Project Officer at Cowater International

NB: Applicants must already have the right to work in Kenya.

Cowater International’s Customs, Trade and Investment Climate Team is excited to announce an opening for a dynamic early career professional to join the team as a full-time Project Officer, based in our regional office in Nairobi, Kenya. The team, part of the company’s Governance and Economic Reform division, delivers projects focused on supporting sustainable economic development through strengthening the trade and investment environment in developing and transitional economies.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Project Officer will work under the direction of the Team’s Vice President and will work closely with Project Managers/Directors to implement project activities in a range of international projects in the sectors noted above.

The Project specific tasks include proposal preparation and business development; technical support to Managers and Directors in support of project delivery; and research.

The candidate should have an interest in the key global issues affecting developing countries and a desire to establish a career in international development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Development:

• Identify prospective projects using published/online materials, direct contact with clients and target market personnel (working closely with Cowater International’s Business Development team in these efforts).
• Assist in preparation of expressions of interest and proposals, including drafting/editing of content, and identification/incorporation of research material.
• Support recruitment of international and local team members for future and current group projects.

Project Coordination/Administration:

• Providing overall support for new and existing projects as requested, including assistance with budget preparation/monitoring and contract administration.
• Supporting Project Managers to ensure all reports are prepared and submitted to Clients according to the contract and in a timely manner.
• Editing project documents for ease of reading and syntax as requested by Project Managers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Recent graduate with a Master’s degree in economics, international affairs, public policy/administration, political science, or any other related field with very strong academic performance; or
• Bachelor’s degree with 1-2 years of equivalent work experience.

Minimum Experience:

• At least one year of relevant professional experience (2-3 years preferred).

Essential Skills:

• Outstanding research, analysis and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to summarise complex documents and identify / prioritise client compliance requirements in tenders and related documents.
• Ability to effectively prioritise multiple tasks within a group environment.
• Multi-tasking skills (prioritising and juggling various tasks effectively).

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with donor institutions and the international development sector.
• Working proficiency in a second language of direct relevance to Cowater International’s work (i.e. French, Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic).

Employment conditions: Kenyan Nationals are encouraged to apply. Other applicants must already have the right to work in Kenya.