Digital Access Programme Officer at British High Commission Nairobi

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)  
Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and deliver digital development and Emerging Technologies interventions in Kenya and the region. You will be part of the team delivering a global and cross-government programme: the Digital Access Programme (DAP). The Position will mainly focus on delivery of the UK Digital Development Strategy 2024-2030 priority areas including digital transformation, digital inclusion, digital responsibility and digital sustainability delivered through DAP Pillar 1, as well as working seamlessly with the second (cyber security) and third (digital entrepreneurship) pillars and ensuring cross-pillar coordination and coherence. The Position will also support program outcomes emanating from any approved agreements including funding from other HMG sources. 

The estimated Country Level budget is approximately £5m/year through local Partners and a similar amount but delivered through Global Partners.  As alluded to earlier, the Digital Access Programme delivers important UK objectives, as set out in the Digital Development Strategy (2024-2030).  

The job holder will report to the Digital Access Programme Adviser in Kenya who also serves as the Country Lead of the Programme.  The Job holder will contribute to design, development and delivery of the programme. This will entail but not limited to planning, managing risks, monitoring implementation and reporting on programme progress against set intervention targets mainly under each of the pillar 1 of the DAP and on the resourcing, requirements needed to deliver them. 

Roles and responsibilities:

Under the guidance of the Digital Access Programme Adviser in Kenya, the job holder will Specifically deliver on the following functions:

20% Seeing the Bigger Picture

• Work closely with Key Stakeholders in the digital ecosystem, develop a deep understanding of how this role contributes to that of the Digital Access Programme team in relation to the achievement of UK DAP priorities in Kenya.
• Take keen interest and expand own knowledge on areas related to digital inclusion, digital transformation, digital responsibility, and digital sustainability with a focus on the overall international development goals of the UK Government in Kenya.
• Keep up to date with a broad set of emerging issues relating to the UK Digital Access Programme objectives and by extension to the UK Digital Development Strategy 2024-2030 in Kenya

20% Delivering at Pace

• Show enthusiasm in the achievement of UK DAP programme outcomes, proactively anticipating risks and providing mitigation measures responsibly by effectively employing project management skills and techniques.
• Set up, monitor, achieve challenging goals, check own performance against set goals and take corrective action when problems are identified.
• Ensure all activity complies with the new FCDO Programme Operating Framework.
• Ensure the projects, programmes and portfolio are compliant with the International Development Gender Equality Act (2014) by demonstrating consideration for gender equality throughout programmes, and supporting ambitions to achieve the UK’s Women, Peace and Security objectives

20% Delivering Value for Money

•  Take opportunities to challenge misuse of resources to achieve value for money and sustainable ways of working with everyone including UK Government Implementing Partners in Kenya.
• In collaboration with UK Government Implementing Partners, develop an understanding that all actions have a cost, account for expenditures, encourage Partners to choose the most effective way to delivering the same results in a resource efficient manner.
• While reviewing project budgets/expenditure reports, variances, ensure financial and performance data is accurate and that recognised control procedures and practices were maintained.

30% Managing a Quality Service

• Working with various Project teams, set priorities to ensure all work effectively meets the needs of the target stakeholders including beneficiaries, Host Government also ensure alignment to UK Government Digital Development Strategy 2024-2030.
• Keep internal teams within British High Commission-Nairobi, cross-government programme teams based in London, external stakeholders, customers and delivery partners fully informed of plans and possibilities of the DAP. This will include liaising with government, the private sector, civil society and academia/thought-leaders.
• Promote adherence to relevant policies, procedures, regulations and legislation, including equality and diversity and health and safety.

10% Corporate

• As all other staff at post, the job holder is expected to participate in wider British High Commission activities. These may include being active on various committees and in other corporate roles, as well as play a role in crisis management activities on an ad hoc basis.

Resources managed:

• No direct line management is envisaged initially although this may change depending on future requirements of the programme. Teamwork and coordination experience, particularly across different geographies is preferred given the jobholder will need to work closely with multiple internal and external stakeholders, including in Kenya and in the UK. 
• There will be some possibilities for travel in the region and to the UK, as needed by the Programme’s objectives and priorities.  Relevant job-related training will be provided as required.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Minimum formal qualification, or equivalent, required is a bachelors degree in one of the following fields: Information Systems, Information Technology, Information Systems and Technology, Cyber security, information security, Business Information Technology, or any other relevant discipline or any other relevant discipline;
• Minimum number of years work experience for the role is five years.
• Experience of managing the day-to-day administration and delivery of large and/or complex programmes with good eye for detail
• Experience of developing and applying tools to support effective project management as well as delivery control of implementing partners.
• Experience managing large and complex development projects through external implementing partners and contract management.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Knowledge and understanding of Information Society and ICTs for Development Agenda
• Experience of working in an international development context, including managing/working with development programmes, including in Kenya
• Experience of working in or with government in Kenya
• Experience of working in the private sector or organised civil society in relevant fields (e.g. use of digital for affordable connectivity, use of digital for development, and/or emerging tecch including cyber security and Artificial Intelligence)
• Experience at policy, regulatory as well as field level will be considered relevant
• Experience of remote working as part of a larger team.