Reporting to the Project Coordinator, this position involves collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to ensure project deliverables are met on schedule and within budget. The role requires strong organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. Key responsibilities include tracking project progress, coordinating team activities, and facilitating communication between stakeholders to resolve issues promptly. A proficiency in project management tools and software is essential, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Candidates must demonstrate prior experience in a similar role, with a proven track record of successfully supporting project initiatives from inception to completion.
None of the incumbent’s role involves overseeing or supervising other employees.
Country Summary
Swiss contact Kenya operates as the regional headquarters for the CESAR region, serving as the central hub for programs throughout Kenya. With more than two decades of experience, the organization has been instrumental in empowering young people through initiatives such as entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, market-aligned skills training, and sustainable development projects. Currently, Swiss contact is executing a broad range of projects in key sectors including Agribusiness, Eye Healthcare, Digital Skills, Green Skills, and E-Mobility entrepreneurship. One notable initiative is Propel, which is dedicated to enhancing youth skills development, employment opportunities, and entrepreneurship in specialized trades such as electrical, plumbing, and lift mechanics.
General Position Summary
The Project Officer will facilitate the successful execution of the Future Fit Project by contributing to the delivery of premium project activities spanning digital skills, green skills (particularly in mobility), youth entrepreneurship, and employment initiatives. This position will deliver operational, coordination, and technical assistance to guarantee that project deliverables are executed punctually, within defined parameters, and in strict adherence to donor, partner, and organizational mandates.
This role seeks an independent, analytical professional with an entrepreneurial mindset and strong attention to detail. The successful applicant must adeptly manage project-related responsibilities alongside general administrative duties.
This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, with an estimated travel requirement of up to 30% to designated field locations.
We are seeking a highly motivated candidate to fulfill critical operational functions within our organization. The selected individual will be responsible for executing core duties, including overseeing daily workflows, ensuring adherence to established protocols, and contributing to strategic initiatives that drive organizational success. Key tasks involve collaborating with cross-functional teams, analyzing performance metrics to identify areas for improvement, and implementing solutions to enhance efficiency. Additionally, the role requires maintaining compliance with industry standards, fostering a culture of accountability, and supporting continuous professional development within the team. The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, exceptional communication abilities, and a commitment to achieving measurable results in a fast-paced environment.
Responsible for executing project initiatives from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to established objectives. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to align resources and streamline workflows, mitigating risks and resolving bottlenecks. Develops and maintains detailed project plans, monitors progress through key performance indicators, and reports status updates to stakeholders. Requires proficiency in project management methodologies, strong organizational skills, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities. Experience with relevant tools and a proven track record in delivering projects within scope, budget, and timeline constraints are essential.
Provide ongoing assistance for project activities within digital skills and green/e-mobility skills to ensure they align with strategic goals.
Collaborate with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions, private sector partners, and financial institutions to facilitate seamless project coordination.
Support the coordination and arrangement of training programs, workshops, apprenticeships, curriculum development initiatives, and stakeholder engagements to ensure smooth and efficient execution.
Monitor action items generated from meetings and field activities to guarantee prompt completion.
Assist in the creation and refinement of project concepts, intervention strategies, and reporting mechanisms to ensure comprehensive and effective outcomes.
Ensure the integration of sustainability and market systems development principles is consistently applied across all project activities.
Provide guidance to partners for strategic operational planning, ensure adherence to quality assurance standards, and conduct comprehensive impact assessments.
Conducts systematic tracking and assessment of project performance to ensure accountability and impact measurement. Collects, analyzes, and interprets data to evaluate progress against established objectives, identifying trends, gaps, and areas for improvement. Prepares comprehensive reports and dashboards to communicate findings to stakeholders, supporting informed decision-making. Utilizes established indicators and methodologies to measure efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to integrate evaluation insights into program design and implementation strategies. Ensures compliance with reporting standards and donor requirements while maintaining data integrity and confidentiality.
Work collaboratively with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist to design monitoring tools and monitor impact outcomes.
Monitor the project’s ongoing activities, outputs, and key performance indicators (KPIs) consistently to ensure alignment with the established Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework.
Facilitate the gathering, structuring, and verification of both quantitative and qualitative data obtained from partners, service providers, and beneficiaries.
Compile data inputs for project reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual deliverables.
Assist in documenting learning outcomes, success narratives, and best practices observed throughout the implementation phase.
Effectively overseeing and nurturing relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, partners, and internal teams, to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and foster collaborative success. Requires strong interpersonal skills, the ability to influence without authority, and a proactive approach to addressing concerns while maintaining transparency and trust. Responsibilities include regular communication, expectation management, and resolving conflicts to sustain productive partnerships.
Collaborate with VET institutions, their trainers, and administrators to advance curriculum modernization and promote blended learning methodologies.
Collaborate with private sector stakeholders—including e-mobility enterprises, technology companies, and financial institutions—to facilitate apprenticeship programs, test innovative training frameworks, and establish pathways for youth employment.
Collaborate seamlessly with key ecosystem stakeholders, including industry associations and innovation partners, to ensure effective coordination and alignment of strategic initiatives.
Develop and sustain robust partnerships with key project stakeholders, such as governmental bodies, private sector collaborators, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local community groups.
Facilitate seamless communication and foster collaborative efforts among project partners to ensure alignment and efficient progress.
Explore potential collaborative ventures and innovative initiatives in alignment with the Future Fit project to drive strategic growth and advancement.
Minimum Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field is required. A minimum of five years of professional experience in software development, with proficiency in multiple programming languages such as Python, Java, or C++. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team are essential. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey technical concepts to diverse audiences are necessary. Familiarity with Agile methodologies and experience with version control systems like Git are preferred. Additionally, prior experience in a leadership or mentoring role would be advantageous.
A bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Project Management, Education, Economics, Business, Engineering, ICT, or a related discipline is required.
Acquaintance with donor-funded initiatives and methodologies centered on results-based project management is essential.
Seeking candidates with a minimum of two to three years of professional experience in the facilitation of development projects, either within NGOs, the private sector, or related initiatives focused on youth employment, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (VET), digital skills, green skills, or entrepreneurship programs.
Seeking a professional with exceptional analytical abilities, strong organizational expertise, and the capacity to efficiently multitask to effectively manage competing project demands.
Proficiency in collaborating with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (VET) institutions, private sector collaborators, or youth-oriented programs is strongly preferred.
A professional certification in project management or monitoring and evaluation is highly beneficial.
Demonstrated expertise in critical competencies and specialized skills is essential for success in this role. Proficiency in strategic planning, analytical thinking, and effective communication is required. Candidates must possess strong problem-solving abilities and a collaborative mindset to work effectively within cross-functional teams. Additionally, experience with project management tools and methodologies is highly desirable. The ability to adapt to changing priorities and deliver results under pressure is crucial. Familiarity with industry-specific regulations and best practices is also expected.
Proven ability to effectively coordinate projects and maintain meticulous organization throughout all stages of execution.
Proficient in youth employability strategies, skills enhancement methodologies, and market-driven training frameworks.
Demonstrates exceptional interpersonal abilities, fostering productive collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders—such as young individuals, educators, corporate partners, and banking institutions.
Proficient in monitoring systems, generating reports, and maintaining data integrity are essential competencies for this role.
Proficient English communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential, with Swahili fluency as a preferred asset. Strong presentation capabilities are also required.
Demonstrated expertise in Microsoft Office applications is required; familiarity with digital learning platforms is advantageous.
Maintaining a strong commitment to integrity, demonstrating a high degree of professionalism, and exhibiting meticulous attention to detail are essential qualities for this role.
Demonstrates strong self-management skills and the capacity to perform effectively under tight deadlines while balancing competing priorities independently.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
2 - 3 years