Emerging Leaders Foundation-Africa (ELF-Africa) has announced an exciting career opportunity for an experienced development professional to join its team as a Senior Programs Officer. The position offers a unique chance to contribute to youth leadership, governance, civic engagement, and sustainable development initiatives across Africa while helping to shape the next generation of transformative leaders.

The Nairobi-based role is designed for a highly skilled professional who can bridge organizational vision with measurable impact. Reporting directly to the Programs Manager, the successful candidate will oversee strategic programme implementation, staff supervision, monitoring and evaluation activities, and resource mobilization efforts.

About Emerging Leaders Foundation-Africa

Emerging Leaders Foundation-Africa is committed to empowering young people to become active contributors to governance, economic development, and public affairs across the continent. Through leadership development, mentorship, civic engagement, and capacity-building programmes, the organization equips youth with the skills and opportunities necessary to create sustainable change in their communities.

The Senior Programs Officer will play a central role in advancing these objectives while supporting the organization’s mission of fostering values-based leadership and inclusive development.

Key Responsibilities

The position combines approximately 80% programme management and strategic leadership responsibilities with 20% resource mobilization and fundraising functions.

Key responsibilities include:

Programme Design and Supervision

Leading the design and development of programmes aligned with ELF-Africa’s strategic priorities.
Developing project proposals and budgets in collaboration with the Programs Manager.
Ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of projects and initiatives.
Integrating gender equality, diversity, inclusion, and sustainability principles into programme implementation.
Reviewing training curricula, learning pathways, and programme materials.
Providing mentorship and technical guidance to programme staff.
Monitoring programme budgets and expenditure while delivering regular updates to leadership.

Programme Implementation and Coordination

Coordinating implementation of projects according to approved work plans and timelines.
Supervising workshops, training programmes, and community engagement activities.
Managing Program Officers and project staff involved in programme delivery.
Ensuring compliance with organizational policies and donor requirements.
Supporting partnerships with consultants, stakeholders, and service providers.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning

Supporting the development of monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
Tracking programme performance against established targets and outcomes.
Conducting data collection, analysis, assessments, and reporting activities.
Undertaking field visits and routine data quality audits.
Facilitating learning sessions and maintaining organizational learning agendas.
Documenting lessons learned, success stories, and programme insights.
Preparing donor reports and periodic programme updates.

Team Leadership and Coordination

Providing mentorship, coaching, and technical support to Program Officers, Assistants, and interns.
Supporting staff development and capacity-building initiatives.
Coordinating activities across programme teams to ensure effective implementation.

Resource Mobilization

Leading the development of fundraising proposals and concept notes.
Supporting fundraising initiatives and donor engagement efforts.
Strengthening relationships with youth groups, community leaders, and civil society organizations.
Collaborating with communications and partnerships teams to identify funding opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements

ELF-Africa is seeking a qualified and experienced professional with a strong background in programme management and youth development.

Applicants should possess:

A Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Education, or a related field.
At least six years of experience in project management, leadership development, youth empowerment, or a related sector.
Demonstrated fundraising and proposal-writing experience.
Strong project management and financial management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
Advanced facilitation, coaching, and curriculum development expertise.
Experience working with multi-country or multi-stakeholder programmes (preferred).
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, data analysis tools, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems.
Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.

Additional qualifications such as a Diploma or Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation will be considered an added advantage.

Why This Opportunity Matters

The Senior Programs Officer position offers an opportunity to influence programmes that directly impact young people across Africa. The successful candidate will help shape leadership development initiatives, governance programmes, and sustainable economic inclusion projects while contributing to evidence-based learning and organizational growth.

This role is ideal for professionals who are passionate about youth empowerment, civic participation, social impact, and building stronger communities through innovative and inclusive programming.

Application Process

Interested candidates are required to:

Combine their Cover Letter and CV into a single PDF document.
Ensure the document does not exceed four pages.
Send the application to talent@elfafrica.org.
Use the subject line: Senior Programs Officer Application.

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted no later than 15 June 2026 at 5:00 PM East Africa Time (EAT).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Emerging Leaders Foundation-Africa is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Conclusion

The Senior Programs Officer vacancy represents an exceptional opportunity for experienced development practitioners seeking to contribute to transformative youth leadership and governance initiatives across Africa. With responsibilities spanning programme strategy, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and fundraising, the role offers a platform to create meaningful and lasting impact within communities while supporting the growth of future African leaders.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding

Emerging Leaders Foundation-Africa is Hiring a Senior Programs Officer in Nairobi – Apply by 15 June 2026 @Africa is Hiring a Senior Programs Officer in Nairobi – Apply by 15 June 2026