GOVERNANCE OFFICER & FINANCE ASSISTANT

Since its establishment in 1997, KCDF has built a strong basis for community-driven development approaches and is unique in Kenya as a pioneer of community philanthropy and sustainable
development. KCDF works through strategic and carefully selected partnerships in Kenya, both at the national and community level, and strongly believes in the ability of communities to identify and
prioritize their needs, leverage any available external support, and pursue their own solutions to these needs. KCDF also believes that systemic and lasting change is possible when communities initiate and drive their development agenda, work with governments and other actors to access basic rights and services as well as harness and grow their resources, invest in enhancing organized community-
led initiatives to create a firm basis for sustainable development and social justice.

 

 

 

About USAID Ubora Mashinani Program

USAID Ubora Mashinani is a five-year Program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by KCDF to strengthen civil society, private sector, and county government coordination and collaboration in 11 counties in Kenya through Local Development Organizations (LDOs). LDOs—Trusts co-created through a community-driven process, led, managed, and owned by local stakeholders—coordinate community inputs into county decision-making and unite local civil society and private sector organizations without political affiliations, promoting community ownership and leadership in development agendas. The program operates in the counties of Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kakamega, Kiambu, Kisii, Kisumu, Makueni, Mombasa, Nakuru, Samburu, and Turkana, with the goal of “empowered communities receiving high-quality and equitable services.” Expected outcomes include:

  1. Engaged citizens influence decision-making at the county and national levels.
  2. Accountable county governments deliver services.
  3. Community-based organizations own, lead, and manage their developments.

GOVERNANCE OFFICER

The position holder will serve as a Youth Engagement Specialist, focused on enhancing youth
participation in governance and public decision-making processes. The role involves developing,
implementing, and managing initiatives that foster active involvement of young people in
democratic processes and governance structures at county level.

 

Key Responsibilities
    1. Program Development and Implementation:
      • Provide technical leadership in designing and executing a youth engagement strategy for the
        USAID Ubora Mashinani program.
        Develop initiatives that promote youth participation in electoral and political processes.
      • Create and manage programs aimed at increasing youth involvement in governance and civic
        engagement.
      • Organize workshops, seminars, and training sessions on civic education, political awareness,
        and leadership skills development.
      • Develop educational materials and resources to support youth engagement efforts.
    2. Community Outreach and Civic Engagement:
      • Design innovative mechanisms for enhancing youth participation and civic engagement at
        county and national levels.
      • Build partnerships with youth organizations, schools, universities, and community groups.
      • Engage with diverse youth communities to understand their needs and perspectives.
      • Facilitate forums, town hall meetings, and focus groups to gather input from young people on
        governance issues.
      • Create and facilitate dialogue platforms for youth to engage with elected leaders.
    3. Advocacy and Policy Influencing:
      • Support advocacy efforts aimed at developing youth-inclusive policies and laws at both
        county and national levels.
      • Monitor and analyze policy developments and impact on youth participation in governance.
    4. Capacity Strengthening:
      • Collaborate to strengthen the capacity of youth-led and -managed local organizations.
      • Provide training and mentorship to youth to enhance their leadership and advocacy skills.
      • Mentor and guide youth leaders in their initiatives and projects related to governance and
        political participation.
      • Facilitate peer learning and networking opportunities for young leaders.
    5. Communication and Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, and Learning (MERL):

 

    • Work with Communication Specialist to develop and implement communication strategies to
      raise awareness about youth engagement opportunities in electoral and political processes.
    • Co-create youth-appropriate content for social media platforms and other forums.
    • Engage youth through social media channels and other forums.
    • Collaborate with MERL team to create a learning agenda on youth engagement and
      implement strategies that integrate CLA principles into youth engagement activities.
    • Coordinate research studies on best practices in youth engagement in governance and
      political processes.
    • Prepare reports and slides on the outcomes and effectiveness of programs and initiatives.
Minimum Requirements
  • Master’s degree in political science, public administration, social sciences, or a related field.
  • At least 5 years of experience in youth engagement and civic education in Kenya.
  • Strong understanding of Kenya’s devolved governance system, political processes, and
    youth-related issues.
  • Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
  • Proven experience in program development, implementation, and evaluation.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups and stakeholders.
  • Proficiency in using social media and digital communication tools.

FINANCE ASSISTANT

The position holder will serve as a Youth Engagement Specialist, focused on enhancing youth
participation in governance and public decision-making processes. The role involves developing,
implementing, and managing initiatives that foster active involvement of young people in
democratic processes and governance structures at county level.

 

 

Key Responsibilities
    1. Financial Management and Compliance

      • Assist in ensuring timely and accurate payment processing for program expenditures.
      • Ensure payment documents are accurate and comply with KCDF and donor policies and
        procedures.
      • Coordinate with monitoring and evaluation teams for the issuance of advances and their
        timely adjustments.
      • Process and post petty cash transactions on a daily basis, ensuring petty cash is replenished
        on time to meet operational needs.
      • Conduct regular cash counts as per KCDF policy and maintain proper documentation of cash
        count sheets for record-keeping.
      • Photocopy and scan all necessary financial documents for online payment processing.
    2. Reconciliation and Reporting
      • Assist in reconciling payables and receivables to ensure financial accuracy.
      • Ensure proper liquidation of program expenses by partners and monitor expenditure reports.
      • Maintain organized filing systems for financial documents, ensuring easy retrieval for audits
        and reporting.
      • Assist in preparation and execution of the USAID Ubora Mashinani Project audit, providing
        relevant financial documentation and support.
      • Process and track DA1 forms and VAT refunds to ensure compliance with tax regulations.
      • Perform other accounting duties as assigned, contributing to the smooth financial operation
        of the project.
    3. Financial Systems and Process Improvement
      • Support the implementation and maintenance of accounting systems to ensure accurate
        financial records.
      • Assist in the development and improvement of financial processes, ensuring efficiency and
        compliance with financial policies.
      • Provide support in the preparation of financial reports, including budgets, cash flow
        statements, and variance analysis.
      • Contribute to regular financial reviews and audits to assess the integrity of financial data and
        adherence to program guidelines.
      Minimum Requirements
      • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
      • At least 2 years of experience supporting finance, grants, and operations, preferably in USAID-
        funded grants or contracts.
      • CPA Part 1 or ACCA qualifications.
      • Experience working with QuickBooks is an added advantage.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Applications by qualified candidates should be submitted only by email to [email protected] and copied to [email protected], addressed to Chief of Party, USAID Ubora Mashinani Program, and quoting the position applied for in the Subject Line.

Attach a cover letter and a CV stating your current position, expected salary, email address, and telephone contacts. Also, include contacts of three professional referees.

The closing date for application is 5 pm EAT on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Only shortlisted candidates shall be contacte

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