Program Officer, Twaweza

Department: Twaweza Kenya Programs

Reports to: Kenya Program Manager

Start Date: 20 June 2011

Overall Responsibilities:

With the guidance of the Kenya Program Manager, the Program Officer will analyze and implement Twaweza’s theory of change/strategy and themes, identify key opportunities and develop and implement a powerful Kenya program.

Secondly, the Program Officer will implement positive and effective relationships with key partners and contacts in the interest of promoting Twaweza objectives.

Specific Responsibilities

• Analyze the country situation in relation to Twaweza themes, identify constraints and opportunities, key actors and potential partners;
• Develop a program approach, plan and budget to achieve Twaweza objectives;
• Review and scrutinize key documents, contracts and management reports reaching the Kenya Program Manager for quality, accuracy and compliance with policies and systems, and advise accordingly;
• Set up and maintain databases for monitoring data from partner organizations, and for entering learning materials and publications;
• Research partnership ideas critically, and recommend partnerships and initiatives to the Kenya Program Manager;
• Implement strategic partnerships and initiatives, effectively in a manner that brings results and change;
• Collect data from partner organizations for monitoring purposes, and entering such data into a data base;
• Document lessons learned and use them to strengthen program effectiveness;
• Assist the Kenya Program Manager in the overall monitoring and evaluation of the Twaweza Kenya program, including partners and liaison with the independent evaluation entity as needed;
• Ensure that monitoring feeds into learning and contribute to a culture of learning and innovation within the country program, amongst staff, partner organizations and more widely, with the guidance of the Learning and Communications Manager in Tanzania;
• Maintain well organized, high quality documentation throughout and maintain Twaweza’s profile in Kenya by communicating lessons learnt through publications and online media;
• Draft letters and undertake basic correspondence on behalf of Kenya Program Manager;
• Support the Program Manager and program team as needed.

General Responsibilities

• Successfully implement above responsibilities and assigned activities (and associated budgets) in work plans, consistent with Twaweza Policies
• Contribute effectively to planning, monitoring, reporting and information dissemination of Twaweza’s work
• Comply with and foster adherence to the established Twaweza policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures.
• Participate actively in organization-wide learning and other joint activities.
• Undertake any other lawful tasks as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Core Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, minimum 3 years working experience, in Kenya/East Africa;
• Keen understanding of country political and social dynamics; analytical and conceptual skills, and ability to translate these into program development;
• Creative thinker, imaginative, able to think outside the box and make unorthodox connections. Strong affinity with the thinking behind the Twaweza concept;
• Excellent networking and relationship skills;
• Demonstrated team working qualities, and ability to deliver quality results;
• Excellent verbal, writing and communication skills in English.
• Curiosity and passion to learn, push the envelope, innovate, be creative, take thoughtful risks and get things done.

Email a cover letter and curriculum vitae (with contacts of 2-3 referees) to Lorna Fernandes at jobs@twaweza.org.

Include two original articles demonstrating your abilities for writing.

Deadline: 16 May, 2011