Senior Project Officer - Youth at Catholic Relief

Job Summary: 

• As a member of the BORA Project team, and reporting to the Program Manager – Youth, the Senior Project Officer (SPO) – Youth will be responsible for the achievement of BORA project objectives through coordination and provision of technical guidance and advice to project staff and a diverse group of stakeholders. His/her coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve. The Senior Project Officer (SPO) – Youth will work closely with County Governments of Nairobi, Isiolo and Kilifi, Government Ministries, TVETA, NITA, KNQA, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Providers, Youths, peer NGOs, private sector and community members to advance the youth skilling agenda. S/he will ensure the project consistently applies youth mainstreaming and integration efforts, emphasizing an inclusive Positive Youth Development Approach.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Oversee and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities in Nairobi, Isiolo and Kilifi counties as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices.
• Provide technical leadership helping ensure the development and implementation of innovative youth skills development strategies that address needs of youths, especially for young women and youths with disability.
• Support the undertaking of labour market assessments to inform the design and roll-out of skills development and employment interventions.
• Link new and emerging youth-led entrepreneurs with relevant service providers such as youth hubs for business development support, value chain actors for market linkage, financial service providers for youth-friendly financial products and services.
• Map out and foster effective partnership, representation, and outreach with key stakeholders including Government ministries, TVET institutions, employers, finance institutions and NGOs.
• Identify and participate in Youth & Education Technical Working Groups with relevant stakeholders and partners to build strategic relationships and influence relevant policy and regulatory reforms for improved access to TVET opportunities. 
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Plan and engage in regular project monitoring of the planned activities involving the relevant stakeholders and track the services are delivered with set project indicators, coverage, quality, and inclusiveness.
• Ensure project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements. Assist with preparation of trends analysis reports and documentation of case studies and promising practices.
• Participate in CP Youth Programming activities as well as business development initiatives to grow the Youth portfolio.

Personal Skills:

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment.
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners.
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented.
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Ability to collaborate and contribute to a close knit, supportive team environment, and work with people and organizations of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and cultures.
• Efficient, high-capacity self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced work environment.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills. Ability to quickly establish trust and rapport with professional and community stakeholders; comfortable addressing politically sensitive and policy questions with tact and poise.
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion including gender equality.

Required Languages

•  English, Kiswahili

Travel 

• Must be willing and able to travel up to 50% within sub-counties in Nairobi, Isiolo and Kilifi counties.

Key Working Relationships: 

• Supervisory Responsibilities: Project Officer - Kilifi
• Internal: Regional Technical Advisor - Youth & Financial Inclusion, Project Officer - Kilifi, Senior Project Officer – Nairobi/Nakuru/Kakamega/Busia, Program Manager – Youth, Head of Programming, Senior MEAL Officer, ICT4D/Communications Officer and Communications Manager.
• External: Project Officer - Caritas Isiolo, Finance Officer - Caritas Kenya, Head of Caritas Kenya, TVET partners, Donor, Government agencies, Partner INGOs, Local NGOs, Community representatives, Financial institutions, Employers, Local Community and Beneficiaries.

QUALIFICATIONS
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required, ideally in the field Social Sciences, Youth Affairs, Social Work, Economics, Community Development or a related field.
• At least five years of experience in implementation and management of youth employment/technical and vocational education/youth livelihoods programs.
• Familiarity with any of the positive youth development frameworks is strongly preferred.
• Good relationship management skills and experience forming relations with Government agencies, TVET institutions, employers, donors, peer organizations, and local community members.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and other valuable presentation platforms. 
• Experience creating reports, presentations, proposals, and communication materials.
• Experience developing capacity/delivering training for young people.
• Ability to examine and analyze data, research, an wide facts to uncover and understand cause-effect relationships, and use information as a basis for problem solving, decision making, and prioritization.

Agency-wide REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff) 

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results. 

• Personal Accountability
• Acts with Integrity 
• Builds and Maintains Trust
• Collaborates with Others
• Open to Learn
• Strategic Mindset
• Develops and Recognizes Others
• Leads Change

Apply Before
07/06/2023, 09:59 PM