical focus in the Mt. Kenya region, although expansion to other areas is possible.

Various donors support HSHC amongst which long-term partner ICCO (The Netherlands), KSP (USA), PACT Kenya and CDTF (Kenya).

Responsibilities:

HSHC seeks a Natural Resource Management & Advocacy officer to support the implementation of the “Mt. Kenya West Natural Resource Management & Advocacy project”.

The main elements of the project are strengthening the capacity of local community structures in NRM, facilitate research and development of alternative livelihoods linked to Nature Based Enterprises and develop and establish linkages with relevant stakeholders in NRM.

He / she is also expected to spearhead research and development in the areas domestication of trees and vegetative propagation. He / she will work with the local communities to promote domestication and train them in management techniques.

Detailed tasks:

1. Coordination and implementation of the “Mt. Kenya West Natural Resource Management & Advocacy project”

Project management

• Participation in the Project Implementation Committee (PIC) meetings
• Report on PIC meetings
• Follow-up on PIC action plans and recommendations
• Project planning: keep track of project work plan, suggest adjustments and prepare a new work plan if and when required
• Gather data for monitoring and evaluation
• Prepare monthly progress reports for the PIC and donor
• Liaise with accountant to monitor expenditures and prepare monthly financial reports
  

Project implementation

• With the PIC, facilitate the capacity assessment and training of Community Forest Associations by an external consultant
• Organise monthly public fora on environmental conservation
• Organise a workshop to develop an advocacy campaign on environmental conservation and sustainable forest management
• Coordinate the implementation of the advocacy campaign including posters, radio spots and bill boards
• Training of Community Organisations on environmental and bio-diversity issues
• Organise exchange visits for Community Forest Associations
• Together with the Business Development Officer conduct a feasibility study on alternative Nature Based livelihoods
• Organise community forums to discuss the results of the feasibility study
• Mobilise support for the implementation of community action plans
• Provide support to 20 environmental groups to implement environmental action plans
• Facilitate the development of a project website
• Lobby for the integration of local environmental plans in local development plans and for the allocation of funds to implement these plans
• Any other tasks that is delegated by the PIC
  

2. Research and development with regard to domestication and propagation of trees (mainly cape chestnut trees)

• Conduct research in the areas of domestication, vegetative propagation and alternative raw materials
• Assessment of the population of cape chestnuts in the forests
• Together with the Field Coordinator support community propagation
• Together with the Field Coordinator promote planting of cape chestnuts on-farm and train the target groups in management techniques to increase tree output
• Develop models to balance conservation and development
  

3. General HSHC tasks

HSHC project work

• Contribute to the development of new projects
• Identify relevant donors and contribute to fundraising
• Network with relevant actors
• Attend donor meetings and workshops
• Organizational policy and plan development
• Participate in strategic plan development and yearly implementation plans, i.e. provide input / give feedback
• Provide input / feedback on organisational policies when requested
• Other necessary unforeseen activities

Place within the organisation: The NRM & Advocacy officer reports to the director. He / she will work closely with the Field Coordinator, the Business Development Officer and the Project Implementation Committee which consists of representatives of the local communities and relevant stakeholders.

The main external relations include the Community Forest Associations, Community Based Organisations, government officials, local authorities, political leaders, (local) donor organisations, private sector, media and external consultants.

We are looking for a candidate with the following qualifications:

Education:

• Minimum Bachelor degree, preferably in Natural Resource Management, specifically forestry / plant genetic conservation
  

Relevant experience:

At least two years of proven experience in:

• Lobby, advocacy and networking
• Tree propagation, greenhouse management and tree management
• Project management, including report writing
• Developing and conducting (community) training
• Conducting research, preferably in Nature Based Enterprises
  

Specific skills and knowledge:

• Tree domestication
• Greenhouse management
• Tree management
• Developing advocacy messages / campaigns
• Report writing
• Knowledge on environmental and forest laws and regulations
• Training and facilitation skills
• Networking skills
• Community mobilisation skills
• Research skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, strong in communication and building relations
• Language: Kiswahili, English, preferably Kikuyu
• Computer literate
• Preferably able to ride motor-bike
  

Personal characteristics:

• Excellent at building relationships and selling ideas
• Able to motivate others
• Works on own initiative, self starter
• Team-player
• Pro-active
• Flexibility regarding working hours and conditions
  

How to apply:

Please send your cover letter and resume including your salary expectations to info @ hshc.or.ke directed to the director.

Your application should be sent by 12th July 2009 at the latest.

Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted.

For more information about this position please contact HSHC at 020-444 81 66 or visit www.hshc.or.ke.