Open to opportunities

Joyce Gitao

@joycegitao

Message

Program leader driving youth economic empowerment, market systems strengthening, and partnership-driven impact.

Kenya

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek a senior program role leading youth economic empowerment or resilience initiatives where I can scale market-driven solutions, secure donor funding, and build inclusive partnerships for measurable impact.

I am a dynamic program leader with over 10 years’ experience in youth enterprise development, market systems strengthening, and financial inclusion, managing multi-million-dollar portfolios and cross-functional teams.

I have led EUR 2.5M multi-donor portfolios, designed market linkage strategies connecting 600+ youth MSMEs to finance and buyers, and implemented digital MEL systems that improved data-driven decision-making and compliance.

I champion gender, disability inclusion and climate-smart initiatives, secure donor renewals (e.g., USD 500K), and build strategic partnerships across government, private sector and donors to transform livelihoods for youth and MSMEs.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Area Programme Manager

Current

Plan International Kenya

Apr 2024 - Present (1 year 7 months)

Lead MEL and implementation of urban resilience and youth economic empowerment programs, managing a EUR 2.5M multi-donor portfolio and supervising a 20-member team to strengthen partner capacity and achieve full compliance in internal audits.

Program Management Partnership Building Grant Management

Current

Technical Specialist

Current

World Vision International

Mar 2015 - Present (10 years 8 months)

Provided technical leadership for youth economic empowerment programs, managing a USD 2.8M portfolio and designing the 'Youth Ready' model that reached 3,000+ youth with an 87% transition to employment or self-employment.

Technical Leadership Youth Empowerment Portfolio Management Donor Reporting Market Systems TVET Partnerships

Associate Technical Officer

NOPE - USAID/APHIA Plus Rift Valley

Mar 2012 - Mar 2015 (3 years)

Delivered youth-focused health and livelihoods interventions reaching 20,000+ adolescents, coordinated multi-sector partnerships to expand program reach by 60%, and managed annual budgets of USD 500K with timely reporting.

Project Coordination Partnership Management Budget Management Curriculum Development Monitoring & Evaluation Stakeholder Engagement

Training Officer

TEC Institute

Apr 2011 - Dec 2011 (8 months)

Delivered training programs and capacity-building activities to youth and community groups, contributing to improved employability and program uptake during contract period.

Training Delivery Capacity Building Youth Engagement Monitoring Reporting