Program Officer – Kenya – 2024

Position: Program Officer

Location: Kenya
Type of Job: Full-Time
Job Category: Governance and Youth Engagement
Reporting to: Executive Director, Siasa Place
Application Deadline: December 12, 2024

About Siasa Place (SP)

Siasa Place (SP) is a youth-led and youth-focused civic-tech organization committed to empowering young people to actively participate in politics, governance, and civic life. Inspired by the Constitutional right to public participation, SP leverages technology to enable young people to influence decisions that shape their lives. Through our three key program pillars—Devolution and Local Accountability, Politics, Tech, and Rights, and Equality and Youth Employability—we foster skills, confidence, and structures for meaningful youth engagement.

We are seeking a Program Officer who is dynamic, innovative, and passionate about youth empowerment to lead initiatives that advance active participation in governance.

Job Purpose

The Program Officer will spearhead initiatives aimed at leveraging creative platforms to foster youth participation in governance. This role focuses on mentoring and supporting county-based youth initiatives in advocating for good governance, accountability, and service delivery improvements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead Youth Engagement in Governance

• Support county partners in developing and implementing strategies to promote youth involvement in governance, emphasizing service delivery and accountability.
• Facilitate online and offline campaigns that use creative mediums to advocate for improved governance.
• Create opportunities for peer learning and collaboration between youth, stakeholders, and local governments.

2. Mentorship of Local Youth Initiatives

• Provide guidance and technical support to county-based youth groups focusing on advocacy through art forms such as poetry, illustrations, and music.
• Build capacity for youth initiatives in governance, leadership, and accountability using innovative mechanisms.
• Collaborate with youth leaders to design and implement community-based projects targeting governance issues.

3. Capacity Building and Training

• Organize training sessions on governance, leadership, civic responsibility, and advocacy tailored to the needs of local communities.
• Work with stakeholders to assess training needs and develop programs that address them effectively.
• Empower youth to devise creative solutions for improving service delivery and tackling governance challenges.

4. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Collaborate with the MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) team to design tools that track progress and impact.
• Facilitate data collection and gather feedback from youth groups, government officials, and community members.
• Prepare detailed reports on program activities, outcomes, and challenges for stakeholders.

5. Networking and Partnership Development

• Build and maintain partnerships with local governments, NGOs, youth networks, and other organizations.
• Advocate for the inclusion of youth voices in governance structures and processes.

6. Advocacy and Policy Influence

• Support youth initiatives in advocating for policy changes and improved service delivery at local and national levels.
• Develop materials and campaigns to raise awareness about youth participation in governance.
• Champion the inclusion of youth perspectives in decision-making processes.

Key Qualifications

• Minimum of three years’ experience in youth development, governance, advocacy, or a related field.
• Proven experience in leveraging art for advocacy and public participation.
• Demonstrated success in working with local youth organizations and supporting youth-led initiatives.
• Familiarity with local governance structures and processes is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of youth development, governance, and accountability issues.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Creative thinking abilities to design innovative youth engagement programs.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other relevant software.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, or a related field.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications in a single PDF document comprising the following:

1. One-Page Application Letter: Highlight your skills, experience, and enthusiasm for this role. Personalize the letter to showcase your ability to lead programs effectively.
2. Career Experience and Responsibilities (Two Pages): Frame your experience to align with the qualifications required for this role. Provide specific examples of your achievements and responsibilities in previous roles.
3. Educational Background and Relevant Training (One Page): List your qualifications in a table format, starting with the most recent.
4. Three Relevant Referees: Share the contact information of referees you are comfortable with Siasa Place contacting.

Applications should be submitted through Google Docs (Apply Here) by December 12, 2024, at 1800 hours.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Siasa Place is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.