Program Officer: Break Free Alliance at Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Kenya

Purpose

The break-free consortium is looking for a Program Officer who will facilitate and oversee the BF programme implementation and management in Kenya. The Program Officer will facilitate planning, monitoring, and reporting processes and oversee processes of joint learning on context, programme and collaboration, with support from the PMEL working group. He/she will also build partnerships, realize synergies and add value to the engagement of girls and young women in the programme.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Design and Implementation

•  Lead the implementation of Break free Program in line with the approved Theory of Change.
•  Collection, analysis, and presentation of information needed for programme development and implementation.
•  Build and maintain partnerships and relationships with other organizations, such as nonprofits, federal agencies and community organizations, to expand resources, raise funding and educate the public about the work of a particular foundation.
•  Track Project deliverables and outcome.
•  Keep the supervisor informed about program development and ongoing activities by supplying report.
• These reports might be generated weekly, monthly or quarterly.
•  Lead in the development of Break free work plan, concepts and activity budget in a timely and qualitative manner then share with the Break free Country Coordinator.
•  Participate in the processes of joint annual monitoring, review and planning by the LCTs (Local Coordination Team) and local partner CSOs.
•  Establish contact and build joint representation with other local key stakeholders (e.g. the Dutch Embassy, national and local government) in cooperation with other in-country consortium organizations.
•  Ensure effective quality assurance and the overall integrity of the program - focusing inwardly on the internal consistency of the program, and outwardly on its coherence with infrastructure planning, interfaces with other programs, and corporate, technical, and specialist standards.

Monitoring and Evaluation

•  Establish and maintain robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess program impact and outcomes.
•  Conduct regular field visits to monitor program activities and provide technical support to implementing partners.
•  Prepare and submit detailed program reports, including progress, challenges, and recommendations.
•  Track Project deliverables and outcomes.
•  Monitor project performance in assigned geographic area.
•  Develop an evaluation method to assess program strengths and identify areas for improvement.
•  Develop an evaluation method to assess program strengths and identify areas for improvement.
•  Analyze program risks and manage to ensure programs successful outcome.

Advocacy and Capacity Building

•  Advocate for gender equity in education at local, national, and international forums.
•  Organize and facilitate training sessions, workshops, and seminars for stakeholders to enhance their capacity in gender-responsive education.
•  Develop communication materials and policy briefs to support advocacy efforts.
•  Build and maintain partnerships and relationships with other organizations, such as nonprofits, Government agencies, and community organizations.
•  Establish contact and build joint representation with other local key stakeholders (e.g. the County and local government) in cooperation with other in-country consortium organizations.
•  Conduct community awareness to dismantle harmful gender norms and barriers to girls’ education.

Financial Management

•  Prepare and manage program budgets, ensuring prudent use of resources and compliance with Partner requirements.
•  Oversee financial reporting and ensure transparency and accountability in all program expenditures.
•  Support the operational and financial management of the designated program, ensuring adherence to established program management and financial protocols.
•  Ensure appropriate measurement of financial, programmatic, and impact performance against stated milestones and goals.
•  Assist in the operational and financial management of responsible program and ensure that necessary program management and financial procedures are properly implemented

Reporting

•  Collection, analysis, and presentation of information needed for programme development and implementation.
•  Lead in preparation, filing, compilation, and dissemination of documents/materials relating to the program.
•  Keep the supervisor informed about program development and ongoing activities by developing and sharing reports. These reports might be generated weekly, monthly, or quarterly.
•  Produce accurate and timely reporting of program status throughout its life cycle.
•  Develop quality monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports and ensure proper documentation of project interventions.
•  Report the progress of the program at regular intervals to the Supervisor.
•  Ensure appropriate measurement of financial, programmatic, and impact performance against stated milestones and goals.
•  Write reports on progress and results in a timely and qualitative manner then shared with the Break free Country Coordinator.
•  Produce accurate and timely reporting of program status throughout its life cycle.
•  Report the progress of the program at regular intervals to the Chief Executive Officer.

Support

•  Ensure effective quality assurance and the overall integrity of the program - focusing inwardly on the internal consistency of the program, and outwardly on its coherence with infrastructure planning, interfaces with other programs and corporate, technical and specialist standards.
•  Technically support team’s adherence to internal policies and program management standards.
•  Technically support proposal development, partnership development, and management.
•  Lead in preparation, filing, compilation and dissemination of documents/materials relating to the program
•  Support proposal development, partnership development and management.
•  Support other programs under the organization when called upon.
•  Support team’s adherence to internal policies and program management standards.
•  Carry out additional work as assigned by the supervisor.
•  Conduct comprehensive research to identify gender-based barriers impeding girls' education in the country.
•  Provide technical guidance to the FAWEK journalists’ network to write compelling narratives and stories that highlight the importance of girls' education and showcase successful examples of girls who have overcome barriers.
•  Support other programs under the organization when called upon.
•  Carry out additional work as assigned by the supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications

•  A Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Sciences, Gender, Project Management, Development Studies, or a related field with a Masters being an added advantage.
•  Minimum of 7 years’ work experience in NGO (programme coordination and implementation in an NGO or a development agency, including experience in community advocacy, resource mobilization and Project Cycle management).
•  Demonstrated experience in managing Partner-funded projects, particularly in the context of education and gender equity.
•  Strong understanding of the education sector in Kenya, including policies, challenges, and opportunities for girls’ education.
•  Excellent project management skills, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
•  Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and build strong professional relationships.
•  Strong advocacy and communication skills, with experience in public speaking and media engagement.
•  Financial management skills, including budgeting and financial reporting.

Key Competencies and Personal Attributes:

•  Passionate about gender equity and education.
•  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
•  Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
•  High level of integrity and professionalism.
•  Strong project management and organizational skills.
•  Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, e.g. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc., as well as other relevant software.
•  Professional fluency in written and spoken English.
•  Analytical and problem-solving skills.
•  Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
•  Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.
•  Commitment to the organization’s mission and values.

Terms and Conditions:

•  Fixed-term contract for two (2) years.
•  Full-time position
•  The position is based in Nairobi with frequent travel to the fields.