About the Role
The Senior Project Associate will oversee Busra’s Social Cohesion portfolio, with a primary focus on directing a range of multi-method research initiatives and capacity-building collaborations involving civil society organizations (CSOs) and government agencies across East Africa. The objective is to cultivate a nuanced comprehension of the factors influencing civic engagement behaviors and to translate these insights into actionable strategies for CSOs and government agencies, thereby fostering enhanced social cohesion, civic engagement, and participation throughout the region. Additionally, the Senior Project Associate will spearhead the design, evaluation, and ongoing oversight of multiple tools designed to advance the portfolio’s objectives while strategically overseeing capacity-strengthening initiatives across the region.
As the primary project manager for dedicated external Busra projects, the Senior Project Associate must swiftly cultivate an expert comprehension of intricate challenges, leveraging all available resources to deliver engagements of the utmost quality while meticulously adhering to timelines and budget constraints. The Senior Project Associate designs innovative, yet rigorous solutions tailored to client and partner requirements, skillfully overseeing both internal and external relationships with strategic insight and unwavering professionalism.
Senior Project Associates collaborate closely with the Projects Division and other teams within Busra, providing expert coordination and leadership to ensure seamless staff management. They bring a heightened level of seniority and strategic direction to project development and stakeholder engagement, driving efficiency and alignment across initiatives.
Develop and execute the project’s core objectives with precision and accountability, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and stakeholder expectations. Oversee key deliverables, monitor progress through established metrics, and mitigate risks to maintain project timelines and budgets. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to integrate diverse perspectives, resolve conflicts, and foster a cohesive workflow. Lead initiatives to optimize processes, enhance efficiency, and drive measurable outcomes. Serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders, providing transparent communication and actionable insights to support informed decision-making.
The Senior Project Associate will collaborate closely with Busra offices and engage directly with academic researchers and advisory clients to undertake a diverse range of responsibilities, including but not limited to:
Design, develop, and execute research methodologies to ensure robust data collection and analysis, while aligning projects with organizational objectives and industry best practices. Implement innovative strategies to enhance research efficiency, accuracy, and scalability, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and regulatory requirements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate research findings into actionable insights, driving informed decision-making and strategic planning.
Conduct comprehensive research initiatives from inception to completion, encompassing research design, literature reviews, qualitative interviews, data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination of findings.
Design and develop comprehensive mixed-method research frameworks specifically aligned with Busra’s initiatives in social cohesion.
Lead the coordination and execution of workshops with senior stakeholders, fostering collaborative development of interventions grounded in evidence-based research and insights derived from project data and established literature.
Assist in developing, implementing, and sharing findings from Busra Social Cohesion research initiatives.
Formulating and executing strategic initiatives to maximize the utilization and impact of produced research among essential stakeholder groups.
Capacity-building initiatives to enhance organizational and individual competencies through tailored training programs and strategic support are essential for sustainable growth and impact. This role focuses on designing, delivering, and evaluating comprehensive training solutions to strengthen institutional capabilities, improve performance, and foster continuous learning. Responsibilities include identifying skill gaps, developing training curricula, facilitating workshops, and measuring training effectiveness to ensure measurable outcomes. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in adult learning methodologies, program design, and stakeholder engagement, along with a proven track record in implementing successful capacity-strengthening interventions.
Develop and oversee the creation and deployment of comprehensive training programs and assessment frameworks tailored for civil society organizations (CSOs) and partner entities.
Provide assistance to fellow Associates and Analysts by conducting and guiding training sessions.
Enhance the capabilities of civil society organizations and public sector stakeholders to integrate behavioral insights and research findings into their programmatic initiatives.
Experts are needed to oversee the creation, evaluation, and distribution of capacity-building resources and solutions.
We excel in overseeing projects and managing stakeholder relationships with precision and strategic insight, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and fostering collaborative partnerships. This role demands a keen ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, mitigate risks, and drive deliverables to successful completion through meticulous planning and execution. Proficiency in stakeholder engagement, clear communication, and adaptive problem-solving is essential, along with a strong aptitude for resource allocation and performance tracking. Ideal candidates will demonstrate experience in agile methodologies, conflict resolution, and maintaining transparent, proactive dialogue with all stakeholders to uphold accountability and achieve shared goals.
Responsibilities include planning, managing, and executing both external and internal engagements completely from inception to completion, requiring a high degree of autonomy with minimal oversight.
Act as the main liaison for clients and partners, ensuring their needs are addressed promptly and efficiently by maintaining open, proactive communication and resolving issues as they arise.
Develop and nurture key connections across the stakeholder and funder networks, ensuring alignment with ongoing developments that shape Busra’s strategies for fostering social cohesion.
Oversee and facilitate the coordination of team members’ activities throughout the designated region.
Deliver consistent and prompt progress reports to colleagues and senior project management.
Collaborate effectively with finance teams to guarantee prompt adherence to funder requirements, project budgets, and other financial obligations.
Oversee project timelines, deliverables, reports, and staffing requirements to ensure successful project execution.
Support the implementation of both project onboarding and offboarding processes specifically designed to enhance knowledge management efforts.
Guide or assist fellow Associates in completing research and engagement tasks effectively.
Handle any additional tasks or responsibilities as directed by the project supervisor.
The primary responsibilities of this role encompass pivotal organizational functions, including strategic planning, operational oversight, and cross-departmental coordination to ensure alignment with business objectives. Key duties involve managing stakeholder relationships, optimizing resource allocation, and implementing policies to enhance efficiency and productivity. Additionally, the position requires monitoring performance metrics, identifying areas for improvement, and fostering a collaborative work environment to drive sustainable growth. Proficiency in data analysis, problem-solving, and change management is essential to execute these responsibilities effectively.
Additionally, Senior Project Associates are entrusted with critical organizational duties to maintain a thriving and efficient workplace environment.
Collaborate with the Associate team to facilitate goal-setting initiatives, establish Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), and organize team-building activities.
Spearhead the development and delivery of skills-enhancement workshops tailored for Associate and Analyst cohorts, fostering both individual growth and team capabilities.
Collaborate with various organizational teams to cultivate a unified and effective organizational culture.
Prepare and submit all mandatory focus contracts, conduct thorough performance reviews, and generate regular progress snapshots.
Contribute to and actively promote internal initiatives as needed.
Act as mentors to Analysts and Officers, exemplifying professionalism and intellectual rigor.
Participate in internal committees as needed to contribute to organizational initiatives and decision-making processes.
Seeking a candidate with a robust background in relevant industry expertise, proven technical competencies, and hands-on experience in designated areas. The ideal applicant will possess advanced problem-solving abilities, strong analytical thinking, and exceptional communication skills, enabling effective collaboration across teams. Prior to work experience in a similar role, demonstrated leadership capabilities, and familiarity with industry-standard tools and methodologies are essential. Additional requirements include a commitment to continuous learning, adaptability to evolving challenges, and a track record of delivering measurable results in past positions.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is required. A minimum of three years of professional experience in software development, with proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++. Strong problem-solving abilities and a collaborative mindset are essential. Familiarity with agile methodologies and version control systems like Git is mandatory. Excellent communication skills and the capacity to work effectively in cross-functional teams are also necessary. Prior experience in cloud computing or cybersecurity is a significant advantage.
Eligibility for employment in Kenya, either through existing work authorization or a willingness to relocate, is required.
A minimum of seven years of professional experience in social cohesion, peace building, governance, civic engagement, or a closely related discipline is required.
Proven track record in designing and implementing organizational training initiatives and capacity-building programs tailored for civil society organizations and/or public sector entities.
Fluent proficiency in both English and Kiswahili, both orally and in writing, is required.
Exceptional interpersonal skills are essential, along with the capacity to engage effectively with stakeholders from diverse cultural backgrounds and professional sectors.
Accomplished in leading both individual and collaborative sessions with ease, along with delivering compelling and articulate oral presentations with confidence.
Must possess strong interpersonal skills to cultivate and oversee key partnerships with allied organizations and major institutional donors.
Exceptional proficiency in organizational and project management, demonstrated through expertise in leading intricate initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
Highly adaptable and driven, capable of juggling diverse responsibilities with efficiency in a dynamic and high-pressure setting.
Demonstrates the capacity to successfully deliver projects with a global perspective while actively contributing to the development and implementation of institutional strategy and planning initiatives.
Highly valued candidates will possess the following qualifications: a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience, proficiency in industry-standard software tools, and a strong academic background in a related field. Preferred attributes include excellent communication skills, the ability to work effectively in collaborative environments, and a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Familiarity with project management methodologies and prior experience in a supervisory role are advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate adaptability, problem-solving capabilities, and a proactive approach to challenges.
Proficiency in crafting policy briefs or research communications tailored for non-technical audiences is required.
Proven ability to lead and develop teams within research or consulting environments.
Proficiency in behavioral science research methodologies, particularly randomized controlled trials (RCTs), is required.
Proficiency in quantitative analysis tools like STATE or R, as well as data collection platforms including Survey CTO, is required.
Professional experience in collaboration with civil society organizations or governmental bodies throughout East Africa is required.
A master’s degree or higher in social sciences, public policy, development studies, or an equivalent discipline is required.
Demonstrated expertise in overseeing the development lifecycle of products or tools designed to enhance organizational capacity.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
7 years
