Program Officer – WOVEN Full Time

WHO WE ARE
Our mission is to provide education and health interventions which “light a path out of poverty” and bring hope for a brighter future for impoverished students and communities in Kenya.
We believe that simply being born into poverty should not dictate the end of an individual’s story. Central to our mission is economic inclusion: ensuring that women, children and young adults from impoverished
communities in Kenya can embrace hope for their futures. We place a special emphasis on empowering
women and girls to strive for gender equality and boost economic growth, that allows for individuals to break out of the poverty cycle in the communities where we work. Since our founding in 2012 we have impacted over 78,000 individuals from impoverished communities across Kenya.

About the position

The Program Officer will Support the development and implementation of WOVEN Program with focus on Mentorship and Financial Literacy Coaching.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Program Development and Management

• Support the implementation of WOVEN Program activities in line with strategic goals, approved budgets and the work plans.
• Facilitate business hub development and ensure sustainability through structured support systems.
• Organize and execute financial literacy training sessions tailored for students, ensuring accessibility and relevance.
• Monitor the progress of participants and provide continuous guidance to enhance their skills and knowledge.
• Ensure program activities are aligned with the organization’s mission and deliver tangible impact.

Mentorship and Coaching

• Coordinate mentorship programs, connecting students with experienced professionals and role models.
• Identify and engage industry experts, business leaders, and other stakeholders to provide mentorship and guidance.
• Conduct capacity-building workshops on entrepreneurship, leadership, and soft skills to enhance students’ preparedness for the work/business world.
• Develop and implement tracking systems to measure the effectiveness of mentorship activities.

Business Hub Development and Enterprise Support

• Provide technical assistance in establishing and strengthening student-led businesses.
• Support the development of sustainable business models for student enterprises.
• Guide students on product development, marketing strategies, and financial management for their ventures.
• Establish monitoring mechanisms to track business performance, identify challenges, and provide necessary interventions.
• Design and implement financial literacy programs to equip students with essential money management skills.
• Develop training materials covering savings, investments, budgeting, and financial decision-making.

Networking, Partnerships, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Support in building and maintaining strong relationships with potential partners, including private sector players, government agencies, and nonprofits.
• Assist in organizing networking events, career fairs, and business pitch competitions to connect students with opportunities.
• Facilitate linkages between students and business mentors, funders, and internship opportunities.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities to support program sustainability and expansion.

Reporting and Monitoring and Evaluation

• Assist in development of monthly, quarterly, annual, and activity narrative reports
• Evaluate the impact of financial literacy training and adapt approaches based on student needs and feedback.
• Respond to requests by US Based staff for collection of photos and information on the program to be used for fundraising and program update purposes.
• Participate in documentation of Program Change Stories and Assessments to measure Program impact on the beneficiaries and other stakeholders
• Consistently provide updates on the available platforms concerning beneficiaries including but not limited to change stories and photos, videos, testimonials, etc.

Job Specification

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in implementing youth development, entrepreneurship, mentorship, or financial literacy programs.
• Demonstrated success in establishing business hubs or youth-led enterprises.
• Experience working with educational institutions, private sector partners, and government agencies.
• Ability to foster strong and healthy relationships with college-going students
• Strong track record in networking, partnership development, and stakeholder engagement.

Equal Opportunity

Light Up Hope is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion within the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Light Up Hope makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and the general needs of the organization at the time.

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