Gender and Training Specialist Job in Thika Kenya


Mercy Corps works amid disasters, conflicts, chronic poverty and instability to unleash the potential of people who can win against impossible odds. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided $1 billion in assistance to people in 82 nations. 

Supported by headquarters offices in North America, Europe, and Asia, the agency's unified global programs employ 3,500 staff worldwide and reach 9 million people in more than 40 countries. 

Over the last five years, more than 90 percent of the agency's resources have been allocated directly to programs that help people in need. 

Mercy Corps is seeking to recruit a Gender and Training Specialist reporting to the Chief of Party. 

The position is based in Thika.

The Gender/Training Specialists are senior level positions with Mercy Corps Kenya. 

They will be responsible for providing leadership of the Gender component of the Yes Youth Can initiative and coordinating all program training events. 
    
General Position Summary
 
Program Specialist Economic Empowerment is a senior level position with Mercy Corps Kenya. It will be primarily responsible for providing leadership of the Economic Empowerment component of the Yes Youth Can (YYC). 

The 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 ethnicities.

The Program Specialist Economic Empowerment will work closely with the Chief of Party to implement the current YYC Central regional programs’ economic empowerment component. 

Essential Job Functions
  • Provide technical insight and advice for gender programming, including organizational development, women’s empowerment campaigns and micro-grants through the Community Investment Fund, gender literacy through theater initiatives, and storytelling campaigns;
  • Work with the COP and other technical advisors to develop quality training programs, and with the operations team and partner staff to ensure effective and timely delivery of multiple training sessions in various locations simultaneously;
  • Provide technical leadership in organizational capacity assessments, community mobilization, and micro-grant management and implementation;
  • Management and mentorship of local program staff and other partners, gradually transferring skills and capacities;
  • 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.
Knowledge, Experience & Skills:
  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, economic development, or international development;
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in international development;
  • Technical expertise in youth civic engagement, gender equity, and training design and delivery;
  • Experience managing youth, microenterprise, job skills/employment and/or civic education programs; 
  • History of working effectively and respectfully with local government, NGOs, contractors and other partners;
  • Ability to effectively convey programmatic goals, enlist partnerships, and work with a range of program and external stakeholders;
  • Fluency in Kiswahili and the local language.
  • 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
Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit 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.

To Apply:
 
Interested candidates who meet the requirements of the above position should submit an application including a cover letter, detailed CV listing three professional references (including your current/latest supervisor), and expected remuneration by 4.00p.m. 12thApril, 2013 to hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org.  

Your email should bear the title “GENDER & TRAINING SPECIALIST”. 

Applications without this subject heading will be disqualified. Please do not attach any certificates. 

We regret that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

You are invited to read more about Mercy Corps in our websitewww.mercycorps.org.