Programme Officer Climate Change – Dorcas Kenya

Scope: Climate Change Portfolio
Location: May East Road, Nairobi, Kenya
Hours: Full time
Reports to: Country Director

Deadline for applications: 14 March 2024

About Dorcas Aid International – Kenya

Dorcas Aid International – Kenya is a country office of Dorcas Aid International, a Christian Relief and Development Organisation that fights poverty, exclusion and crisis. Dorcas empowers marginalised people and communities to flourish. In Kenya, Dorcas works through a multi-stakeholder framework that brings together local partners, communities, civil society organisations, national/county governments, the private sector and knowledge centres to co-create and ensure programmes are relevant and have sustainable impact. Dorcas has been working in Kenya since 1993, implementing various programmes in the areas of climate change, food security, water, sanitation and hygiene, humanitarian response and recovery, inclusive entrepreneurship (value chains) and social empowerment and protection in Nairobi, Machakos, Kakamega, Turkana, Kitui, Makueni and Tharaka Nithi, Siaya, Kajiado, Marsabit counties. We are accountable, compassionate, determined and locally led.

Work context

Dorcas recognises that Kenya’s development agenda is susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change, which will have far-reaching impacts on GDP, food security, natural resources, livelihoods, peace and stability. Therefore, Dorcas is working to complement the efforts of the national and county governments as outlined in the Kenya Climate Change Legislation[1], the Climate Change Action Plan, the updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), the Kenyan Green Economy Strategy and Implementation Plan (GESIP), among others. Dorcas’ climate change strategy is anchored on locally-led partnerships with communities, government, civil society actors and the private sector; strengthening community capacity; investing in resilience programmes; influencing policy; and developing economic ventures that enhance community resilience. We are looking for a motivated and skilled climate change professional with hands-on experience in designing climate change programmes that bring tangible change to communities, particularly in the areas of Nature Based Solutions and Enterprises, Climate Smart Agriculture, Climate and Gender Justice, Just Energy Transition, as well as Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Policy Influencing. The incumbent must have experience in fundraising for climate change programmes, building consortia, working with multi-stakeholder partners, and working with diverse organisations including county governments and the private sector.

Responsibilities

1. Programme Implementation

• Provide technical support to DAI-K local partners in different counties to enable them to effectively implement climate change programmes.
• Contribute to learning and documentation of best practices and innovations in climate change.
• Prepare quality reports on climate change according to Dorcas and development partners’ reporting schedules.
• Coordinate the review and implementation of Dorcas’ overarching climate change strategy and policy.
• Support the mainstreaming of climate change into Dorcas projects in different counties.
• Keep abreast of climate change issues and support continuous assessment and mitigation of Dorcas programmess to climate change risks.

2. Networking, Partnerships & Advocacy

• Develop partnerships with different organisations working on climate change, including county governments, CSOs, knowledge centres and the private sector, and position Dorcas among climate change actors in Kenya.
• Support internal and external communications on climate change – including but not limited to publishing articles and blog posts, commissioning relevant communications products and guiding the overall communications strategy with support from other programme leads.
• Represent Dorcas at various forums discussing climate change action in Kenya, regionally and internationally.
• Participate in and contribute to climate change policy influencing initiatives at county and national government levels.

3. Resource Mobilisation

• Support DAI-K resource mobilisation efforts by maintaining relationships with local and international partners.
• Identify and map various local and international funding opportunities.
• In partnership with other programmes and the Country Director, establish an internal environment that facilitates collaboration for fundraising (DAI-K one programme approach to fundraising).
• Initiate and/or support the development of innovative climate change mitigation and adaptation proposals.

4. Requirements

• At a minimum, a Bachelor’s degree in environment or related fields with 5 years’ work experience in climate change related programming. A graduate degree in relevant areas is an added advantage.
• A proven track record of good knowledge and understanding of country, national, regional and international obligations, policies and regulations related to climate change.
• A good understanding of climate change negotiations and funding mechanisms
• Proven experience in project implementation and working in teams. Experience of working for a faith-based organisation is an added advantage but not essential.
• Strong report and proposal writing skills
• Demonstrable networks at national and county level in the field of climate change governance
• Experience of working with diverse partners, including development partners and other climate related groups is an added advantage.

How to apply

Qualified candidates will send their cover letter and CV to kenyaoffice@kenya.dorcas.org on or before the 14th of March 2024 with the subject line “Climate Change Programme Officer”.

Only complete applications will be accepted and shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The protection of your personal data is important to Dorcas. By submitting your application, you agree that Dorcas may use your data for the recruitment process only. Your details will be kept confidential and Dorcas will not use them for any purpose other than the recruitment process.

Our recruitment policies and procedures include extensive background checks and disclosure of criminal records.

[1] TheClimateChange_Amendment_Act_No.9of2023.pdf (kenyalaw.org)