VSF Belgium Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Manager - Narobi, Kenya

VSF - Belgium is a recognized developmental International NGO founded in 1995 working with disadvantaged communities to increase their standards of living, improve food security and livelihood sustainability through improved animal health and animal production.

In East Africa, our programmes focus on community based animal health services, capacity building of local institutions and governments, conflict mitigation and sustainable natural resource management.

Position Title: Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation Manager

Duty Station: Regional Office, Nairobi

Deadline for Application: 27/10/2011

Availability: Immediately

Role

The main role of the position of a Planning ,monitoring and evaluation manager is to ensure adherence to set project monitoring protocols, evaluate the performance of projects and ensure the proper funding of the regional strategic plan within VSF Belgium.

The PM&E Manager is responsible for guiding the overall M&E strategy and implementation-related activities within the project and via partners and providing timely and relevant information to all project stakeholders.

Critical tasks for the M&E Manager are to manage and further enhance the M&E system, ensuring it is implemented effectively, including data collection activities, survey work, training, analysis and M&E reporting.

To accomplish these responsibilities the PM&E Manager works closely with all parties involved in M&E design and implementation including: project managers and field staff, representatives from partners and key stakeholder groups, external consultants and donors.

Main Responsibilities

• Ensure effective planning and management of Monitoring and Evaluation Systems
• Evaluate project progress and performance on activities based on indicators outlined in project logical framework
• Evaluate technical competences of VSF Belgium and partner projects
• Conduct beneficiary impact assessments and assess project effectiveness from the perspective of the beneficiary communities served by the project
• Make necessary recommendations on the way forward to improving projects
• Ensure donor regulations are met in implementation of project activities
• Examine project coverage, relevance of activities in relation to targeting and addressing priority community needs, efficiency, effectiveness and to what extent the project interventions are or will be replicated
• Assess roles and ownership by communities, Government and private sector viz a viz VSF Belgium projects
• Assess possible areas for new funding opportunities.
• Develop reporting frameworks and disseminate reporting guidelines for various projects
• Organize and manage external evaluation missions for consortia projects
• Active involvement in monitoring VSF B projects in East Africa
• Develop VSF B’s M&E tools and system and M&E Framework.
• Synchronize all country program reporting systems in the VSF B East Africa region. Ensure uniformly defined Indicators, data reporting requirements, new staff training in M&E capabilities, roles and responsibilities.
• Maintain the functional operation of the M&E System needed to ensure quality
• Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the area of monitoring and evaluation
• Quality control of all reports, proposals and concept notes being sent out to HQ and to the donor.
• Other duties assigned by the supervisor
• Ensure the level of funding- grants is appropriate to implement the regional strategic plan
• Identify funding and co-funding opportunities
• Answer call for proposals
• Develop concept notes and full proposals

Essential or Minimum Requirements

Requirements

Education:

• University degree in management and /or development related field
• Post graduate training in organisational development, project cycle management and community based, participatory approaches, or business administration.

Knowledge and experience:

• At least 5 years experience in project development and management especially in pastoralist areas
• Very good experience with proposal writing;
• Good knowledge of donors rules, in particular EC, ECHO and USAID;
• Experience of working in other countries is an advantage
• Good knowledge of project cycle management and results based management
• Proven experience of monitoring and evaluation of development projects
• Experience with the logical framework approach to M&E and with quantitative, qualitative and participatory M&E approaches.
• Experience with participatory community empowerment monitoring and evaluation approaches.

Skills:

• Strong management, planning, organizational and coordination skills
• Proven ability to work with a range of stakeholders including civil authorities, donors and project partners
• Computer literacy with very good MS Word, Power point and Excel, and
• A knowledge of statistics and the use of statistical analysis software e.g. SPSS, EPI-Info would be an advantage
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Accuracy, Good writing and reporting skills
• Ability to work independently, under pressure and meet strict deadlines, prepare and present issues at all levels
• Ability to deal with conflict and crises
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Attitudes:

• Identify him/herself with the mission, vision and values of VSF-B;
• Proactive and self-driven
• Displays intercultural sensitivity;
• Respect in dealing with others;
• Affinity for NGO work in general;
• Willingness to travel (regular visits to the field)
• Strong team player and adept at creating a strong team spirit

Please send your application letter, CV and list of 3 references by e-mail (reference “PM&E”) on or before 27/10/2011 to recruitment@vsfb.or.ke

This vacancy is open to male and female candidates.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

For more information: www.vsf-belgium.org

World Agroforestry Centre Communications Specialist / Science Writer Job Vacancy - Nairobi, Kenya

About this position

If you can take over and develop a programme of scientific communication for an international research and development centre, then you are the person we are looking for.

Working with an expert communications team, this position offers an exciting opportunity to collaborate with preeminent scientists in the area of agroforestry to make the impact of their work known throughout the world.

The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and may require occasional travel to international locations.

You will guide our communications work in the following ways: 

• Identify high-interest stories from the work of the World Agroforestry Centre and its collaborators, write stories in a range of styles and disseminate them through suitable channels.
• Manage the news content of the Centre’s website and contribute to social media activities, especially in actively running the institutional blog.
• Assist the research programmes and regions to develop and implement communication plans to complement their research activities.
• Work to have Centre research and impact featured in the international media.
• Collaborate with other CGIAR research centres and partners in communications activities.
• Edit and produce a two-monthly e-newsletter featuring stories on Centre research and other initiatives.
• Help to maintain the highest standards for the centre’s publications and website materials.
• Prepare articles and submissions for media outlets, CGIAR communications and other avenues
• Assist in providing review and editorial assistance for Centre documents and materials.
• Mentor regional office and junior communications staff and supervise consultants and interns.
• Delegate for the Head of Communications.

The successful applicant will have:

• An MSc in agroforestry, agriculture, communications or related subject.
• Minimum experience of five (5) years in a similar position, preferably in an international organization.
• Experience in developing compelling stories from research papers and interaction with scientists.
• Experience in engaging the international media in the communication of research impact.
• Flawless English language, writing and grammatical skills.
• Expert knowledge of the Microsoft suite, with knowledge of Photoshop.
• Experience in developing and maintaining web and social media sites.

Terms of offer

We offer a collegial, diverse and gender-sensitive working environment, and we strongly encourage applications from qualified women.

This position is remunerated on international terms.

The appointment will be for an initial period of three (3) years, subject to a nine (9) months probation period.

How to apply

Prepare:

• A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position, and your salary expectations.
• A detailed and up-to-date curriculum vitae.
• Several articles you have written and URLs of websites you work on.
• The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone numbers and email addresses, and fax details if available.

Address these to:

The Human Resources Unit, 
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), 
PO Box 30677, Nairobi, Kenya 

OR send via email to: icrafhru@cgiar.org. 

Indicate “Application for Communications Specialist/Science Writer” on the application letter. 

Applications will be considered until 9 November 2011 or until a suitable candidate is identified and selected. 

Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.

To learn more about us, visit our website:www.worldagroforestry.org

The World Agroforestry Centre is an independent research institution which generates science-based knowledge about the complex role trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. 

As part of the Centre’s work to bring tree-based solutions to bear on poverty and environmental problems, researchers – working in close collaboration with partners – are developing new technologies, tools and policy recommendations for increased food security and ecosystem health.

The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in 23 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors

Invitation to Independent Consultants - Feasibility Study

Expression of Interest
A faith based agency that is involved in programmes aimed at uplifting the social economic welfare of its members, invites Expression of Interest from Independent Consultants with expertise in community based financial services development in Africa.

The successful consultant will be expected to conduct a feasibility study to enable the agency seek licence to establish a nationwide fully-fledged deposit-taking, member-based microfinance organisation (MFO).

The MFO is expected to deliver a wide range of pro-poor financial services to Kenyans.

Apart from encouraging a saving culture, the MFO will provide low-cost credit facilities.

The organisation will also provide pro-poor specialized products, including investment advice and entrepreneurship training to all its clientele without discrimination.

The Expression of Interest should be accompanied by detailed CV of the consult and proof of having undertaken similar assignment(s) in the recent past.

Submission instructions:
Expressions of interest should be sent so as to be received at the address below no later than 4th November 2011.

DN/A.1125
P.O. Box 49010-00100
GPO, Nairobi

Vi Agroforestry Programme Regional Finance Manager - Eastern Africa Region Job Vacancy - Nairobi, Kenya

The Vi Agroforestry Programme is an international non political, non religious and non for profit organization with head office Sweden, registered in in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda as a non-governmental organization.

Vi Agroforestry support small-scale farmers to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods through sustainable farming, microfinance and business development.

The Regional Office for Eastern Africa is based in Nairobi, Kenya and it supports partner organizations and programmes at both national and regional level in four countries in Eastern Africa. The role of the Regional Office is to monitor results and ensure quality in all operations.

The Regional Office is recruiting the position of Regional Finance Manager.

Reporting to the Regional Director, the major duties and responsibility will include:

• Be the overall in charge of financial management of Vi Agroforestry Eastern Africa operations
• Coordinate the budgeting process for the Region
• Ensure smooth contract management processes with partner organizations, donor agencies and service providers
• Ensure compliance of all Vi supported operations in Eastern Africa
• Undertake monitoring of all Vi Eastern Africa operations
• Provide technical assistance in financial management and administration to partner organizations, projects and programmes
• Carry out capacity building of partner organizations
• Support the Regional team in training and development processes
• Ensure effective and efficient administration of the Regional Office in Eastern Africa

The candidate we are looking for should be a holder of MBA in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Management, or Economics. 

The individual should also be a Chartered/Certified Accountant (CPA — K, ACCA) and has an affiliation and an active member of a professional accounting body. 

In addition, he/she should have at least 5 years relevant work experience in an International NGO, (3 of which should have been at senior management level) with overall responsibility for the finance function.

The individual must possess strong facilitation skills, and have proven ability to manage change processes which are of prime importance for this position. 

Knowledge of iScala accounting software will be an added advantage.

For the full profile of the job, please check the following websites:
www.sccportal.org/africa or www.strategicdimensions.co.ke

Application letter indicating a brief statement why you qualify for the job should be accompanied with a detailed CV and names of at least three (3) professional referees, daytime telephone contact, and current and expected monthly remunerations (monthly gross salary and cash benefits) to reach the address below before the close of business on Tuesday 1st November
2011. 

(Please do not attach certificates and testimonials at this point). 

Executive Selection, Strategic Dimensions Limited
Management and Development Consultants
E-mail: info@strategicdl.com
(Only short listed candidates will be contacted)