Borderlands Officer

Overall purpose of the role: 
This is a regional position that will work in close coordination with Regional Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding Coordinator and other members of the Technical Sector Unit to support DRC’s East Africa and Great Lakes ten country offices, and strengthen DRC’s regional borderlands work. The role will focus on both external partner engagement for borderlands advocacy and coordination, as well as support building of internal cross-border programming areas for DRC. The Borderlands Officer will be expected to keep abreast of programmatic and policy developments, maintain knowledge sharing platforms, promote organisational learning and exchange, and build relationships with key stakeholders, like-minded agencies and donor focal points working in the borderlands sphere with the aim of supporting and further developing DRC’s cross-border programming capacity. The Borderlands Officer will be the focal point for the DRC-led Borderlands Working Group and Borderlands Knowledge Hub, and for DRC’s internal cross-border workstream and will provide direct support to BORESHA III cross border project.

Key responsibilities

Borderlands Working Group and Knowledge Hub

•  Lead in coordination of regular meetings of the BWG and dissemination of information to BWG mailing list
• Organise and facilitate learning events, conferences and/or webinars for the Borderlands Working Group community 
• Sustain bilateral engagement with relevant external stakeholders working in borderlands space
• Coordinate information management of the Borderlands Knowledge Hub and ensure it remains up-to-date 
• Maintain database of active members and secondary contacts for Borderlands Working Group (BWG)
• Use the BWG platform to promote critical reviews of existing policies in order to influence policy dialogue around borderlands issues

Programme development and programme guidance

• Participate in the design and formulation of cross-border programming and contribute technical guidance to country offices during establishment of cross-border interventions.
• Support in mapping of current and future potential cross-border presence and creation of information sharing platforms between relevant country offices
• Provide country offices with knowledge sharing and technical guidance on proposal development for cross-border/borderlands programming in coordination with Regional Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding (HDP) Coordinator. 
• Support in identifying and documenting existing innovative programming models in border areas 
• Ensure programme staff have a holistic understanding of the dynamics of borderlands and cross-border movement and work with Regional HDP Coordinator to ensure a conflict sensitive lens in borderlands programming

Learning

• Disseminate and operationalise guidance on lessons learnt and best practices from previous cross-border and borderlands initiatives
• Monitor trends and patterns in border areas across the region, and adapt best practices from regional/global security and governance networks
• Support in knowledge sharing between country offices and working closely with Regional MEAL team to ensure best practices are documented and centrally stored 
• Supporting BORESHA team to develop systems and tools to collect information in collaboration with MEAL coordinator
• Support the production of learning products on cross border programming, engaging the team to identify priority knowledge management areas, develop knowledge management products and publications and support in organising learning events

Business Development

• Maintain relationships with donor focal points, key representatives of regional bodies and other stakeholders working on borderlands initiatives
• Coordinate with borderlands actors and stakeholders both at a country-specific level and regional level to ensure that borderlands work is well linked with other related initiatives.
• Support with quality assurance of proposals as requested by Business Development Partnership Unit and country programme teams
• Actively seek and initiate new business development opportunities in support of cross-border programming and borderlands initiatives in cooperation with DRC’s Technical Sector Unit and the Business Development and Partnerships Unit

Other

• Other tasks as assigned and which are related to the above responsibilities.

About you
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values. 

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 5 years programming experience in the areas of humanitarian, development or peacebuilding work preferably in borderlands areas or on cross-border projects in East Africa and Great Lakes region
• Advanced degree in International Relations, Peace, Conflict, Security, Development Studies or related degree.
• Minimum of 3 years field experience in conflict affected areas particularly in border areas; experience in East Africa and Great Lakes is a significant advantage
• Strong coordination skills and proven ability to manage existing partner dynamics and engage new partners
• Demonstrated capacity in engaging with a diverse spectrum of stakeholders including researchers, NGOs, policymakers, local administrations and communities 
• Strong contextual understanding of the East Africa and Great Lakes region, particularly in conflict and resilience dynamics in Horn of Africa
•  Proven experience in project management, including planning and project development, budget management, quality assurance, and MEAL
• Fluency in English, knowledge of French strongly recommended

Conditions

Contract:    One year contract with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Kenyan National Staff ; Employment band NMH

Availability:   15th March 2022

Duty station:    This position is based in Nairobi – Kenya 

Reporting Line: Technical Sector Manager

Providing equal opportunities    We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process

Application and CV
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered. 

DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. 

Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 7th February  2022