Local capacity Builders – Integrated Livestock Approach

Nakuru, Kenya

Contract

Contract type: Consultancy contract

Company Description

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organization that applies practical know-how to make a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty. We use our extensive and long-term in-country presence to apply and adapt our top-notch expertise in agriculture, energy and WASH to local contexts. SNV has an annual turnover of €130 million, over 1,250 staff in more than 25 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. We are proud to be a not-for-profit organization that uses project financing to implement our mission. This requires us to work efficiently and to invest in operational excellence.

In its new Strategic Plan period (2019 – 2022), SNV will more explicitly aim for systems change during project preparation and implementation – by strengthening institutions and kick-starting markets that help many more to escape poverty beyond our projects. We will continue to position ourselves as a premium organization, with decentralized management.

For more information on our operations in Kenya and SNV generally visit our website: www.snv.org

Livestock Intensification and Integrated livestock projects-components of ISLA Project

The Initiative for Sustainable Landscapes (ISLA) Kenya is a partnership set up by IDH in 2015 in response to deforestation and forest degradation in the South West Mau Forest block in western Kenya. ISLA aims to conserve 60,000 hectares of the forest by 2030. The partnership is built on the interest of tea and other companies to conserve the forest for its microclimate and of the Kenyan government to improve livelihoods of communities.

The South West Mau is the largest of 22 blocks of the Mau Forests Complex (MFC). The MFC covers over 400,000 hectares and is critical for Kenya and parts of East Africa. More than 10 million people depend on its rivers. The forest also influences the region’s microclimate such as rainfall patterns, creating ideal conditions to produce crops such as tea. Furthermore, the area is one of Kenya’s main water towers and much of its hydroelectric power is generated here.

In recent decades, more than 25% of the forest has either been cut down or degraded, putting tea production, other sectors and community livelihoods at risk. This is caused by growing populations, unsustainable livestock grazing, charcoal burning and timber extraction from the forest.

In response, IDH created a strong coalition of the Nakuru, Kericho and Bomet national government agencies; tea, energy, telecommunications and timber companies; and civil society made up of NGOs and community groups, implementing partners and knowledge institutions to work together across the landscape. Together, we developed an integrated action plan for holistic landscape management in the South West Mau Forest across four key themes: forest conservation, water conservation, sustainable energy with livelihoods as an important cross-cutting theme. The focus of ISLA Kenya is on the northeast boundary of the forest, where threats are highest. Based on baseline and feasibility studies done by IDH, it was clear that overstocking (of livestock) in the forest is a key threat.

For more information on the ISLA partnership, please visit: https://www.idhsustainabletrade.com/landscapes/south-west-mau-forest-kenya/

Job Description

The project seeks to fill the position of;

Local capacity Builders-Integrated livestock approach (2 positions)

Roles and responsibilities

Supporting the training coordinator in the identification and engagement of relevant stakeholders.

Sensitizing and mobilizing forest depended communities on controlled forest grazing.

Capacity building community user groups and technical grazing committees to take part in monitoring and supervising forest grazing.

Facilitating community learning and knowledge development through field days and exchange visits.

Support user groups and CBOs with livestock culling programs in order to optimize production and also reduce forest grazing.

Establishing market linkages for culled livestock.

Supporting in the development and implementation of forest grazing plan.

Strengthening the capacity of the Community forest Association leaders to actively participate in monitoring and supervising forest grazing.

Performing any other task (s) that may be assigned by the project team leader from time to time.

Qualifications

Expected Profile of Candidate(s)

Minimum BSC degree in animal science, natural resource management or any other related field.

At least 2 years’ experience working with rural communities

Good communication, negotiation, public speaking, interpersonal and organization skills

Good computer skills

Additional Information

Contract duration: 1 year

How to apply?

Kindly apply by clicking on the “I AM INTERESTED” tab on this page and submitting an application letter and CV that contains three referees in English before 22nd November, 2019.

NB:

Only shortlisted will be contacted.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.

SNV Kenya does not require you to undergo any medical test prior to employment