Program Officer

Position Identification

Title: Program Officer

Supervisor: Senior Technical Advisor (STA)

Location: CICan Kenya Office

Start Date: TBD

Background

Young Africa Works-Kenya is a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation, the private sector, and the Government of Kenya to improve employment outcomes in the country. As a key strategic component of Young Africa Works, the Young Africa Works in Kenya: Youth Employability through TVET (Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET) will strengthen the quality of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and systems in Kenya.

Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET is a 5-year program (2020-2025) implemented by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, other relevant Government of Kenya agencies, and the private sector. Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET works through a partner-driven participatory approach focusing on developing 26 Centres of Excellence (COEs) as model institutions that will increase the participation of young Kenyans, particularly women, in market-relevant skills training programs to ultimately increase the number of youths in dignified and fulfilling work in the Big Four and digital sectors.

Job Summary

General Expectations

Reporting to and working closely with the Kenya-based Senior Technical Advisor/CICan Representative (STA), the Program Officer (PO) will be located in Nairobi, Kenya and will support the effective implementation of Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET activities in Kenya. The PO will work closely with the Kenya-based Senior Program Officer (SPO) as well as the Ottawa-based SPOs to provide support for the quality delivery of Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET activities in Kenya.

This position requires the ability to perform a variety of complex tasks, including planning, implementation, and coordination of a range of project activities across multiple educational and government partners. The position is expected to involve travel within Kenya.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the coordination of project activities in Kenya in coordination with the STA, SPO and other team members in Kenya.
• Support the coordination of program events (assist with event budgeting, invitations, logistics, coordination with participants, etc.).
• Engage with Kenyan partners, including the MOE, partner TVET institutions and other stakeholder to facilitate program activities and support institutional partners to achieve project results.
• Support the implementation of the monitoring and learning plan and the documentation of learning from the partner TVET institutions, MoE and stakeholders.
• Support team in delivery of program communication activities in Kenya.
• Support the implementation of program outreach activities.
• Prepare meeting agendas, organize meetings and write and distribute minutes.
• Assist, as required, in the preparation and revision of various project documents including narrative reports, workplans, requests for proposals, terms of reference.
• Maintain up to date contact list of Kenyan program partners.
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned.

Reporting

The employee will work under the direction of the Kenya-based STA/CICan representative in close collaboration with the Kenya-based SPO as well as the Canada-based SPOs. The employee is expected to work with a high degree of independence and autonomy.

Qualifications

• Full fluency in English and Swahili.
• Kenyan citizen or legally permitted to work in Kenya. Note: CICan will not provide a work permit or sponsor individuals.
• At least Bachelor’s Degree in a related subject area (business administration, project management, development studies or similar).
• Project management training is preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a similar role in Kenya in international development projects with an international organization or local NGO.
• Demonstrated competence in the coordination, administration, planning, implementation of government, international and/or private donor – funded projects.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders and at various levels of organizational hierarchy, including government agencies and local partner institutions.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of partner and country-led collaborative approaches that address community needs.
• Knowledge of the Kenyan education system, particularly in TVET desired.
• Knowledge of the role of gender approach in programming strongly desired.
• Demonstrated writing abilities in the preparation of reports and other project documents.
• Demonstrated high level of ability using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams); experience with SharePoint desirable.
• Ability to manage numerous demands concurrently.
• A high level of professionalism, integrity, and respect.
• Excellent organizational, communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively on a team.
• A very high level of attention to detail and accuracy.