PROGRAM OFFICER – DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE REF: ACT/POG/01/2022 Local Position

Act Change Transform (Act!) is a local Non-Governmental Organization whose mission is to facilitate the empowerment of marginalized people and communities in Kenya and neighboring countries, to become active participants in their development by enabling them to: stand up for their rights; demand good governance in the management of resources; and participate in decision making processes. Act! does this through implementing partners, offering them capacity development, management of grants so that value for money is achieved and providing strategic leadership in national advocacy for the benefit of women, youth, people with disabilities and other marginalized communities.

Job Summary

This is Program based position within the Democracy Governance and Human Rights Platform of Act!. The Program Officer, Democracy & Governance will be placed under the USAID Funded Kenya Electoral Conflicts Mitigation & Civic/Voter Education Support (ECCES) Program. This program is being implemented from November 2021 to October 2024 in at least 18 counties of Kenya. The position reports to the ECCES Program Chief of Party and it is technical role that requires sufficient previous experience and skills in democracy, governance and human rights. Previous experience working on an elections programme is desirable. Key tasks for this position will include programme planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting. It is expected that the jobholder will interact with Civil Society Organizations; democracy and governance actors; state agencies and citizens (youth and women). This position requires familiarity with electoral processes such as civic and voter education; human rights; advocacy and lobby in the context of Kenya.

Key responsibilities will include, but not limited to the following: (1). Effective planning, timely and quality implementation of programme activities; (2). Effective support to all downstream partners with their implementation, monitoring and reporting; (3). Ongoing monitoring and review of the programme context and offer the program leadership team with insights that support programme alignment and adaptation; (4). Ensuring downstream partners projects employ smart advocacy strategies and plans in the Kenya context; (5). Ensuring the partners’ interventions are aligned to the donor and programme design; (6). Support to the Chief of Party and the Deputy Chief of Party, with periodic partners performance reviews and coordinate with the grants team on timely and efficient feedback to all partners against their submissions (reports, budgets, expenditure reports, MERL indicators tracking tables, financial projections and workplans).

Key Responsibilities:

Program Implementation

• Under the supervision of the Chief of Party, coordinate the implementation of the relevant aspects of the Kenya Electoral Conflicts Mitigation & Civic/Voter Education Support (ECCES) Program.


• Provide technical support to the implementation of partner initiatives including monitoring performance whilst ensuring timely and effective utilization of allocated resources.


• Provide technical support to partners in ensuring that their programme/project interventions are based on human rights based approaches and are cognizant of gender, youth and disability concerns.


• Provide technical and administrative support to consultants and specialists providing short term technical assistance (STTA) to Act! and its partners under the ECCES Program.


• Support regular office, field and activity visits to the partners to monitor performance and give technical support.


• Promote visibility of partner activities through various communication initiatives- including photography and success story writing.


• Review quarterly reports submitted by the partners.


• Work with other Program Officers, experts and advisors on the programme in providing advocacy and lobby technical assistance and support to downstream partners implementing their initiatives with advocacy components.


• Actively participate in the program meetings and provide overview of context analysis as required.


• Coordinate with the monitoring and evaluation team to prepare weekly, monthly & quarterly reports for the program.


• Contribute towards program design, planning, implementation and evaluation.


• Develop periodic high quality activity reports summarizing key outputs and observations.

Capacity Development

• Provide technical guidance and support to the Capacity Development team on issues pertaining Governance & Human Rights.


• Support in the delivery of training to Partners within the component.


• Provide leadership in mentorship and coaching for partners through accompaniment and quarterly site visits.


• Liaise with the Chief of Party in ensuring all capacity development needs for the partners are addressed related to Electoral support.

Networking and Representation

• Establish and maintain regular contact with partner organizations, and to liaise and co-ordinate with the appropriate government bodies whenever appropriate to ensure successful program progress.


• Liaise and maintain contacts with relevant national and county government agencies and line ministries, civil societies and private sector collaborators.

Qualification, Experience and Skills:

Academic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, International Relations, Law or any other related field. A Post graduate degree will be an added advantage.

Professional Qualifications

Professional training in Project Development Cycle or related fields.

Relevant Experience

At least 5 years’ relevant work experience in working with civil society organizations involved in democracy, governance and human rights space. Specific experience with elections programming is desirable.**

Essential Skills and Competencies

Thorough knowledge of socio-economics, socio-anthropology and/or proven ability in participatory methods and processes:

• Ability to work in a fast paced environment requiring multi-tasking.


• Knowledge of policy influences and institutional practices.


• Strong analytical and report writing skills.


• Excellent written and oral communication skills.


• Excellent computer skills.


• Excellent Interpersonal Skills and result oriented.


• Ability to work with minimum supervision.


• Demonstrated ability to work as a team player in a multi-disciplinary team setting.


• Willingness to travel frequently and extensively.

Complexity and difficulty of the work

• A demanding job that requires tolerance, community knowledge and local political dynamics within the region.

How to apply

How to Apply:

If you meet the requirements as contained in the position description, please submit (1) a detailed and current CV; (2) an Application Cover Letter demonstrating why you qualify for the position, quoting your current/last gross salary and three referees including their most current contact details. All applications should be submitted electronically to hr.admin@act.or.ke quoting the reference number (ACT/POG/01/2022) and position on the e-mail subject line. Only candidates shortlisted for interviews will be contacted.

Deadline for applications submission is 12:00 pm Friday 28^th January, 2022.

Act! is an equal opportunity employer with zero tolerance to corruption.