Senior Project Officer – Youth (Marsabit) at Catholic Relief

Job Summary: 

As a member of the Wezesha Project team, and reporting to the Youth Sector Lead, the Senior Project Officer (SPO) – Youth will be responsible for the achievement of Wezesha Vijana project objectives in Marsabit through coordination and technical guidance 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 Government of Marsabit, National Government Ministries, TVETA, NITA, KNQA, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Skilling Providers, Youths, peer NGOs, private sector and community members to advance the youth skilling and employment agenda. S/he will ensure the project consistently applies youth mainstreaming and integration efforts, emphasizing an inclusive Positive Youth Development Approach.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities in Marsabit County 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 employment strategies that address skills 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 entrepreneurs and youth workforce entrants with relevant services such as business development support, job search support, financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills, private sector actors for employment linkage, 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 and employment 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.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• 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 target sub-counties in Marsabit County.

Key Working Relationships: 

Supervisory Responsibilities: Project Officer - Marsabit

• Internal: Regional Technical Advisor - Youth & Financial Inclusion, Project Officer - Marsabit, Senior Project Officer – Isiolo, Head of Programming, MEAL Officer, Communications Manager.
• External: Caritas Marsabit Project Officer, Caritas Marsabit Finance Officer, Caritas Marsabit Director and Senior Management, TVET partners, Safaricom Foundation team, Government agencies, Partner INGOs, Local NGOs, Community representatives, Financial institutions, Employers, Local Community and Beneficiaries.

QUALIFICATIONS

Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required in Social Sciences, Youth Affairs, Social Work, Economics, Community Development or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in implementing and managing youth employment, technical/vocational education, or youth livelihoods programs. Strong familiarity with positive youth development frameworks/approaches is highly preferred.
• Proven ability to build and manage relationships with government agencies, TVET institutions, employers, donors, peer organizations, and local communities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and experience with other presentation platforms.
• Experience in developing curricula and delivering training programs for youth audiences.
• Demonstrated analytical abilities to examine data, research, and information to identify cause-effect relationships and use insights to drive problem-solving, decision-making, and prioritization.