Social Accountability, Community & Conflict-Sensitivity Specialist Job IRES, Nairobi, Kenya

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Social Development professional to deliver practical training and facilitation in community engagement, social accountability, inclusion, conflict sensitivity, and stakeholder participation. The consultant will support participants to design and implement socially responsive programmes, particularly in water and infrastructure development contexts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and facilitate practical training on community engagement, social accountability and conflict-sensitive programming.
• Lead stakeholder and community engagement sessions, including ownership and partnership analysis.
• Integrate inclusion, conflict sensitivity and participatory approaches into programme design.
• Facilitate dialogues and workshops with communities, government and development stakeholders.
• Apply practical tools for community participation, grievance engagement and social accountability.
• Support data collection and analysis related to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) where relevant to programme requirements.
• Develop practical case studies and learning materials for complex community and development contexts.

Minimum Qualifications and Professional Experience:

Academic Qualifications

• Degree in Social Sciences, including Sociology, Community Development, Anthropology, Social Work, Governance, Peace and Conflict or another related field.

Professional Experience

• At least 10 years of experience in community engagement, training, facilitation of dialogues and research related to domestic water-supply infrastructure projects.
• Experience with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF).
• Experience working in ASAL areas of Kenya, including resilience, conflict resolution and pastoralist communities.
• Operational experience implementing programmes in areas with high prevalence of sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment and violence.
• Experience in data collection and analysis on SEAH and knowledge of relevant SEAH legislation/legal frameworks.

Technical Competencies

• Community engagement; social accountability; conflict sensitivity; inclusion; stakeholder analysis; participatory approaches; ESF; SEAH safeguards.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Excellent facilitation and dialogue-management skills.
• Strong community engagement and interpersonal skills.
• Cultural sensitivity and inclusive communication.
• Strong conflict-sensitive problem-solving ability.
• Ability to handle sensitive stakeholder issues professionally.
• Strong research, documentation, and analytical skills.

Training & Facilitation Experience

• Proven experience as a consultant trainer, facilitator, technical adviser, or subject-matter expert.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical and professional concepts into practical, participant-centred learning.
• Training of Trainers (ToT) certification is an added advantage.
• Strong understanding of adult learning methodologies and competency-based facilitation.

Consultancy Role Focus:

• Lead practical training and advisory support on community participation, social accountability, inclusion and conflict-sensitive design and implementation.

Mode of Engagement:

• Successful candidates will be engaged as external consultant trainers on a need basis.
• Assignments may involve training delivery, technical advisory support, curriculum/content development, workshops, facilitation, and related consultancy services.
• Further details, including assignment scope, duration, and professional fees, will be provided during the initial engagement meeting.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV, cover letter, and copies of all required certifications to trainingjobs@indepthresearch.co.ke by 26th August 2026. Please include the title of the position in the subject line.

All documents must be in PDF format.

Note:  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted