Certainly. Here’s a rewritten version of the KIPPRA Young Professionals Programme 2025/2026 job advert in a professional tone, over 1500 words, clearly structured, and following your specified guidelines:
Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA)
Sponsored Young Professionals Programme 2025/2026
Reference Number: KIPPRA/YP/25/26
The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) is a premier public policy research institute established to provide quality policy advice to the Government of Kenya and other stakeholders. In line with its mandate to strengthen human and institutional capacity for effective public policy processes, KIPPRA runs an annual Sponsored Young Professionals Programme aimed at grooming future leaders in policy analysis, research, and public sector development.
As part of this strategic initiative, KIPPRA invites applications from qualified and passionate young individuals for its 2025/2026 Young Professionals Programme (YPP). The Institute seeks to recruit thirty (30) Young Professionals for a one-year intensive training and capacity development programme, which combines theoretical learning, practical experience, and the production of policy-oriented research outputs.
This is a full-time, fully sponsored programme designed to expose young professionals to the critical elements of policy research, analysis, and development. It aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application in public policy. Successful candidates will benefit from mentorship, hands-on project work, structured coursework, and an opportunity to contribute to Kenya’s policy-making landscape.
Programme Structure and Focus Areas
The programme includes both coursework and research work. Participants will be attached to various thematic departments within KIPPRA, where they will engage in research and policy analysis on topical development issues aligned with Kenya’s national goals and the Vision 2030 agenda.
Below are the areas of focus and the roles expected of Young Professionals in each respective stream:
1. The Public Policy-Making Process
Young Professionals in this thematic area will explore how policies are formulated, implemented, and evaluated in Kenya. They will examine institutional frameworks, stakeholder roles, and policy cycle stages—from agenda-setting to monitoring and feedback.
Key tasks will include:
- Reviewing policy documents and government strategies.
- Conducting stakeholder analyses.
- Drafting policy briefs and reports.
- Participating in policy dialogue forums.
- Supporting research on policy development trends and challenges.
2. Introduction to Legislative Processes
This component involves understanding the relationship between law and public policy. Young Professionals will examine the legislative process and its significance in translating policy decisions into enforceable law.
Responsibilities will include:
- Analyzing policy documents and their legislative implications.
- Tracking the legislative process of specific bills.
- Assessing the role of Parliament and county assemblies in policy approval.
- Drafting summaries of legislative debates and outcomes.
3. Applied Research Methods
This area focuses on building strong foundations in research design, data collection, and analysis. Participants will be trained in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and tools.
Tasks will involve:
- Designing research instruments such as surveys and interview guides.
- Conducting data collection and analysis.
- Writing research reports and academic papers.
- Supporting primary and secondary data analysis projects.
- Using analytical software like STATA, SPSS, and R.
4. Tools for Policy Analysis
Young Professionals in this stream will be introduced to tools that assist in assessing and formulating effective public policy. These tools will include cost-benefit analysis, regulatory impact assessments, and policy simulation techniques.
Duties will include:
- Supporting evaluations of government programmes.
- Contributing to the development of policy simulation models.
- Conducting comparative policy studies.
- Preparing policy recommendations based on analysis results.
5. Governance Structures in a Devolved System
This stream delves into Kenya’s devolved governance system and the functioning of county governments. Young Professionals will study decentralization, public finance management at the county level, and citizen participation in governance.
Responsibilities will include:
- Analyzing intergovernmental relations between national and county governments.
- Evaluating county-level service delivery mechanisms.
- Reviewing devolution-related policies and implementation status.
- Participating in stakeholder forums on devolution and governance.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
This component is aimed at equipping participants with skills in designing and managing monitoring and evaluation frameworks for public policies and programmes.
Key duties include:
- Developing logical frameworks and M&E plans.
- Defining key performance indicators and evaluation criteria.
- Conducting mid-term and end-term evaluations.
- Writing M&E reports for policy use.
- Participating in capacity-building workshops on M&E.
7. Macroeconomic Modelling and Forecasting
This stream is ideal for candidates with a strong interest in economics and statistical forecasting. Participants will learn how to build models for economic projection and simulate policy impacts on key economic indicators.
Roles will involve:
- Developing and maintaining macroeconomic models.
- Supporting the preparation of economic outlook reports.
- Using modeling tools to assess the impact of fiscal and monetary policy.
- Engaging with national and international datasets.
8. Forecasting Systems of National Accounts
Young Professionals in this area will work on forecasting economic variables linked to the system of national accounts. This includes studying production, expenditure, income flows, and their integration into policy decisions.
Tasks will include:
- Analyzing trends in GDP and its components.
- Interpreting household and national consumption data.
- Supporting national statistics development initiatives.
- Preparing sectoral contribution reports to national accounts.
9. Introduction to Social Accounting Matrix (SAM)
The Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) is a statistical and analytical tool used to understand economic flows within an economy. Professionals working in this area will gain insight into the interactions among production, income generation, and household consumption.
Key responsibilities:
- Assisting in the development and updating of SAM databases.
- Conducting input-output analysis.
- Using SAM for poverty and income distribution studies.
- Supporting simulation models for policy evaluation.
Programme Deliverables
At the end of the one-year programme, every Young Professional is expected to have contributed to at least one publishable research output, such as:
- A policy brief.
- A working paper.
- A technical research report.
These outputs will align with the ongoing research projects of KIPPRA and will contribute directly to informing public policy in Kenya. Participants will be guided through the publishing process by senior researchers and mentors.
Professional Development Opportunities
Beyond technical training, the Young Professionals Programme offers a comprehensive personal development experience. Participants will receive:
- Mentorship from senior policy researchers.
- Exposure to national and regional policy-making institutions.
- Access to professional seminars, workshops, and policy forums.
- Opportunities to network with government officials, development partners, and academia.
Graduates of the programme are well-positioned for employment in government, think tanks, international development organizations, and academia.
Eligibility and Application Information
Interested candidates are encouraged to learn more about the programme by visiting the official KIPPRA website at www.kippra.or.ke. The website provides detailed information on:
- Departmental focus areas.
- Frequently asked questions.
- Application requirements.
- Submission guidelines.
All applications must be physically delivered to the KIPPRA offices on or before Wednesday, 23rd April 2025 at 11:59:00 hours.
Please note that:
- Late applications will not be accepted.
- Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
- Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
KIPPRA is committed to providing equal opportunities for all qualified candidates and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
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