Graduation Advisor - Wajir County, Kenya at Boma Projects

Summary:

The Graduation Advisor – Wajir serves as the primary source of training and technical support for BOMA Project partners who are implementing BOMA’s poverty graduation project, the Rural Entrepreneurship Access Project (REAP) in Wajir and Garissa Counties. 

This is a strategic position and is key to BOMA’s partnership strategy to achieve the goal of reaching 1 million women and children in the next five years.  The post holder will guide BOMA partners in planning and implementing each of the REAP components and provide on-going technical assistance to ensure that the program delivers the best possible outcomes for the participants. The successful candidate will be a critical thinker, have the ability to innovate and adapt program strategies, and have experience working with multiple stakeholders to achieve a common goal. S/he should be able to proactively identify potential challenges and collaborate with partners to identify solutions.

The post is based in Wajir County. The position reports to the Senior Regional Graduation Advisor of the BOMA Project.

Responsibilities:

Technical Assistance

• Provide training, technical support and guidance to BOMA Project partners in Wajir and Garissa Counties in planning, implementing and monitoring performance of the REAP poverty graduation project through extended assignments to the partner’s area of operations, as well as regular telephone calls and email communication to BOMA’s partner as requested and necessary.
• Review and provide technical and training input on proposals, agreements and MOUs for partnership.
• Review and provide technical and training input on internal and external reports and other documents as needed.
• Support partner programs in the recruitment of local staff by providing job descriptions, creating interview question templates and vetting or providing feedback to local management on the hiring process.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure the quality of REAP being implemented by the partner adheres to BOMA Project standards and guiding principles.
• Ensure consistent timely progress towards targets and overall project objectives.
• Ensure monitoring and quality control mechanisms are in place.
• Ensure sharing of evidence and best practices through written reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure processes are in place for the continual documentation of lessons learned and the feedback mechanisms that support continual improvements of REAP implemented through partners.

Program Development

• Work with partner program managers to develop timely work plans.
• Contribute to the professional development of partner field staff by providing training, mentoring, and other guidance.
• Develop or revise training materials as required
• Work closely with BOMA colleagues carrying out direct implementation projects, as well as HQ-based technical staff to access additional technical resources as needed.
• Ensure that the objectives and activities of the partner implementation reflect the strategic objectives of BOMA’s commitment to scale and replication of the REAP program.
• Contribute to the development of new and innovative approaches and initiatives in REAP programming.

Key Performance Metrics include:

• REAP guidelines and principles well understood by the partner staff
• Successful and timely launches of REAP businesses at partner sites
• Monthly reviews of KPIs and TA to implementers to carry out adaptations and course corrections as required

Internal Relationships:

• Wajir/Garissa Graduation Advisor reports to the KLMS Program Manager.
• Wajir/Garissa Graduation Advisor works collaboratively with the Training Manager, Regional Managers and other Graduation Advisors.  
• Wajir/Garissa Graduation Advisor works closely with BOMA project partners in Wajir and Garissa counties to ensure timely and effective implementation of the REAP program.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to the mission of The BOMA Project.
• Experience working in fast paced and high growth environments
• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain relationships with project staff, donors, and other partners
• Proven successful experience in managing a partnership with diverse stakeholders for a shared goal
• At least 2 years’ experience in economic empowerment, community development, or related field.
• Critical thinker, with strong analytical skills
• Ability to identify problems, design interventions and oversee their implementation
• Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Understanding of the socio-cultural environment in Wajir and/or Garissa and fluency in Somali language an added advantage
• Experience in programs focusing on adolescent girls and young women an added advantage
• Experience managing field-based projects in an international organization

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Women’s Economic Empowerment, Social Transformation, Community Development or related field
• Minimum 3 years project management and/or training experience