Position: Kenya Elections Associate
Location: Kenya
Salary Offer: Negotiable, aligned with our needs-based financial model
Level of Effort / Duration: Full time for 12-18 months based on hiring date
Start Date: To be confirmed
Submit application not later than 23.59 EAT on Sunday, July 12 to team@howtobuildup.org
Build Up transforms conflict in the digital age. We implement programs, conduct research, and
develop technical solutions to engage with conflict and build societies in which everyone can
thrive. We are a digital-first organization, which means that we both use digital technologies
throughout our peacebuilding work and deeply understand the impact of technology on
conflict.
We are seeking a Kenya Elections Associate to support the implementation of our
programme, Towards Peaceful 2027 Elections in Kenya: An Integrated Online/Offline
Approach. The programme seeks to contribute to inclusive, peaceful, and credible elections
in Kenya through participatory narrative monitoring, inclusive citizen engagement, and
evidence-based feedback loops between citizens and institutions.
We are seeking candidates with demonstrated experience at the intersection of social media
analysis, digital engagement, inclusive politics, and / or peacebuilding. Applicants must share
our commitment to contributing to non-violent change, an interest in digital peacebuilding,
and a desire to be part of a values-driven, non-hierarchical, and collaborative organizational
culture.
We encourage female candidates to apply. We welcome people of all ages, genders, races,
backgrounds, abilities, and sexual orientations, because we aim to further deepen and enrich
our work as a collective by reflecting the diversity of our world.
Position Overview / Candidate Profile
Thematic Competencies
Ideal candidates will demonstrate experience and skills across several of the thematic areas
below. These competencies also serve as an illustration of indicative activities within the
Kenya Elections programme.
Digital Conflict Analysis and Narrative Monitoring
● Conduct research and analysis to understand online electoral conflict dynamics and
emerging narratives.
● Support participatory social media analysis processes using Build Up methodologies
and tools.
● Contribute to identifying and mapping narratives, actors, and trends related to
electoral discourse.
● Support the development of analytical outputs including thematic reports, rapid briefs,
and narrative summaries.
● Translate analysis into practical recommendations that inform peacebuilding and
prevention efforts.
Democracy and Inclusive Participation
● Support political and peacebuilding processes related to democratic participation and
electoral engagement.
● Facilitate and support inclusive citizen engagement processes both online and offline.
● Contribute to consultation and deliberation processes with particular attention to
youth and women’s participation.
● Support the strengthening of feedback loops between citizens, communities, and
institutional stakeholders.
● Navigate complex political environments with awareness of cultural and historical
context.
Locally Led Implementation and Accompaniment
● Accompany civil society organizations and focal points implementing activities at
county level.
● Support mentorship and capacity-building processes related to narrative analysis and
digital engagement approaches.
● Participate in joint learning, reflection, and adaptation processes with partners.
● Contribute to strengthening capacities that remain embedded within local
organizations beyond the life of the programme.
Cross-Cutting Skills
Ideal candidates will possess experience and skills in most if not all of the following activities.
● Deploy digital tools with minimal support, including setting up data collection or digital
engagement tools.
● Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data relevant to conflict analysis and
citizen engagement.
● Build partner capacity through training, mentorship, and resource sharing.
● Establish and maintain relationships with civil society organizations, institutions, and
community stakeholders.
● Contribute to coordination, reporting, and project implementation processes.
● Work across online and offline spaces and synthesize insights between them.
● Translate emerging analysis into actionable outputs and recommendations.
Additional Qualities
● Fluency in English and Swahili is required; fluency in other local Kenyan languages is
highly desirable.
● Self-motivated and accountable, with strong cross-cultural communication skills to
work effectively in a remote-first environment.
● Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in problem-solving.
● Ability to work in evolving and politically sensitive environments.
● Alignment with Build Up’s values of non-violence, inclusivity, and decolonial
approaches to peacebuilding.
Salary & Duration of Contract
Build Up operates as a collective, in which core team members share organisational and
financial ownership, operation, and risk. As a financial collective, we transparently set salaries
according to need, rather than hierarchy, age, experience, or geography.
This financial model extends to our engagement with Associates; we will work with successful
candidates to agree on a needs-based monthly salary that aligns with available project funds
and our overall organizational budget. The level of effort and duration of the contract will also
be reviewed and agreed with the Associate based on project requirements.
Application Process
To apply, please send your CV and a 1–2 page cover letter outlining how you match the
candidate profile to team@howtobuildup.org not later than 23.59 EAT on Sunday, July 12.
Letters must not be generated by AI and should should answer the following questions:
● Why are you interested in joining Build Up?
● What specific expertise do you possess related to social media analysis, digital
peacebuilding, electoral processes, citizen participation, or conflict transformation?
● What experience, skills, and aptitudes from the list above would you bring to this role?
● What personal qualities, strengths, and ambitions would you be excited to bring to the
Build Up team?
We will acknowledge receipt of all applications and inform candidates whether they have
been shortlisted by Friday, July 24.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 60–75 minute combined technical and values
interview and will receive information in advance regarding the interview format. We aim to
inform shortlisted candidates of the outcome of their interview process within two weeks
following their interview.
As part of the final stage of the selection process, we will conduct a reference check, and will
also provide references for Build Up.
