Empowerment Officer – Kenya | ReliefWeb 13 views

Contract Type: Fixed-term (12 months: May 2026 – May 2027)

ABOUT RESCUE DADA CENTRE

Rescue Dada Centre is a registered Charitable Children’s Institution (CCI) under the legal trusteeship of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi. Established in 1992, the Centre’s mission is to reduce the number of street-connected children in Nairobi, with a particular focus on girls. It aims to empower girls to achieve their full potential while enhancing the livelihood security of their caregivers.

The Centre implements both preventive and curative interventions, including the rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration, and resocialization of street-connected girls into safe and supportive family environments. In addition, Rescue Dada Centre provides educational sponsorship, strengthens caregivers’ skills and economic capacity, and promotes increased commitment among families, communities, and government institutions to uphold and protect children’s rights

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Rescue Dada Centre is implementing the Vocational Training and Economic Empowerment for Former Street-Connected Girls Project, a 12-month intervention running from May 2026 to May 2027. The project aims to equip 60 rehabilitated girls with certified, market-relevant vocational skills to support their transition into sustainable livelihoods and successful social reintegration. The intervention combines two training pathways: 40 girls will benefit from enhanced internal training in Hairdressing and Beauty at the Centre, while 20 girls will be supported to enrol in accredited Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in various trades.

JOB PURPOSE

The Empowerment Officer will report to the Empowerment Manager and will be responsible for the effective implementation of the Vocational Training and Economic Empowerment for Former Street-Connected Girls Project. The role focuses on coordinating vocational training placements, supporting skills development, facilitating transition into employment and self-employment, and ensuring continuous monitoring and mentorship of beneficiaries. The Officer will oversee the progress of girls enrolled in both internal and external vocational training programs, ensuring they acquire market-relevant skills, complete their training successfully, and transition into sustainable livelihoods. S/he will work closely with TVET institutions, employers, and other stakeholders to create training, attachment, and job placement opportunities, while ensuring that all interventions are delivered in a child-friendly, rights-based, and trauma-informed manner.

Responsibilities

1. Project Implementation

• Develop and coordinate monthly work plans in line with the project’s annual work plan and Rescue Dada Centre Standard Operating Procedures;
• Support implementation of project activities in compliance with approved budgets and financial policies;
• Participate in monthly project review meetings and contribute to adaptive planning based on progress and emerging needs;
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of all project activities using RDC reporting tools and templates;
• Prepare and submit timely monthly, quarterly, biannual, and annual project progress reports;

2. Networking and Stakeholder Engagement

• Establish and maintain partnerships with accredited TVET institutions, private sector actors, and other stakeholders to support training, attachment, and job placement opportunities;
• Manage stakeholder relationships to ensure effective collaboration and alignment with project objectives;
• Support negotiation of training opportunities and contribute to the development of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with training providers and employers;
• Ensure training approaches are responsive to the needs, interests, and capacities of beneficiaries;

3. Vocational Skills Training Coordination

• Coordinate placement of beneficiaries in internal and external vocational training programs;
• Monitor the quality and relevance of training provided by partner institutions;
• Facilitate and oversee the one-month industrial attachment for trainees to enhance practical skills and workplace readiness;

4. Career Guidance and Skills Development

• Provide individualised career guidance and coaching to support informed training and career choices;
• Facilitate training in business skills, life skills, and employability skills for project beneficiaries;
• Support beneficiaries in developing realistic career and business pathways based on their skills and interests;

5. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Conduct regular monitoring of trainees through weekly phone follow-ups and periodic field visits to training institutions and attachment sites;
• Track trainee progress, performance, and well-being throughout the training and transition period;
• Facilitate reflection sessions with beneficiaries to assess training experiences, challenges, and personal development;
• Support data collection, reporting, and learning processes in collaboration with the M&E function;

6. Transition to Employment and Self-Employment

• Support beneficiaries to access job opportunities through employer linkages and placement support;
• Facilitate allocation of start-up kits/grants based on approved criteria and business plans;
• Provide follow-up support and mentorship to beneficiaries transitioning into employment or entrepreneurship;

7. Administration and Data Management

• Maintain accurate, complete, and confidential beneficiary records;
• Conduct baseline and endline assessments, including livelihood assessments;
• Regularly update programme databases, including information on trainees, training providers, and employers;
• Prepare individual work plans and contribute to the timely reporting of programme activities and outcomes;

PERSONAL PROFILE:

Education and Experience required:

• S/he will have a Degree in Community development, business management, project management or a related field
• S/he will have at least 2 years of work experience in community development, business development, or vocational skills training.
• Must have a solid understanding of human rights, especially children’s and women’s rights, and how they may be promoted through social services activities.
• Must be flexible and understanding, creative, innovative and a team worker.
• Must have sound communication skills – empathic communicator, motivator;
• Must have analytical & problem-solving skills;
• Must be organised, accurate, independent and have a result-driven working style;
• Must be reliable, honest with a sincere work attitude.
• Must be competent in using Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel.
• Must have a certificate of good conduct.
• Must be conversant in English and Swahili