Job Purpose: To provide overall leadership and strategic direction to the Muslim Hands East Africa Regional Programmes.
S/he is responsible for ensuring the design and delivery of quality programmes, donor and government relations, fundraising and financial management, security and operations management, and developing a motivated and professional team.
Specific Responsibilities
Strategy development and implementation
Provide Leadership in the development and implementation of the Muslim Hands Programme strategy in line with the overall Muslim Hands Strategic Plan and the context in Kenya and the East Africa Region
Facilitate the alignment of Muslim Hands East Africa Programme to strategic organisational thematic priorities and accountability mechanisms provided in the Muslim Hands programming framework
Provide leadership for the dissemination of Muslim Hands values, vision and mission at the country level and lead, direct and mentor the country programme and Country Directors’ staff in line with the organizational strategy
Keep abreast on socio-economic and political changes in the environment and undertake timely strategic review of the Muslim Hands Programme Strategy ensuring continued relevance in the rapidly changing environment
Maintain close communication with the Regional Desk Officer on relevant factors and changes in the environment together with the directorates at Headquarters, to ensure implementation of policies, procedures, operational guidelines and standards within the Muslim Hands objectives.
Representation
Represent Muslim Hands in Kenya and be responsible for the management of host country relations and Muslim Hands interests in dealing with government, international and local organisations, networks and media in the East Africa Programme
Represent Muslim Hands in strategic meetings, conferences, forums and other public events and contribute towards consolidating and raising the profile of Muslim Hands
Develop and strengthen relationships with local organisations and networks and establish national and regional strategic relations and alliances with partners and civil society working in common cause with Muslim Hands objectives
Maintain good partnerships relations at National and International levels within the East Africa Region
Programme development and Management
Lead and undertake Programme development of the Programme providing sound methodological and technical support to ensure use of participatory methodologies, human rights and social inclusion framework as per the organisational thematic alignment and programming approach
Coordinate the Programme participatory annual planning and budgeting as per organisational guidelines and supervise the progress reporting
Oversee and coordinate the programme portfolio to ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability, while fostering continuity through building local capacity and developing innovative programme interventions
Lead the development and implementation of M&E and advocacy plans on issues of relevance in the country aligned with MH’s global programmatic and policy priorities
Facilitate training on core programme and operational management competencies.
Provide continuous monitoring and support to field offices on existing projects, coordinate programme reviews, evaluations in close collaboration with internal and external auditors, and follow up implementation of evaluation findings in close collaboration with the M&E Coordinator and Head Office UK
Coordinate the production of timely quality programme reports in line with Muslim Hands and donor requirements
Funding and Grants Management
Under the overall guidance of the Regional Desk Officer UK and in collaboration with MH HQ Programmes Team:
Ensure MH emerges as reputable and credible partner to all major donors and host government institutions
Monitor and identify appropriate sources for match fund requirements and coverage of funding gaps
Keep abreast of the trends within the donor environment, their policies and strategic priorities in the East Africa Region
Undertake diversified local and international fundraising initiatives to strengthen programme funding and sustainability
Coordinate the production of good quality funding proposals and respond to call for proposals
Facilitate donor visits, donor meetings, round-table discussions and evaluations as necessary
Develop and maintain a high level of understanding of donor priorities, country plans and planned funding initiatives
Financial management
In close collaboration with the Finance and Programmes departments at HQ:
Provide oversight to all finance and administrative services in the Programme
Ensure effective implementation and compliance with the internal control framework of the Finance & Guidance Manual and compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements
Oversee the development and implementation of annual country budgets
Ensure that adequate internal control mechanisms are in place
Review accuracy of financial reports and carry out periodic checks on financial matters. Monitor the timely delivery of quality accounts and comment
Oversee annual and project-specific audit processes within the Programme
Ensure the preparation, accuracy and timely submission of financial reports that comply with grant or contract agreements and ensure compliance with all aspects of Muslim Hands policies and donor funding
Check and verify all inventories and promote efficient management of organizational assets
Human Resources Management and Organizational Development
In close collaboration with the Country Human Resources representative and head office UK:
Provide leadership support to the Programme staff and promote best practices in human resources management
Coordinate regular reviews and update of the human resources policies and procedures and the national labour laws.
Oversee and monitor efficiency and fairness of recruitment processes in all programme countries in the region
Provide Coaching and Counselling advice to staff when necessary and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity
Organise regular meetings with the senior management team and all staff for the purpose of exchanging information, coordination and learning
Ensure that the country senior management team is effective, mutually supporting and sufficiently involved in decision making
Information, Communication and Learning
Ensure that the programme is maintaining a coordinated and agreed information exchange both internally and in its dealing with external parties
Ensure that key programme documents (strategy programme document, projects proposals, research, reports, etc) are regularly shared and submitted to head office UK and agreed upon before communicating to donors and other external parties
Supervision & Collaboration
The East Africa Regional Manager is under direct supervision of the Programmes Manager based at the HQ UK and works closely with the East Africa Regional Desk.
Accountability
Supervision: works independently under the supervision of the Head Office UK and within approved strategy and policy guidelines
Decision Making: has full responsibility of decisions at regional level in line with approved policy. This must be in agreement and/or with permission from the Head Office UK
Responsibility over assets: Overall responsibility for the Regional budgets, all organizational resources and assets
Responsibility over Country Directors staff for the East Africa Region
Job Specifications
Education / Qualification
Minimum Master degree in social sciences/development studies, strategic/programme management, management studies or other related discipline
Additional extensive knowledge in at least one of the areas of Muslim Hands Thematic work: Food, Livelihoods, Gender, HIV&AIDS, Emergency Relief, Environment, WASH, Health/Medical, Education Specialist, Peace Building and Conflict Transformation
Relevant Work Experience
Minimum 8 years demonstrated working experience in program development, implementation and evaluation; 4 of which should be at senior management level
Progressive experience of programme management (at least 5 years) in the INGO sector in the East Africa Region with a proven track record as a senior manager and leader, including experience in developing and implementing strategic plans
English Fluency required (written and verbal)
Proven experience in proposal development from concept note to full proposal and experience in other innovative strategies of resource mobilisation with a proven record in raising substantial research/development funds
Knowledge and Experience managing compliance to diverse donors (CIDA, DFID, EU, UN, etc)
Demonstrable network of contacts and high standing in his/her profession with proven record of building and managing effective partnerships and strategic alliances
Proven experience in research and advocacy
Strong People and financial Management skills
Key Skills / Knowledge / Competencies
An understanding of and commitment to Muslim Hand’s mission and values
Familiarity with and commitment to a gender approach to development and participatory methodologies
Knowledge of current thinking on development issues and methods; and demonstrable ability to anticipate emerging needs and integrate them swiftly into priority setting
Demonstrated initiative and creativity; and substantial experience of strategic thinking, including identifying, analysing, problem solving and responding to opportunities and challenges and the ability to translate these into practical plans of action
Well established and practiced organizational and planning skills; and extensive knowledge and experience of project cycle management including using project planning and management key tools (e.g. Logical Framework analysis, Gant chart, etc)
Good knowledge of financial management and accounting and budget holding principles
Strong management and organizational skills, including comfort in delegating authority and responsibility
Excellent interpersonal & negotiation skills, including ability to effectively lead and build a team, communicate a vision, make timely and transparent decisions, solve problems and manage conflict
Demonstrated ability to undertake high-level representation and advocacy.
Excellent communications skills, both oral and written (excellent report & proposal writing), including public speaking.
Computer Literate and Proficient in Microsoft Office including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook;
Decision-making and problem solving skills
Willingness to travel within the East Africa region for 30% of the time yearly.
Other Desirable skills and Competencies
Fluent in Kiswahilii and Arabic
Knowledge of one of Muslim Hands core themes and in advocacy programmes
Ability to handle heavy workload, work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision
Experience of working in a fast changing environment
