Kenya Program Director
Role Description
The organisation seeks a dynamic, strategic leader for the position of Program Director a Program in Kenya.
The Kenya Program
Director will lead the Kenya program team to support the government in
developing and bringing to fruition the national program.
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
16th October 2012.
Only shortlisted
candidates will be contacted. On the subject matter of the email please
indicate the position you are applying for.
