Joan Njoki Karanja

Experience

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  Plan International

  Apr 2013 - Jul 2013

  ATTACHE CHILD PROTECTION AND INCLUSION

  Three months industrial attachment in the Child Protection and Inclusion department. I got first hand experience in engaging and managing community-based child protection mechanisms, identify barriers and enablers to inclusion within these mechanisms, and make practical recommendations to governments, parents, schools and other key stakeholders on how to incorporate more effective and inclusive practices in their work.

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  Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

  Apr 2015 - Mar 2016

  JUNIOR LECTURER- SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES

  Lectured and set examinations for the following units: • Communications Skills• Rural and Urban Sociology• Gender Mainstreaming and Development• Leadership and Effective Governance

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  Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR)

  Apr 2016 - Mar 2017

  MONITORING AND EVALUATION GRADUATE TRAINEE

  1. Participated in the design and implementation of project monitoring tools as per project and departments'v M&E plans2. Supported data collection initiatives and ensured use of appropriate tools in collection, compilation, and reporting across the commission 3. Monitored on a routine basis the implementation of project activities and reported on the progress towards targets.4. Participated and supported organizing capacity building initiatives such as staff M&E training5. Participated in monthly project review meetings and shared any key findings from the field visits with the project teams for further action.6. Proactively participated in the project’s research, evaluation and learning initiatives including reviewing and validating reports, and leading reflection and dissemination processes. Show less

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  Kenya Girl Guides Association

  Aug 2016 - Oct 2018

  MONITORING AND EVALUATION OFFICER- DREAMS PEPFAR/USAID PROGRAM

  1. Developed an M&E Plan for the project, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, performance monitoring plans.2. Lead role in overseeing data collection, collation, storage, analysis, and reporting, ensuring that data is of high quality and audit worthy.3. Prepared and reviewed program reports in collaboration with program staff.4. Managed research activities and ensured outcomes and lessons learned were integrated into the project and shared with relevant stakeholders.5. Provided training and mentoring to partners and staff to ensure the implementation of strong M&E systems.6. Designed and managed gender-disaggregated beneficiary monitoring and database system Show less

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  World University Service of Canada (WUSC - EUMC)

  Oct 2018 - Feb 2024

  1. Facilitated and managed innovative financial inclusion of refugees including designing an innovation challenge fund, distribution of grants and cash assistance to refugee-led enterprises, while also coordinating business development services for refugee entrepreneurs in Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and Dadaab.2. Enhanced the knowledge and skills of local business development service providers to establish business incubation hubs for refugee-led businesses, facilitating access to entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and coaching.3. Collaborated with Refugee-Led Organizations, youth groups, and Education and Training partners to enhance the skill sets of young Africans for employment in the ICT sector, both locally and globally.4. Built strong strategic networks with ecosystem actors, such as county government, investors, private sectors, TVET institutions, UNHCR, and financial service providers using the market systems approach.5. Conducted trainings on gender and social inclusion to partners, enabling their implementation of gender-responsive programming that tackles obstacles preventing women's participation in entrepreneurship..6. Managed relationships with consortium partners, providing technical support and convening advisory and progress review meetings.7. Led the organization's market systems and systemic thinking approaches in programming and integration of the same in interventions. Show less Managed three education and durable solutions pathways oriented programs namely: 1. Strengthening Inclusive Learning Environments (SHULE)- funded by Bureau for Population Refugee and Migration (BPRM)2. Innovative Global Networks for Inclusion + Equality (IGNI+E) – funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC)3. Hospitality Industry Welcomes Refugee Employment-linked Sponsorship (HIRES)– funded by International Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)- Coordinated and facilitated the employment and resettlement of young refugees in Canada through education scholarships and employment pathways in collaboration with Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)- Conducted verification, selection, and follow-up of education subsidy and cash transfer beneficiaries, which enhanced access, retention, and transition of girls' education.- Conducted training sessions on Child Protection, Gender-Responsive Pedagogy, and Basic Pedagogy for teachers in Dadaab and Kakuma.- Provided case management support to unaccompanied, separated, and vulnerable children, utilizing the program's integrated Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS).- Collaborated with education departments of UNHCR, Turkana, and Garissa County Governments to gather valuable insights into enhancing educational access for children with disabilities and refugees in Dadaab, Kakuma, and Kalobeyei. Show less 1. Advised on gender perspectives across all organizational activities.2. Formulated policies, strategies, and action plans for gender mainstreaming.3. Created, maintained, and shared a comprehensive knowledge base on gender perspectives in livelihoods programming, education, impact investing, and the digital/gig economy.4. Delivered training on gender, social inclusion, and safeguarding to staff and partners, ensuring adherence to policies, laws, and statutes.5. Developed toolkits and manuals for gender-based programming, gender-sensitive pedagogy, life skills, and disability-friendly pedagogy.6. Managed partnerships with donors, government entities, refugee-led organizations, and private sector companies.7. Ensured full integration of WUSC’s global policies for safeguarding children and young people in all project work. Show less

  • PROGRAM MANAGER- STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR REFUGEES (SEOR)

    Apr 2023 - Feb 2024

  • SENIOR PROGRAM COORDINATOR-STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC OPORTUNITIES FOR REFUGEES (SEOR)

    Jan 2020 - Apr 2023

  • PROJECT OFFICER AND GENDER FOCAL POINT

    Oct 2018 - Jan 2020
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  Sida

  Aug 2023 - now

  Program Manager- Inclusive Markets, Trade Development and Gender Focal Person in Kenya

  1. Manage the social protection, gender, and innovative finance portfolio in Kenya. Oversee projects and programs executed by UN agencies and the Government of Kenya.2. Lead Sweden's development and implementation of refugee and displaced persons work, and integrate sector interventions into the bilateral strategy. 3. Manage Sweden's contribution towards the development of policy and programming on the humanitarian-development-peace nexus (Triple nexus) in Kenya.4. Support policy dialogue with relevant Government of Kenya ministries, development agencies, donors and relevant stakeholders in the sector. 5. Financial management, including follow-up of partnership contracts, proposal appraisal, and development. 6. Contribute to the development of Swedish strategies and policies for Kenya (Strategy for Sweden’s development cooperation with Kenya 2021–2025). 7. Build and manage partnerships and networks with relevant bilateral, multilateral, and sectoral actors. 8. Represent Sweden and actively participate in interest groups, donor working groups, and technical working groups. 9. Advise the Embassy of Sweden in Kenya on issues of Market Systems Development. Show less