Senior Project Officer - Youth

Reports To:                         Program Manager – Youth

Country/Location:           Kenya/Nairobi with travel to Isiolo and Kilifi

Length of Contract:         3 years

Please note that this position is contingent upon award of the funding opportunity.

About CRS:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity, or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) opened operations in Kenya in 1965. For over 50 years, we have worked throughout the country to implement programs in agriculture, health, microfinance, water, sanitation, emergency relief and peacebuilding. We have built deep relationships with the Government of Kenya and the Catholic Church through ongoing collaboration and support. CRS’ projects in Kenya currently include agriculture, health, multisectoral nutrition, microfinance, emergency response, HIV care and treatment, and services for orphans and vulnerable children. CRS Kenya implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including the Catholic Church, other faith-based organizations and community entities for maximum impact and sustainability.

Background:

CRS in partnership with Safaricom Foundation is launching a new initiative titled BORA - Boresha Ujuzi Wa Vijana Project (Swahili for Improve Skills of Young People). The project is a three-year initiative which seeks to improve access toquality, equitable, and inclusive skills and learning opportunities for the young people. With a geographical focus on Nairobi, Kilifi, Isiolo, Busia, Kakamega and Nakuru, the project aims to reach approximately 10,000 youths directly over a 3-year period. BORA Project places a strong focus on 4 main pathways that are essential to building life-long, sustainable skills and learning opportunities for youths. This includes Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), Work-Based Learning/Apprenticeship, Entrepreneurship, and ICT.

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.

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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

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.  

What we offer:

CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.

***Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.

CRS provides equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, sex, age, marital status, physical or mental disability or handicap, medical condition and any other status protected by law. As an equal opportunity employer, CRS will recruit, hire, train and promote persons solely on their qualifications and abilities.

CRS’ emphasis on family values supports benefits, including maternity and paternity leave, policies that promote exclusive breastfeeding, the availability of a baby room at the office, and flexible working hours where possible.  Women and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.

By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

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ABOUT US

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. CRS works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding.

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ABOUT THE TEAM

CRS' talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate or global telecommuter, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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