Programs Officer at Mzalendo Trust

Position Summary:

• Program Officers at Mzalendo provide essential day-to-day support for the successful delivery of Mzalendo’s program goals on time and on budget, in line with funder agreements and Mzalendo’s strategic priorities.  Specifically, in addition to delivering program activities, the position holder will be responsible for program design, development, planning, implementation, monitoring as well as reporting. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure program excellence by successfully meeting program and funder targets, including timely implementation, monitoring, results harvesting and reporting.
• Prepare work plans and manage budgets to ensure prudent use of resources.
• Ensure adherence to donor contractual requirements including reporting timelines, including review of reports to ensure information accuracy. 
• Monitor program risks and propose appropriate mitigation measures.
• Supervise, support and manage relationships with consultants and other external service providers and contractors to ensure value for money and timely delivery of assignments. 
• Identify, develop, support and strengthen diverse partnerships across government, civil society, citizens, parliament, media, development partners and any relevant stakeholders.
• Develop and implement a dissemination strategy to ensure a robust partner and public engagement with Mzalendo programs, initiatives and knowledge products at national nd international arena.
• Represent Mzalendo externally as may be required and delegated from time to time. 
• Contribute to fundraising and resource mobilization to ensure program and institutional sustainability.
• Promote Mzalendo Trust’s Core Values of transparency, patriotism, integrity, partnership, innovation and inclusion.
• Perform any other functions as may be directed from time to time.

Desired Qualifications and Competencies: 

• A relevant undergraduate degree preferably in the social sciences including international relations, political science, development, law etc. from a recognised institution of higher learning. Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• At least four (4) years of relevant work experience in project or program implementation within a non-profit/civil society context especially in Kenya.
•  Good understanding of Kenya’s socio-economic and political context.
• Good grasp of project cycle management, including familiarity with the basic tenets of monitoring, evaluation and impact tracking and reporting.
• Comfort working and interacting with high level strategic partners including senior government officials and key political actors.
• Good understanding of the workings and purpose of parliament in Kenya’s democratic development
• A proven multi-tasker with superior organisational skills and ability deliver on multiple projects and accountabilities. 
• Familiarity with key promises of the constitution of Kenya on public participation, access to information, freedom of expression, human rights etc. 
• Excellent command of written and spoken English and Kiswahili is required.
• Sound judgment and temperament to enable interaction with persons from diverse sectors of society.
• Advanced skills with Microsoft Office platforms (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• An embodiment of Mzalendo Trust’s Core Values of transparency, patriotism, integrity, partnership, innovation and inclusion.