The Programme Officer is a member of the Programmes Unit and reports to the Country Representative. S/he will work closely with the Peacebuilding Advisor for Horn of Africa, Programme Joint Management committee, Partners team leader, DMEL team and Finance and Administration.
The Programme Officer coordinates the day-to-day implementation of the Mandera Triangle cross-border programme, ensuring that activities across the four outcomes and the three implementing partners are delivered on time, to quality and in compliance with the log frame, work plans, budget, donor requirements and Interpeace’s conflict-sensitive approach, and that monitoring, reporting and financial-compliance obligations are met. S/he acts as a key link between the Interpeace country teams, the implementing partners, and the programme’s monitoring, learning and finance functions, and supports timely, accurate reporting to Interpeace and the donor. S/he also acts as a strong communicator who produces high-quality reports and analysis and supports programme communications and donor visibility.
Duties and Responsibilities
Programme Coordination and Implementation
- Coordinate day-to-day implementation across the four outcomes and the three partners, monitoring daily progress and convening weekly updates and biweekly calls so the team can respond swiftly to changing conditions.
- Support the development and tracking of detailed, costed work plans aligned to the log frame and budget and follow up on agreed actions.
- Track delivery of quantified activities (dialogues, forums, EWER roll-out, trainings, resource-sharing agreements and similar) against targets, and flag delays, risks and bottlenecks early.
- Facilitate the context-specific adaptation and implementation of programme activities across Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, ensuring alignment with programme objectives and local operational requirements.
Partner Coordination and Accompaniment
- Serve as the primary operational liaison with the NEPCOH, YAPAD and OSDA Team Leaders.
- Facilitate partner work-planning, accompaniment and capacity strengthening, and help ensure activities are delivered in line with the Memoranda of Understanding and agreed responsibilities.
Planning, Monitoring, Learning and Reporting
- Coordinate monitoring activities with technical support from the DMEL team, including support to baseline and endline assessments, outcome harvesting, and log frame and work-plan reviews.
- Produce and compile timely, high-quality narrative and analytical reports (monthly, biannual and annual) that meet GFFO and Interpeace standards, drawing on monitoring data and field analysis.
- Maintain the programme activity database, with beneficiary data disaggregated by gender, youth and persons with disabilities.
Cross-Border Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement
- Coordinate and facilitate engagement with cross-border coordination forums, Peace Actors Forums, county and national institutions, FCDC, NOREB and IGAD CPRM/CPMR mechanisms, ensuring effective communication and follow-up on agreed actions.
- Coordinate the planning and delivery of dialogues, forums, learning exchanges, and trade and investment engagements, including logistical arrangements, stakeholder coordination and documentation of outcomes.
Financial and Compliance Support
- Review Cash Transfer Requests (CTRs) submitted by partners to ensure alignment with approved work plans, budgets and donor requirements, and support the processing of advances, budget reviews, financial reconciliations and reporting prior to the release of subsequent funds.
- Monitor compliance with donor requirements, including proof-of-use, procurement, visibility obligations, the dual-control principle and internal financial procedures, and follow up with relevant teams to address any compliance issues.
- Contribute to the implementation of sanctions screening and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) due diligence processes by conducting required checks, maintaining supporting documentation and ensuring compliance with organizational and donor requirements.
Safeguarding, Do-No-Harm and Conflict Sensitivity
- Apply do-no-harm and conflict-sensitivity principles throughout, helping to ensure that activities do not inadvertently exacerbate tensions or favour any group.
- Uphold and promote the Code of Conduct and the protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH) standards, and support safe, accessible reporting through Interpeace’s channels (including See Hear Speak-Up).
- Mainstream the Women, Peace and Security commitments (UNSCR 1325), including the minimum 30% participation threshold and the use of women-only platforms.
Communications, Reporting and Visibility
- Produce clear, high-quality written products, including narrative and analytical reports, context and conflict analyses, briefs, infographics, talking points and meeting records.
- Lead and coordinate programme communications and donor-visibility work, including human-interest stories, case studies, photographs and short videos, web and social-media updates, and event materials, acknowledging German support in line with GFFO visibility requirements.
- Work with the partners to maintain a consistent programme narrative and apply strong security and conflict sensitivity to all public content, recognising that visibility may be limited in Somalia.
Qualifications and Experience
- Degree in peace and conflict studies, international relations, development studies, Communication, social sciences or any other relevant discipline. (Master’s degree is a competitive advantage)
- Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in peacebuilding, conflict prevention or programme management, including coordination of activities and partners.
- Experience working in the ASAL region, the Mandera Triangle or cross-border Horn of Africa contexts is desirable.
- Experience supporting donor-funded project implementation, reporting and financial compliance. Familiarity with GFFO, EU or comparable bilateral donor requirements and visibility rules is desirable.
- Experience in communications, content production, media, photography or storytelling; familiarity with digital and social-media tools and basic design.
- Knowledge of P/CVE, Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) systems, local peace infrastructures, and the climate, peace and security nexus is an added advantage.
- Willingness and ability to travel frequently to project locations in the Mandera Triangle and the Upper Eastern corridor, including remote and insecure border areas subject to Interpeace’s safety and security protocols.
- Residency and valid working permit to work in Kenya.
- Working proficiency in English.
Competencies
- Strong coordination, organisation and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple work streams across three countries.
- Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication; able to build trust with communities, partners and authorities.
- Excellent writing, editing and analytical skills, with a strong track record of producing clear, high-quality reports, analysis and communications products.
- Communications skills, including the ability to produce engaging, conflict-sensitive content for varied audiences and to use standard digital and social-media tools.
- Adaptability and sound judgement in volatile, fast-changing security contexts.
- High integrity, discretion and commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and do-no-harm.
- Proficiency in standard office software and data-collection tools (for example KoBo).
- Strong writing and communications skills in English is required. Knowledge of local language is an advantage.
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