System Strengthening and Institutionalization Lead-DFSA Kenya

Job Description

Job Title: System Strengthening and Institutionalization Lead – USAID Food for Peace Kenya Development Food Security Activity (DFSA)

Department: Kenya

Reports To: Chief of Party

Location: TBD, Kenya

Note: This position is contingent upon grant and candidate approvals by the donor.

Background
CRS will be submitting a proposal in response to the 2019 USAID Food for Peace (FFP) Development Food Security Activities (DFSA) Request for Applications (RFA). CRS Kenya will serve as the prime on the application and will develop the proposal in consortium with other international non-governmental organizations, local implementing partners and international/national research institutions. The overarching goal of this multi-sectoral activity is to sustainably reduce levels of acute malnutrition in Kenya’s ASALs, focusing on Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu and Turkana counties. Devolution and economic progress in Kenya have provided a unique opportunity to develop effective, sustainable, and scalable approaches that can be institutionalized and taken over by relevant public service delivery systems. The estimated timeframe for this program is October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2024.

The activity will be implemented in two phases:
* Phase I (1.5-2 years) Research, test approaches and collaboratively design a context-sensitive, multi-sectoral activity that sustainably reduces acute malnutrition.
* Phase II (3- 3.5 years): Activity Implementation and System and Institutional Strengthening

The System Strengthening and Institutionalization Lead (SSIL) will be primarily responsible for 1) building effective working relationships with government ministries, county-level organizations/officials, and local institutions 2) providing technical leadership and management in the development and execution of systems strengthening and capacity building efforts; and 3) ensuring close consultation and incorporation from relevant officials over the life of the activity. The SSIL will also be crucial to ensuring the sustainability of the DFSA interventions: S/he will lead efforts to build preparedness of county government and other local institutions to assume financial and technical responsibility for maintaining reductions in acute malnutrition after the DFSA implementation period is over.

Qualifications and Skills:
* A Master’s degree in policy, communications, economics, agricultural/development economics, statistics, bio-statistics, nutrition, applied sociology, anthropology, or another relevant subject. Additional experience may substitute for some education.
* Five (with Master’s degree) to seven (with Bachelor’s degree) years’ relevant work experience preferably in a development setting with an international non-governmental organization, progressively increasing learning and coordination responsibilities in international development projects and at least two years of experience as a supervisor; Title II and ICT4D experience preferred.
* Experience working with large donors, USAID/FFP and/or USAID/FTF preferred.
* Demonstrated experience of successful provision of technical assistance to government ministries and/or decentralized government structures, including
* Quantifiable milestones of Institutional capacity building achieved
* Successful and innovative approaches to securing government buy-in for program or policy
* Demonstrated success facilitating sustainable transition of activities and resources to government partners.
* Knowledge of program quality standards, monitoring and evaluation standards, Catholic Social Teaching and the justice lens preferred.
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with groups.
* Cultural sensitivity, patience, flexibility and ability to work well in a multi-sectoral and multi-cultural team and to work closely, understand and support local Church partners.
* Ability to work in a challenging and stressful environment with unexpected challenges.
* Ability to travel for field missions for 30-50% level of effort as needed.
* Excellent English language oral and written communication skills required.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook required.

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

About the Organization

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS's Agriculture and Livelihoods team supports farming communities using our Pathway to Prosperity approach, which enables rural families to increase their productivity within sustainable landscapes, achieve a living income and build more resilient communities.