Contact information

The Danish Embassy in Nairobi is looking for a new member of staff

Position: Programme Staff – trade and development

Type of employment: Full time on a local, 3-year contract with possibility of extension

Starting date: (subject to security clearance)

Location: 13 Runda Drive, Runda Deadline for application: 27 October 2025

The Embassy is seeking to recruit a Programme Staff for trade and development who will be part of the Embassy’s Regional, Refugee and Humanitarian Team. Among other things, the team manages the Embassy’s development programming portfolio in the areas of trade and private sector engagement. The Programme Staff will contribute significantly to the implementation of the Danish Strategy for Development Cooperation, in particular in relation to priorities around job creation, economic growth, trade and investment, as well the ambition to more closely integrate Danish development cooperation with economic diplomacy efforts as captured in the Danish Action Plan for Economic Diplomacy. The Programme Staff will act as the Embassy’s expert on trade policy in Africa, in particular the East African region. In addition, the Programme Staff will be responsible for the Sustainable and Inclusive Trade in Africa programme (SITA), which seeks to improve livelihoods and economic opportunities in Africa, through increased and inclusive free trade. The Programme Staff will also oversee other engagements in the field of private sector/trade and development at the Embassy. You are first and foremost an excellent programme staff, but also an analyst and expert on trade-related matters who can bring your knowledge on trade into play in furthering Danish strategic priorities. You must be a team player and be able to contribute to the overall engagement of the Embassy’s work, including through collaboration with other teams at the Embassy. Reporting: The Programme Staff will report to the Team Leader of the Regional, Refugee and Humanitarian team.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Act as the main focal point of the Embassy on matters related to trade policy, trade relations and trade agreements in Kenya, East Africa and the wider continent, including trade relations between African countries and other actors, such as Europe or China. Further act as the focal point on matters related to the nexus between private sector and trade on the one hand and development, including economic development, on the other, supporting the implementation of key priorities in the Danish Strategy for Development Cooperation.

• Also assist with developing and supporting the Embassy’s function as a regional hub in the area of trade and development.

• Responsible for implementing Denmark’s new regional trade facilitation programme – Sustainable and Inclusive Trade in Africa (SITA), which has a particular focus on East Africa. This includes handling dialogue with the implementing partner (TradeMark Africa) and other partners,coordination with other donors as well as Danish MFA departments/embassies, administration, budget/financial and performance management, overseeing monitoring & evaluation (M&E).

• Act as the Embassy’s focal point for various business and development instruments, e.g., the Danida Green Business Partnerships.

• Build and actively use a relevant network of key stakeholders to take forward the Embassy’s agenda on trade, private sector and economic development, including through collaboration and coordination with relevant Government departments, regional bodies as appropriate (EAC, AU),

• TradeMark Africa, civil society, development partners, business associations and other private sector actors, think tanks and research institutions.

• Liaise with other colleagues within the Embassy and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure strong linkages and synergies between related programmes and policy efforts on trade, private sector, innovation and development, including with a view to better integrating Danish development efforts with Danish economic diplomacy.

• Identify opportunities for communication and public diplomacy on trade, private sector and development.

• Participate in and contribute to coordination meetings and other relevant coordination mechanisms, including EU-led coordination on the Global Gateway, and support the Team Leader’s participation in TradeMark Africa Council meetings.

• Plan and conduct periodic field trips to various locations in Kenya, and assist in the preparation of various high-level visits.

• Contribute to reporting and responses to requests from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy senior management.

• Responsible for ensuring compliance at all stages in the programme cycle of relevant programmes and projects, including timely closing of relevant development engagements.

• Independently undertake programme management in relation to the allocated development cooperation engagements including financial management, in accordance with guidelines and within required timelines.

• Other duties as assigned, including providing support and back-up to other colleagues as needed.

  Education and Desired Experience

• Relevant master’s degree in economy, political or social science, international relations, business, trade, or another relevant field

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience, e.g., in trade and development and programme administration/management, including good knowledge of results-based management, administration, financial management, and monitoring and evaluation.

• Experience working for/with international partners

• Understanding of economic development and its interplay with job creation, trade, investment and/or private business

• Substantial understanding of trade policy and trade relations in East Africa and the wider continent, as well as with other actors, such as Europe or China, including understanding of the politics surrounding trade. This includes knowledge on the AfCFTA, EAC policies and the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement.

• Experience with writing analytical briefs and policy notes and with driving policy and strategic priorities for an organisation

• Skilled in MS Office programs (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), and other relevant programmes and applications as well as ability to quickly familiarize oneself with other IT systems.

  Skills, Knowledge and Attributes

• Willingness to work in an environment with many daily interruptions and constantly changing work environment;

• Driven, curious and willing to engage and learn;

• Interest in working for a political organization and drive forward policy objectives;

• Flexibility and ability to prioritise and plan daily work according to evolving needs, often with short deadlines and shifting tasks.

• Ability to work independently and in a structured, systematic and effective manner, with attention to detail and results;

• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills, motivated by cooperating with a diverse mix of professionals and different cultures. Ability to build and maintain networks.

• Excellent English oral and written communication and presentation skills, strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with a wide range of audiences;

• Knowledge of Danish funding structures and programmes, including guidelines for administering projects/programmes and ensuring compliance, is an asset

  Employment conditions

• The professional staff will be employed according to regulations for local staff at the Royal Danish Embassy in Nairobi. Employment is subject to successful security clearance obtained from the relevant Danish authorities.

• You will be offered full time employment on a local contract based on the relevant legally binding labour market rules of Kenya;

• The contract will be for an initial 3-year period with possibility of extension;

• Your standard working hours will be 37 hours per week with some flexibility in organising your own daily working hours;

• You will be entitled to 25 days of paid holiday per year;

• Your salary will reflect your qualifications, relevant experience and proven work-related results;

• As part of your salary, you will be covered by a workplace pension scheme;

• You and your dependent family members will be offered reasonable coverage of sickness expenses.

How to Apply via Fuzu link below