Position Title: Senior Program Officer
Closing date: 4 Nov 2022
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-Kenya: Youth Employability through TVET Program (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 will work 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 youth 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 Senior Program Officer (SPO) will be located in Nairobi, Kenya and will ensure the effective implementation of Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET activities in Kenya. The SPO will work closely with the Ottawa-based Manager of Operations as well as the Ottawa-based Senior Program Officers (SPOs) to ensure the overall 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 the planning and implementation of a range of project activities across multiple educational and government partners. The employee is expected to work with a high degree of independence and autonomy.
The position is expected to involve some travel within Kenya.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate project activities and events in Kenya in partnership with the STA, MEL Specialist, Gender and Youth Specialist and Partnership Coordinators
- Maintain stakeholder reationships and 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.
- Monitor and support partnership coordinators including financial management with Kenyan TVET partners in collaboration with the Finance Officer in Nairobi.
- Coordinate the Project Steering Committee, Project Technical Committee, Project Coordination Committee and other committee meetings.
- Monitor implementation of project activities and recommend required actions.
- Participate in the development and drafting of program documents including annual work plans, narrative reports, RFPs, TORs, handbooks, training manuals, workshop materials and other core program documents.
- Support the implementation of the monitoring and learning plan and the documentation of learning from the partner TVET institutions, MOE and stakeholders.
- Support the procurement of good and services related to thematic and institutional partnerships.
- Work with Finance Officer to ensure financial and budgetary compliance in the implementation of Kenya-based activities.
- Liaise with Mastercard Foundation on project implementation.
- Supervise program staff.
- Perform other duties as may be assigned.
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 or similar).
- Project management training is preferred.
- A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar role in Kenya ideally on international development projects with an international organization.
- At least 3 years’ experience supervising staff.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the education, in particular TVET, systems in Kenya.
- Demonstrated competence in the planning, implementation and administration of projects funded by government, international and/or private donors.
- 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 research, analytical and writing abilities in the preparation of reports, concept papers and/or proposals for government, international and/or private donors.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of partner and country-led collaborative approaches that address community needs.
- Knowledge of the role of gender approach in programming strongly desired.
- Ability to manage numerous demands concurrently.
- Demonstrated experience working with an international team.
- Demonstrated competence in the planning, implementation, administration, and reporting of donor-funded projects.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively on a team.
- Strong writing, computer, and data skills.
- Demonstrated ability using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel).
How to apply
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV with three references as one PDF file not exceeding 8 pages to email address applications@ke.collegesinstitutes.ca with the title on the subject line, Senior Program Officer. The deadline for receiving applications is 04th November 2022 at 5 p.m.
Phone calls or in-person visits will not be accepted. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.