Natural Resources Management & Early Warning Systems Officer Job Vacancy: VSF-Belgium

VSF-BELGIUM is an NGO working with disadvantaged communities to increase their standard of living and improve food security through improved animal health and animal production.

In East Africa, our programmes focus on community based animal health services, training centers for mid-level animal health workers and sustainable natural resource utilisation.

Position Title: Natural Resources Management (NRM) & Early Warning Systems (EWS) Officer - Improved Community Response to Drought (ICRD 2)

Project: Improved Community Response to Drought (ICRD 2)

Duty Station: Based in Moroto, Karamoja region, Uganda with frequent travels to Lodwar, Turkana district, Kenya

Duration: 11 months

Deadline for Application: 23/07/2009

Availability: August 2009

Role

The NRM and EWS Officer will be expected to greatly contribute to:-

• Improved community access and response to early warning information.
• Increased sustainable access to dry season grazing and water in both Moroto and Turkana districts of Uganda and Kenya.

The NRM and EWS Officer will work under direct supervision of the ICRD Project Manager.

Context

Since June 2008, VSF-Belgium has been implementing a cross-border drought preparedness project entitled Improved Community Response to Drought (ICRD), funded by DG ECHO under its Regional Drought Decision (RDD).

ICRD’s objective is to contribute to the improved livelihood security of pastoralists in Karamoja/Turkana, Oromiya and Somali ecosystems of Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia through the development and dissemination of a model to empower communities to proactively address their own needs.

The project encourages pastoralists to build on their own knowledge and utilize their existing assets more effectively, with limited levels of external support.

A Natural Resources Management (NRM) and Early Warning Systems (EWS) Officer will be recruited to implement some of ICRD’s activities in the Karamoja/Turkana ecosystem

Main Responsibilities

• Prepare a detailed work plan for the whole project duration.
• Liaise with the other RDD partners and any other organization involved in NRM and EWS activities in Karamoja and Turkana.
• Implement the following activities:

Under result 1: build the capacity of communities on resource mapping and NRM, facilitate the development of one reciprocal grazing agreement and build the capacity of Water User Committees (WUC)

Under result 2: facilitate the identification by communities of indicators for drought phases, the development of two community drought preparedness plans and their presentation at the district level.

• Maintain the cross-border spirit of the project as much as possible.
• Work-out possible linkages with other ICRD activities (VICOBA, PFS and CAHWs).
• Manage the corresponding budget lines.
• Coordinate activities with the Livestock Development Officer (LDO) and the PFS and VICOBA Officer (PVO).
• Build the capacity of MADEFO staffs whenever possible.
• Collect data for monthly reports.
• Prepare timely reports as requested by the Project Manager (PM).
• Contribute to the dissemination of lessons learnt.
• Attend staff meetings in VSF-Belgium office in Moroto.
• Participate in any monitoring and evaluation mission.
• Maintain good relationships with communities, local authorities and any other agencies.

Essential or Minimum Requirements

Education

• Relevant university degree in Natural Resources Management

Knowledge and experience

• Relevant experience in Natural Resources Management ( NRM) & Early Warning Systems(EWS)
• Minimum five years working experience with pastoral communities in the Karamoja region and strong understanding of the context.
• Expertise in participatory drought contingency planning with communities.
• Extensive experience in drought preparedness programming.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Fluency with Karimojong language.

Skills

• Excellent 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 Excel, Word and Power point
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Good writing and reporting skills
• Ability to work independently, under pressure and meet strict deadlines
• Accuracy
• Ability to deal with conflict and crises
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Ability to prepare and present issues at all levels

Attitudes

• Team player, Flexible
• Attentive to detail
• Identify him/herself with the mission, vision and values of VSF-B
• Display of intercultural sensitivity, respect in dealing with others
• Affinity for NGO work in general
• Willingness to travel (frequent visits to the field)

Please send your application letter, CV and list of 3 references by e-mail (reference “NRM & EWS ICRD2”) before 23/07/2009 to recruitment @ vsfb.or.ke

This vacancy is open to male and female candidates.

Applications from qualified women candidates are encouraged.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

For more information: www.vsf-belgium.org