JOYCE GITAU
Nairobi, Nairobi Province,30
Summary
Dynamic climate resilience and economic empowerment specialist with over a decade of experience managing multi-donor development and humanitarian programs across Kenya and East Africa. Proven expertise in climate adaptation, youth livelihoods, grant management, disaster risk-informed programming, and effective multi-stakeholder coordination. Strong background in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems, evidence-based program design, and institutional capacity strengthening. Adept at collaborating with government entities, UN agencies, NGOs, research institutions, and community-based actors to promote inclusive, locally led solutions that drive sustainable impact.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Urban Programme Manager
Plan International Kenya
04.2024 - Current
- spearhead implementation and management of urban resilience and youth economic empowerment initiatives aligned with national and county development frameworks.
- Oversee EUR 2.5M multi-donor portfolio while ensuring compliance with donor safeguarding and environmental sustainability standards.
- Spearhead climate adaptation and green jobs initiatives through collaborations with youth-led and women-led organizations.
- Enhance institutional capacity of sub-grantees in grant management, financial accountability, and results-based reporting.
- Oversee 20 cross-functional team members while fostering inclusive leadership and enhancing performance management.
- Formulated market linkage strategy connecting over 600 youth entrepreneurs with financial institutions and private-sector buyers.
- mainstream climate resilience measures and gender equity and social inclusion across programming, ensuring full compliance in internal audits.
- climate adaptation programming, grant management, multi-stakeholder collaboration, locally driven solutions.
Technical Specialist – Urban & Youth Economic Strengthening
World Vision International
03.2015 - 03.2024
- Provided technical leadership and quality assurance for climate-sensitive youth economic empowerment initiatives across six counties.
- Designed and implemented the “Youth Ready” model reaching 3,000+ youth; 87% transitioned to employment/self-employment.
- Managed USD 2.8M portfolio ensuring 100% compliance with donor and financial regulations.
- Strengthened partnerships with county governments, TVET institutions, private-sector employers, and financial institutions.
- Oversaw MEL systems, data analysis, and adaptive programming processes.
- Mentored 10 program officers and 20 facilitators to strengthen delivery and accountability.
- Secured USD 500K renewal grant based on documented program impact and evidence-based reporting.
- Relevance to CMIL: Technical coordination, grant administration, evidence generation, partner engagement.
Associate Technical Officer
NOPE – USAID / APHIA Plus Rift Valley
03.2012 - 03.2015
- Delivered integrated youth-focused health and livelihoods programming reaching 20,000+ adolescents and young adults.
- Coordinated with ministries, NGOs, and private sector actors to scale program reach by 60%.
- Supported rollout of life skills and employability curricula later scaled nationally.
- Managed USD 500K annual budgets with strong compliance and reporting performance.
- Awarded Best Performing Staff (2014) for exceeding targets and piloting innovative outreach approaches.
Education
MSc - Sustainable Development Studies
03-2026
In Progress
Bachelor of Arts - Social Studies (Sociology)
12-2011
Skills
- Climate change adaptation strategies
- Disaster risk management
- Grant management for multi-donor portfolios
- MEL system management
- Risk-aware programming
- Stakeholder engagement
- Public-private partnership collaboration
- Regional event coordination
- Policy advocacy
- Gender equality advocacy
Accomplishments
- Improved livelihoods and foundational skills outcomes for 3,000+ youth.
- Managed donor-funded portfolios exceeding USD 5M cumulatively.
- Secured over USD 1.2M in renewal grants and partnerships.
- Increased women’s participation in livelihoods initiatives by 40% through integrated gender frameworks.
- Trained 120+ staff and community facilitators on climate-smart agriculture, VSLA, and agribusiness management.
- Introduced digital and climate-smart livelihood pathways enabling 500+ youth to access green and gig economy opportunities.
- Contributed to county-level Youth Employment and TVET strategy reforms.
Certification
- Project Management Certification – World Vision (2020)
- Human-Centered Design – IDEO / World Vision (2019)
- Disability Inclusion in Development – LSHTM (2018)
- Safeguarding & Child Protection – Plan International (2024)
- MEL Systems & Results-Based Management (2022)
- Village Savings & Loaning (VSLA) TOT (2016)
LANGUAGES
English – Fluent (Written & Oral)
Swahili – Fluent
Timeline
Urban Programme Manager - Plan International Kenya
04.2024 - Current
Technical Specialist – Urban & Youth Economic Strengthening - World Vision International
03.2015 - 03.2024
Associate Technical Officer - NOPE – USAID / APHIA Plus Rift Valley
03.2012 - 03.2015
Unicaf University - MSc, Sustainable Development Studies
Moi University - Bachelor of Arts, Social Studies (Sociology)