SayPro Kenya Program Service

Management and Engineering Technologies International, Inc. (METI), in support of the in support of US Forest Service (USFS) may require the services of a program support specialist to provide support to ongoing partnerships with U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), Mt. Elgon Conservation Trust (MECT), and other parties. The specialist would serve as the liaison between USFS and partner institutions, help manage the technical portfolios across existing partnerships, and identify and act on opportunities to cultivate new partnerships.

Background

USFS has worked in Kenya on a range of technical fronts for over three decades. Much of this work has been pursued in collaboration with USAID/Kenya & East Africa. In recent years, USFS activities have centered on the Kenya Water Tower Climate Change Resilience Program (WTP), cooperation with NRT, and disaster preparedness in cooperation with the USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance.

The extent of engagement in these pursuits is expected to grow and diversify. In anticipation of this growth, USFS may benefit from dedicated, on-the-ground support to coordinate its contributions, manage relationships with its partners, and identify and act upon opportunities to develop new partnerships.

The USFS Kenya Program Specialist would work with colleagues from USFS, USAID, and other partner institutions daily to oversee technical cooperation and serve as a member of (or an extension of) the USFS team. This specialist may be based within a geographic focus area or may work from Nairobi with occasional travel to field sites to support communities and partners with technical activities. This position would be expected to work closely under the guidance of USFS technical teams based remotely and with occasional visits to Kenya once international travel resumes following the global pandemic.

Qualifications

• Degree in forestry, conservation biology, ecology, geography, or related discipline, or equivalent professional experience in natural resource management;
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills; capable of executing complex tasks with minimal supervision over an extended timeline;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Project administration and financial management skills, and associated attention to detail;
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with in-country and U.S. government agencies, international donors, NGOs, community groups, and other stakeholders;
• Experience working with key government partners in Kenya strongly preferred;
• Excellent writing and presentation skills;
• Sophisticated understanding of natural resource management trends across Kenya with an appreciation of regional context and nuance;
• Deep understanding of the natural resource management policy landscape, the relationship between the entities responsible for the execution of policy (e.g., Ministry of Environment & Forestry), and civil society outfits operating in this space;
• Willingness to work out-of-doors in potentially arduous conditions for prolonged periods of time and in areas with intermittent power supply and internet connectivity;
• English and Swahili fluency required.
  Duties
  In collaboration with the USFS International Programs (IP) office in Washington, DC, the USFS Kenya Program Specialist would help manage the field design, implementation, and coordination of activities with USAID/Kenya & East Africa and local partners.

Based in Kenya, the specialist would report to the US Forest Service East Africa Regional Coordinator and would plan, direct, and coordinate program activities and, as appropriate, travel to field sites. The specialist would work with colleagues from USFS, USAID/KEA, and partner institutions (e.g., governmental and non-governmental institutions, local communities, academia, development partners, and relevant development partner-supported projects) on a continuous basis.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the Specialist include, but are not limited to:

• Collaborate with colleagues from USFS, USAID/KEA, Government of Kenya, local authorities, non-governmental organizations, private sector, civil society organizations, academia, and community partner organizations on design and implementation of core project activities;
• Provide reporting and program implementation information on a regular basis to USFS;
• Lead technical activities such as assessments, trainings, oversight, field trials, as required;
• Liaise closely with USFS technical teams and advisors – remotely via email, mobile communications applications, and other web-based platforms – on key technical activities and trainings;
• Support coordination, implementation, monitoring and troubleshooting on technical activities such as village land use planning, forest inventory, biodiversity monitoring, rangeland management, and other topics; and,

• Provide other assistance related to USFS field missions as required and discussed with supervisor.
  Deliverables

• Develop field level work plans in close collaboration with the USFS/IP and partners;

• Deliver high quality, technically sound activities supported by USFS technical team contributions and in close collaboration with communities and partners;

• Ensure thorough, high quality, and timely reporting for program activities; and,

• Collect necessary communications and monitoring data throughout the implementation of technical activities.

Level of Effort: Full time, up to one year with a possibility of extension

Location of Work: Nairobi, Kenya

Compensation: Commensurate with experience and qualifications

Timeline: Submit expressions of interest by June 3, 2022.

If the US Forest Service were to secure the services of an individual with these technical skills, the successful applicant would be hired through Management and Engineering Technologies International.
Interested candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to asaracina@meticorp.com with USFS Kenya Program Specialist in the subject line. Applicants can also apply at this link: https://jobs.localjobnetwork.com/j/65570977

METI is an Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.