Project Assistant – Natural Resource Management

Division Conservation Strategy, Impact and Learning

Reports to: Project Coordinator, SOIL

Matrix Management Biodiversity Expert

Supervises N/A

Number of positions: Three (3)

Location Hurri Hills, Mt Kulal and Laisamis, Marsabit County, Kenya

Position Summary

This position will support the implementation and delivery of Natural Resource Management (NRM) activities under the project “Entrepreneurship for improved food security, nutrition, and child well-being in Marsabit, Northern Kenya” with the aim of improving resilience for communities and diversifying local sources for income by enhancing biodiversity. The jobholder will support planning and implementation of the project activities which will provide avenues for nature-based enterprises, energy options, water provision and land management. The position will be based in Hurri Hills/Mt Kulal/Laisamis, Marsabit County, Kenya.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development of Nature Based Enterprises from locally available resources (herbs, Gum and resins, pasture production).
• Provide additional life skills for children in the selected schools.
• Identify and support water infrastructure development to serve people and animals, and support livelihood systems.
• Support climate smart energy options (solar, school-level improved cook stoves, household level cookstoves to reduce usage of unsustainable fuels).
• Engage communities to understand, build and document the traditional ecological knowledge and practices relevant to improving natural resource availability.
• Identify and document appropriate best practices in community-based approaches to natural resource management.
• Roll out land restoration interventions that create new forms of income and provide essential inputs to support implementation.
• Implement participatory Management training manuals that support livelihoods.
• In coordination with the Monitoring and Evaluation team, update and maintain the project database.
• Conduct community outreaches to create awareness of increasingly extreme weather conditions and risks to their natural capital base.
• Undertake activity reporting and documentation.
• Perform any other relevant duties that may be assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements and Skills

• Diploma in Natural Resource management, climate-related studies, environment, wildlife management, conservation biology or equivalent. A degree in similar courses is an added advantage.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience in community-based approaches including County-level engagements.
• Ability to carry out Participatory Needs Assessments.
• Ability to develop annual work plans and reporting.
• Ability to facilitate relevant training/events/workshops.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a field setting and remote environment with minimal supervision.
• Ability to travel frequently, if required.
• Possession of a clean and up to date riding license.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft office.
• Fluency in spoken English and Kiswahili required.
• Knowledge of a local language (Gabra – Hurri Hills, Rendile – Mt Kulal and Samburu – Laisamis) is required.