PROGRAM /DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps and Google.org are launching a three year global youth employment and innovation initiative to stimulate creative, technology-oriented solutions to the global unemployment challenge. Focusing on youth ages 18-35, this initiative will operate in two strategic regional hubs, one of which is Nairobi, Kenya. The initiative seeks to strengthen dynamic ecosystems that foster demand-driven skills, creative job matching, and new work opportunities, while leveraging technology-driven solutions, so that vulnerable populations, specifically youth, can secure safe, decent, and equitable work. This initiative aims to think big, take risks, and test bold solutions by approaching under and unemployment through a business-oriented technology lens. While the program will operate in Kenya, we will strategically plan for regional replication and expansion beyond this country.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps is seeking an entrepreneurial leader to build this initiative with a focus on achieving significant impact. S/he will be in charge of developing bold and creative technology-based solutions to the youth employment challenge. The Senior Program Manager will provide overall leadership, management and strategic vision to the implementation and scale of the project in Kenya, managing resources and partners to ensure that the project meets its objectives on-time and within budget. S/he will coordinate with Mercy Corps’ country/regional offices to ensure successful integration, manage the development of bold and creative technology based solutions to youth under and unemployment, including technology solutions for industry growth, job matching and digital platforms for skills. He/she will frequently liaise and coordinate with key stakeholders, other implementing partners, startups, companies, foundations, NGOs and government partners.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Project Management
Technical and strategic leadership of the program in Kenya;
Identify and develop strong partnerships with entrepreneurs and intrepreneurs with innovative technology solutions;
Conduct frequent supervisory visits to the field to monitor project implementation and ensure project quality;
Implement best practices of adaptive management and market-based development approaches;
Create a positive can-do culture within the project team, promoting creativity/innovation, communication, hard work, and much laughter;
Develop and implement work plans focused on key outputs and outcomes;
Ensure that program implementation is responsive to the needs of youth, business partners, employers, and tech partners, and aligned with Mercy Corps principles, values and strategic plan;
Ensure activities promote gender equity, conflict sensitivity, and environmental awareness;
Pursue opportunities to replicate most successful program elements in new geographies and identify resources for expansion;
Ensure all programming follows Mercy Corps’ Systems, Procedures, and Code of Conduct;
Oversee program budget and financial planning to inform programming; monitor expenditures and forecasts;
Adhere to all MC procurement, logistics and administrative regulations related to programming;
Write regular donor and organizational reports to highlight program successes and challenges.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) and Reporting:
Support thoughtful research initiatives focused on potential of job matching solutions, employment in fragile contexts, and/or other research priorities as identified by Mercy Corps and Google.org;
Support the development of key indicators organize the collection of information so that it can be easily reported out to key stakeholders;
Identify and support mechanisms for effective project monitoring and evaluation efforts and systems for information sharing internally and externally;
Guide development of data collection and monitoring tools and ensure data is collected for analysis to inform program decision making;
Support the scheduling and production of formal and informal reports on all aspects of the program in a timely and efficient manner;
Ensure that MERL focus generates practical information that can be used for ongoing program decision-making while also capturing results at the impact level;
Support with documenting lessons learned from the program and prepare periodic case studies and beneficiary stories;
Support the dissemination of lessons learned and program achievements through events, conferences, and digital media channels.
Coordination and Representation
Collaborate with Mercy Corps’ Social Ventures team to identify and collaborate with innovative, scalable social enterprises working in the youth training and employment space;
Develop close and productive working relationships with all program participants and stakeholders including the primary stakeholders, operations departments, private sector and NGOs – all parties required to establish a shared vision of the project and achieve objectives;
Coordinate with donor and government agencies to provide updates on programming as needed;
Represent Mercy Corps at relevant events in the field and in meetings with Google.org, potential partners and program investors, including corporations, foundation and government entities;
Participate in workshops and tasks forces, as needed, to inform strategy development and improved service delivery;
Support program development related to market systems development programming, while contributing to other related to programming, as needed;
Represent Mercy Corps’ work at Nairobi and field-based levels, as needed, to foster greater connections and information sharing.
Other
Fulfill Mercy Corps Program Management Minimum Standards based on the organization-wide guide;
Ensure activities promote gender equity, conflict sensitivity, and environmental awareness by applying Do No Harm and Mercy Corps’ Gender Equity policy;
Participate in internal office coordination and planning meetings and workshops;
Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership;
Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies;
Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission;
Other duties as assigned.
 
Organizational Learning
As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve, we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.Accountability to Beneficiaries
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Program Director – Youth Impact Lab
ACCOUNTABILITY
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Product Innovation and Partnerships Manager
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Youth Employment Advisor, MERG Technical Support Unit; Senior Director of Social Ventures; Program Team members, local, regional, and global business partners, peer agencies and implementing partners.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
BA or BS or equivalent in business administration, social science, management, international development or other relevant field; MBA and/or MA preferred;
5-7 years of private sector and/or field management experience including 3 years in a senior management position, preferably in Kenya’s youth employment sector;
Demonstrated experience with and strong understanding of working with private sector partners;
Experience working with T4D and the technology sector required;
Previous work experience with non-profit organizations or corporate social responsibility preferred;
Strong written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing and editing;
Strong project management skills, including working with local partners and program start up activities;
Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members;
Willingness to take risks, test new solutions, and transform the global youth employment landscape.
SUCCESS FACTORS:
The successful Senior Program Manager will be a systems thinker, combining exceptional business acumen, management skills and experience in forging and maintaining partner relationships. S/he will have the mindset and approach of a social entrepreneur, seeking creative solutions to challenging social problems and ensuring that these solutions are implemented effectively. S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in Kenya. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations. The Senior Program Manager will also have strong experience and aptitude for technology for development (T4D), which is a significant component of the program.

Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit a Cover Letter and detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent supervisor) to ke-hrkenya@mercycorps.org on or before Tuesday 31st October, 2017.The email subject line must clearly show the job title and location they are applying for.Applications without an appropriate subject heading will be automatically disqualified.Please do not attach any certificates.Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.NB: We do not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.

Apply via :

ke-hrkenya@mercycorps.org