Position Vacant - Program Manager

Position Description

Title: Program Manager

Reports to: Happy Villages Organization Kenya Board of Directors.

Based at: Happy Villages’ Office – Lieta Sub-Location, Madiany Division, Rarieda District, South Uyoma, Nyanza Province.

Purpose of the Role:

To assist the Happy Villages Board of Directors in conceptualizing, designing and implementing Happy Villages’ Strategic Plan and the Annual Operational project plans.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

• Conceptualize, design and implement Happy Villages’ strategic plan and annual operational plans.
• Coordinate effective implementation of programmatic work plans.
• Monitor and evaluate program activities, outputs and outcomes.
• Ensure overall effectiveness and efficiency of Happy Villages’ programs.

• Facilitate networking and partnership building with stakeholders ie. Government, CSOS and Private Partners.

• Lead, develop and inspire a pool of diverse workers capable of delivering on the mandate of Happy Villages.
• Identify funding opportunities and develop partnerships, collaboration and contacts with funding agencies and other stakeholders.
• Prepare grants/project proposals and progress reports as required.
• Maintain and report accomplishments and challenges.
• Maintain administration at all times in the office and in the field.
• Coordinate the preparation, presentation, and communication of work-related information to the Happy Villages Board of Directors
• Report to the Happy Villages Board of Directors periodically on team and individual work accomplishments, challenges, issues, progress in mastering tasks and work processes, and individual and team training needs.
• Monthly Content Collection for updating Happy Villages Board of Directors on field activities and supporter / member updates. This includes conducting interviews with the community members, taking photos (upon written authority), compiling success stories and briefing the board on the main activities conducted in the field.
• Plan project activities based on Happy Villages Community Action Plan to ensure that community objectives are achieved and within prescribed time frame.
• Plan for proposed projects to determine time frame, funding limitations, & procedures for achieving desired outcome, this includes staffing requirements and allotment of available resources to various phases of project.
• Establish work plan and staffing for each phase of projects and arrange for recruitment and assignment of project personnel in liaison with the Happy Villages Board of Directors.
• Confer with project staff to outline work plan and to assign duties, responsibilities and scope of authority.
• Monitor activities of project personnel to ensure project progresses on schedule and within prescribed budget and modify schedules and plans as required.
• Review status reports prepared by project personnel.
• Confer with project personnel to provide technical advice and to resolve work related problems and also provide feedback.
• Coordinate project activities with activities of government regulatory and other governmental agencies.
• Prepare and execute budgets effectively and efficiently.
• Coordinate with district level partners, district local governments, line agencies, community project beneficiaries, private sector service agents and suppliers, consultants and other stakeholders at project level for effective delivery of project activities.
• Communicate the project related information regularly to Director of programs, project staff, internal and external stakeholders as and when require.
• Travel frequently to projects districts and mobilize partner organizations as envisioned in the project document, stakeholders and beneficiary communities as per agreements reached between partner organizations and Happy Villages to fulfil the objectives of the projects.
• Ensure integrity and professionalism is upheld within the organization staff, volunteers and interns.

• Selection Criteria:

Essential:

• Degree in Project Management, Social Sciences
• Minimum of 5 years experience working with rural communities in community development

• High levels of skills in the project planning and management, demonstrated skills in prioritising task and meeting deadlines.
• Strong communication, analytical and report writing skills with fluency in spoken and writing English.
• Knowledge and skills in basic computing including.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills in working with a multi-disciplinary team.
• Good knowledge and experience of participatory approaches in project development and implementation.
• Willingness and enthusiasm for working with rural and vulnerable communities living in remote areas of the country.
• Knowledge and fluency in Luo language will be an added advantage.

Happy Villages is an equal opportunity employer. Canvassing will lead to immediate disqualification.

Applications should include;

• Letter of application indicating interest

• Current Curriculum Vitae with telephone numbers and e-mail addresses

• Three letters of reference with telephone numbers and e-mail addresses

• Copies of Certificates

Applications Due: 9th March 2012. Applications will be accepted either through e-mail to:

Recruitment Committee, Happy Villages Organization

E-mail: recruitment.happyvillages@gmail.com

Or posted: P. O. Box 19573 ( 40123), Mega City, Kisumu.

Or dropped: Happy villages Offices ( Kisumu – Mega City or Lieta – South Uyoma)

POSITION VACANT - EDUCATION FACILITATOR

Position Description

Job Title: Education Facilitator
Reports to: Education Coordinator
Based at: Lieta village, South Uyoma location in Rarieda District
Purpose of the Role:
To assist Lieta Community to meet the Millennium Development Goals (particularly universal primary education) through facilitation of education programs using integrated community developments initiatives within the community.

The Organization:
Happy Villages is a small NGO working towards a world without extreme poverty. We are based in Kisumu, Kenya.

Specific Responsibilities:

Managing a tertiary education sponsorship program for young women, including reporting, monitoring and evaluating.
Assist in conducting, in-servicing; capacity building and professional development of teaching staff in the community.
Assist in the preparation of fundraising proposals for education based projects including infrastructure.
Assisting in project implementation, developing initiatives under the ongoing projects. This will entail relating with local community structures, CBO’s, local government officials, and international/local organizations within the community.
Conducting school community consultative meetings.
Assist in the procurement of libraries and learning materials.
Preparing monthly reports and budgets on activities.
Assisting local education institutions to develop and implement strategic plans.
Maintenance and operations of accurate records systems and files for all matters pertaining to the education department.
Assist in creating/strengthening advocacy institutions for education (including PTA, community education committees/task forces).
Sensitize community to universal primary education.
Sensitize the community to the importance for education for girls.
Facilitate pre and post primary education programs and initiatives including ECD, mentoring, apprenticeship programs and entrepreneur training.
Partner with other Happy Villages departments to integrate literacy campaigns into their trainings.
Partner with Happy Villages Health Department to provide health education including sexual and reproductive health.
Skills and Experience

Report writing skills
Graduate in KCSE (C+ average) with excellent English skills (minimum B +)
Excellent communication and facilitation skills
Planning and organizational skills
Strategic Project management skills
Needs to have advocacy and liaising skills
Computer skills
Qualification

At least Diploma in Strategic Planning and Management or Education

Terms of Employment
Salary 12,000 Ksh
Three month probation period after which you will be assessed based on the performance before confirmation of a one year contract.
Letter of application indicating interest

Applications should include;
• Current Curriculum Vitae with telephone numbers and e-mail addresses
• Three letters of reference with telephone numbers and e-mail addresses
• Copies of Certificates, Diplomas or Transcripts

Note: Applications will be accepted only through e-mail or to our P.O BOX:
Recruitment Committee, Happy Villages Organization
E-mail: recruitment.happyvillages@gmail.com OR
P.O. BOX 19573, 40123 Mega City, Kisumu, Kenya

Deadline for Applications: 31st March 2011
Shortlisted Candidates will be contacted by the 14th April

Community Action Planning - Lieta Week 2

For photos and regular updates during our second week of the Community Action Planning in Leita check out the photos section on my facebook page.

Mike

Terms of Reference ICDAP

Terms of Reference ICDAP

Please read/download the full Terms of Reference for the ICDAP Consultancy here.

Consultant for Community Development Action Plan

Position Description
Job Title: Consultant for Community Development Action Plan
Reports to: Happy Villages Organization Board – Kenya
Based at: Kisumu & Rarieda District, Kenya
Purpose of the Role:
Facilitation of an Integrated Community Development Action Plan.
The Organization:
Happy Villages is a small NGO working towards a world without extreme poverty. We are based
in Kisumu, Kenya.
Key responsibilities and accountabilities:• Facilitation of a consultative process with all key stakeholders to develop and build consensus
concerning an overall strategy to establish a diversified sustainable local economy, and to
identify a number of projects (agriculture, health, education, SMEs) that will be implemented by
the Happy Villages Organization.
• Evaluation and preparation of detailed cost estimates and/or economic models and
implementation schedules for selected projects.
• Preparation of an overall plan for the Happy Villages Organization based on selected
sustainable projects, and which clearly identifies sources of funding and revenue flows,
potential partners, cost estimates, implementation schedule, roles and responsibilities, and
monitoring and evaluation processes.
Skills and Experience• Communication & facilitation; participatory planning processes & organizational & institutional
development
• Community development, public consultation, participatory processes.
• Proven track record of experience with integrated community development programs;
• Experience with human dimensions of community development and management;
• Good analytical skills, ability to provide practical sound advice on rural development issues;
• Proven track record in writing and preparation of reports on community/rural development;
• Good understanding of community, institutional and government roles and responsibilities;
• Capacity to work within tight deadlines
• Ability to work independently, set aggressive schedules, take initiative and think creatively
• Preferably English & Swahili speaking, with knowledge of Luo.
Terms of Employment
Three month Consultancy contract reviewable to be converted into a full time contract at the
completion of the ICDAP Project.
Remuneration: Compensation is non-negotiable with Consultancy offered 120,000 Ksh for the 3
months all inclusive.
Applications should include;• Letter of application indicating interest
• Current Curriculum Vitae with telephone numbers and e-mail addresses
• Three letters of reference with telephone numbers and e-mail addresses
• Copies of Certificates, Diplomas or Transcripts
Applications Due: 18th September 2010. Applications will be accepted only through e-mail to:
Recruitment Committee, Happy Villages Organization
E-mail: recruitment.happyvillages@gmail.com
NB: Full Terms of Reference are available at www.happyvillages.blogspot.com

First impressions of Lieta through Australian eyes

It is not often that a parent is asked by a son to help with the running of a Non Government Organisation [NGO] in Kenya, especially one he has started from scratch. So there I am on the board as a director of Happy Villages Australia. Everybody has heard of AusAID, World Vision & the like but who has heard of Happy Villages? Well a heck of a lot of people will have heard of it & be part of it over the next 5-10 years.


It is a fledgling Non Government Development Organization very much in the embryo stages & has only been officially running for 12 months in both Kenya & Australia. As its name suggests, Happy Villages is about improving the overall living standards of people in villages in Kenya. This involves education, health, well-being, improved farming & food availability, water supply, etc. In short making one village at a time just that little bit more happy.


All the ground work is now complete in regards to the overall management of Happy Villages. It is a very lean & mean organisation, no fancy offices or fancy cars, no highly paid managers or employees with expense accounts. In fact it is currently 99% managed & run by volunteers from all walks of life & varying ages.


After exhaustive, comprehensive research & reporting - all of which is compulsory for an NGO to operate in Kenya - the first village, Lieta, has been selected for help & advice. Working hand in hand with the village we will work towards a world without extreme poverty .... one small village at a time.


I am very fortunate to be in Kenya at the moment with my wife Jenny. I was lucky enough to travel to Lieta & have a look around the village.

The road to the outskirts of Lieta is one of the best highways in Kenya, which was a surprise to me. It is approximately one and a half hours from Kisumu (the third largest city in Kenya) where our son Michael & the Kenyan team are based.

As I drove to Lieta the thing that struck me was the gradual deterioration in the quality of the soil. Once we arrived at Lieta it was obvious that this village had very little going for it as far as farming crops was concerned. That in turn means that any form of livestock production is also very limited. The soil is very poor compared to other areas.

The little village square we drove through was well laid out, but unfortunately no market was in progress, so I didn`t see the produce or general items for sale.

However, Budwa Beach is right on the banks of Lake Victoria, just past Ndigwa & opposite Homa Bay, on the other side of the lake. On the lake itself you go through some narrows to enter Winam Gulf, so maybe fishing is the main source of food? But I am told fish stocks are very low due to commercial over fishing. We drove down to Budwa Beach & my first thought was "if this was any where else in the world there would be a 5 star resort here". I`m not sure if you can swim in the lake & I don`t know about any water sports either. But it was absolutely beautiful & as they say in real estate - Position, Position, Position !!! But no - this will probably not happen.

We also saw one of the small schools of Lieta called Agok Primary. It was neat & tidy as are a lot of schools in Kenya. You see education is vitally important & the kids love school... it may be their passport out of poverty. It is a pity the teachers are paid so poorly or indeed at all... Then it was time to head back to Kisumu.

It was just a fleeting visit to Happy Villages first village, Lieta, but all in all, after the site village reports & now having seen part of the village area for myself, it is quite apparent that to help these villagers it is going to take some long hard work. But with the full co-operation & consultation with the village, progress will be made.

It is not for us to change their life, we are only there to help them improve it.

To do this we need lots of money. We have the human resources, but cash is required to buy the necessary goods to implement this huge program of improvements. $1,000 Australian can buy quite a bit in Kenya & to help a village the size of Lieta will require at least $200,000 to $300,000 utilised in varying ways over 12-18 months & then more money to keep it improving.

There are many many organisations chasing the "Donor Dollar" but there are very few operating on the management cost structure that we at Happy Villages have. We are under no illusions. The implementation of improvements will be time consuming & difficult to begin with. Do it we will. We have 100% support from the village & with people helping financially, actual physical work of the job ahead will begin & get on a roll.

It was a real eye opener to see this village & compared to other villages I have been to over the years this one needs a lot of TLC.

Happy Villages will get on with the job, with your generous help.

Happy Villages Poster Competition

The Happy Villages Poster competition is both a fun way to raise awareness of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17th October and to help Happy Villages achieve our mission.

The brief is to design a poster that delivers the message ‘Working towards a world without extreme poverty, one happy village at a time’ which will be considered for use in future Happy Villages communications.

To register and submit your design, build a fundraising page and upload a digital version of your poster (or take a digital photo of your poster and upload the photo). Use one of the links below to start building your page now and when you have uploaded your design, ask all your friends, family and colleagues to donate to your page. http://www.everydayhero.com.au/happy_villages_poster_competition_under_16_years
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/happy_villages_poster_competition_open

The competition is open between 1st July 2010 and 16th October 2010.

You may download logos for use on your poster from http://picasaweb.google.com/HappyVillages/Logos# if you wish.

The designs may be used by Happy Villages in a variety of media such as t-shirts, banners, web pages, brochures or newsletters. Entry is free and is open to all interested participants, subject to the Terms and Conditions.

Participants agree that, if requested by Happy Villages, they will:
1. supply high resolution digital files; or,
2. if their submission is a photograph of their poster they will mail in the original artwork.

How to win
Happy Villages prize packs will be awarded to two adults and two children who receive the most support through their EveryDay Hero pages in terms of:
a) the number of people who have donated; or,
b) the total amount of funds raised.
by 5pm 16th October, 2010.

The way to win is to ask all of your friends and family members to donate through your page.

Thank you for your support.