Gender and Youth Specialist at CIC

Position Identification

Title: Gender and Youth Specialist

Supervisor: Senior Technical Advisor (STA)

Location: CICan Kenya Office

Start Date: TBD

Background

Young Africa Works-Kenya is a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation, the private sector, and the Government of Kenya to improve employment outcomes in the country. As a key strategic component of Young Africa Works, Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) implements the Young Africa Works in Kenya: Youth Employability through TVET (Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET) program which strengthens the quality of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and systems in Kenya.

Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET is a 5-year program (2020-2025) implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education, other relevant Government of Kenya agencies, and the private sector. Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET works through a partner-driven participatory approach focusing on developing 26 Centres of Excellence (COEs) as model institutions that will increase the participation of young Kenyans, particularly women, in market-relevant skills training programs to ultimately increase the number of youths in dignified and fulfilling work in the Big Four and digital sectors.

Job Summary

General Expectations

The Gender and Youth Specialist is expected to lead gender equality (GE) and youth focused efforts related Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET. This includes developing and leading the implementation of gender strategies, leading GE and youth activities, and providing assistance to project partners and stakeholders. Drawing on experience and academic knowledge, the Gender and Youth Specialist will strengthen the capacity of CICan and its partners to work on key GE and youth themes and will work with the monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) team to enhance the measurement of gender and youth objectives.

This role includes the planning and implementation of a range of activities across multiple educational and government partners. The position will work under the direction of the Kenya-based STA and will provide guidance to the other team members. The position is also expected to work closely with Canadian-based staff.

The position is expected to involve some travel within Kenya.

Responsibilities

• Lead GE and youth aspects of Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET project and the full integration of GE and youth themes in all program areas.
• Lead the annual revision of project GE strategies based on changes to the project, Kenyan context and current global trends, developments and innovations in GE and related fields (i.e. women’s economic empowerment, women’s rights, gender-based violence, sexual harassment, etc.).
• Guide CICan to ensure that project activities are aligned with GE and youth strategies and update strategies as needed, working collaboratively with the broader CICan team to strengthen the organization’s expertise in this sector.
• Work closely with the MEL team to develop appropriate GE and youth monitoring and evaluation indicators and learning questions.
• Ensure that MEL has an ongoing GE focus and that this is captured in reporting through the development and use of gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation, results-based management and outcome mapping tools.
• Conduct gender and youth focused research as needed and requested.
• Lead GE and youth reporting for quarterly and annual reports by reviewing partnership narrative reports to synthesize data on GE and youth accomplishments.
• Guide/oversee/develop and coordinate the continuous improvement of CICan project gender mainstreaming approaches and tools.
• Collaborate with Canadian and Kenyan partner staff to ensure gender and youth work is integrated in project partnerships through support to partners and guidance on GE and youth strategies.
• Oversee the development and implementation of gender-sensitive programming, including work planning, reporting, and capturing lessons learned/best practices.
• Provide input into program budget planning for gender project activities.
• Provide technical assistance, including training and advice, for gender mainstreaming, GE and youth programming to staff, consultants, and project partners, including government institutions, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and private sector partners as needed.
• Develop guidelines for partners on GE and youth issues and suggestions on how they can integrate these in teacher training and teaching materials.
• Monitor the risks associated with the implementation of the GE strategies for the duration of the projects.
• Contribute to the development of project communication materials.
• Participate in the development and implementation of policies, procedures and strategies.
• Represent CICan to gender and youth networks and professional associations.
• Participate in program committees to represent gender and youth themes.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Reporting

The employee will work under the direction of the Kenya-based Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET. STA.

Qualifications and Competencies

• 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.
• Master’s degree or higher in gender studies, development or a related field, ideally with publications or presentations related to gender or youth.
• At least 5 years of professional experience working on gender and youth integration on international development projects, ideally in the education or TVET sector.
• Experience combining formal expertise on gender and youth programming with experience of applying these to specific development sectors, plans, and policies.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information.
• Strong MEL skills and ability to develop effective indicators and MEL tools.
• Familiar with development cooperation and working with international organizations.
• Experience working with an international team.
• Experience working with government ministries at national and county level.
• 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.
• Very strong writing, computer, and data skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV with three references as one PDF file not exceeding 8 pages to email address applications@ke.collegesinstitutes.ca with the title on the subject line, Gender and Youth Specialist. The deadline for receiving applications is 5th August 2022 at 5 p.m.

Phone calls or in-person visits will not be accepted. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

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