NGO Jobs in Kenya - Mercy Corps

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 has recently been awarded programs in Rift Valley and Central Province under USAID’s Yes Youth Can! initiative.


The Yes Youth Can initiative is a USAID program designed to empower Kenya’s youth population in areas recovering from the post-election violence in 2008, through building capacity of youth groups and organizations to engage with markets, governments and communities, and to pursue their legitimate needs and interests more effectively in a way that builds positive inter-ethnic networks.

Mercy Corps is recruiting for the competent and dynamic individuals for the following exciting and challenging positions based in Eldoret and Thika.

1. Senior Technical Advisor - Economic Empowerment (Thika)

The Technical Advisor is a senior level position with Mercy Corps Kenya.

S/he will be responsible for providing leadership of the Economic Empowerment component of the Yes Youth Can initiative.

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.

Knowledge and Experience:

  • BA/S or equivalent in social sciences, economic development, or international development;
  • Minimum of 5-7 years experience in international development;
  • Technical expertise in youth livelihoods development, value chain analysis, agricultural development, and micro-enterprise development;
  • Experience managing youth, microenterprise, job skills/employment and/or civic education programs;
  • History of working effectively and respectfully with host 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
  • Fluency in written and spoken English required
Success Factors:
  • 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
2. Civic Engagement Specialists (2) (Eldoret & Thika)

The Technical Advisors are senior level positions with Mercy Corps Kenya. They will be responsible for providing leadership of the Civic Engagement component of the Yes Youth Can initiative.

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.

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.

Knowledge and Experience:
  • BA/S or equivalent in social sciences, economic development, or international development;
  • Minimum of 5-7 years experience in international development;
  • Technical expertise in youth civic engagement
  • 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
  • Fluency in written and spoken English required
Success Factors:
  • 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
3. Gender/Training Specialists (2) (Eldoret & 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.

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.

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.

Knowledge and Experience:
  • BA/S or equivalent in social sciences, economic development, or international development;
  • Minimum of 5-7 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
  • Fluency in written and spoken English required
Success Factors:
  • 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
4. Program Manager (2) ( Eldoret & Thika)

Working closely with the Chief of Party, the Program Manager will have the responsibility for the day-to-day management and implementation of the Tuungane Kwa Ufanisi-Central and Rift Valley programs in Kenya.

S/he will keep the overview, do the reporting, make sure the work plans are up to date and being implemented, manage the M&E tasks, support consultants, prepare the contracts and guide the USAID visits.

The Program manager will also work to strengthen the capacity of local partners in the areas of civic engagement, economic development, training and curriculum development, reviewing the design and implementation of the program, and ensuring rigorous measurement of program impact and timely reporting.

S/he will work with the Chief of Party to develop overall strategy for the program and ensure that it meets USAID requirements and standards. S/he will directly supervise the program coordinators and work closely with them to ensure timely, high-quality implementation of activities. The level of oversight will require substantial traveling to field sites within Central Province.

Knowledge and Experience:
  • BA/S or equivalent in social sciences, economic development, or international development;
  • Minimum 5-10 years' relevant professional experience in youth empowerment, civic engagement, and micro-enterprise development
  • Strong facilitation and consensus-building skills.
  • Experience managing culturally diverse staff
  • Familiarity and experience with USAID regulations preferred.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English required.
  • Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player.
  • Fluency in Kiswahili
Success Factors:

The successful Program Manager will have an ability to multi-task, set priorities, and work under tight deadlines within a complex team. S/he will demonstrate strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and be committed to the values and mission of Mercy Corps.

S/he will take initiative and contribute to team efforts, as well as demonstrate an ability to communicate, assume leadership, and make solid decisions while working remotely from country leadership.

5. Logistics and Admin Officer (Thika)

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Logistics/Admin Officer will be responsible for accurate and timely completion of all procurement, general administration and HR functions for the Thika office.

S/he will ensure compliance with Mercy Corps administrative and logistics guidelines, as well as that of the Kenyan Government and Mercy Corps donors.

Requirements for this position:
  • University degree, CPA qualification or equivalent, experience in Logistics/Admin, at least 3 years work experience with an international NGO in a similar capacity.
  • Familiarity with various donors’ reporting regulations, attention to detail and capacity to work under pressure, excellent computer skills and full proficiency in Excel.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English and Kiswahili required
If you meet the above requirements, are able to take up a position based in Eldoret or Thika and are strongly motivated for working with Mercy Corps to youth empowerment in Kenya, please e-mail your application letter, concise CV, listing three (3) references (including a recent employer) with their e-mail or phone contacts to: hr@ke.mercycorps.org

Deadline for receiving applications will be 4:00 pm March 28, 2011.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

You can also visit www.kenyanvacancies.com for more jobs