The Royal Danish Embassy in Nairobi has announced an exciting opportunity for a qualified and motivated individual to join its team as Programme Staff – Trade and Development. This position offers a chance to contribute meaningfully to Denmark’s engagement in Africa through development cooperation, trade facilitation, and regional economic growth initiatives.
Located at 13 Runda Drive, Runda, the Embassy is seeking a professional who will serve as a key member of its Regional, Refugee and Humanitarian Team. This full-time position is offered on a local 3-year contract, with the possibility of extension. The successful candidate will play a central role in implementing Denmark’s strategic priorities around trade, private sector engagement, and economic diplomacy within East Africa and the wider continent.
Applications for this position must be submitted by 27 October 2025 through the Fuzu platform (link provided below).
Introduction
The Royal Danish Embassy in Nairobi represents Denmark in Kenya, Seychelles, Eritrea, Mauritius, and Malawi, and hosts the Danish Representation Office to Somalia. It also engages with regional and multilateral institutions, including the United Nations in Nairobi. The Embassy manages development cooperation, humanitarian assistance, and political engagement across East Africa, aligning with Denmark’s global priorities in democracy, green growth, human rights, gender equality, and sustainable development.
In recent years, Denmark has placed significant emphasis on strengthening the connection between development cooperation and economic diplomacy. The Embassy’s efforts reflect this by promoting trade, investment, and job creation that align with sustainable and inclusive growth. Within this framework, the new Programme Staff will contribute to the Embassy’s strategic engagement in regional trade and private sector development.
This position offers a unique opportunity for a professional with experience in trade policy, programme management, and regional economic cooperation to join a dynamic, high-performing team. The successful candidate will combine technical expertise, strategic insight, and practical programme management capabilities to advance Denmark’s vision for sustainable trade and development in Africa.
Position Overview
Title: Programme Staff – Trade and Development
Location: Royal Danish Embassy, 13 Runda Drive, Runda, Nairobi
Contract Type: Full-time, 3-year local contract (renewable)
Expected Start Date: Subject to security clearance
Application Deadline: 27 October 2025
The Programme Staff will be part of the Regional, Refugee and Humanitarian Team and will report to the Team Leader. This role will support the Embassy’s implementation of the Danish Strategy for Development Cooperation, focusing on job creation, trade, private sector development, and economic growth.
The position also involves responsibility for the Sustainable and Inclusive Trade in Africa (SITA) programme, a key initiative that promotes improved livelihoods and inclusive trade across the continent. The Programme Staff will act as a trade policy expert and programme manager, bridging Danish development priorities with regional economic objectives.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Programme Staff will carry out a wide range of tasks related to programme implementation, trade policy analysis, partnership management, and coordination within and beyond the Embassy.
1. Trade Policy and Regional Engagement
- Serve as the Embassy’s main focal point on trade-related matters, including trade policy, trade relations, and trade agreements in Kenya, East Africa, and Africa at large.
- Provide expertise on the intersection between private sector development and economic growth, supporting implementation of Denmark’s development strategy.
- Monitor and analyse developments in trade policies across Africa, including relations between African countries and other global actors such as the European Union and China.
- Offer insights and advice on how trade dynamics can advance Denmark’s economic diplomacy objectives.
2. Programme Management
- Take responsibility for implementing Denmark’s new regional trade facilitation programme, Sustainable and Inclusive Trade in Africa (SITA), with a particular focus on East Africa.
- Maintain regular dialogue with implementing partners such as TradeMark Africa and coordinate with other development partners, donors, and Danish government departments.
- Oversee administration, budgeting, financial management, performance monitoring, and evaluation related to the programme.
- Ensure adherence to financial and results-based management frameworks, maintaining compliance throughout the programme cycle.
3. Private Sector Engagement and Partnerships
- Serve as focal point for various Danish business and development instruments, including the Danida Green Business Partnerships.
- Build and maintain a strong network of stakeholders across government agencies, regional bodies such as the EAC and AU, private sector associations, civil society organisations, research institutions, and donor agencies.
- Foster collaboration between Danish development efforts and private sector initiatives that promote sustainable trade and investment.
- Identify opportunities for new partnerships that align with Denmark’s priorities in trade and development.
4. Coordination and Policy Integration
- Collaborate closely with other Embassy teams and the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure synergies between trade, innovation, and development programmes.
- Contribute to regional policy coordination, including EU-led initiatives such as the Global Gateway.
- Participate in coordination meetings, support the Team Leader in representing the Embassy in forums such as the TradeMark Africa Council, and provide analytical support for policy dialogue.
5. Field and Analytical Work
- Conduct periodic field visits to monitor project implementation, engage with partners, and collect relevant insights for reporting and evaluation.
- Draft analytical briefs, policy notes, and other documentation to inform Embassy leadership and the Danish government on progress, challenges, and opportunities in trade and development cooperation.
- Support planning and execution of high-level visits, missions, and events linked to trade and private sector engagement.
6. Reporting and Compliance
- Prepare regular progress reports, financial statements, and results-based documentation.
- Ensure that all stages of programme implementation meet the required compliance and reporting standards established by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Contribute to closing out engagements in accordance with Embassy and Danish government procedures.
- Provide backup and support to other team members when needed, maintaining flexibility within a dynamic working environment.
Education and Desired Experience
- Master’s degree in a relevant field such as economics, political science, international relations, business, or trade.
- At least five years of relevant work experience in trade, development, and programme management, including expertise in results-based management, financial administration, and monitoring and evaluation.
- Experience in collaborating with international partners and understanding donor coordination frameworks.
- In-depth understanding of economic development, job creation, trade, and investment dynamics, particularly within the East African context.
- Strong grasp of trade policy and trade relations in Africa and between Africa and global partners such as the European Union and China.
- Knowledge of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), East African Community (EAC) policies, and the EU-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement.
- Experience preparing policy notes and strategic analyses for organisations working in international cooperation.
- Strong computer literacy in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and related digital platforms.
Skills, Knowledge, and Attributes
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and changing environment.
- Proactive, curious, and eager to learn while engaging with complex development and trade issues.
- Interest in contributing to a politically oriented organisation and advancing strategic policy objectives.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain attention to detail.
- Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills, with the ability to collaborate across cultural and professional backgrounds.
- Outstanding communication and presentation abilities in English, both written and oral.
- Capacity to develop and sustain partnerships and networks with diverse stakeholders.
- Knowledge of Danish development frameworks and funding structures will be an added advantage.
Employment Conditions
The Programme Staff will be employed under local terms and conditions as per the Royal Danish Embassy’s regulations for locally engaged staff in Nairobi.
- Full-time position, 37 hours per week with flexible scheduling.
- Three-year contract with potential for renewal based on performance and funding.
- 25 days of paid annual leave.
- Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
- Coverage under a workplace pension scheme.
- Medical coverage for the employee and eligible dependents.
- Employment subject to successful security clearance by relevant Danish authorities.
Equal Opportunity and Integrity
The Embassy upholds principles of equality and diversity in recruitment. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of age, gender, disability, religion, or background. Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
Applicants must present a valid “No Criminal Record” certificate and pass the mandatory security clearance prior to appointment.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the Fuzu recruitment platform via the link below:
https://www.fuzu.com/kenya/jobs/programme-staff-trade-and-development-the-royal-danish-embassy
Please ensure that your application is submitted by 27 October 2025. Late submissions or applications sent outside the prescribed platform will not be considered.
The subject line for all applications should read: Programme Staff – Trade and Development.
About the Royal Danish Embassy in Nairobi
The Royal Danish Embassy in Nairobi serves as Denmark’s diplomatic representation to Kenya, Seychelles, Eritrea, Mauritius, and Malawi, as well as the Danish Representation Office to Somalia. It also represents Denmark at the United Nations offices in Nairobi.
The Embassy manages Denmark’s development cooperation and humanitarian programmes in Kenya and the region, focusing on areas such as climate action, green transition, democracy, human rights, women’s empowerment, and inclusive economic growth. Under the Kenya Strategic Cooperation Framework (2021–2025), the Embassy prioritises trade promotion, regional collaboration, and sustainable development.
With approximately 90 employees, including 25 staff posted from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy operates as a dynamic and professional workplace. It is committed to fostering partnerships that create sustainable impact across East Africa while advancing Denmark’s broader foreign and development policy objectives.
