To deliver impactful support and strategic direction, this position is designed to enhance operational efficiency and team productivity. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing key initiatives, optimizing workflows, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. By fostering collaboration across departments, they will drive continuous improvement and innovation while maintaining high standards of performance.
The incumbent will lead the design, development, and management of all Concern Worldwide programs in Kenya, ensuring alignment with and advancing the objectives outlined in Concern’s Country Strategic Plan (CSP). Serving as a key member of the Country Management Team (CMT), the role will focus on overseeing program design, development, inception, implementation, funding acquisition, beneficiary targeting, quality assurance, operational efficiency, and measurable impact.
Responsibilities:
Program design and execution encompass the strategic planning, development, and rollout of initiatives aimed at achieving specific organizational objectives. This role involves collaborating with stakeholders to identify needs, define clear goals, and establish measurable outcomes. Responsibilities include drafting project frameworks, allocating resources efficiently, and ensuring seamless implementation through continuous monitoring and evaluation. The position requires strong analytical skills to assess program effectiveness, adapt strategies as needed, and deliver results that align with overarching business priorities.
To guarantee that programs are developed and executed in strict compliance with Concern Worldwide’s policies, a results-based management approach will be employed.
Through comprehensive contextual analysis and adherence to the “How Concern Understands Extreme Poverty” guidelines, this role involves identifying innovative program interventions and opportunities aligned with the Country Strategic Plan.
We are tasked with guaranteeing that all programs adhere to the Core Humanitarian Standards, which emphasize accountability and quality.
Ensuring Concern maintains its readiness and effectively prepares for emergencies.
Regularly conducting on-site visits to program locations and delivering constructive feedback to managers and staff are key responsibilities of this role.
Establishing robust connections with governmental entities, donors, key networks, and partners—encompassing local and national stakeholders as well as private sector collaborators—is essential to advancing shared objectives.
Providing assistance to Program Managers in the preparation of reports that comply with the guidelines set forth by donors, government entities, and Concern’s internal standards.
Directing project teams in the creation of detailed work plans, comprehensive budgets, and strategic procurement plans.
Regularly evaluate potential risks to the program and formulate strategies to minimize their impact.
The Program Director must deliver routine program updates to the Regional Desk Officer and maintain clear communication with key head office personnel regarding progress, obstacles, and technical assistance requirements. Additionally, the PD is tasked with identifying and reporting on potential grant funding opportunities, while ensuring the Country Management Team (CMT) actively contributes to the preparation of successful applications.
Ensure program and grant management are given priority through established line management frameworks, with efficiency and effectiveness evaluated consistently on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.
Support Program Managers and Coordinators by conducting in-depth analyses to seamlessly integrate market-based interventions across the Kenya portfolio, encompassing both established and emerging programs.
Ensure that suitable methods for delivering assistance are thoroughly defined, evaluated, and incorporated, with a strong focus on effectively integrating Cash and Voucher Assistance across various sectors.
Responsible for overseeing and implementing comprehensive security measures to safeguard organizational assets, personnel, and information. Ensures compliance with all applicable security policies, procedures, and regulatory standards. Conducts risk assessments, identifies vulnerabilities, and develops mitigation strategies to address potential threats. Manages security personnel, coordinates response efforts during incidents, and maintains emergency preparedness plans. Monitors security systems, investigates breaches, and provides recommendations for continuous improvement. Requires expertise in security protocols, crisis management, and regulatory frameworks, along with strong leadership and analytical skills.
Monitor the security landscape continuously and promptly escalate any identified issues or incidents to the designated Security Focal Person as required.
To foster awareness and compliance among program staff regarding the Country Security Management Plan, while evaluating and addressing any necessary security training requirements as needed.
Adapt appropriate risk mitigation and security measures to the delivery modality, with special attention to assistance delivered through CVA.
Overseeing financial planning and resource allocation plays a critical role in ensuring operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility. This position requires meticulous attention to detail in tracking expenditures, forecasting future financial needs, and maintaining strict adherence to budgetary constraints. Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in financial analysis, reporting, and cost-control strategies to optimize resource utilization and mitigate financial risks. Experience with budgeting software and a strong grasp of accounting principles are essential for success in this role.
Conducting research to uncover prospective donor funding sources and funding opportunities, while formulating strategic approaches to secure financial support.
Monitoring expenditures to ensure they align with allocated budgets, identifying instances of under- or overspending, and providing strategic recommendations to address discrepancies, with special attention to budget management considerations when utilizing the CVA delivery modality.
Coaching, mentoring, and guiding budget holders to create precise and well-structured budgets.
Budgets and revisions must be meticulously prepared and submitted punctually to maintain financial oversight and operational efficiency.
Ensuring strict adherence to all regulations set forth by donors and other fiduciary entities.
Any suspected or actual financial irregularities must be promptly reported to the Country Director for immediate review and action.
People Management
The department is responsible for securing adequate human resources to support program success and accomplish predetermined objectives.
The organization is responsible for providing comprehensive training to staff members to ensure they fully comprehend their respective roles and responsibilities.
Coaching, mentoring, and guiding budget holders to create precise and reliable budgets.
Partnerships Management entails stewarding and cultivating strategic alliances to drive mutual growth and value creation. Responsibilities include identifying, negotiating, and executing partnership agreements, as well as monitoring performance metrics to ensure alignment with organizational objectives. Requirements encompass strong interpersonal and communication skills, a results-driven mindset, and proficiency in contract negotiation and stakeholder engagement. The role demands a proactive approach to relationship-building, problem-solving, and collaboration with internal teams and external partners.
Driving the cultivation and ongoing management of high-impact relationships and cooperative alliances with critical stakeholders.
Demonstrate proactive leadership by continuously guiding the program’s evolution, leveraging prevailing trends and emerging opportunities to drive advancement while addressing evolving challenges through innovative solutions.
Spearhead the cultivation of strategic collaborations with private sector entities, particularly financial service providers (FSPs), by ensuring their meaningful involvement, adherence to due diligence protocols, and evaluation of their capabilities and potential to advance program goals.
Drive strategic partnerships with local and national stakeholders to advance program objectives, while collaborating with the technical lead to evaluate the sectoral capabilities of these identified Local National Actors (Las). This includes assessing their capacity to deliver assistance through Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), where feasible and appropriate.
Offering high-level strategic direction and support to partners at both memo and macro organizational levels.
Dynamic networking and advocacy roles entail cultivating strategic partnerships, fostering collaborative alliances, and serving as an organizational ambassador to elevate brand visibility and stakeholder engagement. Key responsibilities include building and maintaining robust professional networks, representing the organization at industry events, and championing its mission and values through effective communication and relationship management. Ideal candidates should possess strong interpersonal skills, a proven track record in stakeholder management, and the ability to navigate complex professional environments with diplomacy and confidence.
Attending pertinent technical inter-agency forums, UN gatherings, government sessions, and coordination meetings—at the discretion of the Country Director—serves as a key responsibility of this position.
Ensure representation by technical staff in pertinent national and subnational coordination forums concerning cash and voucher assistance or market-based solutions.
Overseeing monitoring and evaluation processes involves systematically tracking project performance, collecting relevant data, and analyzing outcomes to assess progress toward established objectives. This role demands proficiency in designing and implementing M&E frameworks, ensuring data accuracy and integrity, and generating insightful reports to inform strategic decision-making. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and experience with M&E tools and methodologies. Additionally, the position requires the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations and effectively communicate findings to stakeholders at all levels.
To develop and implement Monitoring & Evaluation frameworks and systems, comprehensive planning and execution are required. This involves designing structured approaches and operationalizing mechanisms to track performance, assess outcomes, and ensure accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
Ensuring Programme Managers coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of all programmes (including partner programmes) within the agreed plans, budgets, time frames, and donor guidelines
Ensuring quality control and timeliness of all deliverables as required in an accountable manner to all stakeholders.
Foster collaboration between programme teams and the MEAL Unit to promote evidence-based programming, learning, adaptive management, and the effective use of data for strategic decision-making.
Handle emergency situations promptly and effectively, ensuring swift and appropriate responses to all incidents to mitigate risks and protect personnel and assets.
Assisting in emergency response efforts for Concern, as required, by actively participating and contributing to initiatives whenever the need arises.
Adhering strictly to Concern’s established health, safety, and security protocols is essential, particularly in emergency situations.
Ensure proactive readiness measures are implemented to uphold prompt and sufficient response capabilities during emergency situations.
To guarantee that all pertinent departments are informed and actively involved in the established protocols—particularly those governing CVA response—during sudden-onset emergency situations.
To ensure transparent and responsible management of tasks and resources, accountability is a critical requirement for this role. You will be expected to take ownership of your work, deliver results consistently, and adhere to established standards and deadlines. Regular reporting and performance reviews will be conducted to assess progress and address any areas needing improvement. This position demands a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to aligning actions with organizational goals.
Promote adherence to and guarantee compliance with the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) commitments and associated quality criteria.
All personnel must fully understand the foundational concepts of accountability and safeguarding, as well as Concern’s Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM), while ensuring that the organization’s commitments to these principles are clearly communicated to program participants and the communities they serve.
Ensure the CRM system operates seamlessly, is correctly deployed, and remains accessible across all program locations, facilitating secure reporting of both programmatic and sensitive complaints—including safeguarding concerns. Additionally, guarantee that complaints are received, addressed, and resolved promptly, fairly, and appropriately. Safeguard sensitive complaints, particularly those related to safeguarding, by handling them with the highest level of confidentiality while prioritizing the safety of complainants and affected individuals at every stage.
Managers assume a range of critical duties, including overseeing team performance, ensuring operational efficiency, and fostering a productive work environment. They are tasked with setting clear objectives, monitoring progress toward goals, and providing actionable feedback to enhance team effectiveness. Additionally, managers coordinate resources, delegate tasks, and resolve conflicts to maintain smooth workflows. Responsibilities also extend to strategic planning, budget oversight, and alignment of departmental activities with organizational priorities. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills are essential to successfully execute these functions.
All managers are tasked with championing and embedding Concern’s values, leading by example in fostering workplace equality, diversity, and inclusion, and consistently exemplifying a strong commitment to safeguarding principles.
Managers must promptly engage in emergency response efforts whenever necessary.
The position necessitates a candidate with a proven track record in the specified domain, complemented by a minimum of [X] years of relevant experience. Proficiency in [specific skills or tools] is essential, along with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities. The ideal applicant will demonstrate exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the capacity to meet deadlines under pressure. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are also required to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams. Educational qualifications should include a [degree or certification] in [relevant field], or equivalent practical experience. Familiarity with industry standards and best practices is highly desirable.
A master’s degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field—such as social science, development management, business management, or a closely related discipline—is preferred.
You must possess 8–10 years of relevant experience, including a minimum of 3 years in a senior management role within a development, humanitarian, or non-governmental organization.
International expertise in technical and program domains is essential, alongside a comprehensive understanding of global best practices and standards.
Proven expertise in managing budgets, personnel, and resources effectively is essential.
Applicants should possess prior experience in designing and managing programs within one or more of these key domains: market systems development and market-based solutions; climate change adaptation; nature-based solutions (NBS); or strengthening health and nutrition systems.
Demonstrated skill in providing executive-level representation with professionalism and discretion.
Proficient in articulating ideas clearly and delivering compelling presentations with precision in English.
Exceptional ability to coordinate effectively and resolve conflicts adeptly.
Proven ability to coach, motivate, facilitate, and build capacity effectively.
Effective leadership capabilities and adeptness at navigating and implementing change are essential.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA
Experience Required
8 - 10 years
