Job Description
Reports To: East Africa Regional Director
Supervises: KLMS Project Manager, Regional Managers – Marsabit and Samburu, Livelihoods Manager and Training Manager
Position Summary:
The Kenya Program Director (KPD) has primary responsibility for the overall success and implementation of BOMA’s projects in Kenya. S/he will provide leadership and management oversight of BOMA’s Kenya projects and engage in high-level representation, coordination and relationship management with key stakeholders. S/he will work closely with the M&E team to ensure high quality and timely delivery of BOMA’s projects in Kenya. The KPD will report to the Regional Director and will contribute towards achieving BOMA’s strategic milestones in Kenya as described in the 2018 – 2020 Strategic Plan.
Responsibilities:
Technical Direction and Program Quality
Provide direction and oversight to the Regional Managers and the KLMS Project Manager specifically in Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, and via our technical assistance to Mercy Corps in Turkana, Wajir and Garissa Counties.
Set program team direction by prioritizing and organizing actions and resources to achieve project goals and targets that contribute to BOMA’s overall impact goal.
Oversee project team implementation of all phases of REAP including business village mentor (BVM) and BOMA location committee (BLC) identification, selection, training and monitoring; targeting and selection of REAP participants; business skills training sessions for REAP participants together with the BVMs; follow-through and mentoring of the REAP participants in coordination with the BVMs and Field Officers.
Train, mentor and supervise regional and project managers and graduation advisors on technical elements of REAP as well as overall commitments in all funding awards.
Oversee the work of the Livelihoods Manager to develop livelihood strategies that will enhance the impact of REAP.
Oversee and ensure quality and consistency of training BOMA provides via direct implementation and technical assistance programs.
Establish and maintain close working relationships with community, local government and non-government stakeholders, especially in support of ongoing program activities.
Periodically conduct quality control visits to the field offices and BOMA locations to identify areas for potential changes or course corrections; share out key findings with MEL, program and leadership teams.
Team Management
Develop the capacity of the project and regional managers, deepen understanding of their roles and assist with career development.
Assist project and regional managers with information, tools and resources to improve performance & reach objectives.
Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally and formally via regular one on ones and performance reviews.
Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where project and regional managers strive to achieve excellence.
Planning and Reporting
In coordination with the Leadership Team prepare and manage the implementation of project work plans in fulfillment of project management plans and BOMA’s strategic objectives and goals.
Coordinate development of timely required reporting and monitoring documents that meet donor requirements to the Regional Director and fundraising team.
Project Monitoring
Use project scorecards to capture program successes and challenges via the project management practice monthly check-in’s that will inform internal learning, potentially innovations, and major institutional donor reports and analysis.
Support the M&E Manager and Regional Managers to put in place and consistently implement strong monitoring and evaluations procedures that are well-coordinated with donors and strategic partners, aligned with BOMA’s Performance Insights system.
Oversee the organization, collection, and tracking of all required program reports (via mobile technology) including but not limited to business applications, business and savings group progress reports, spot checks, participant selection surveys, mentor performance.
Program Learning
In support of BOMA’s commitment as a learning organization, role model and promote a culture of collaboration, learning and adaptation across the organization
Proactively identify and share real-time learning from project implementation to inform potential changes in project design and support the influencing agenda
Program Management
Ensure project team compliance with BOMA and donor rules and regulations particularly with respect to fiscal management and procurement
Ensure effective and transparent use of resources aligned with BOMA and donor rules
Develop and manage program budgets and ensure timely disbursement requests for each award in collaboration with regional and US-based finance staff. This includes monthly budget vs actuals reviews, regular communication re potential revisions needed to achieve optimal project outcomes.
Establish strong working relationships with the field staff to maintain high levels of motivation and facilitate the completion of program tasks in a timely manner, within the allocated budget, in ways that maximize project impact
Provide ongoing management and mentorship to program staff, including regular feedback, performance appraisals, staff development and other management issues.
In coordination with the HR and Administration Manager assist in the development of job descriptions, identification, recruitment, hiring and technical onboarding of program staff.
Assist in program development for BOMA by identifying additional technical needs and contributing to the development of project proposals.
Program Development
Support the development of new projects by participating in project design workshops, and providing key inputs such as writing technical sections and supporting budget development.
Collaborate with the Regional Technical Advisor on design of projects related to strategic partnerships and government adoption
Other
Represent BOMA with local government, program stakeholders, communities and donors as required.
Deputize for the Regional Director in his/her absence as required.
Any other duties as required
Key Performance Metrics include:
Timely, innovative and high-quality implementation of BOMA projects in Kenya to achieve project outcomes
Effective collaboration with Kenya finance manager and CFO on funding award management and compliance with funder requirements (programmatic and financial)
Regular documentation of and communication with DPI and other leaders on proposed project changes
Leadership and commitment to a culture of accountability and learning within the program team
Adherence to BOMA’s project management processes
Team members become increasingly effective and efficient implementers as a result of mentoring and coaching, driving impact and scale.
BOMA becomes and increasingly significant player in the global graduation space as a result of innovative and effective implementation on the ground.
As a member of the leadership team: (5% of total LOE)
Support organizational decision-making to reflect BOMA’s mission and values.
Support BOMA’s effort to continuously drive impact through strong programming and evaluation strategies
Support BOMA’s strategic planning processes and regular performance assessments with a focus on programs.
Drive BOMA’s effort to deliver on its annual program impact and milestone goals in the field.
Internal Relationships:
The Kenya Program Director reports to the Regional Director for East Africa and collaborates with the Regional Technical Advisor, and the MEL Manager.
The Kenya Program Director supervises the Samburu and Marsabit Regional Managers, the KLMS Program Manager, and the Livelihoods Manager
The Kenya Program Director works closely with the Finance Manager, and the HR/Administration Manager.
Required Qualifications:
Demonstrated leadership skills, including ability to build and motivate a high performing leadership team and willingness to deal with challenges
Demonstrated track record of strong donor relationships, specifically DFID or USAID
Demonstrated ability to manage programs to achieve impacts, on time, and comply with donor requirements.
Demonstrated ability to develop a culture of collaborative learning and adaptation within a program team.
Excellent writing and communications skills in English,
Ability to work as part of a team (multi-cultural, multi-disciplinary and inter-agency)
Ability to travel and to work independently, even in harsh environments
Ability to manage a large workload and multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
Highly organized team player, pro-active and with demonstrated strong personal initiative and decision-making ability.
Commitment to proactively sharing out project learnings, areas for potential course corrections to optimize project impact.
Proven solid analytical and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with or aptitude for project management practice.
Experience with program implementation and familiarity with the unique socio-economic and cultural context of the ASALs
Knowledge of the Somali, Rendille, Samburu, Gabbra or Borana languages a plus
Education and Experience:
Relevant university degree in Social Sciences, International Development, Economics, Commerce or any other relevant field.
Familiarity with or aptitude for collaboration, learning and adaptation practices.
Minimum of 6 years of mid to senior level experience implementing gender, poverty alleviation, food security and/or livelihoods programs.
Experience managing complex activities involving coordination with multiple project partners.
Proven experience in program design and management, including budgeting, financial management, donor relations, project design and proposal development, staff development and management, and monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
