World Vision is one of the largest Christian humanitarian organizations in the world, working in nearly 100 countries to create lasting change in the lives of children, families, and communities living in poverty. In Kenya, World Vision has been operating for over 50 years, implementing various projects focused on child protection, education, health, water, and economic development. This blog post will explore the various career opportunities available for motivated individuals looking to advance World Vision’s mission in Kenya.
About World Vision Kenya
World Vision Kenya began operations in 1966 and currently works in 21 counties across the country. Some key facts about World Vision Kenya:
- Reaches over 2 million children and families annually through development programs.
- Implements both long-term development projects as well as emergency response programs. Recent emergency responses include drought relief efforts and refugee support.
- Works through several focus areas including child protection, education, health & nutrition, water & sanitation, and economic development.
- Partners with the Kenyan government, other NGOs, churches, and communities to design and deliver holistic programming.
- Is nationally registered under the NGO Coordination Act of 1990 and governed by a national Board of Directors.
- Headquarters is located in Nairobi with several area program offices across the different regions.
- Employs over 800 full-time national staff with various professional backgrounds. International staff provide technical and management support.
World Vision Kenya therefore provides numerous opportunities for talented and motivated Kenyans looking to build a career in international development and humanitarian work. Let’s explore the types of roles available.
Program Staff Roles
The core of World Vision Kenya’s work involves designing and implementing various development programs on the ground. As such, there are many opportunities for qualified professionals to take on program staff roles. Here are some examples:
Project Officer – Project Officers are responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of specific development projects. They work closely with local partner organizations and communities. Relevant educational backgrounds include project management, international development, and social sciences.
Education Officer – As the name suggests, Education Officers plan and manage World Vision’s education portfolio within a given region. This involves working with the Ministry of Education on initiatives like school construction, teacher training, literacy programs, etc. A background in education, teaching, or curriculum development is required.
Health & Nutrition Officer – These officers spearhead World Vision’s primary healthcare, maternal & child health as well as nutrition security programs. This may involve supporting local health facilities, rolling out community health worker/volunteer programs, strengthening disease surveillance systems and more. Clinical backgrounds in public health, nutrition, nursing, and medicine are preferred.
Child Protection Officer – Ensuring the safety and well-being of children is a priority for World Vision. Child Protection Officers drive initiatives aimed at preventing and responding to issues like child labor, abuse, and trafficking through advocacy, awareness raising, and community monitoring structures. Social work, counseling or legal backgrounds are well-suited.
Water & Sanitation Engineer – World Vision works to provide clean water access and adequate sanitation facilities across communities. Engineers with qualifications and experience in areas such as water resource management, hydrology, construction, and hygiene promotion can apply their technical skills in this critical area.
Livelihoods Officer – Given widespread poverty levels, livelihood support features prominently. Livelihood Officers may focus on economic empowerment through vocational skills training programs, village savings & loans associations, agri-business hubs, financial literacy, and more. Relevant backgrounds include agriculture, cooperatives, microfinance, and community development.
These on-the-ground program roles require staff who are passionate about the well-being of vulnerable populations, are solutions-oriented, and are able to work collaboratively across stakeholder groups in challenging conditions. Field presence and experience within Kenya are valued.
Support & Technical Roles
Complementing the frontline project staff are various administrative, technical support, and management roles based at World Vision Kenya’s national and area program offices. Some examples include:
Finance Officer – Responsible for financial planning, budgeting, expenditure tracking, procurement, cash flow management, financial reporting, etc for assigned programs. CPA/accounting qualifications preferred.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer – Supports the design and implementation of comprehensive M&E systems, data collection tools, baseline/end line surveys, program evaluations, research studies, and knowledge management. Relevant degrees in research methods, statistics, and evaluation.
Communications Officer – Manages World Vision’s internal and external communications including branding, digital/social media strategy, photo/video documentation, publications, events, and stakeholder engagement. Background in corporate comms, journalism, and design is suitable.
Human Resources Officer – Handles recruitment, onboarding, performance management, learning & development, employee relations, compensation & benefits, and policy development. HR generalist or specialist certification desired.
Logistics & Procurement Officer – Oversees procurement, warehousing, fleet and asset management, and travel administration. Logistics/supply chain management knowledge is essential.
Program Quality Manager – Provides technical assistance, coaching, and monitoring to ensure programs adhere to best practices, standards, and results frameworks. Experience in international NGO management or sector-specific technical advisory roles.
Office-based staff support field operations through timely expertise, quality oversight, data/knowledge systems, and effective processes. Applicants with relevant qualifications and some experience within the international development sphere would find these opportunities suitable.
Management & Leadership Roles
For seasoned professionals, World Vision Kenya also provides scope to take on more strategic management responsibilities. A few examples:
Program Manager – Manages a country office or cluster of programs across multiple counties. Provides oversight of multidisciplinary teams, donor relations, and partnership development. Minimum 10+ years of extensive project management experience required.
Technical Advisor – Supports programming excellence through technical advice, research, and knowledge sharing in key sectors like WASH, health, and education. A master’s degree and considerable sector expertise through professional experience are necessary.
Director/Country Leader – Provides visionary leadership, board representation, stakeholder engagement, organizational development, and strategic growth as national head. Extensive senior leadership track record critical for this prestigious role.
Senior Managers – Heads specialized units including finance, HR, programs, MEL, and resource mobilization. Demonstrated success leading high-performing teams over long careers in international development preferred.
Experienced leaders with a passion for World Vision’s mission can steer impact at a wider scale through management roles. Applicants should possess relevant higher education and 15+ years of experience in progressively senior positions.
Recruitment Process at World Vision
World Vision Kenya prides itself on a merit-based, equitable hiring process that aligns with its Christian ethos. Here are the basic steps:
- Job openings are advertised on the careers page of wvi.org and other reputed job sites in Kenya.
- Candidates submit their applications including CV, cover letter, and completed application form before the deadline.
- An internal screening committee shortlists applicants based on qualifications, competence, experience, and cultural fit.
- Selected candidates undergo competency-based interviews with the hiring manager and panel where values are also assessed.
- Reference and background checks are performed for the preferred applicant before a conditional offer is extended.
- A mandatory medical exam ascertains fitness for work responsibilities.
- New recruits complete an onboarding and induction program at their duty station.
World Vision places priority on candidates who demonstrate strong values alignment, technical excellence in their field, and a genuine heart for the Vision. Internships are also offered periodically through universities.
The process aims to select not just qualified staff but also who are mission-focused team players invested in World Vision Kenya’s vision of transformational development. Remuneration is competitive with similar NGOs in Kenya.
Impactful Career with Purpose
Working at World Vision Kenya provides the unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in society through alleviating poverty and its effects on vulnerable children. Some key benefits worth noting:
- Directly contributing to quality programs that protect lives and build communities across the nation.
- Constant growth through coaching, training resources, and international exposure opportunities.
- A purpose-driven work environment that fosters teamwork, creativity, and service above self.
- Exposure to global best practices through World Vision’s worldwide network in the child well-being sector.
- Stable employment with benefits like medical cover, paid leave, and gratuity that allows staff to focus fully on the job.
- Scope for professional growth either within Kenya or global postings based on experience and skills gained over time.
- Lasting personal satisfaction of being part of an uplifting Christian mission transforming impoverished communities nationwide.
For Kenyans desiring a rewarding career helping children in need, World Vision offers an impactful platform driven by its Vision – that is, to see life in all its fullness for the most vulnerable. Interested applicants can learn more and apply on World Vision’s career portal.
In summary, World Vision Kenya recruits competent professionals of high integrity from diverse backgrounds willing to give their best in serving communities across Kenya. Candidates looking to make a positive difference would find excellent scope for career growth and purpose-driven work here.