Chief of Party – Yes Youth Can: Mercy Corps Kenya Jobs in Eldoret
Position Title: Chief of Party – Yes Youth Can
Primary Location: Eldoret, Kenya
Program/ Department Summary:
The Yes Youth Can initiative is an upcoming USAID program designed to empower Kenya’s youth population in areas recovering from the post-election violence in 2008, through building capacity of youth groups and organizations to engage with markets, governments and communities, and to pursue their legitimate needs and interests more effectively in a way that builds positive inter-ethnic networks.
Mercy Corps Kenya has been responding to the violence in Kenya following disputed presidential elections in December 2007 through the Local Empowerment for Peace (LEAP) program in Rift Valley province.
LEAP is working with communities especially affected by the violence to build the capacity local level Peace Committees and stimulate dialogue on the underlying causes of conflict.
The project has a strong Youth focus through cash-fork programming for at-risk beneficiaries and longer-term income generation activities for youth-led micro enterprises.
The sister program, LEAP Sport is supporting more than 3,000 inter-ethnic sports teams with training in teamwork, cooperation, reconciliation, and non-violent conflict resolution.
General Position Summary:
The Chief of Party (COP) / Team Leader – “Yes Youth Can” is a senior level position with Mercy Corps Kenya. S/he will be responsible for providing program guidance, oversight, and management of an upcoming USAID-funded project to genuinely empower youth in Kenya to develop themselves for greater voice in national and local reforms and to create new opportunities for livelihoods that meet the aspirations of young Kenyans.
The program will support youth in achieving positive change in three major areas:
(1) increased work skills/employment;
(2) increased citizenship/civic engagement; and
(3) increased inter-ethnic engagement.
It is expected that activities will include youth-driven mobilization initiatives that benefit communities and promote citizenship; creation of opportunities for life and employment skills; and initiatives to bring together youth of different ethnicity.
The COP of Yes Youth Can will directly manage project staff and will work closely with them to ensure high quality and the timely implementation of activities.
The level of oversight will require traveling to field sites, representation, and coordination with project partners and external stakeholders, such as local and international NGOs, CBOs, business groups, and local and central government authorities.
The successful candidate will be expected to lead the development of creative new programming for youth and reconciliation drawing on best practices from other countries and programs with a focus on building local capacities. Additionally, strong emphasis will be placed on the provision of mentoring leadership and advice to project staff.
Essential Job Functions:
Primary Location: Eldoret, Kenya
Program/ Department Summary:
The Yes Youth Can initiative is an upcoming USAID program designed to empower Kenya’s youth population in areas recovering from the post-election violence in 2008, through building capacity of youth groups and organizations to engage with markets, governments and communities, and to pursue their legitimate needs and interests more effectively in a way that builds positive inter-ethnic networks.
Mercy Corps Kenya has been responding to the violence in Kenya following disputed presidential elections in December 2007 through the Local Empowerment for Peace (LEAP) program in Rift Valley province.
LEAP is working with communities especially affected by the violence to build the capacity local level Peace Committees and stimulate dialogue on the underlying causes of conflict.
The project has a strong Youth focus through cash-fork programming for at-risk beneficiaries and longer-term income generation activities for youth-led micro enterprises.
The sister program, LEAP Sport is supporting more than 3,000 inter-ethnic sports teams with training in teamwork, cooperation, reconciliation, and non-violent conflict resolution.
General Position Summary:
The Chief of Party (COP) / Team Leader – “Yes Youth Can” is a senior level position with Mercy Corps Kenya. S/he will be responsible for providing program guidance, oversight, and management of an upcoming USAID-funded project to genuinely empower youth in Kenya to develop themselves for greater voice in national and local reforms and to create new opportunities for livelihoods that meet the aspirations of young Kenyans.
The program will support youth in achieving positive change in three major areas:
(1) increased work skills/employment;
(2) increased citizenship/civic engagement; and
(3) increased inter-ethnic engagement.
It is expected that activities will include youth-driven mobilization initiatives that benefit communities and promote citizenship; creation of opportunities for life and employment skills; and initiatives to bring together youth of different ethnicity.
The COP of Yes Youth Can will directly manage project staff and will work closely with them to ensure high quality and the timely implementation of activities.
The level of oversight will require traveling to field sites, representation, and coordination with project partners and external stakeholders, such as local and international NGOs, CBOs, business groups, and local and central government authorities.
The successful candidate will be expected to lead the development of creative new programming for youth and reconciliation drawing on best practices from other countries and programs with a focus on building local capacities. Additionally, strong emphasis will be placed on the provision of mentoring leadership and advice to project staff.
Essential Job Functions:
- Lead the overall design, management, and reporting to the donor on all components related to the project;
- Provide technical insight and advice for youth engagement and livelihoods programming, including job skills and employment activities, combining experience with practical on-the-ground identification of constraints and opportunities;
- Provide technical leadership in the improved livelihoods components of the project;
- Management and mentorship of local program staff and other partners, gradually transferring skills and capacities;
- Representation and coordination with donor, local governance institutions, local partners, private sector, and other project stakeholders;
- Regular reporting to the Mercy Corps Country Director and donor on program progress, ensuring that required deliverables are met in a timely fashion;
- Engage and develop joint initiatives with government, community leaders, NGOs, private sector and other stakeholders, providing heightened exposure and maximizing impact of the project;
- Work with project staff on an ongoing basis to ensure smooth planning, preparation, implementation and joint monitoring and evaluation of program activities and achievements towards project goals.
Organizational Learning
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Supervisory Responsibility: Overall supervision of the Yes Youth Can program team including expatriate and national staff; and local and international sub-grantees.
Accountability:
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
Accountability to Beneficiaries
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
Supervisory Responsibility: Overall supervision of the Yes Youth Can program team including expatriate and national staff; and local and international sub-grantees.
Accountability:
- Reports Directly To: Mercy Corps Kenya Country Director
- Works Directly With: Civic Engagement Manager, Training Manager, Operations/Finance Staff
Knowledge and Experience:
- MA/S or equivalent in social sciences, economic development, or international development;
- Minimum of 10 years experience in international development; previous Kenya experience essential;
- Technical expertise in youth livelihoods development
- Experience managing youth, conflict/reconciliation, job skills/employment and/or civic education programs;
- 5 years of field management experience; COP or senior-level leadership highly preferred;
- Experience with USAID rules, regulations and requirements.
- History of working effectively and respectfully with host government, NGOs, contractors and other partners;
- Ability to effectively convey programmatic goals, enlist partnerships, and work with a range of program and external stakeholders;
- Proficiency in written and spoken Kiswahili required.
Success Factors:
- Innovative, decisive and inclusive leadership approach
- Creative and insightful as regards programming for youth and reconciliation
- Excellent communication and team-building techniques
- Proven experience managing and building capacity of diverse teams (expatriate and national)
- Cultural knowledge, sensitivity and respect
- Commitment to oversee project for its duration
The position will be based in Eldoret, which is the provincial capital of Rift Valley. There are modern conveniences, supermarkets, restaurants, and excellent internet and cell phone coverage. Petty crime is an issue, but there are no major security concerns. Eldoret is an accompanied post.
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Apply for this job online
http://www.mercycorps.org/jobs
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