Position Overview:
The position generally supports the senior management in ensuring strategic program direction, continued high performance and responsiveness to changing needs within the Girls Empowerment Program; s/he provides technical support and guidance to ensure that the program implementation adheres to appropriate standards. Supports capacity building of program staff and partners, and contributes to the overall strategic goals of the assigned programs/projects. Directs complex program or functions in consultation with senior leadership. Leads and administers basic and high school education programs based on adult learning curriculum as well as vocational training and entrepreneurial courses with minimal supervision. Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Associate Director is responsible for four primary activities: leadership of program leads (over 12 staff), direct support of education and vocational training programs (4 programs), and the design and implementation of annual program/project descriptions and budgets, participates in development of annual operational plan, and development of the program policies to improve program effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, impact and sustainability. The Director will ensure continuous improvement of Girls Empowerment Program, participants satisfaction, and academic performance as measured by national exams scores, program evaluation survey results, as well as creating strong and lasting synergy with the other programs and functions within the organization, and lasting partnerships with government line ministries at county and national levels, private sector as well as UN Agencies, foreign missions and; other stakeholders. The position plays a key role in resource mobilization through concept and proposal development, and; establishment and increase of partnerships and networks for the program and the organization in general.
Core Duties
Leads GEP team in program design and drawing aligned work plans and budgets and oversee day to day implementation of the approved program activities.
Oversees the design, implementation and direct supervision and evaluation for GEP curriculum content delivery
Demonstrates and leads on high program quality for positive team experience and exceptional project accomplishments
Develops quarterly and annual reports for tracking program/project progress and impact, program expenditures and donations.
Participates in developing program literature and publications, updating website content, and creating signage for workshops and events
Builds, maintains and encourages a productive working relationship with all staff members
Stimulates employees for achieving the desired results via positive methods and attitudes
Ensures that the morale of all the department personnel is positive and providing a viable organization so as to meet the commitments
Provides leadership that would encourage employee productivity and also the responsiveness.
Leads in developing and execution of both long term and short term recruitment strategy in GEP and positioning program to be strategically competitive and attractive to partners and donors
Carries out supervisory responsibilities that include planning, assigning and directing the work of supervisees, appraising the performances, rewarding the best employees and addressing complaints and also resolving the problems
Under the leadership of the DoP, ensures quality technical support and performance management program for staying with the budgets.
Program Management
Responsible for overall management of the GEP day to day operations
Maintains a 360 degrees safety and confidential environment for the GEP participants
Directly supervises Instructional Officer/education officer, day care manager, vocational training instructors and carrier guidance counselor as well as other team members to ensure maximum effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of quality education and vocational skills
Manages GEP donation acquisitions, distributions and storage
Reviews GEP services on an ongoing basis and develops new strategies’ to address needs and or complex issues as they emerge both within and without
Manages the administration and evaluation of programs. Oversee the interpretation, implementation and compliance with policies and regulations both for the organization and the government regulatory arms
Recommends actions and/or resolve complex issues that often span the program boundaries
Reports emergency cases or cases facing high risk directly to the Country Director for directions
Represents the program at the Organization level and/or to external constituencies.
Conducts crisis intervention, assessments and oversee intake procedures for participants to the GEP
Ensures that GEP staff provide high quality, fair, culturally relevant, accessible services to the organization persons of concern; similarly ensuring that the agency mission and philosophy and policies are adhered
Operations Management
Manage the administration and evaluation of the program. Oversee the interpretation, implementation and compliance with policies and regulations.
Recommends actions and/or resolves complex issues that often span the program boundaries.
Represents the program at the Organization level and/or to external constituencies.
Reviews GEP services and programs in conjunction with DoP on an ongoing basis and develop new strategies’ to address needs and or complex issues as they emerge as well as recommending new programs/project
Attracts, develops, coaches, and retains high-performance team members, empowering them to elevate their level of responsibility, span of control, and performance
Works with GEP staff to develop systems to ensure consistent, high-quality project management approaches
Supports the senior management team and line managers to make consistent and progressive steps toward organizational and programmatic consistency and sustainability; effectively communicate work plans and priorities derived from the organization’s mission by partnering with senior leaders to follow through with coordinated accountabilities, objectives, and associated budgets
Conducts yearly performance evaluations of direct reports, and implement the appropriate professional development tools and training to maximize operational effectiveness and to ensure the achievement of employee goals and performance benchmarks
Partakes in resource mobilization through concept and proposal development, establishment and increase of partnerships and networks for the program and the organization in general
Knowledge Management:
Provides leadership in development of inter-team communication and cohesiveness, sustaining culture and supporting staff during organizational growth.
Develops the necessary systems, processes, and tools to better support the facilitation, collection, and sharing of knowledge that is generated by the programs.
Develops dissemination system to share organizational learning with a broad range of audience.
Works collaboratively with the senior management team to integrate cross program activities and functions.
Community and Public Relations
The Associate Director holds some outreach responsibilities and works closely with the Director of programs and Country Director to present a strong, positive image of the organization, programs products and services to relevant stakeholders.
Assists with the production of key communication tools such as an annual impact reports and other publications
Assists with the production of outreach materials (displays, brochures, flyers, articles, press releases, website and background materials)
Undertakes other responsibilities/duties not outlined above which are commensurate with a role of this nature in the humanitarian sector and which have been discussed and agreed between the line manager/superiors and the post holder.
Education and Professional Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Education and or humanities discipline or related field with at least five (5) years of successful experience in program planning and management including grant funded programs. Master’s Degree in education, Leadership, project planning and management, business administration, will be added advantage
Minimum of 5 years’ experience in nonprofit middle or senior management level, preferably in girls and women empowerment programs
Knowledge of in management of girls and women empowerment programs will be added advantage
Understanding of challenges facing refugees in Kenya and in the region
Experience working with young people, preferably most vulnerable (experience working with refugee children will be a plus)
Demonstrated ability to handle confidential and sensitive information
Program Leadership and Management: This individual will have taken a hands-on approach in leading a variety of initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a track record of effectively leading a performance-based and outcome-based program and staff
She will have developed and operationalized strategies that have taken a program or organization to the next stage of growth
Team Building and Development: The successful candidate will have recruited, managed, and developed a strong team of staff, program/project officers, and development professionals. This individual will serve as a “player/coach” to motivate and mentor his or her team
Exceptional Communication and Influencing Skills: As a voice/advocate for the program will have strong written and verbal communication skills. S/he will be a persuasive, credible, and polished communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
This individual must work collaboratively with internal as well as external partners and other organizations, providing exposure for program impact to variety of audience
Unwavering commitment to quality programs and excellence in organizational and project management with the ability to achieve strategic objectives, and manage a budget
Strong demonstrated fundraising experience with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders including UN Agencies, foreign missions and private sector/corporates
Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse team and culturally sensitive environment
Integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed with demonstrated passion for the organization mission and commitment to working collaboratively with a management team of senior professionals
Solid judgment and apparent leadership skills
A team player, who can interrelate and operate effectively with peers and other associates within a collegial, yet demanding, work environment
An individual who is able to handle a variety of constituencies, manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex environment with multiple priorities
Strong analytical skills; basic business intuition, and common sense
Strong work ethic
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Great verbal and written communication and skills.
Knowledge about various business processes and daily office procedures.
Great team player and the ability to shoulder responsibilities.
Knowledge about the preparation of various reports.
Superb coordination skills i.e. adjusting actions as per others’ actions.
Active listening that involves paying full attention to the opinions of others.
Superb interpersonal skills to push a proposal through.
Proficiency in computer applications especially MS Office.
Ability withstand stressful situations that may arise as a result of challenging work environment (interaction with children who have under gone very painful situations)
Flexible enough to stretch beyond working hours to complete important and critical aspects of the job requirements
