CARE International Senior Policy Adviser Job in Nairobi Kenya

CARE International in Kenya is looking for well organized and highly motivated individuals who are result-oriented to fill the following positions
 

Job Title: Senior Policy Adviser

Ref: SPA/12/2012
 

Department / Project: Programmes 

Supervisor: Livelihoods Sector Manager
 

Location / Duty Station: Nairobi

Date of Employment: 1/1/2013

Job Summary and Purpose
 

CARE, as part of the SWASH+ project which also includes the Kenyan Ministry of Education, is seeking a Senior Policy Adviser (SPA) with significant experience in advocacy and policy change as well as project management. 

SWASH+ is a project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which aims to learn about and pursue approaches for effective, sustainable and scaled water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools in Kenya. 

This position plays a critical role in collaborating with government and non-government stakeholders to improve investments by the Government of Kenya in school WASH by setting strategic direction, overall project and budget management, and line management of key staff.
 

The SPA will serve as the project director, will serve as the chair of the project team and secretary of the project steering committee, will hold primary budget authority and will manage key project staff. She/he will be the primary person responsible for coordinating interactions and progress between government, NGO and learning partners. 

The SPA will also be in charge of directing communications for the program, will facilitate or carry out needed analysis of the enabling policy environment for school WASH in Kenya, will meet regularly with partners and will update work plans as needed.

Responsibilities and Tasks

R1. Project management

• Overall responsibility within Kenya for accomplishing project goals and objectives.
• Design and finalize strategies and work plans (approval authority rests with project steering committee).
• Serve as chair of the project team and secretary of the steering committee (to be headed by Ministry of Education).
• Primary budget responsibility and oversight.
• Sets strategic direction for the project team.
• Line manage the program manager who will have proximate oversight of budgets, procurement and will serve a monitoring role for the project.

R2. Policy Analysis & Advocacy

• Develop, update and coordinate implementation of the SWASH+ Strategy, which will focus on governance systems and political will related to school WASH.
• Cultivate and maintain key relationships with relevant line ministries.
• Develop key advocacy messages and language towards building political will for school WASH.
• Monitor and evaluate policy change progress (inclusive of budget expenditures and implementation of existing policy).
• Design and implement a communications strategy to accomplish overall SWASH+ advocacy goals.

R3. Coordinate relationships and partnerships for the Kenya-based project team

• Collaborate with and coordinate efforts by various partners and stakeholders (the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, CARE and learning partners).
• Mobilize partnerships with local and international civil society organizations towards accomplishing project objectives.
• Represent the project in relevant public fora.
• Participate in general Ministry of Education and CARE strategic planning as required.

 Authority:
 

1. Spending Authority: 400,000/- limit per transaction with an overall budget to manage of $838,150 over three years.
 

3. Decision Making: Decision making is limited to the SWASH+ project within CARE.
 

Contacts / Key Relationships (internal & external):

• Members of the School Health Technical Committee and the School WASH Technical Working Group.
• Ministry of Education (primary education focused on school health, planning and infrastructure)
• Ministry of Public Health (Chief Public Health Officer and staff)
• CARE Kenya senior management
• CARE USA Water Team
• TBD senior researchers internationally and within Kenya
• Gates Foundation Grants Manager

 Working Conditions:
 

Nairobi based with some field travel to various counties around Kenya. 

Some limited international travel may be required. 

Travel unlikely to exceed 25% in any year.
 

Qualifications
 

Education:

• Masters degree in a field of social science, international affairs or public policy.
• Coursework in research methodology

Experience:
 

7-10 years of experience with advocacy and policy analysis, ideally but not necessarily on a focus of education or WASH.

Management and budget management experience strongly desired. 

Experience working closely with government ministries or Parliament would be helpful.
 

Competencies:
 

Management: Ability to inspire and motivate direct reports. Is able to accomplish a complex set of outcomes within a set budget. Planning and organizing: Is capable at collaboratively developing plans and is able to balance analysis with execution.
 

Teamwork: Collaborates with others in own unit and across boundaries; acknowledges others' contributions; works effectively with individuals of different culture and gender; willing to seek help as needed. Influencing and resolving differences across organizational boundaries: Gaining support and commitment from others even without formal authority; resolving differences by determining needs and forging solutions that benefit all parties; promoting collaboration and facilitating teamwork across organizational boundaries. Analytical 

Thinking and Decisive Judgment - analyzing issues and problems systematically, gathering broad and balanced input, drawing sound conclusions and translating conclusions into timely decisions and actions.
 

Communicating with impact: Has strong command of written and spoken English and is able to communicate effectively with partners across a variety of objectives and incentives to accomplish project outcomes. Thinks strategically about how the project will communicate its messages to key stakeholders.
 

Political Acumen: Has a strong sense of what is politically possible. Makes use of leverage points or key moments to implement desired changes. Is strategic about relationships and collaboration with internal and external partners.
 

Applications
 

If you feel you meet the requirements for any of these positions, send your application letter indicating the reference number, title of the position along with an updated CV and telephone contacts of three professional referees to:

The Human Resources & Development Manager, 

CARE International in Kenya

Email: Vacancies@care.or.ke 

so as to be received not later than 13th December, 2012.
 

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
 

CARE is an equal opportunity employer and promotes gender equity.
 

Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
 

CARE International in Kenya does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. (Application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees).