Senior Program Officer at Colleges and Institutes Canada

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 Officer (SPO) 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 position is expected to involve some travel within Kenya.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to project implementation
• Play an active role in the TVET institutions’ equipment specifications and procurement processes
• Coordinate project activities in Kenya in partnership with the STA, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Specialist and Gender and Youth Specialist
• Monitor and support partnership coordinators including financial management with clusters in collaboration with the Finance Officer in Nairobi
• Coordinate the Project Technical Committee, Project Coordination Committee and other committtee meetings
• Monitor implementation of project activities and recommend required actions
• Provide support in MEL activities, i.e. data collection, as needed
• Participate in the development and drafting of annual work plans, analytical/narrative reports, RFPs, TORs, handbooks, training manuals, workshop materials and other core program documents (ex. Logic Model, Performance Measurement Framework and Risk Register) with the STAs, other CICan staff and implementing partners
• Liaise with Mastercard Foundation on project implementation as requested
• Support the STA, Manager of Operations and Canadian SPO as needed.

Reporting

The employee will work under the direction of the Kenya-based STA in close collaboration with the Canada-based Manager of Operations. 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 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
• Ability to manage numerous demands concurrently
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Kenyan education system, particularly in TVET
• Demonstrated competence in the planning, implementation, and administration 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
• 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
• Demonstrated ability using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) and experience with SharePoint desirable
• 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.