Job Title: Policy Officer Politics and Civil Society
Location: Nairobi, Kenya (Embassy operations for Khartoum)

Reports to: Deputy Head of Mission

Job Level: 09
Contract Hours: 38 hours per week

About the Client

Our client is the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands - Khartoum, representing Dutch diplomatic, development, and economic interests in Sudan.

The Embassy plays a critical role in advancing priorities around peace and stability, democratic transition, human rights, migration, private sector development, and humanitarian assistance. Through strategic partnerships with government institutions, civil society, international organizations (including the UN), and the private sector, the Embassy contributes to sustainable development and inclusive growth in Sudan.

Due to the ongoing conflict, operations are currently managed from Nairobi and The Hague, with a long-term objective of returning to Sudan when conditions allow.

About the Role

The Policy Officer is accountable to the Head of Mission and Deputy Head of Mission for analysis and advice on Sudan's main internal political and civil society developments.

Proactively signal, analyze and advise policy staff on important issues that are relevant for the Dutch policies towards Sudan. Important topics for the Embassy are political developments, development cooperation, democratic transition, transitional justice, women empowerment, migration and local food production. This position focuses on political and civil society developments.

Maintain the network of the political, civil society and media key players to enhance the Embassy's information position and do political reporting.

Identify, develop, and monitor several development activities and budgets, assess reports and maintain the dialogue with the implementing actors.

Key Responsibilities

Political Analysis & Reporting

Monitor and analyze relevant political and civil society developments in Sudan, translating findings into actionable intelligence to support Embassy policy objectives.

Monitor and analyze Arabic language media (newspapers, magazines, and publications), presenting key findings to the Head of Mission and relevant policy staff to help shape the Embassy's agenda and priorities.

Civil Society Engagement

Provide internal briefings on the complexities of Sudanese civil society including women's movements, youth networks, and civil political actors and identify strategic engagement opportunities for youth in and from Sudan.

Build and sustain productive working relationships with a diverse range of Sudanese and international NGOs, civil society organizations, and key stakeholders.

Network & Stakeholder Management

Develop and maintain a high-value network of contacts across Sudanese political parties, civil society, government institutions, and media, strengthening the Embassy's information position and enhancing the effectiveness of policy delivery.

Programme & Project Management

Oversee Embassy funded activities, carrying full administrative responsibility across the project cycle from planning and implementation through to reporting and close out.

Expected Results:

• Timely, regular, and strategic analysis and advice on political and societal developments that are relevant for the Embassy to meet its objectives.
• Maintaining a state of the art network that comprises key representatives of Sudanese society, government, UN agencies and (I)NGOs.
• Sudanese media are analyzed regularly and follow up advice is provided proactively on the key issues as they appear.
• Manage several development activities, also from the financial perspective.

Working Environment:

• The Netherlands Embassy for Sudan is a small Embassy, dispersed over The Hague (Head of Mission and Operational Managers), and Nairobi (Deputy Head of Mission, five policy staff officers, a Senior General and Consular Affairs officer, and a Management Assistant.
• The post is in Nairobi, in the Dutch Embassy for Kenya, which hosts the team working on Sudan. This Embassy consists of around 65 persons.
• The Policy Officer will report directly to the Head of Mission and the Deputy Head of Mission.
• Due to an internal war that started in April 2023, Embassy staff mainly operates from Nairobi. It is envisaged to return the team currently based in Nairobi to Sudan once the situation so permits. The head of mission and the Operational Managers are based in The Hague. As the Embassy is temporarily relocated to Nairobi and The Hague, the employee is expected to show flexibility in performing this function. This means that she/he could be requested to perform tasks which are not in the job profile, and to travel to Sudan.
• The Embassy focuses on stability, democratization, migration, free media, empowerment of women and human rights, as well as food security, water infrastructure and humanitarian assistance. The Embassy promotes the use and role of the private sector across these themes.
• The candidate will work in the policy team, which consists of three other Sudanese policy officers, one Dutch colleague focusing on humanitarian aid and one on financing development activities, as well as the Head of Mission and Deputy Head of Mission. Operational Managers, a Sudanese Senior General Affairs Officer and a Kenyan Management Assistant complete the team.
• The Policy Officer will report directly to the Head of Mission and Deputy Head of Mission.
• She or he has daily contacts with the (Deputy) Head of Mission and other members of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There is daily interaction with related organizations on relevant developments in policy areas of the Netherlands in Sudan in line with the MACS, and with financial staff on procedures, working methods and progress of programmes, as well as budget monitoring. The Policy Officer also works with other embassies, Sudanese and international organizations, including the UN, governmental officials and international researchers.

Education & Experience:

• University Degree
• 5 years of experience

Skills:

• Excellent analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Strong written and verbal communication in English and Arabic (mandatory)
• Ability to translate complex insights into clear policy advice
• Strong organizational and project management skills

Competencies:

• Initiative and ownership
• Strong networking and stakeholder engagement ability
• Political awareness and organizational sensitivity
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic environment
• Team-oriented with ability to work independently

Additional Requirements:

• Fluent in Arabic (reading and writing – native level)
• Willingness and ability to travel to conflict-affected areas (HEAT training required prior to deployment)
• Alignment with Dutch values of equality, inclusiveness, and tolerance

Important Application Information:

• All applications to channeled via Official Gap Recruitment Services Limited Website.
• Only candidates who fully meet the stated criteria will be considered
• Applicants must indicate whether they hold a valid Kenyan work permit

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a tailored motivation letter outlining their suitability for the role by latest Friday 26th June, 2026.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Neither the Embassy nor Gap Recruitment Services Limited charges candidates for job placement.

For any inquiries, please contact us via +254 715 155 512 or write to inquiry@gaprecruitment.co.ke