Aga Khan Foundation Project Coordinator Job in Kwale Kenya

Employment Opportunity: Project Coordinator

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a private, non-denominational, development agency promoting creative solutions to problems that impede social development. 

AKF works in collaboration with partners to develop and promote innovative solutions that contribute to improving the quality of life in East Africa. 

Focusing on the Swahili Coast of Kenya and Tanzania, as well as Central and Northern Uganda, AKF responds to local and regional priorities by developing effective programming, measuring and documenting results, and sharing its lessons with governments, donors, and development actors to influence policy and practice.

AKF (EA) is seeking an experienced Project Coordinator for the implementation of an innovative, multi-partner, county governance project.

The ‘Citizen Voice in Devolved Governance’ is a two year project co-funded by DFATD (formerly CIDA) and AKF that aims to increase citizen participation in local governance, with a particular focus on providing support to local civil society organisations in Kwale in order to help them develop the skills to effectively engage with the County government and a broader swath of civil society. 

The project components include 

a) capacity building support to civil society organizations – especially with regards to engagement and communications, 

b) facilitation and coordination of civil society engagement with County government and 

c) provision of support to CSOs in their communications efforts (using new media and old) to involve a wider group of citizens in county decision-making. 

Sector areas of focus for engagement include education, gender inclusion, climate change and sustainable development. 

AKF is inviting applications for the position based in Kwale.

Reporting to the Regional Programme Manager - Rural Development and Civil Society, the incumbent will be responsible for ensuring the project meets AKF and donor requirements, lead the smooth implementation of the project, and will also lead the preparation of accurate, high quality and timely reports. 

He/she will work closely with civil society organizations and local government. 

Specifically, the Project Coordinator will:
 

(1) Manage project planning and implementation to ensure the project achieves its expected outcomes and outputs and complete reports according to donor requirements.

(2) Train and mentor civil society organizations in key technical areas such as policy formulation, positive engagement with government, fundraising, communications and monitoring and evaluation.
 

(3) Facilitate improved communications and engagement between civil society organisations and the County government.
 

(4) Provide analysis, synthesise and articulate the lessons, challenges, and risks emerging from the project, and feed these back into project planning and implementation.
 

(5) Liaise with other relevant AKF/AKDN staff, as well as donors, government actors, international NGOs, businesses as necessary.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Graduate degree in international development, governance, public administration or similar
• Strong knowledge and proven experience of working in the governance and civil society sector with experience managing civil society and governance projects
• Demonstrable and extensive experience in advocacy, lobbying, policy engagement and communications, working with a wide range of stakeholders including but not limited to NGOs, CBOs, business and government
• Experience providing capacity building support or mentorship to civil society organisations, particularly on organisational development, fundraising, policy formulation and government engagement; 
• Knowledge of the context of Kenyan devolution
• Experience in the use of new/social media for communications, including Facebook, Twitter and SMS
• Familiarity with Education, Gender, Climate Change and Development sectors preferred;

Qualified applicants should submit a cover letter, CV and the names and contact information of three professional referees by 15 May 2014 to the 

Regional Human Resource Director, 

Aga Khan Foundation (East Africa) 

via e-mail to recruitment-akfea@akdn.org

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
 

The Aga Khan Foundation is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (www.akdn.org).