Reports To: Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Lead
Country/Location: Kenya/Nairobi
Length of Contract: Two (2) years, renewable
About CRS
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.
CRS is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity, or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs.
CRS opened operations in Kenya in 1965. For over 50 years, we have worked throughout the country to implement programs in agriculture, livelihoods, health and nutrition, water, sanitation, emergency relief and peacebuilding. We have built deep relationships with the Government of Kenya and the Catholic Church through ongoing collaboration and support.
Background
Wezesha Vijana (Swahili for empowering the young people) is a three-year Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) program implemented by CRS and Safaricom Foundation. The program seeks to increase employment opportunities for 2,400 vulnerable youths in Kenya for sustainable income. With a geographical focus on Nairobi, Marsabit and Isiolo, the program targets vulnerable youths aged between 18 and 35 years who are not engaged in employment, education or any form of training. The program places a strong focus on meaningful youth engagement, local community leadership, technology and innovation, data, and partnerships to ensure that it is sustainable and scalable beyond the program timeframe.
Job Summary
The Senior Project Officer – Private Sector Engagement will report to the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Lead and will identify, develop, and manage strategic partnerships with private sector actors accelerating access to employment, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion opportunities for vocational training graduates within the Wezesha Vijana project contributing to their economic prosperity. S/he will take the lead in the implementation of private sector engagement activities, including providing technical assistance to program staff, partnership development and knowledge management and liaison between private sector partners and the Wezesha Vijana program.
Job Responsibilities
- Oversee the effective co-creation, startup and implementation of Wezesha Vijana PSE approaches and related activities.
- Coordinate with private sector partners to lead the design and implementation of market-based solutions including accessible markets and business development services, flexible financing solutions, readily available apprenticeships, job placements and value chain opportunities.
- Provide guidance to the Wezesha Vijana program team on private sector scoping and engagement, including supporting the development of ‘business cases’ to achieve new partnerships and strengthen existing ones.
- Develop tailored contact strategies and compelling pitch presentations for prospective partners.
- Manage interactions with prospective and actual private sector partners.
- Manage the Wezesha Vijana Private Partner database, including working with program teams to ensure partnership commitments are realized.
- Strengthen capacity and mentor program staff, as needed, to improve their knowledge and skills related to engagement with the private sector. Promote and identify ways for continual learning between Wezesha Vijana program staff and private partners.
- Working with MEAL, 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.
- Develop and manage processes to routinely gather private sector feedback to enhance program delivery.
- Capture and share Private Sector Engagement related reports, lessons learned and best practices.
- 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.
- Participate in CP Youth Programming activities as well as business development initiatives to grow the Youth portfolio.
Personal Skills
- Strong relationship management and interpersonal skills. Ability to relate to people at all levels internally and externally. Strategic in how you approach each relationship.
- Excellent negotiation skills.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented and results-oriented.
- Capable of working in a dynamic, results oriented environment; ability to multi-task across various work streams/priorities.
- Team player with a positive attitude who can work independently while also being highly collaborative and open. Capable of building relationships and influencing the opinions of others.
Required/Desired Foreign Language: English, Kiswahili
Travel Required: Must be willing and able to travel up to 30% in target counties.
Supervisory Responsibilities: Project Officer – Nairobi
Key Working Relationships
Internal: Regional Technical Advisor – Youth & Financial Inclusion, Project Officer – Marsabit, Senior Project Officer – Isiolo, Senior Project Officer – Marsabit, Head of Programming, MEAL Officer, Business Development Specialist.
External: Safaricom Foundation, TVETs, Industry associations, financial institutions, Employers, Local and multinational companies, MSMEs, Local community and program participants, National and County Government agencies, Partner INGOs and Local NGOs.
Qualifications
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education And Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in business, International Development, Law, Social Science, Community Development or a related field.
- At least 5 years in a private sector engagement role, preferably in humanitarian or international development contexts with a focus on market-based solutions.
- Experience in Livelihoods/Youth Employment related private sector engagement is a plus.
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and other valuable presentation platforms.
- Demonstrated experience in driving proactive and innovative strategies to achieve results.
- Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity and inclusion including gender equality.
Agency REDI Competencies (for All CRS Staff)
Agency competencies clarify expected behaviors and attitudes for all staff. When demonstrated, they create an engaging workplace, help staff achieve their best, and help CRS achieve agency goals. These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
- Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
- Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
- Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
- Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
- Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.
Agency Leadership Competencies
- Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
- Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
- Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.
Leadership and Management Competencies
- Communicates strategically under pressure
- Manages stress and complexity
- Actively promotes safety and security
- Manages and implements high-quality program activities
Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.
What We Offer
CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven culture that is committed to improving the lives of the poor throughout the world.
- Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.
CRS Kenya strives to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come and work, stay, and do their best.
