Programme Officer Job in Nairobi, Kenya

National Programme Officer – Policy

Advisor and Governance

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Regional Office, Horn of

Africa, Nairobi

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland’s

international cooperation agency within the Federal Department of Foreign

Affairs (FDFA). 

The Swiss Cooperation Strategy Horn

of Africa 2013-2016 focuses on Somalia and the arid and semi-arid lands of

South-Eastern Ethiopia and North-Eastern Kenya.  

The strategy covers four sectors:

food security, health, governance and migration/protection. It is designed as a

whole of government approach in which SDC is closely collaborating with the

Swiss Embassies in Nairobi and Addis Ababa, the Human Security Division and the

State Secretariat for Migration in Switzerland. 

The overall aim of the strategy is to

contribute to the reduction of poverty, improve human security and stability

and address migration challenges.

SDC programs are implemented through a variety of partners (UN agencies,

international and national NGOs, regional institutions and governmental

institutions), using different instruments (humanitarian aid, development

cooperation, policy dialogue) and intervention modalities (bilateral,

multilateral, mandates, contributions, pooled funds). 

Policy dialogue at national and

regional level, donor coordination, aid effectiveness principles in fragile and

conflict affected contexts (New Deal), as well as humanitarian core principles

and improved protection of civilians are systematically promoted. SDC is

seeking a Policy Advisor.
Tasks / Responsibilities

The National Programme Officer (NPO) advises the Swiss Regional Cooperation

Office on policy and governance issues related mainly to Somalia, but also to

North-Eastern Kenya and South-Eastern Ethiopia. He/she acts as the focal point

for governance questions in all programmes.

He/she provides sound analysis of political affairs, as well as development and

humanitarian issues related to the Cooperation strategy and the overall aid

architecture.

She/he works on governance and state building affairs and drives SDC’s

portfolio in this sector.

The NPO actively participates and represents SDC in donor coordination

mechanisms and policy fora relevant to the portfolio and works in close

collaboration with SDC’s bilateral and multilateral partners to ensure sound

planning, implementation and monitoring processes.

He/she communicates with various stakeholders involved in SDC supported

projects and liaises with implementing partners, ministries, local governments

and bilateral and multilateral agencies.

She/he provides inputs for presentations, advisory and briefing notes, drafts

strategic documents for funding decisions as well as all administrative

documents related to the projects under his/her responsibility; closely liaises

with the Admin and Finance Department on all financial issues related to

programme management; plans, organises and conducts monitoring field missions.

 

Experience and educational background

• University degree in studies related to
  
  development cooperation and/or humanitarian affairs and 8 years working
  
  experience in the field of Policy and Governance, preferably in Somalia
  
  and/or Kenya


• Experience in international cooperation and
  
  humanitarian aid, preferably working with an international agency or
  
  government institution focusing on good governance, policy making, 
  
  processes and citizens’ participation


• Experience in project cycle management,
  
  results based management and CSPM


• Knowledge of the multilateral and bilateral
  
  aid system


• Ability to link humanitarian aid with longer
  
  term developmental approaches


• Proven track record in a policy advisory role


• Experience in managing governance and
  
  state-building projects


• Good understanding of the humanitarian,
  
  social, economic and political situation in the Horn of Africa, in
  
  particular Somalia and the Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASALs) of Kenya


• Good knowledge of international humanitarian
  
  law and principles, as well as issues related to (humanitarian) access and
  
  protection of civilians.


• Good knowledge of international aid
  
  architecture debates, New Deal processes and working in fragile contexts.


• Strong analytical skills (political, cultural
  
  and conflict)


• Proven track record in
  
  synthesizing/communicating conclusions and recommendations and ability to
  
  represent government positions in stakeholders and policy dialogue


• Ability to work independently and as part of a
  
  team and to deliver high quality work on time


• Computer literacy in particular Word and
  
  Excel, Outlook, Explorer and PPP


• Willingness to work in remote areas on mission


• Fluent in English with strong writing skills.
  
  Somali speaking an asset


• Female applicants are strongly encouraged

Employment modalities

The position is based in Nairobi. Frequent field missions to the whole region

for the purpose of project planning/ monitoring, sector coordination, policy

dialogue are required.

Applicants must have the right to live and work in Kenya.

Please send applications (letter of motivation (1 page), CV (2 pages max.)) to

nai.sdc@eda.admin.ch  before 15 February 2016.  addressed to: Chief

of Finance, Personnel & Administration, Swiss Agency for Development and

Cooperation SDC

Foreseen start of duty: as soon as possible or to be negotiated. Only

short-listed candidates will be contacted.