Young Women Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Officers at PATH

PATH is currently recruiting Young Women Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment Officers to support the Chak a Chaka project in Kenya that focuses on supporting young women graduates of the PEPFAR-funded Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) program with economic empowerment. The Chak a Chaka project goal is to ensure sustained financial independence for 1,225 DREAMS-graduated young women aged 20-24 in Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori through marketplace access and registered savings and loans groups to support continued HIV prevention. This position will lead the economic empowerment portfolio to support the creation and implementation of sustainable economic initiatives supporting young women as a means of HIV prevention.

Responsibilities

• Take lead and provide oversight and coordination of economic empowerment and entrepreneurship activities for the Chak a Chaka project including individual and group book-keeping, group financial health review meetings etc.
• Engage young women in entrepreneurship, savings groups, and businesses to allow them to generate income for themselves and their children.
• Provide technical assistance for young women’s entrepreneurship initiatives through trainings and onsite mentorship activities using national and/or stakeholder guidelines.
• Develop young women’s business and financial skills through coaching, supervision, and professional development.
• In close collaboration with the ward level Safe Space Link Health Facilities, provide continuous health education and access to sexual and reproductive health services by the young women including HTS, PrEP, contraceptive method mix, condoms, ANC, etc.
• Liaise with the ward-level DREAMS implementation teams to facilitate the young women’s mentorship of DREAMS’ adolescent girls and young women.
• Coordinate with the PATH project and management teams to ensure that sufficient resources are allocated for effective project management and implementation.
• In collaboration with the M&E team, ensure that reporting and documentation of results from financial and business initiatives is done effectively and efficiently, and disseminated to relevant stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships and strengthen referral and linkages between local businesses, stakeholders, and community services for young women.
• Monitor and disseminate global trends & initiatives on women and economic development.
• In consultation with the project team lead, develop plans, budgets, and progress reports in line with donor requirements and project work plan.
• Represent Chak a Chaka during stakeholder meetings including with the relevant national and county government departments.
• Collaborate with the project team to document and implement CQI activities.

Required Skills

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university; with a concentration in Global Health, Economics, Gender Studies, or related area.
• At least 5 years of working experience preferred. Minimum 2 years of practical experience working on entrepreneurship and women’s economic empowerment.
• Commitment to the advancement of women’s leadership and participation in business and economic life.
• Experience setting up and/or managing community savings groups.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Project management skills, including a commitment to collaborative management within a team-based organizational structure and a proven ability to manage to workplan timelines and budgets to achieve results.
• Ability to travel for meetings and site visits.
• Proven success in managing teams or partners in dynamic, results-based environments.
• Demonstrated understanding of DREAMS objectives and initiatives, experience with AGYW programming in developing community settings desired.
• Ability to work independently and with a team.
• Excellent computer skills using MS Office Suite required, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of a language locally spoken in Kisumu, Homa Bay, and/or Migori Counties a plus.

You must currently have legal authorization to work in Kenya.

PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.

PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.