EXTENSION CALL FOR POLICY BRIEFS & PETITIONS EXPERT: FOREST & BIODIVERSITY The Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE) commissioned research to assess Kenya's Forest Policy Environment. The study aimed to gather and document information on several aspects of forest utilization, management, and governance to determine the policy gaps and overlaps and their impact on the successful protection of public forest ecosystems and suggest policy recommendations to address the identified gaps. In anticipation of the Forest Conservation and Management Act (FCMA) 2016 review, the Kenya Forest Working Group (KFWG) with support from ICE is calling for an expert(s) to pick up policy issues and petitions that will be used to lobby for changes in the upcoming Forest Conservation and Management Act (2016) review. The expert will work with KFWG members to facilitate and develop policy briefs and petitions touching on two policy issues that featured strongly in the report, namely:

1.   Specific forests especially protected as Biodiversity and Water Catchment areas 2.Overlapping Policy Mandates on Forest Landscapes

The expert(s) will be expected to support this process by consolidating the views of members around the above two issues and presenting them in a policy brief and petition format.  These will be used to lobby for changes in the FCMA 2016 review. TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE EXPERTS (S) 

Background on the Research

ICE, with support from the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, commissioned a survey with the aim of gathering and documenting information on several aspects of forest utilization, management and governance, with the following objectives:

• To determine the impacts the Shamba System had on biodiversity and water
• To establish successes and challenges of the Plantation Establishment and Livelihoods Improvement Scheme (PELIS) and suggest policy recommendations to address these challenges.
• To establish Community Forest Association (CFA) perceptions on the Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP) development and implementation process
• To assess the policy gaps and overlaps and the impact they have on the successful protection of public forest ecosystems and suggest policy recommendations to address the gaps and overlaps.
• To establish management challenges facing the three types of forests identified by the Constitution of Kenya (public, community, and private forests) and suggest policy recommendations to address the challenges.

 

Key Policy Issues

From the research conducted, two key policy issues were distilled as follows:

1. Biodiversity monitoring and recording for indigenous forests.

The policy challenge is to preserve indigenous forest biodiversity while delivering water catchment services. How can we minimize plantation stands while increasing indigenous sections in water catchment areas to increase water supply? How can we reduce the plantations around Kenya’s main water towers?

1. Overlapping mandates on forests (Water Act, Forest Management Act, Wildlife Act).

The policy issue here is how to get all forest stakeholders (KWS, KFS, water bodies, etc.) to work together to protect trees, wildlife, and water. This way, conservation efforts will be better coordinated and resources will be better utilized, all of which will lead to improved conservation outcomes.

Responsibilities

The expert will be expected to deliver on the following components:

• Review the report and distill key policy issues
• Develop a policy brief and petitions per policy issue that will be used to lobby for changes within the FCMA 2016 Review
• Present policy brief and petitions to KFWG forum members and stakeholders

 

Deliverables

The policy brief and petitions expert is expected to deliver on the following:

• 2 policy briefs and petitions based on the research findings: The brief should be logically structured, and contain evidence-based findings, conclusions, lessons, and recommendations.
• The policy briefs and petitions should respond in detail to the key focus areas described above.
• The policy briefs and petitions should include a set of specific recommendations formulated to lobby for changes in the FCMA 2016 Review

 

Timeline

The policy brief and petitions expert will be expected to work for three weeks to deliver the policy briefs and petitions.

Application Instruction

Please share your Expression of Interest and CV to facilitate this process by emailing KFGW@eawildlife.org  with a copy to info@icekenya.org   by Friday, July 19^th, 2024.   

Vacant Position:                     Communications and Gender Officer Reporting to:                           Executive Director  Location:                                  Garden Estate, off Thika Road, along Garden Estate Road, Kenya Contract:                                  1 year (renewable) Application Deadline:            15th July 2024  

1. Background

The Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE) ICE is seeking to recruit a qualified individual to fill the position of Communications and Gender Officer.   ICE is a national Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that was started in 2006 and is registered in Kenya under the NGO Coordination Act. ICE vision is one of empowered communities living in healthy ecosystems. ICE mission is to accompany local communities in harnessing indigenous knowledge for environmental conservation and realization of sustainable livelihoods.  

2. Job Summary

The Communications and Gender Officer will be responsible for devising and executing communication strategies and also working towards integrating gender perspectives, fostering equality and empowerment across all organizational and target community initiatives.  

1. a) Main duties and responsibilities – Communications

• Develop and implement communication strategies that promote healthy ecosystems, sustainable livelihoods and socio-economic empowerment of the people.
• Create compelling content, including written materials, multimedia presentations, and promote social media campaigns to raise awareness on issues related to healthy environment, sustainable livelihoods and socio-economic empowerment of the people.
• Manage and regularly update organization’s social media platforms and website.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure that communication efforts align with organizational goals, values, vision and mission.
• Conduct research and analysis on current trends in communication including challenges, and opportunities informing communication strategies and decision-making processes.
• Organize and facilitate workshops, training sessions, and events to educate staff, volunteers and community members on best practices in communication.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication initiatives, utilizing metrics and feedback to continuously improve communication strategies and outcomes.
• document success stories, case studies and upload them in website and social media platforms.
• Ensure prompt compilation of organization’s annual report and biannual magazine.

1. b. Main duties and responsibilities – Gender

• Spearhead mainstreaming gender perspectives in organizational programmes and fostering a culture of gender inclusivity and diversity within the organization.
• Act as a liaison and advocate for gender-related matters within the organization, conveying its stance and values through media interactions, public engagements, and other platforms.
• spearhead research on policies and trends in the field of gender and sharing insights and recommendations with internal and external stakeholders.
• spearhead social media campaigns to raise awareness and engage stakeholders on gender-related issues.
• Advocate for policy changes and institutional reforms that promote gender equity, equality and rights, leveraging communication channels to drive awareness and take necessary action.
• Develop and implement strategies that incorporate gender perspectives and promote gender equality and empowerment initiatives.

3.     Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communication or related field from a recognized university.
• Undertaken short/some course on gender studies, sociology, international development or related studies in addition to a degree in communication. Those with this will have added advantage.
• Those with master's degree in communication will have an added advantage.
• Experience of a minimum of 5 years in communication in a not- for-profit organization.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing communication strategies for an organization.
• Ability to document success stories, case studies and upload them in website and social media platforms.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills, with ability to craft compelling messages for diverse audience and platforms.
• Proficiency in multimedia content creation, including graphic design, video production, and social media management.
• Experience in conducting research and analysis to inform communication strategies and decision-making processes.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including internal teams, external partners, and community members.
• Ability to compile project reports, magazines and other documents for information dissemination or sharing
• Some knowledge of monitoring and evaluation to assess the effectiveness of communication initiatives and make data-driven improvements.
• Commitment to promoting gender equity and equality, social justice, and human rights, with a passion for creating positive change through communication and advocacy.

4.     How to apply

Applicants who meet the above qualifications and requirements are invited to send application (attach word document) and attach a detailed curriculum vitae with names and full phone contacts of three (3) current referees. They should quote current and expected salary. Only those who meet the above criteria will be shortlisted and invited for interview. Applications should be addressed to;   The Director, Institute for Culture & Ecology, P.O Box 6270-01000, Thika, Kenya.   Applications should be sent via email to: procure@icekenya.org and cc. martin@icekenya.org by 15^th July 2024.   NB: Please do not fill the online application. Only applications submitted through the given emails will be accepted.

The Institute for Culture & Ecology is sourcing for Medical Insurance cover quotations for year 2024/2025 from qualified medical insurance service providers. Kindly send expression of interest to Institute for Culture and Ecology for more details. The expression of interest with profile of the company should be sent to procure@icekenya.org  and copied to martin@icekenya.org by 5.00pm Monday, 3rd June 2024.

Background The Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE) is a national indigenous Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that was started in 2006 and is registered in Kenya under the NGO Coordination Act. ICE vision is one of empowered communities living in healthy ecosystems. ICE mission is to accompany local communities in harnessing indigenous knowledge for environmental conservation and realization of sustainable livelihoods. ICE is seeking to recruit qualified individuals to fill the position of Finance Manager. Position Title:     Finance Manager Reporting to:      Director Location:            Garden Estate, Exit 7, Off Thika Road, Nairobi Contract:            1 year renewable (subject to satisfactory performance) General Job Summary: The position holder will be responsible and accountable for administrative & financial operations, grant management, budgets preparations and budget monitoring, financial reporting, development & implementation of financial and administrative policies Main Duties and responsibilities

• Ensure that the finance and administration department comply with laid down policies, procedures and regulations.
• Monitor grants management and financial transactions to ensure compliance with approved budget lines, fund accounting requirements and organizational financial policy.
• Review all payment vouchers prepared by the finance officer for payments and ensure proper documentation and that the costs are reasonable and allowable.
• Review all financial, cash and bank reconciliations for completeness and accuracy.
• Organize the preparation, approval, and execution of budget and ensure adequate budget control practices.
• Design, develop and update financial, procurement and other administrative policies and procedures.
• Co-ordinate the annual audit and follow-up on recommendations and action points raised by auditors.
• Review both organizational and donor financial reports for compliance with the reporting requirements of the organization and donors.
• Ensure all donors and funders or partners contractual obligations and deadlines are met.
• Maintain up-to-date information on grants in hard and soft copy.
• Ensure that all statutory requirements of the organization are met or adhered to.
• Maintain an effective, efficient and up-to-date staff records and filing system including contracts, leave, medical, awards, discipline, etc
• Maintain full up-to-date records and archives of employee files and other documents.
• Supervise finance and administration staff.
• Support in fundraising efforts.
• Acts as finance advisor to the Director.
• Perform any other duty as may be assigned by the Director.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in business, commerce or finance from a recognized academic institution.
• Professional accountancy qualifications i.e., CPA K
• Proven Knowledge of QuickBooks
• Very good knowledge of Microsoft office applications
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Excellent reporting, communication, and presentation skills
• Experience of a minimum of 5 years in a not- for-profit organization, three of which must be overseeing donor grants.
• Those with higher degree in business or financial management will have an added advantage

Applicants who meet the above minimum requirements are invited to send application letter illustrating how they meet the above requirements plus a detailed curriculum vitae with names and full phone contacts of three (3) current referees. They should quote current and expected remuneration. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview. Applications should be addressed to; The Director, Institute for Culture & Ecology, P.O Box 6270-01000, Thika, Kenya. The application should be sent to procure@icekenya.org and cc. martin@icekenya.org by Tuesday, 16^th April, 2024 at 5.00pm. Please do not fill the online application, only applications sent through the given emails will be accepted.  

TERMS OF REFERENCE

 PROCUREMENT OF DESIGN AND PRINTING SERVICES FOR FOREST BIODIVERSITY-ASSESSMENT OF FOREST POLICY ENVIRONMENT IN KENYA DOCUMENT Background  The Institute for Culture and Ecology (ICE) is a national indigenous Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that was started in 2006 and is registered in Kenya under the NGO Coordination Act. ICE vision is one of empowered communities living in healthy ecosystems. ICE mission is to promote harnessing of indigenous knowledge for environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods of local communities. ICE is desirous to produce quality publication of the Forest Biodiversity-Assessment Of Forest Policy Environment in Kenya document in an easy to read and visually appealing format. The document is 84 pages. Therefore, ICE would like to procure the services of company/consultant that has the compacity to edit and proofread, design layout and print out the document. Tasks of the consultant

• The company / consultant will be required to edit and proofread the document, provide design layout ensuring style and language consistency.
• Print 100 copies of the document.
• Avail the ready for printing soft copy of the document to ICE.

Requirements

• Proven track record of editing proofreading, designing, preparation for publication and printing experience of corporate booklets.
• The company/consultant must guarantee timely delivery of the designed and printed booklet, and the online version.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in the publishing and printing industry
• Familiarity working with non-governmental organizations.
• Prices are to be VAT inclusive

If you meet the criteria above and are interested, please email procure@icekenya.org and cc  martin@icekenya.org. Submit financial proposal, workplan and company/consultant profile by 6^th August, 2024 at 5.00pm. Those who had submitted their proposals need not to apply.