Government of Switzerland Programme Officer Food Systems Jobs in Kenya

Government of Switzerland Programme Officer Food Systems Jobs in Kenya

International Cooperation Division, Embassy of Switzerland in Nairobi


The Swiss Government supported Regional Programme Horn of Africa (RPHoA) focuses on Somalia and the arid and semi-arid lands of South-Eastern Ethiopia and North-Eastern Kenya. In the frame of its Cooperation Programme 2022-2025, Switzerland supports programmes and projects in the four sectors food security, health, governance and migration/protection.

The overall aim of the Swiss Cooperation Programme is to contribute to the reduction of poverty, improve human security and stability, while also addressing migration challenges. The programme is designed as a whole of government approach, in which different departments of the Swiss Government are closely collaborating.

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), being a directorate of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, has International Cooperation (IC) teams based at the Swiss Embassies in Nairobi and Addis Ababa in charge of managing the development-, humanitarian- and peace-related programmes and projects of the RPHoA (triple nexus).

These are implemented through a variety of partners (i.e. UN agencies, IGAD, international and national NGOs, government institutions, etc.), using different instruments (humanitarian aid, development cooperation, policy dialogue) and intervention modalities (bilateral and multilateral mandates or contributions, pooled funds, deployments of experts etc.). Policy dialogue at national and regional level, donor coordination, aid effectiveness principles in fragile and conflict-affected contexts (New Deal and OECD principles on engagement in fragile contexts), as well as humanitarian principles and protection of civilians are systematically promoted.

For the management of its food systems portfolio in Somalia, North-Eastern Kenya (ASAL counties) and South-Eastern Ethiopia (Somali Region), the IC team of the Embassy of Switzerland in Nairobi is looking for a Programme Officer.

Main Tasks

Support the IC team in ensuring the quality and result orientation of a climate-smart regional food systems portfolio with a particular focus on resilience building of (agro-)pastoral communities in the drylands of Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia.

Ensure, in accordance with SDC principles and quality standards, a sound operational and financial management of SDC-supported food systems programmes, including planning, risk assessments, preparation of required documentation for approval, contractual compliance, implementation, M&E, financial/operational audits (Project Cycle Management, PCM), and contribute to internal annual reporting and planning.

Organize periodical joint field visits with the IC food systems team / SDC Global Programme Food Security in Addis Ababa to plan, monitor and evaluate SDC-funded projects and programmes and to foster Switzerland’s regional food systems portfolio.

Convene, organize and facilitate dialogue, knowledge sharing and joint learning with implementing partners and within the Embassy, continuously analyses and document information about the humanitarian, development and security relevant context and translate it into conclusions for the Swiss programming, including identification and analysis of potentially new food security engagements in the region.

To inform context analysis, policy dialogue and programming, a broad network of relevant stakeholders, especially in Somalia/Kenya, is required (government, civil society, private sector).

Represent SDC in donor coordination fora relevant to the RPHoA, help defining and shaping programmatic and policy dialogue with relevant government authorities at county (i.e. Frontier Counties Development Council, FCDC) and national level / multilateral partner agencies (UN, World Bank) and support the Deputy/Head of International Cooperation in their

dialogues with food system-relevant partners, including with private sector actors.

In a volatile and fragile context, ensure an effective conflict-, risk- and gender-sensitive programming approach of implementing partners, including effective reporting, and promote the integration of climate, environment and disaster risk reduction as crosscutting themes.

Willingness to take up additional tasks and duties related to the food systems portfolio on request and after consultation with the direct superior.

Required Education, Experience and Competencies

Master’s Degree in a field relevant to development cooperation and/or humanitarian aid.

A minimum of 5 years post-qualification work experience in development cooperation and/or humanitarian aid in the field of rural development, food security/food systems/livestock and/or resilience building, climate change and natural resource management in the HoA (incl. Somalia), preferably with an international NGO, UN agency or similar organizations.

Experience in collaborating with national/local government authorities, multilateral agencies and other development relevant stakeholders (UN, IFI’s, IGAD, etc.).

Experience in working with the private sector and knowledge of the market systems development approach (MSD), private sector engagement and development will be an asset.

Solid experience with Project Cycle Management (operational and financial planning, monitoring and evaluation of projects), CSPM, gender sensitive programming and engagement in semi-arid lands (ASAL) and fragile contexts.

Excellent understanding of the social, economic, agro-ecological and political context of Somalia, northern Kenya and the wider Horn of Africa, and ability to capture political and social dimensions of pastoralism (livestock) and climate change.

Good understanding of national and international policy agendas in the HoA in the fields of development cooperation and humanitarian aid, as formulated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), national governments, the UN and other relevant national or regional organizations.

Strong analytical capacity to synthesize and communicate findings/recommendations and ability to credibly represent Swiss positions in the stakeholder and policy dialogue.

Ability to establish trusted partnerships with Swiss partners.

Proven social competencies, teamwork spirit and networking skills.

Excellent organizational, communication and writing skills.

Ability to work independently and to deliver quality work results on time and under pressure.

Excellent knowledge of English (both spoken and written, project approval documents etc.).

Good knowledge of Somali language is a benefit.

Good computer literacy, notably Microsoft Office Software Suite (i.e. Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).

Required Skills

Highly motivated, committed and team minded.

Ability to deal effectively and in a diplomatic manner at all levels.

Ability to multitask, capable of learning fast, adaptive.

Motivated to learn.

Good diplomatic communication skills and friendly attitude.

Precise, dynamic, high level of integrity and loyalty.

Strong service and customer orientation.


How to Apply

Applicants should include a letter of motivation (maximum 1 page), stating their experience in food systems-related Project Cycle Management (PCM), and a CV (maximum 4 pages).
Applications have to be sent to: nairobi.vacancy@eda.admin.ch

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