The position reports directly to the Project Coordinator, ensuring seamless communication and alignment between project objectives and team execution. This role requires close collaboration with the Project Coordinator to monitor progress, address any deviations, and maintain adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards. The incumbent will support the Project Coordinator in coordinating tasks, facilitating resource allocation, and documenting project updates to stakeholders. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritize competing demands are essential for success in this role.
Subordinates: None
Country Summary
Swiss contact Kenya operates as the regional headquarters for the CESAR region, functioning as a central hub for initiatives throughout Kenya. With more than 20 years of experience, the organization has championed youth empowerment through entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, market-oriented skills training, and sustainable development initiatives. Currently, Swiss contact is executing a broad array of projects, including Agribusiness, eye healthcare, digital skills training, green skills’ development, and E-Mobility entrepreneurship. One key initiative, Propel, is dedicated to enhancing youth skills, employability, and entrepreneurship in specialized trades such as electrical work, plumbing, and lift mechanics.
Crafts a comprehensive overview of key responsibilities, essential qualifications, and primary duties associated with the role, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and operational requirements.
The Project Officer will facilitate the successful execution of the Future Fit Project, ensuring the timely delivery of high-caliber project activities across digital skills, green skills (particularly in electromobility), youth entrepreneurship, and employment initiatives. This position will deliver operational, coordination, and technical assistance to guarantee that all project deliverables are completed on schedule, within defined parameters, and in strict adherence to donor, partner, and organizational mandates.
This role seeks an individual who demonstrates proactive problem-solving, entrepreneurial initiative, and meticulous attention to detail. The successful applicant will adeptly manage concurrent project support responsibilities alongside administrative duties.
This position is located in Nairobi, Kenya, with field assignments requiring travel to various locations, accounting for up to 30% of the time.
Essential Job Responsibilities
We are seeking a skilled professional to oversee the execution and completion of strategic initiatives within designated timelines. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in project management, ensuring seamless coordination across various departments to achieve predetermined objectives. Responsibilities include developing detailed implementation plans, allocating resources efficiently, and monitoring progress to mitigate potential risks. Proficiency in project management tools, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to adapt to evolving project demands are essential. Candidates should have prior experience in driving successful project delivery and a proven track record of meeting critical deadlines.
Facilitate the seamless execution of project initiatives in the domains of digital skills and green/e-mobility skills, ensuring full alignment with established strategic goals.
Collaborate in organizing project initiatives alongside Technical and Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions, private sector collaborators, and financial organizations.
Provide support in the planning, scheduling, and coordination of training programs, workshops, apprenticeships, curriculum development sessions, and stakeholder meetings.
Ensure that all action items generated from meetings and field activities are promptly addressed and resolved.
Assist in the creation and refinement of project concepts, intervention strategies, and reporting mechanisms to ensure comprehensive and effective outcomes.
Facilitate the seamless incorporation of sustainability and market systems development principles into all project activities to align with overarching objectives.
Collaborate closely with partners to develop operational plans, ensure adherence to quality standards, and evaluate impact through comprehensive assessments.
Responsible for tracking, analyzing, and reporting on program performance and impact, ensuring data-driven decision-making and accountability. Designs and implements monitoring systems to collect, validate, and process performance indicators. Conducts evaluations to assess effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, and sustainability of initiatives. Analyzes data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement. Prepares comprehensive reports and presentations for stakeholders, including recommendations based on findings. Collaborates with program teams to integrate evaluation results into strategic planning and operational adjustments. Ensures compliance with monitoring and evaluation standards, frameworks, and donor requirements. Supports capacity-building efforts for staff and partners in data collection, analysis, and use.
Work collaboratively with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist to design monitoring instruments and measure impact results.
Support the ongoing tracking of project activities, outputs, and key performance indicators in strict adherence to the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework.
Assist in gathering, structuring, and verifying quantitative and qualitative information obtained from partners, service providers, and beneficiaries.
Compile data and information required for project reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual deliverables.
Facilitate the compilation and recording of educational materials, success narratives, and proven methodologies derived from project execution.
Effective stakeholder management involves identifying, engaging, and maintaining strong relationships with key individuals or groups who have a vested interest in the organization’s success. This role requires a strategic approach to communication, ensuring transparency and alignment with stakeholder expectations. Responsibilities include assessing stakeholder needs, addressing concerns promptly, and fostering collaborative partnerships to drive mutual benefits. The ideal candidate will possess excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to influence without authority, and a proactive mindset to anticipate and mitigate potential challenges. Proficiency in negotiation and conflict resolution is essential to maintain productive engagement and achieve shared objectives.
Engage collaboratively with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions, their trainers, and administrative staff to advance curriculum modernization and implement blended learning methodologies.
Collaborate with private sector entities, including e-mobility companies, digital technology firms, and financial institutions, to facilitate apprenticeships, test innovative training models, and develop pathways for youth employment.
Collaborate effectively with key stakeholders, including industry associations and innovation partners, to ensure seamless coordination.
Develop and nurture robust partnerships with key project stakeholders, such as governmental bodies, private sector collaborators, non-governmental organizations, and local community groups.
Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among project partners to ensure alignment and synergy throughout the initiative.
Explore potential collaborative ventures and innovative initiatives within the Future Fit project to foster strategic alliances and drive forward-thinking solutions.
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience is required. Candidates must demonstrate at least five years of relevant work experience in software development, system architecture, or a closely related area. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++ is essential. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment are also necessary. Familiarity with cloud platforms, DevOps practices, or cybersecurity principles is considered a plus.
A Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Project Management, Education, Economics, Business, Engineering, ICT, or a closely related discipline is required.
Proficiency in donor funded project frameworks and results based project management methodologies is required.
With a minimum of two to three years of hands-on experience in advancing development projects, collaborating with NGOs, or contributing to private sector initiatives, you should possess a strong background in areas such as youth employment, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (VET), digital skills, green skills, or entrepreneurship programs.
Proven ability to analyze complex information, maintain meticulous organization, and manage multiple priorities concurrently to ensure seamless project execution.
Preference will be given to candidates with prior involvement in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions, collaborations with private sector stakeholders, or engagement in youth-oriented programs.
A relevant professional certification in project management or monitoring and evaluation would be highly beneficial.
Demonstrated expertise in relevant competencies and proficiencies is required, alongside a comprehensive skill set aligned with the role’s demands. Candidates must possess strong analytical abilities, effective communication skills, and the capacity to collaborate seamlessly across team boundaries. Proficiency in industry-specific tools, software, or methodologies is essential, as is the ability to adapt to evolving priorities and challenges. Additionally, leadership acumen, problem-solving aptitude, and a commitment to continuous learning are highly valued attributes for this position.
Demonstrated expertise in managing projects efficiently and maintaining meticulous organizational discipline is essential.
Possesses a solid grasp of strategies for enhancing youth employability, fostering skills development, and implementing training initiatives aligned with market demands.
Proven ability to collaborate seamlessly with a wide range of stakeholders—such as young individuals, educators, corporate partners, and financial organizations—demonstrating strong interpersonal competencies and adaptability in diverse professional settings.
Proficient in monitoring systems, generating reports, and managing data efficiently are essential competencies for this role.
We seek candidates with exceptional proficiency in both written and spoken English, while fluency in Swahili would be particularly beneficial. Additionally, strong presentation skills are required.
Proven expertise in Microsoft Office applications is required, with a desirable background in digital learning platforms.
Maintains an exceptional standard of integrity, professionalism, and precision in all tasks.
Demonstrates exceptional self-motivation and composure in high-pressure environments, consistently delivering results within tight deadlines while effectively managing competing priorities.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
2 - 3 years
