We are seeking a highly motivated professional to join our team in this critical role, where you will play a pivotal part in driving our organization forward. Your expertise will be essential in executing key responsibilities, including [list responsibilities], while ensuring adherence to [specific requirements or standards]. The ideal candidate will possess [required skills/experience], along with the ability to [key competency], enabling them to thrive in this dynamic environment. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to [specific project, team, or company goal], making a tangible impact on our success.
The Senior Project Associate will lead Busra’s Social Cohesion portfolio, overseeing a range of multi-method research initiatives and capacity-building collaborations with civil society organizations and government agencies across East Africa. This role is centered on advancing a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing civic engagement behaviors and translating these insights into actionable strategies for CSOs and government partners to enhance social cohesion, civic participation, and engagement throughout the region. Additionally, the Senior Project Associate will spearhead the design, piloting, and ongoing refinement of tools to strengthen the portfolio’s impact, while also strategically directing regional capacity-strengthening initiatives.
The Senior Project Associate, serving as the primary project manager for dedicated external Busra project(s), swiftly acquires deep expertise in addressing multifaceted challenges and leverages every available resource to deliver engagements with precision, ensuring strict adherence to timelines and budgets. In addition, the Senior Project Associate designs innovative, yet rigorous solutions tailored to client and partner requirements while expertly overseeing both internal and external relationships with strategic acumen and polished professionalism.
Senior Project Associates collaborate closely with the Projects Division and other Busra teams, providing senior-level guidance and strategic direction to project design and stakeholder engagement. They are responsible for coordinating efforts and leading staff with efficiency, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and maintaining high standards of project execution.
Develop and implement core project initiatives to ensure successful execution and alignment with strategic objectives. Oversee project planning, scheduling, and resource allocation to optimize efficiency and productivity. Monitor progress through regular assessments, identifying potential risks and implementing corrective measures as needed. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to facilitate seamless communication and coordination, ensuring all stakeholders remain informed and engaged. Manage project budgets, timelines, and deliverables while adhering to established quality standards and compliance requirements. Provide leadership and mentorship to team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
The Senior Project Associate will collaborate extensively with Busra offices while engaging directly with academic researchers and advisory clients to execute an array of responsibilities, which encompass, but are not limited to:
Designing and executing research studies involves formulating robust methodologies, developing data collection instruments, and ensuring adherence to ethical standards throughout the investigation process.
Lead end-to-end research activities, including research design, literature reviews, qualitative interviews, data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination.
Design and create robust mixed-method research frameworks specifically aligned with Busra’s initiatives in fostering social cohesion.
Facilitate workshops with senior stakeholders to collaboratively design interventions, leveraging evidence and research derived from pertinent project data and established literature.
Collaborate in the conceptualization, implementation, and sharing of findings from Busra Social Cohesion research initiatives.
Crafting and executing strategies to maximize the utilization and impact of research among essential stakeholder groups.
Strengthen organizational capabilities and enhance team competencies through targeted training and development initiatives. Design, deliver, and evaluate programs to build skills, knowledge, and best practices. Identify learning gaps and tailor solutions to improve performance across departments. Collaborate with stakeholders to assess training needs and align initiatives with strategic goals.
Spearhead the development and execution of comprehensive training programs and assessment mechanisms tailored for civil society organizations (CSOs) and allied partners.
Provide guidance and support to fellow Associates and Analysts by delivering and facilitating training sessions.
Enhance the capabilities of civil society organizations and public sector stakeholders to integrate behavioral insights and research findings into their program design and implementation.
Spearhead the design, rigorous evaluation, and strategic distribution of capacity-building tools and resources.
As a key member of our team, this role is responsible for overseeing project execution and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships. You will drive the successful delivery of initiatives by coordinating resources, managing timelines, and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives. Additionally, you will engage with internal and external stakeholders, addressing their needs while mitigating risks to foster productive collaboration. Your ability to communicate clearly, prioritize tasks, and resolve conflicts will be essential in navigating complex project dynamics and achieving desired outcomes.
Plan, manage, and execute external and internal engagements independently of inception to completion, requiring minimal oversight.
Act as the principal liaison for clients and partners, skillfully addressing stakeholder requirements through forward-thinking communication and efficient problem-solving.
Develop and nurture connections across the stakeholder and funder network while remaining informed about emerging trends that influence Busra’s strategy on social cohesion.
Oversee and align team members’ efforts to execute initiatives throughout the designated region.
Consistently deliver prompt updates to fellow team members and project leadership to ensure alignment and informed decision-making.
Collaborate effectively with finance teams to guarantee prompt adherence to funder mandates, project budgets, and other financial obligations.
Oversee project schedules, ensure timely completion of deliverables, prepare comprehensive reports, and manage staffing requirements.
Assist in establishing and concluding project transitions to facilitate comprehensive knowledge management practices.
Guide Associates in completing research and engagement duties, either independently or collaboratively, ensuring all tasks are executed efficiently and effectively.
Handle any additional tasks or responsibilities as directed by the project supervisor.
Core organizational duties involve overseeing key operational processes, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, and maintaining efficient workflows across departments. This role requires meticulous attention to detail in coordinating resources, streamlining procedures, and fostering collaboration to enhance overall productivity. Additionally, the position demands proactive problem-solving, adherence to compliance standards, and the ability to adapt to evolving organizational needs while supporting leadership in achieving long-term goals.
In addition to their project-related duties, Senior Project Associates are tasked with upholding key organizational responsibilities to foster a productive and thriving workplace environment.
Collaborate with the Associate team to facilitate goal-setting sessions, establish Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), and organize team-building activities.
Design and facilitate skills-development workshops tailored to Associate and Analyst-level teams.
Collaborate with various organizational teams to cultivate a unified and effective organizational culture.
Deliver all mandatory focus contracts, conduct thorough performance reviews, and compile accurate progress snapshots.
Facilitate and actively promote internal initiatives as needed to drive organizational progress and alignment.
Act as mentors for Analysts and Officers, demonstrating professionalism and intellectual distinction in all interactions and guidance.
Attend and actively participate in internal committee meetings as needed to contribute to organizational decision-making processes.
Seeking a candidate with a robust educational background, relevant certifications, and extensive hands-on experience in the field. The ideal applicant must demonstrate proficiency in specific technical and soft skills, including problem-solving, communication, and team collaboration. Previous experience in similar roles, along with a proven track record of achieving measurable results, is essential. Familiarity with industry-standard tools, methodologies, and best practices is required, ensuring the ability to perform tasks efficiently and effectively. Strong analytical and organizational abilities are also necessary to meet project deadlines and maintain high-quality standards.
Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as business administration, finance, or accounting, or a related discipline. A minimum of three years of professional experience in financial analysis, reporting, or a comparable role is required. Proficiency in financial software, including Excel and ERP systems, is essential. Strong analytical skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to interpret complex financial data are critical. Excellent communication and collaboration skills are necessary to work effectively with cross-functional teams. Candidates must exhibit problem-solving capabilities and a commitment to maintaining accuracy in financial processes. Familiarity with regulatory compliance standards is advantageous.
Professional Rewriting:
Candidates must possess valid work authorization in Kenya or demonstrate a willingness to relocate to Kenya.
With a minimum of seven years of professional experience in social cohesion, peace building, civic engagement, governance, or a closely related discipline, you are well-equipped for this role.
Experienced in delivering organizational training and capacity-building initiatives for civil society organizations and/or public sector stakeholders.
Fluent English and Kiswahili proficiency in both spoken and written communication are essential.
Proven ability to engage effectively with stakeholders from varied cultural backgrounds and professional sectors, demonstrating exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in both independent and collaborative facilitation, coupled with compelling and assured oral presentation skills.
Skilled in cultivating and sustaining strategic partnerships with key collaborators and major institutional donors.
Proven ability to lead and coordinate intricate projects involving multiple stakeholders, coupled with strong organizational and project management expertise.
Highly adaptable and driven, capable of prioritizing and executing multiple responsibilities with efficiency in dynamic settings.
Demonstrates the capacity to effectively lead and implement projects with a broad, international perspective while advancing institutional strategy and long-term planning initiatives.
Seeking candidates with exceptional qualifications, including a proven track record in [specific field/industry], complemented by [X years] of relevant experience. The ideal applicant will possess advanced proficiency in [specific skill or tool], alongside strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, are essential, as is the ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams. Proficiency in [specific software, methodology, or certification] is preferred, along with a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Skilled in developing policy briefs and research communications tailored to non-technical audiences.
Extensive background in leading and guiding teams within research or consulting environments.
Possesses a solid understanding of behavioral science research methodologies, with specific expertise in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Proficiency in quantitative analysis software, including STATE or R, as well as data collection platforms like Survey CTO, is required.
Professional experience involving collaboration with civil society organizations or governmental bodies within East Africa is required.
A master’s or doctoral degree in social sciences, public policy, development studies, or an equivalent discipline is required.
Demonstrated expertise in leading the development of products and tools aimed at enhancing organizational capacity.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
7 years
