Programme Co-ordinator - Systems Change & Government

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a private, not-for-profit international development agency, founded in 1967. AKF works to provide long-term solutions to poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill health in parts of South and Central Asia, Eastern and Western Africa, and the Middle East.

The Programme Co-ordinator will be responsible for overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of program initiatives, ensuring the smooth implementation of the design phase work plan. This includes supporting the drafting and refinement of project documentation modules based on feedback from colleagues and donors, and assisting in the development of the Organizational Learning and Measurement Evaluation framework to align with the organizational vision. The role also involves coordinating the review and updating of the organizational structure and Institutional Strengthening Plan. Furthermore, the coordinator will act as the primary liaison for joint government-civil society technical working groups, navigating bureaucratic channels to secure necessary approvals and agreements for project roll-out, and organizing high-level government engagements to promote awareness of systems change.

1. Coordinate day-to-day initiative workflows, monitoring the design phase work plan and supporting smooth implementation.
2. Assist in drafting relevant project documentation, specifically required modules.
3. Refine module content based on feedback from colleagues and donors to ensure accurate and timely compilation and submission.
4. Support the development of the Organizational Learning and Measurement Evaluation framework, ensuring alignment with the organizational vision and strategy.
5. Coordinate the review and updating of the Organizational Structure, including the Institutional Strengthening Plan, in line with the organizational vision.
6. Serve as the primary focal point for joint government-civil society technical working groups and steering committees.
7. Navigate Partner, National, and County bureaucratic channels to secure approvals, MoUs, and letters of support for project roll-out.
8. Organize and facilitate high-level government site visits, study tours, and policy briefings to raise awareness of systems-change.
9. Support in building, strengthening, and maintaining a robust network of contacts within key Partners, National, and County sectors, including the Ministry of Education, KICD, NCCS, and Council of Governors.
10. Keep the project team updated on shifting government priorities, personnel changes, county leadership timelines, and legislative opportunities or bottlenecks.
11. Compile internal organizational reports/progress briefs and official government reports/communique with high-potential recommendations.
12. Secure formal institutional sign-offs on project data, pilot evaluations, and joint transition or exit strategies.

1. Over 5 years of professional experience in early childhood development, government relations, public policy engagements, or inter-agency liaison roles within Kenya, with critical experience working closely with National & County Governments.
2. Exceptional understanding of Kenya's Early Childhood Development (ECD) space, including devolution structures, national & county budget cycles, public participation frameworks, and split mandates between various National Government and devolution entities.
3. Demonstrated high-level strategic communication, negotiation, and convincing skills, both verbally and in writing, with the ability to draft formal government letters and MoUs professionally.
4. Strong written and fluent verbal communication in English and Kiswahili; basic understanding of local languages is an advantage.
5. Bachelor’s degree or higher in Education, Development Studies, Project Management, or an equivalent field, with professional development competencies in team management and stakeholder engagement.