Program Officer, Communities and Governance Practice (NEW)

Who We Are

IREX is a global development and education organization. We strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world—where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people, and communities thrive. With a projected annual portfolio of more than $150 million and more than 750 staff worldwide, we work with partners in more than 100 countries in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information.

The Program Officer will provide strategic, technical, financial, operational, administrative, and compliance support for program implementation for the new Soteria Initiative Program in Kenya and other programming related to mitigating online threats to women’s public participation. This includes contributing to work planning, budgeting, reporting, meetings and events, and communications, and providing oversight and support activities and deliverables, both for the program and partners in Kenya. The Program Officer will build effective collaboration and communications across team members and partners to accomplish these goals.

We are doers. Our decades of on-the-ground experience help us create greater impact, practical recommendations, and lasting partnerships.

Are you the next member of our team?

Your Background & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field. in international development, international relations, or related field, master’s degree preferred.


• Minimum of 3+ years of relevant experience


• Experience supporting international development programs, preferably interest in the areas of anti- GBV, women empowerment and leadership, and mitigating digital/online harms or women’s empowerment.


• Demonstrated activity management experience and experience managing multiple tasks at once.


• Experience with financial management, especially for complex budgets. Grant support experience is preferred, especially for local organizations.


• Excellent writing and editing skills.


• Strong communications, presentation, and interpersonal skills.


• Demonstrated cross-cultural sensitivity and commitment to inclusivity.


• Demonstrated research and writing experience in a professional settings.


• Ability to work in a team environment, including team members in multiple time zones.


• Demonstrated organizational, time management, and work planning skills.


• Detail-oriented with ability to multitask and prioritize.


• Very good command of English Language is required. Proficiency in Swahili is strongly preferred


• Must demonstrate valid proof of unrestricted work authorization in Kenya.

Your Daily Tasks

• Contribute to program and partner work planning, budgeting, and reporting to support the delivery of high quality and timely program deliverables.


• Provide day-to-day support for program and partner activities and deliverables.


• Conduct desk research on topics relevant to the Soteria Initiative and other initiatives mitigating online threats to women’s public


• Draft knowledge products such as reports, articles, fact sheets, and other program deliverables.


• Convene, prepare for, and facilitate internal and external meetings, workshops, trainings, and events.


• Support program travel planning, events coordination, and partner/network management.


• Ensure program compliance with IREX policies and procedures and donor regulations.


• Manage efficient and compliant procurement processes for the program.


• Support program start-up and close-out activities.


• Coordinate program visibility efforts in Kenya and public communications as appropriate, including design of one-pagers, knowledge products, and more.


• Support regular program updates to internal and external audiences. Draft internal and external communication materials including emails, memos, reports, presentations, meeting summaries, social media posts, and more.


• Plan and execute internal and external activities and events in Kenya.


• Support relationship management with local, regional, and national networks and organizations.


• Provide business development support as needed.


• Ensure that all fiscal and performance activities in Kenya comply with IREX policies and procedures and funder regulations.


• Oversee procurement needs in Kenya including background checks, vendor setup, and contract/agreement management in IREX’s internal systems.


• Oversee the solicitation of new vendors and the management of existing vendors in Kenya by drafting consultancy postings and/or requests for proposals, drafting agreements, and managing contracts and agreements related to program work.


• Provide mentorship, training, and coaching to other staff.


• Other duties as assigned.

You will Get: 

Committed, passionate, collaborative, and mission-driven colleagues who make IREX a good place to work. You will receive best-in-class learning, development, and growth opportunities, as well as a comprehensive benefits package designed to help you thrive. This includes a well-being and employee assistance program, health coverage, a flexible work schedule, a generous PTO policy, a technology stipend, a diverse and inclusive work environment, and many more benefits. 

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is eligible for Telework. The eligible employee is a regular, full-time Kenya-based staff who works from a worksite outside the Kenya office for one or more days a week.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

                                                                                                                               NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

   We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.