Program Officer

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.NDI has supported democratic institutions and practices in every region of the world for more than two decades. Since its founding in 1983, NDI and its local partners have worked to establish and strengthen political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government. NDI works in Kenya to support democratic institutions, including political parties, better able to engage with stakeholders and citizens on national policy, legislation development and citizen concerns and priorities.

NDI invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons to fill the vacant post in Kenya detailed below. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Description

The Program Officer will assist in the implementation of NDI programs in Kenya. This individual will contribute to the planning, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the program and will collaborate with regional and field staff. The program officer will report to the program manager. This is a one-year fixed-term contract.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide support to the program manager to implement a political parties program in Kenya in accordance with NDI’s program deliverables.
• Coordinate with Kenya and DC HQ staff on program evaluation and reporting as well as program development and implementation as needed.
• Assist in the development of performance management plans and indicators in cooperation with the program manager and ensure consistent and timely application of all M&E systems and standards.
• Ensure that programmatic goals are achieved and that operational and reporting requirements are adhered to.
• Facilitate and manage input from the broad range of stakeholders in Kenya, with emphasis on under-represented groups, including women and marginalized constituencies.
• Drafts briefing memos, reports, work plans and activity budgets.
• Consult regularly with Washington-based staff on program progress.
• Assist in designing and drafting formal reports and proposals to donors.
• Assist in facilitation of internal office communication and support external communication in coordination with the Program Manager.
• Monitor and report on political developments in the country that impact NDI program implementation.

Experience and Skills Required

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in International Relations, International Education, Political Science, Africa Studies or related subject. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of international development, community organizing, political campaign, organizational development or legislative affairs experience. Experience in capacity development activities with Kenyan civil society organizations preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in operationalizing performance monitoring systems, including indicators of success and methods of measurement.
• Demonstrated experience with designing, managing and implementing and employing evaluation tools and methods such as baseline assessments, surveys, interviews, focus groups, mid-term and final evaluations, and research from secondary sources.
• Familiarity working with international donor regulations, reporting requirements and methodology; Excellent oral and written communications skills to effectively present information and respond to questions, PC-based computer literacy is required.
• Exceptional writing skills to effectively edit proposals and write reports and publications
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to multi-task and manage time effectively – juggling workload and deadlines of donors.
• ICT Skills required: word processing and spreadsheet applications. Experience with Google Apps (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs) desired.