(Program Officer) – Nairobi, Kenya – 2024

(Program Officer) – Nairobi, Kenya – 2024

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• Position: Program Officer
• Company: Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW)
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya
• Type of Job: Full-time
• Reporting to: Programmes Manager
• Application Deadline: November 7, 2024

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Introduction

The Coalition on Violence Against Women (COVAW) is a national Kenyan not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing women’s rights and creating a society free from Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Founded in 1995, COVAW operates under five strategic focus areas: Access to Comprehensive Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Services; Women’s Economic Empowerment; Women’s Leadership Development; Access to Justice; and Institutional Development. COVAW’s work is critical in addressing norms, attitudes, laws, policies, and practices impacting women’s safety and well-being by advocating for gender-progressive policies and supporting the development of local initiatives that respond to VAWG.

As a Program Officer in COVAW, you will lead efforts in a transformative project, Action for Paid Childcare Sector Transformation (ACT), aimed at enhancing women’s rights within the childcare sector in Kenya. This role offers the opportunity to influence gender equality and empower women across Kenya, helping shift the perception of paid childcare from a job of last resort to a respected and sustainable vocation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Implement ACT Project Initiatives
   • Drive the ACT project in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Kakamega, focusing on advocacy and awareness initiatives aimed at childcare ecosystem actors.
   • Develop and execute an advocacy and awareness campaign on SGBV and women’s rights in childcare.
   • Design a capacity-building program to empower ecosystem actors within the childcare sector.
2. Coordinate Project Activities
   • Oversee daily coordination with internal teams and partners to ensure smooth project delivery.
   • Collaborate with project partners to create key project planning documents, including an Annual Work Plan, using results-based management approaches.
3. Focus on Gender Equality Outcomes
   • Align all activities with gender equality objectives, ensuring that deliverables are impactful and aligned with project goals.
   • Lead the documentation of key interventions for reporting and tracking project milestones.
4. Engagement and Networking
   • Foster strong connections between civil society organizations, private sector partners, government bodies, and communities to reinforce advocacy efforts.
   • Strengthen linkages between community, county, and national actors to enhance the project’s impact.
5. Content Development and Dissemination
   • Collaborate with the project team to create, produce, and distribute lobby and advocacy materials for use in campaigns and training sessions.
   • Monitor and document project outcomes and activities, producing accurate and detailed reports for stakeholders.
6. Budget Management and Compliance
   • Oversee project budgeting in line with donor and organizational guidelines, ensuring resources are used effectively.
   • Support program evaluation and monitor project outcomes and implementation, including mid-term and end-of-project evaluations.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Sociology, or Community Development.
• Minimum of five years of experience in project implementation and management.
• Specialized training in gender issues or the care economy is advantageous.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with a strong ability to work across diverse populations and cultures.
• Self-driven, capable of independent work with a consultative approach; able to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal and analytical skills, with proficiency in fieldwork and handling tight deadlines.

Company Culture and Values

COVAW is committed to promoting women’s rights and advocates for a society free of violence and discrimination. Our work environment is inclusive and supportive, encouraging diversity and equality. As part of the COVAW team, you will join passionate professionals working to make meaningful, lasting change. We believe in collaboration, respect, and commitment to our mission of empowering women and fostering societal change.

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Expert Tips to Be a Successful Applicant for the Program Officer Role

As an applicant for the Program Officer position with COVAW, it’s essential to present yourself as a knowledgeable, detail-oriented professional committed to women’s rights and gender equity. Here are ten expert tips, drawn from years of recruitment experience, to help you craft a compelling application and prepare for a successful interview.

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1. Highlight Relevant Experience in Gender Advocacy or Project Management

To stand out, provide specific examples of your experience in advocating for gender rights or managing similar projects. For instance, if you’ve led an initiative addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) or have been part of a community development project, mention this and detail your role and achievements. A strong example would be, “In my previous role at [Organization], I led a gender sensitization program across three counties, which increased awareness of women’s rights and contributed to the formation of new support groups for survivors of SGBV.”

2. Demonstrate a Clear Understanding of COVAW’s Mission and Values

Employers are keen on candidates who understand and are aligned with their mission. Research COVAW’s background, focusing on its commitment to addressing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and promoting gender equity. Show this understanding by referencing specific projects like the ACT initiative. For example, “I am deeply inspired by COVAW’s commitment to VAWG and the transformative potential of the ACT Project in the childcare sector. I am eager to contribute to such efforts by leveraging my background in advocacy and capacity building.”

3. Emphasize Skills in Project Implementation and Results-Based Management

Program Officer roles often require managing multiple projects with defined outcomes, so it’s crucial to demonstrate that you can execute plans efficiently. Highlight any experience you have in results-based management (RBM) and project implementation. An example statement could be, “Using results-based management, I successfully coordinated [Project Name], aligning project milestones with measurable outcomes, resulting in a 30% increase in engagement among community actors.”

4. Showcase Your Ability to Work with Diverse Stakeholders

As a Program Officer, you’ll collaborate with government agencies, civil society, private sector partners, and communities. Emphasize your interpersonal skills and provide examples of working with diverse groups. For instance, “During my tenure at [Organization], I partnered with local governments, NGOs, and private sector representatives to build a coalition that tackled regional health disparities. This experience taught me to navigate complex relationships and foster a spirit of cooperation.”

5. Detail Your Skills in Developing Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns

COVAW’s role in the ACT project includes advocacy for paid childcare and awareness-raising on gender issues. If you have developed or participated in advocacy campaigns, mention this with specifics. An example is, “At [Previous Organization], I designed a month-long advocacy campaign addressing gender-based violence, which involved creating informative content, organizing community dialogues, and securing media coverage, reaching over 10,000 people in the process.”

6. Illustrate Your Competency in Documentation and Reporting

Accurate documentation and reporting are essential to COVAW’s operations. Discuss your experience in preparing detailed reports or evaluations for similar roles. For instance, “I was responsible for preparing quarterly reports on project milestones and challenges for [Previous Project/Organization], which were used in meetings with donors to demonstrate impact and discuss further support.”

7. Use Keywords to Pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Many organizations use ATS to filter resumes before a human review. To ensure your application is noticed, integrate keywords from the job description naturally into your resume and cover letter, like “advocacy,” “gender equality,” “capacity building,” and “results-based management.” For example, instead of “Led project initiatives,” you could say, “Led advocacy and capacity-building initiatives aligned with gender equality outcomes.”

8. Highlight Specific Skills in Budget Monitoring and Compliance

COVAW values candidates who can manage project budgets effectively while adhering to donor and organizational guidelines. Describe any experience in this area with examples of compliance and monitoring. A statement such as, “I monitored a $100,000 budget for a community development project, ensuring funds were allocated in line with donor requirements, and achieved a 98% compliance rating in an internal audit,” will showcase your financial accountability.

9. Provide Evidence of Your Commitment to Gender and Economic Empowerment

COVAW’s work with women’s economic empowerment is critical to the ACT project. Demonstrate your dedication to gender and economic issues, using specific examples. For example, “I contributed to a women’s economic empowerment initiative that provided vocational training to over 500 women, which enabled many to start small businesses, increasing their household incomes and economic independence.”

10. Prepare Thoughtful, Role-Specific Questions for the Interview

At the interview, asking insightful questions demonstrates your genuine interest and preparation. Consider asking about the team structure, COVAW’s long-term vision for the ACT project, or the organization’s key performance indicators for Program Officers. An example question is, “How does COVAW measure success in terms of community impact, and how does the Program Officer role directly contribute to these outcomes?”

• TELEGRAM CHANNEL

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Apply Now for Program Officer

To apply for this role, please send a cover letter and resume as one PDF document to recruit@covaw.or.ke with the subject line “COVAW Program Officer-Act Project”. The application deadline is November 7, 2024, by 5:00 pm.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all backgrounds. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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