Apply Apply! Project Officer – Youth Climate Innovation Challenge Project at Plan International (2026)
Apply Apply! Project Officer – Youth Climate Innovation Challenge Project at Plan International (2026)
Introduction
Plan International is pleased to announce an exciting career opportunity for a Project Officer – Turkana Youth Climate Innovation Challenge Project, a strategic position dedicated to advancing youth empowerment, climate resilience, and sustainable economic development in Turkana County. This role forms part of the UNICEF-supported SCORE II Programme and reflects Plan International’s long-standing commitment to promoting children’s rights, gender equality, and inclusive development.
The Project Officer position offers qualified professionals the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to climate-smart entrepreneurship, youth-led innovation, water and sanitation solutions, and livelihood resilience in one of Kenya’s most climate-vulnerable regions. This vacancy is ideal for candidates seeking a rewarding career in international development, humanitarian programming, climate action, and youth economic empowerment.
About Plan International
Founded in 1937, Plan International is a globally respected humanitarian and development organization working in over 70 countries. For more than eight decades, the organization has championed children’s rights and equality for girls, addressing the structural causes of poverty, exclusion, violence, and discrimination.
Plan International operates through community-centered, rights-based, and partnership-driven approaches that place children and young people at the heart of development. Its programmes focus on education, health, protection, youth empowerment, humanitarian response, and climate resilience.
By collaborating with governments, civil society organizations, private sector partners, donors, and communities, Plan International works to create sustainable solutions that enable children and young people to reach their full potential.
Plan International Kenya
Plan International Kenya has been operational since 1982 and plays a critical role in implementing long-term development and humanitarian programmes across multiple counties. Through close collaboration with local communities and government institutions, Plan International Kenya delivers high-impact interventions in areas including:
- Child protection and safeguarding
- Youth employment and entrepreneurship
- Sexual and reproductive health and rights
- Gender equality and girls’ empowerment
- Climate change adaptation and disaster resilience
- Education and skills development
- Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)
Under its Country Strategy (2021–2026), Plan International Kenya is focused on ending teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence, strengthening youth-led partnerships, promoting climate adaptation, and improving access to essential services for vulnerable populations.
Project Background: Turkana Youth Climate Innovation Challenge (SCORE II)
The Turkana Youth Climate Innovation Challenge Project is implemented under UNICEF’s SCORE II Programme. It is a youth-centered initiative designed to strengthen climate resilience, promote WASH-related innovation, and improve economic opportunities for young people in Turkana County.
The project supports young women and men to develop, launch, and scale climate-smart and green enterprises through an innovation challenge model that includes:
- Structured entrepreneurship bootcamps
- Experiential mentorship
- Business incubation support
- Milestone-based seed funding
- Market linkage facilitation
The programme prioritizes inclusive participation of marginalized groups, including young women, youth with disabilities, and vulnerable populations in arid and semi-arid land (ASAL) contexts.
Supported enterprises focus on:
- Climate-smart agriculture
- Water and sanitation innovations
- Waste-to-value solutions
- Renewable energy initiatives
- Water infrastructure utilization
- Green livelihood models
Implementation is carried out in collaboration with UNICEF, county and national government institutions, private sector actors, youth-led organizations, and community-based partners.
Position Overview: Project Officer
The Project Officer – Turkana Youth Climate Innovation Challenge Project plays a central role in ensuring the effective, timely, and accountable delivery of project activities across Turkana’s five target sub-counties.
Reporting to the Turkana Programme Manager, the Project Officer works closely with programme managers, technical advisors, grants and finance teams, and partner organizations to support youth-led enterprises and promote sustainable development outcomes.
This position is primarily field-based and involves extensive engagement with young innovators, community stakeholders, government officials, and private sector partners.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
1. Youth Engagement, Co-Creation, and Project Implementation (25%)
The Project Officer leads participatory processes that ensure meaningful youth involvement in project design and delivery. Core responsibilities include:
- Facilitating co-creation and participatory planning with youth groups
- Mobilizing and engaging young women and men using inclusive approaches
- Ensuring participation of youth with disabilities and marginalized groups
- Coordinating calls for applications and screening processes
- Supporting onboarding of selected youth innovators
- Organizing bootcamps, entrepreneurship clinics, and community forums
- Ensuring activities align with local humanitarian and socio-economic realities
2. Innovation Challenge, Bootcamp, and Seed Funding Support (20%)
The Project Officer supports the technical and financial growth of youth-led enterprises by:
- Appraising business proposals and innovation ideas
- Documenting assessment findings and recommendations
- Supporting milestone-based seed funding administration
- Monitoring deliverables and fund utilization
- Conducting regular field visits to supported enterprises
- Linking youth entrepreneurs with mentors and service providers
- Promoting climate-resilient and WASH-focused business models
3. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships (15%)
Strong partnerships are essential for project success. The Project Officer is responsible for:
- Mapping and engaging key stakeholders
- Coordinating with county and national government departments
- Collaborating with UNICEF and SCORE II partners
- Engaging private sector actors and financial institutions
- Organizing learning forums and alignment workshops
- Ensuring consistency with Turkana CIDP III and national frameworks
4. Grants, Budget, and Compliance Monitoring (15%)
To ensure accountability and donor compliance, the Project Officer:
- Supports basic grant monitoring and documentation
- Tracks seed funding expenditures
- Guides youth groups on compliance requirements
- Identifies financial and operational risks
- Supports audits and spot checks
- Promotes transparency and ethical resource use
5. Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Reporting (10%)
The role contributes to evidence-based programming through:
- Supporting routine data collection
- Tracking outputs and outcomes
- Contributing to donor reports and case studies
- Ensuring gender- and disability-disaggregated data
- Documenting lessons learned
- Supporting adaptive management
6. Gender and Inclusion (5%)
Plan International promotes feminist leadership and inclusive development. The Project Officer:
- Integrates gender-transformative approaches
- Promotes disability inclusion
- Ensures balanced participation
- Supports equitable access to opportunities
- Mainstreams social inclusion across project activities
7. Safeguarding (5%)
The Project Officer ensures full compliance with safeguarding policies by:
- Promoting awareness of Codes of Conduct
- Ensuring child protection standards
- Supporting safe reporting mechanisms
- Preventing sexual exploitation and abuse
- Upholding ethical behaviour
8. Other Duties (5%)
The role includes additional assignments that support programme effectiveness and organizational objectives.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Youth Studies, Entrepreneurship, Project Management, or a related field
Professional Experience
- Minimum of three years’ experience in youth economic empowerment or livelihoods programming
- Experience working in ASAL or emergency contexts is preferred
- Proven experience in community mobilization and stakeholder engagement
- Experience supporting grants or cash-based interventions
Technical Skills
- Strong reporting and documentation skills
- Basic monitoring and evaluation knowledge
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Understanding of safeguarding and gender equality principles
Personal Attributes
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management abilities
- Willingness to travel extensively within Turkana
- Cultural sensitivity and adaptability
- Commitment to youth empowerment and climate action
Contract Details
- Position: Project Officer – Turkana Youth Climate Innovation Challenge
- Employer: Plan International Kenya
- Location: Lodwar, Turkana County
- Contract End Date: 30 March 2027
- Reporting Line: Turkana Programme Manager
- Application Deadline: 18 February 2026
- Eligibility: Open to Kenya Nationals only
- Preference: Candidates from Turkana County
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Plan International is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work. The organization values diversity as a strength and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
The organization fosters a workplace culture that respects dignity, promotes fairness, and supports professional growth.
Safeguarding and Ethical Standards
Plan International maintains zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, and harassment. All staff members are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards and comply with safeguarding policies.
The recruitment process includes rigorous background checks in line with the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and internal safeguarding procedures.
Why Join Plan International as a Project Officer?
This role offers:
- A meaningful career in climate and youth development
- Direct contribution to sustainable livelihoods
- Exposure to international development programming
- Collaboration with UNICEF and government partners
- Professional growth opportunities
- Community-level impact
Working as a Project Officer allows professionals to combine technical expertise with social impact, supporting young people to become innovators, entrepreneurs, and climate leaders.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
- A detailed cover letter
- An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV)
- APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE!
Applications should be submitted as a single document through the official recruitment platform before 18 February 2026.
YOU CAN CHECK OTHER OPPORTUNITIES HERE!
Plan International does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Applicants are advised to remain vigilant against recruitment scams.
Conclusion
The Project Officer – Turkana Youth Climate Innovation Challenge Project position represents a unique opportunity to contribute to youth empowerment, climate resilience, and sustainable development in Kenya’s ASAL regions.
By joining Plan International Kenya, successful candidates will become part of a global movement dedicated to protecting children’s rights, promoting gender equality, and building resilient communities.
Qualified professionals with a passion for development, innovation, and social change are strongly encouraged to apply.
