IREX Regional Program Officer – Youth Excel Jobs in Kenya
IREX Regional Program Officer – Youth Excel Jobs in Kenya
Summary Of Position
IREX seeks a qualified Program Officer for the global, cross-sectoral USAID Youth Excel Activity.
This project will design and apply an approach to using implementation research to strengthen cross-sectoral positive youth development programming, help youth-led and youth-serving organizations use implementation research, and synthesize and promote findings broadly.
The Program Officer will manage day-to-day implementation of Youth Excel activities in Kenya and potentially other locations in East Africa.
The Program Officer will support capacity-strengthening for youth-led and youth-serving organizations and groups in applying Youth Excel’s approaches, foster youth engagement, develop and maintain partnerships, and support subgrantees on their day-to-day subgrant management.
The Program Officer will be based in Kenya.
Summary Of Responsibilities
Create and implement activity workplans for country-level activities, in collaboration with Project Lead.
Provide day-to-day management for Youth Excel activities with a focus on supporting local organizations who are co-leading or leading these activities at the local level.
and mentor local partners and subgrantees in Youth Excel approaches. Includes: carrying out assessments and mapping with youth and identifying public and private sector partners; overseeing and co-planning agendas and logistics for virtual and/or in-person events; co-facilitating events, trainings, workshops, and dialogues; providing on-going mentoring and feedback to youth-led initiatives and youth-created knowledge products; and managing micro- and small-grant portfolios.
Assist in conducting due diligence and background checks for local partners and subgrantees and developing risk mitigation strategies.
Support and monitor Youth Excel subgrantees’ work, including identifying resources and support that subgrantees need to strengthen their capacity.
Provide day-to-day monitoring and constructive advice/support to subgrantees that is in line with subgrants including compliance with U.S. government and IREX policies and financial management.
Oversee and track subgrantees’ funding disbursements and liquidations. Ensure timely and accurate subgrantee financial reporting and provide capacity-building support to subgrantees in these areas.
Collect and review subgrant documentation and maintain organized and up-to-date files in preparation for close-out and audit readiness.
Address any reports of misuse of funds, violations of protection policy, and other complaints involving partner staff, contractors, volunteers,
and beneficiaries, and investigate and escalate following appropriate reporting protocols.
Work with the Project Lead to build Youth Excel enhancing partnerships in Kenya and the region
Contribute to Youth Excel monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
Contribute to Youth Excel project communications such as collecting and sharing impact stories from sub-grantees.
Responding to region specific queries on Youth Excel and/or directing them to the relevant persons
May include travel in Kenya and/or the region.
Other duties as assigned
Skills And Qualifications
Must be a citizen of or permanent resident with work authorization in Kenya
A demonstrated commitment to youth inclusion, particularly focusing on marginalized groups
Soft skills including humility, adaptability, a growth mindset, and creative/entrepreneurial thinking
Experience developing partnerships with public and private sector entities in Kenya
At least four (4) years of experience working on youth-led and/or youth-serving initiatives in Kenya
Experience with monitoring and evaluation (M&E), research, and adaptive methodologies
Preferred experience working with USAID-funded programs; understanding of USG regulations a plus
Excellent facilitation skills and experience facilitating virtual and in-person trainings and/or workshops
Outstanding verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and cross-cultural skills required
Strong interpersonal skills, ability to interact and cooperate effectively with a large and multicultural team
Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision
Strong organizational skills, and ability toperform in a fast-paced environment
Bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in gender studies, sociology, human rights, public policy, or a related field of social studies
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Swahili; other languages a plus
