Department: Kenya Programs
Band: 6
Reports To: Technically, Communication and Advocacy Manager and administratively to
Team lead
Country/Location: Kenya/Kisumu
About Catholic Relief Services:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) 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.
CRS has worked in Kenya since 1965. Over the years, CRS’ focus shifted from direct relief and food distributions to a comprehensive development program that works with partners and enhances local capacity. CRS Kenya programs now support children affected by HIV, and community-based efforts to increase household incomes, improve family health and sanitation, and enhance agriculture livelihoods.
Background:
CRS, with partners Lumos and Maestral International, will work closely with Department of Children Services (DCS) and other care reform actors to implement programming and interventions to support care reform in Kenya. Kenya has been selected as one of three countries, together with the Republic of Moldova and Guatemala, to implement the initial phase of Changing the Way We Care (CTWWC) initiative. CTWWC is an initiative that aims to leverage existing strengths and efforts of key stakeholders as well as address identified gaps to move Kenya away from reliance on residential care facilities and towards stronger family-based care.
Job Summary:
The Advocacy and Social Behavior Officer will work together with the Communication and Advocacy Manager and other CTWWC staff, to support development of the Social Behavior Change (SBC) strategy and accompanying messages and roll out plan at the county level in support of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) work serving the poor and vulnerable. Reporting to the Communication and Advocacy Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of Changing the Way We Care communication and SBC strategies within assigned county. You will provide technical assistance on advocacy and SBC to county CTWWC team, local implementing partners, and CCIs teams. In coordination with Communication and Advocacy Manager, you will support the development of key messaging, communications tools, and implementation of relevant advocacy and SBC strategic initiatives that will contribute to transforming care systems and social behavior change on care reforms at the community level. You will work closely with the CTWWC team in drafting learning agendas to document and showcase project successes.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Support the coordination and implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements and good practices
- Contribute to designing, developing, and delivering social behavior change (SBC) strategy and messaging on care reform.
Provide technical support to LIPs, CCIs, Careleavers Association and other relevant stakeholders in the areas of communication, advocacy, messaging and media engagements on care reform.
Promote the CTWWC initiative and its objectives by ensuring high visibility and understanding of care reform at the county level, building a grassroot movement to strengthen national care reform efforts.
Contribute to the development of key advocacy messages and identify targets from lessons learned, assessments, research and evidence gained through project implementation, working closely with the technical and MEAL teams.
Contribute to the development and production of advocacy and SBC materials (articles, newsletters and press releases) and ensure that these materials promote family-based care aimed at a wider range of media and understanding of the appropriate use and requirements of different communication channels.
Provide capacity strengthening to LIPs and staff to appropriately capture, communicate and package promising practices for different audiences including their donors.
Help partners to develop and submit conference abstracts and prepare quality posters and oral presentations based on conference guidelines.
Support child, youth and family (including children in care and careleavers) participation in CTWWC by involving them in different communication and advocacy activities and events to enhance their self-advocacy capacity, as well as to ensure that their voices are at the forefront of CTWWC communication.
Work closely with the technical and MEAL teams to organize periodic learning and reflection events at the county level to provide opportunities for staff, partners, community members and other key beneficiaries to share and reflect on learnings, best practices and adapt the interventions and behaviors considering new learning.
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education and experience
Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Advocacy and policy development, law or another relevant field.
At least 4 years’ experience in a policy development, campaigning or advocacy role with state and non-state actors preferably in care reforms.
Experience in development of behavior change strategies, advocacy strategies, tools and communication materials.
Demonstrated ability to maintain positive relationships with and accountability towards diverse actors.
Demonstrated ability to design and influence decisions and social behavior change through advocacy.
Experience in organizing learning/sharing events, documenting and communicating the same to the staff and key stakeholders.
Experience in sensitive communication on issues regarding children and vulnerable population to a wide range of stakeholders e.g. government, religious leaders, CCI directors, caregivers, children among others
- Understanding of and experience with child participation best practices.
Skills and Abilities
- Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
- Strong writing skills in professional English, level of proficiency should allow the candidate to serve as primary author of high-quality written reports to donors with minimal revision.
- Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented.
- Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities with minimal supervision.
supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none):
None
Required Travel:
Some travel is expected within CTWWC initiative areas of operation.
Key Working Relationships:
Internal: CTWWC staff, Health, Education and Social Services Unit, CRS Kenya MEAL Unit, Management Quality unit, CRS Kenya head of Programs.
External: Local Implementing partners, GOK, UNICEF, FBO, Kenya Society of Careleavers, relevant private sector entities, local communities, beneficiaries, donors and other stakeholders.
Agency-Wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
• Integrity
• Accountability & Stewardship
• Builds Relationships
• Develops Talent
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Strategic Mindset
MEAL Competencies:
- Track portfolio and project MEAL requirements – both CRS MEAL Policies and Procedures (MPP) and donor requirements.
- Work with MEAL staff and partner staff to implement the MPP and donor MEAL requirements applicable to your projects.
- Complete the annual MEAL procedure self-assessment for your project and develop action plan to advance MEAL practice.
- Input into annual work planning process
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
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