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 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)