Position Title: Programs Officer – Gender Transformative Agrifood Systems
Department/Programme: Livelihoods & Just Economies
Line Manager Head of Programs
Direct Reports: Programs Assistant – and Interns
Duty Station: Nairobi
ABOUT TISA
TISA (The Institute for Social Accountability) is a national civil society organization committed to the
realization of sound policy and good governance in Kenya. TISA, registered as a trust, has been operational
since March 2008 and continues to engage with various relevant state and non-state actors in its quest to
promote effective local governance in Kenya. TISA has built up considerable expertise and networks in
local governance, participatory governance, advocacy strategies, capacity building and practice learning
while growing in experience and capacity in the development of capacity building tools and curricula in
these areas.
JOB SUMMARY
The Programs Officer – Gender Transformative Agri Food Systems will be responsible for leading in
designing, implementing, and monitoring programs that promote gender equality and women’s
empowerment within agrifood systems. The officer will work closely with stakeholders, including local
communities, national and county governments, Constitutional Commissions NGOs, and international
partners, to ensure that the transformation of agrifood systems contributes to gender equity and
realization of human rights including the right to food.
The role requires a strong grounding in feminist movement-building, gender-responsive programming,
strategic advocacy, and participatory governance. The officer will support communities, social
movements, women-led groups, and duty bearers in strengthening accountability systems and influencing
policies, practices, and resource allocation within agrifood systems. They will also be the gender
mainstreaming focal point.
The successful candidate will combine programme management, political analysis, coalition building, and
facilitation skills to support transformative change processes that center women, marginalized
communities, and grassroots voices.
Duties and Responsibilities
Program Design & Implementation:
• Lead the planning, coordination, and implementation of gender transformative agrifood systems
programmes and activities.
• Develop programme concepts, work plans, implementation strategies, and monitoring frameworks
aligned with TISA’s strategic priorities.
• Integrate feminist and gender responsive approaches into programme design, implementation,
learning, and advocacy.
• Ensure effective execution of project deliverables, timelines, budgets, and reporting requirements.
Stakeholder Engagement & policy Advocacy:
• Serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders involved in gender programs. Advocate for
women’s rights and gender equality in public forums, government meetings, and civil society
engagements.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with stakeholders, including women’s groups,
government agencies, donors, and community leaders.
• Coordinate strategic advocacy initiatives targeting county and national government institutions,
duty bearers, and policy actors.
• Support evidence-based advocacy on gender equality, public finance accountability, food systems
governance, and livelihoods justice.
• Conduct research on gender-related issues to inform program design and advocacy strategies.
• Develop policy briefs, position papers, advocacy messages, and stakeholder engagement
strategies.
• Represent TISA in relevant forums, networks, and policy dialogues.
Project Management Monitoring and learning:
• Support project management processes including budgeting, procurement planning, reporting, and
risk management.
• Track programme progress against indicators and deliverables using results-based management
approaches.
• Coordinate data collection, documentation of learning, case studies, and impact stories.
• Contribute to donor reporting and programme evaluations.
• Support gender , monitoring , evaluation and planning processes .
• Contribute to the preparation of M&E reports for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring
compliance with donor requirements.
Feminist movement building
• Strengthen relationships with grassroots movements, women-led organizations, farmer groups,
youth groups, and community structures.
• Facilitate community organizing, civic engagement, and participatory accountability processes.
• Support coalition building and solidarity spaces that amplify feminist and social justice advocacy
within agrifood systems.
• Promote inclusive participation of women and marginalized groups in governance and decision-
making spaces.
• Ensure that gender considerations are integrated into all TISA programs, policies, and practices.
• Develop tools, strategies, and guidelines for gender mainstreaming across TISA’s operations and
partner engagements.
• Develop and deliver capacity-building sessions and training materials aimed at empowering
women, community members, and TISA staff.
• Ensure that gender-sensitive practices are adopted and maintained within all organizational
activities.
Resource Mobilization:
• Identify funding opportunities and assist in drafting proposals to secure resources for gender-
focused initiatives.
• Ensure effective utilization of program funds in compliance with donor agreements and TISA’s
financial policies.
Team Leadership & Supervision:
• Provide leadership and support to the gender program team, including Programs Assistants and
Interns.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, ensuring that team members are motivated
and equipped to achieve program goals.
Required Skills and Experience
• A bachelor’s degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, Community development, political
science, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Law or related fields. A master’s
degree is an added advantage.
• A minimum of 3-5 years of experience managing gender programs, with demonstrated expertise in
programme implementation within governance, gender justice, agrifood systems, livelihoods, or
accountability sectors.
• Demonstrated experience applying feminist approaches and gender transformative
methodologies.
• Strong experience in strategic advocacy, movement building, and civic engagement processes.
• Experience working with county governments, public institutions, grassroots communities, and
social movements.
• Proven project management and coordination experience, including planning, budgeting, reporting,
and partner management.
• Experience in facilitation, training, and stakeholder engagement.
• A good understanding of the agrifood systems and value chain approach
• Proficiency in MS Office and data management tools.
Personal attributes/Competencies
• Passionate about gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and lead a team.
• Willingness to travel frequently to project sites and engage with community members.
• High integrity, accountability, and professionalism
• Commitment to social justice, inclusion, and transformative change
How to apply
Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit one document containing a cover letter
indicating expected salary and their resume with at least three professional referees via email to
hr@tisa.or.ke. Please include the reference “Programs Officer- Gender Transformative Agrifood
Systems ” as the subject of the email application. The application should demonstrate experience in
feminist organizing, governance/accountability work, and gender transformative programming within
community and policy spaces.
Applications close on: 20th May 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted