The Program Officer will lead initiatives aimed at expanding the use of various platforms in facilitating youth participation in governance through creativity. The officer will mentor and support local, county-based youth initiatives that focus on advocating for good governance, accountability and improving service delivery. This role requires a dynamic, innovative, and resourceful individual with a passion for empowering youth and fostering active participation in governance processes.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead Youth Engagement in Governance:

• Support the county partners to develop and implement strategies that encourage youth involvement in governance, with an emphasis on service delivery, accountability, and active participation.
• Support youth initiatives to facilitate online and offline creative campaigns and projects that engage youth in advocacy for improved service delivery in their communities.
• Create opportunities for peer learning,and collaborative interaction between youth and stakeholders including other organizations and local government

Mentorship of Local Youth Initiatives:

• Provide guidance, mentorship, and technical support to county-based youth groups and initiatives, emphasis on using arts eg. poetry, illustration, music.
• Help local youth initiatives build capacity in advocacy, governance, leadership, and accountability utilising innovative mechanisms.
• Work with youth leaders to develop and implement community-based projects focused on governance and accountability

Capacity Building and Training:

• Organize need based training sessions on governance issues, leadership skills, civic responsibility and advocacy.
• Work closely with local stakeholders, including community organizations, government entities, and youth groups, to assess training needs and design relevant programs.
• Support youth in developing creative solutions for improving service delivery and addressing governance challenges in their local counties.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Support the MEAL  team in design and implement monitoring tools to track the progress and impact of youth-led governance initiatives.
• Help facilitate data collection and feedback from youth groups, local government officials, and community members to assess program effectiveness.
• Prepare regular reports on program activities, outcomes, and challenges for internal and external stakeholders.

Networking and Partnership Development:

• Build and maintain partnerships with relevant stakeholders, including local governments, NGOs, youth networks, and other community-based organizations.
• Position the program at all levels of governance to promote their involvement and participation

Advocacy and Policy Influence:

• Support youth initiatives in advocating for policy changes and improved service delivery at the county and national levels.
• Develop advocacy materials, campaigns, and other tools to raise awareness of youth participation in governance.
• Engage in advocacy efforts to ensure that youth voices are heard and considered in decision-making processes.

Key Qualifications:

• Have three years  experience to lead youth development, governance, advocacy, or a related field.
• Proven experience in using art for advocacy and public participation 
• Proven experience in working with local youth organizations and networks or supporting local youth-led initiatives.
• Familiarity with local governance structures and processes is a significant advantage.
• Strong understanding of youth development, governance, and accountability issues.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
• Creative thinking and the ability to design innovative programs to engage youth.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, local organizations, and youth leaders.
• Have basic computer skills including but not limited to MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and other relevant software.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, or a related field.