The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) is the apex body of the private sector in Kenya and aims to drive economic development through year-on-year improvements in the business environment by addressing cross-cutting business issues, driving investments and addressing socio-economic issues with partners. KEPSA brings together business associations, corporate bodies, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups to speak with one voice, working closely with the Government and other stakeholders through structured Public-Private dialogue platforms and other engagement mechanisms.
A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
KEPSA together with the Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy and with funding from the Mastercard Foundation, has partnered in the implementation of components of the Ajira Digital Program with an aim of enabling over 1 million Kenyan young women and men to access dignified and fulfilling work through digital platforms over three years.
In 2016, The Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Information, communications and digital economy developed and established the Ajira Digital Program to bridge the gap between
skills demand and lack of jobs. The program aims to introduce young people to digital and digitally-enabled work and provide the tools, training and mentorship needed for young people to work and earn an income with dignity. The program also seeks to contribute to the attainment of the country's vision 2030 objective of becoming a globally competitive knowledge-based middle-income economy in an increasingly digital world. The Ajira Digital Program aims to introduce young people to digital and digitally-enabled work and provide the tools, training and mentorship needed for young people to work and earn an income with dignity achieving the country's objective of a globally competitive knowledge-based middle-income economy in an increasingly digital world. The program vision is to position Kenya as a choice labor destination for multinational companies as well as encourage local companies and public sector to create digital work and thus catapult Kenya onto the Global map, recognized as a Freelance hub.
The Ajira Digital Program covers five programs across the supply, demand and linkage aspects of the job’s ecosystem:
Supply: Provide access to training and mentorship (work readiness and up-skilling
opportunities)
Program 1: Operationalization of existing Ajira Youth Empowerment Centre (AYECs).
Program 2: Institutionalize Ajira Digital Clubs and curriculum in higher-level learning
institutions (TVETS and Universities)
Demand: Increase local availability of dignified work
Program 3: e-Government: Public Sector providing digital work
Program 4: Private sector engagement: Support of digital platforms
Linkage: Enhance central linkage/information repository for all stakeholders & beneficiaries
Program 5: Revamp of the existing Ajira Digital Portal (https://ajiradigital.go.ke/) to offer relevant and timely labour information to benefit the ecosystem needed to grow digital and digital-enabled opportunities.
B. OBJECTIVE OF THE ROLE
The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Intern is expected to actively promote gender equality and social inclusion within the Ajira Digital Program, contributing to the creation of a more equitable and inclusive digital work ecosystem.
C. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Intern, your key responsibilities will include:
Conducting research and compiling comprehensive data on gender disparities and social inclusion barriers in digital work.
Collaborating with partners to identify and address gender-specific needs and barriers, ensuring tailored program interventions.
Actively engaging with stakeholders to promote gender-responsive and socially inclusive practices within the digital work ecosystem.
Identifying and cultivating partnerships with organizations committed to promoting gender equality and social inclusion in the digital economy.
Developing and maintaining a registry of gender-inclusive digital workers, capturing diverse skills, expertise, and backgrounds.
Establishing an internal database to track gender equality and social inclusion initiatives, monitoring progress and identifying areas for improvement.
Staying abreast of emerging trends and best practices in gender equality and social inclusion in the digital economy, proposing relevant activities aligned with program objectives.
Designing awareness campaigns targeting stakeholders to promote gender equality and social inclusion in digital work and encourage participation from marginalized groups.
Customizing onboarding processes for partner organizations to integrate gender-responsive and socially inclusive practices into the program.
Assisting in organizing and facilitating workshops and events focused on gender equality and social inclusion at the county level, providing support and insights to partners.
Collaborating with the Ajira team to mainstream gender equality and social inclusion principles into all program activities.
D. EXPECTED OUTPUT
The Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Intern is expected to actively engage partners to enhance the availability of digital and digitally-enabled work opportunities for women, Persons with Disability and refugees in the Ajira Digital Program.
E. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
To excel in this role, you should possess:
A minimum of a university degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.
Knowledge of gender equality, social inclusion, and their intersections with digital work.
Strong communication, problem-solving, analytical, and interpersonal skills, with a commitment to collaboration.
Demonstrated ability to multitask and thrive in a dynamic environment.
Excellent skills in data management, report writing, and organizational abilities.
Proficiency in both written and spoken English and Kiswahili.
F. ADDED ADVANTAGES
Candidates with the following qualifications and experiences will be given special consideration:
Experience or training in gender mainstreaming and social inclusion approaches.
Familiarity with gender analysis frameworks and tools.
Previous involvement in gender equality and social inclusion initiatives.
Knowledge of gender-responsive and socially inclusive business practices.
