Kenya Program Director
Role Description
The
organisation seeks a dynamic, strategic leader for the position of Program
Director a Program in Kenya.
The
Program Director will guide the Kenya team’s work with policymakers from
Kenya’s Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, experts at the Kenya
Medical Research Institute, district-level government officials, and partner
organizations.
The Program Director will have an unfailing commitment to ensuring that the organisation provides the technical assistance and support necessary for the accomplishment of program goals, and ultimate responsibility for the organization’s role in all activities necessary to reach the intended
scale.
This
position requires significant leadership experience, cross-cultural awareness,
strong problem-solving skills, flexibility, and excellent communication and
organizational skills.
Specific Responsibilities
Strategic Management
- Participate in
high-level strategic discussions surrounding school health, working with national
officials, and deworming in a global context
- Think critically
about program costs, resource management, and personnel management to
improve program efficiency and adapt program to new contexts over time
Relationship and Policy Management
- Act as the
primary face of the organisation in Kenya, ensuring that the organisation
is regarded as a reliable partner and team player.
- Cultivate and
maintain positive relationships with high- and mid-level personnel from
the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education and other key stakeholders
including high-influence policymakers, NGO’s, funders, and other
international actors.
- Communicate with
policy and technical staff to ensure that the program is consistent with
changes in the Kenyan policy environment and with other stakeholders.
Program Management
- Support the
design and implementation of the national program, collaborating with
Kenyan government officials and other external stakeholders,
to provide high quality and responsive technical support for program
success.
- Manage key elements
of the national program such as training, drug supply and monitoring and
evaluation, and ensure all resources, personnel, and information are
coordinated, established, and executed.
- Lead the Kenya
team, comprised of policy, technical and operational staff, toward
concrete deliverables amongst time pressures and capacity constraints
while optimizing implementation and creating effective and positive team
dynamics.
- Collaborate with
the organisation global team members to share information, including adopting
good practice from other programs and disseminating the outcomes of the
Kenya program for continual learning.
Monitoring and Evaluation Management
- Oversee the
utilization of existing program data and creation of implementation
systems with an eye toward clear data collection,
research-based program implementation, and program improvement.
Operations and Administration
- Be actively
involved with the country office staff in personnel and program management including
maintenance of basic HR records, financial management, and programmatic
review.
- Responsible for
recruitment of Kenya team personnel as needed.
- Ensure Kenya
team maintains reliable systems of organization and communication.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s
degree or higher in economics, public policy, health, or relevant social
sciences; master’s degree or higher preferred.
Experience
- At least 8-10
years of experience working in a Project/Program Management or similar
role in a public, nonprofit or private sector office
- Experience in implementation
of large scale public health and/or education sector programs desired,
school-based health preferred
- At least 5 years
of experience engaging with Kenyan government programs and/or policy in
some professional capacity, preferably in issues surrounding health or
education
- Computer skills
necessary include: thorough knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Internet/Email
- Experience
working on large scale distribution of goods and services in any sector
desirable
Knowledge and Skills
- Leadership
ability; strong critical thinking and judgment skills
- Clear
understanding of the Kenyan working environment (culture, people,
geography, etc.), ability to leverage that knowledge to help
the team make good decisions about operations and program management
- High level of
attention to detail and proven organization skills
- Effective
communication, verbal and writing skills
- Familiarity with
major actors in global public health and education, particularly
school-based health preferred
- At least basic
knowledge of strategies for addressing neglected tropical diseases
- Fluent in
English and Swahili
Desirable Characteristics
- Mature and
professional composure
- Natural and
comfortable leadership
- Highest level of
honesty and integrity
- Openness to
working in a flexible work environment with fast-evolving systems and
procedures
- High level of
initiative in improving the organization’s working environment
- Results-oriented
to the point that person is willing to engage hands-on with duties of all
variety
To Apply
Applicants
should email their applications attaching a detailed curriculum vitae and a
letter indicating why they are interested in and qualified for the position and
the names of three referees who can provide confidential assessment of their
capabilities to a Search Committee.
All
communications relating to applications for this position should be addressed
to: email address: therecexpert@gmail.com.
Applications
should be received by 14th December 2012.
Only
shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
On the subject
matter of the email please indicate the position you are applying
for.
Candidates
earning more that Kshs. 330,000 need not apply.
