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Home Jobs Nairobi Director of Program Management

Director of Program Management

Concern Worldwide  · NGO / Non-Profit Associations

Full Time Nairobi
Nairobi
Deadline: 25 June 2026
Posted June 17, 2026

The primary objective of this position is to oversee and execute key responsibilities aligned with the organization’s strategic goals, ensuring operational excellence and sustained growth. This role entails fulfilling critical tasks that contribute to the overall success of the team while maintaining high standards of performance and accountability.

The incumbent will lead the design, development, and oversight of all Concern Worldwide’s programs in Kenya, ensuring alignment with and progress toward the Country Strategic Plan (CSP). Serving as a key member of the Country Management Team (CMT), the role involves contributing to the strategic management of the Country Program with primary accountability for program design, development, inception, execution, funding acquisition, targeting strategies, quality assurance, operational efficiency, and measurable impact.

We are seeking a highly motivated professional to oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring seamless workflow and adherence to established protocols. This role involves coordinating team efforts, managing project timelines, and addressing any operational challenges that arise. The ideal candidate will be responsible for maintaining high standards of quality, fostering collaboration among departments, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Additionally, this position requires meticulous attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment.

The design, development, and execution of programs are essential responsibilities, requiring meticulous planning, strategic alignment, and systematic rollout to achieve desired outcomes. This role demands the ability to assess needs, define clear objectives, allocate appropriate resources, and monitor progress through defined metrics. Strong analytical, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills are necessary to ensure programs are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with established standards. Collaboration with cross-functional teams and adherence to governance frameworks are also critical to successful implementation.

To ensure programs are developed and executed in strict adherence to Concern Worldwide’s policies through a results-based management framework.

In alignment with the Country Strategic Plan, you will identify innovative program interventions and opportunities by conducting comprehensive contextual analysis and applying the “How Concern Understands Extreme Poverty” guidelines.

Our responsibility involves guaranteeing that programs adhere to the Core Humanitarian Standards for accountability and quality.

To uphold Concern’s ability to respond effectively and ensure readiness for emergencies.

Regularly visiting program sites, the incumbent will gather insights and communicate observations to managers and staff to support continuous improvement and operational effectiveness.

Building and maintaining robust connections with governmental entities, donors, key strategic networks, and partners—spanning local and national stakeholders as well as private sector collaborators—is essential to achieving our objectives.

Assisting Program Managers in generating reports that comply with donor, government, and Concern-specified requirements.

Guiding to project teams in the development of comprehensive work plans, detailed budgets, and strategic procurement plans to ensure project success and alignment with organizational objectives.

Consistently evaluate potential threats to the program and formulate effective measures to reduce or eliminate those risks.

Ensure regular communication of program updates to the Regional Desk Officer and inform relevant head office staff about progress, challenges, and technical support requirements. The Program Director is responsible for reporting on potential grant funding opportunities and facilitating the CMT’s contributions to successful applications.

To uphold program and grant management excellence, prioritize these functions via robust line management structures, while systematically monitoring efficiency and effectiveness on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis.

Program Managers and Coordinators receive assistance in conducting analyses that support the seamless integration of market-based interventions throughout the Kenya program portfolio, encompassing both established and emerging initiatives.

Assess and define suitable modalities for delivering assistance, prioritizing the incorporation of Cash and Voucher Assistance across various sectors.

Oversee the comprehensive management and implementation of security protocols to safeguard organizational assets, personnel, and information. Develop, enforce, and continuously evaluate security policies, procedures, and best practices to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Conduct thorough risk assessments, threat analyses, and vulnerability scans to identify potential security gaps and implement corrective measures. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate security measures into business operations, fostering a culture of vigilance and accountability. Lead incident response efforts, including investigations, forensic analysis, and recovery actions, to minimize the impact of security breaches. Stay abreast of emerging threats, industry trends, and technological advancements to proactively enhance the organization’s security posture. Ensure all security systems, including surveillance, access control, and cybersecurity tools, are operational and optimized for peak performance. Train and mentor security personnel, promoting professional development and adherence to the highest standards of security excellence.

The incumbent is responsible for tracking and documenting security-related concerns, promptly escalating any issues to the designated Security Focal Person as required.

To promote staff awareness and compliance with the Country Security Management Plan, and to identify any required security training, program personnel must be thoroughly engaged and assessed.

Adapt suitable risk mitigation and security measures in accordance with the delivery modality, with particular attention to assistance delivered through Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA).

Overseeing and maintaining fiscal accountability for allocated resources, this role involves meticulous planning, monitoring, and reporting ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and financial constraints. Key responsibilities include developing and administering budgets, analyzing variances, optimizing expenditures, and providing strategic recommendations to enhance financial performance. The ideal candidate must possess strong analytical skills, proficiency in financial software, and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders to drive informed decision-making. A minimum of five years of progressive experience in budgetary oversight, along with a degree in finance, accounting, or a related field, is required.

Developing strategic funding approaches by identifying prospective donor sources and funding avenues to maximize resource acquisition.

Monitoring budget allocations to ensure expenditures align with approved limits while identifying and addressing instances of under- or overspending. Providing guidance on optimal budget utilization and proposing adjustments tailored to the unique challenges of budget management when utilizing Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) as a delivery mechanism.

Coaches, mentors, and supports budget holders to establish precise and reliable budgets.

Budgets and revisions are prepared and submitted in a timely manner to maintain fiscal accountability and operational efficiency.

Ensuring complete adherence to all regulatory requirements imposed by donors and other fiduciary authorities.

Any suspected or actual financial irregularities must be reported immediately to the Country Director for prompt review and action. This responsibility ensures compliance with organizational policies and regulatory standards, safeguarding the integrity of financial operations. Clear communication of such concerns is essential to mitigate risks and maintain transparency within the accounting and financial reporting processes.

People Management

The department is responsible for securing an adequate workforce to effectively support program goals and ensure successful outcomes.

The department is responsible for making sure all employees receive appropriate training and clearly comprehend the goals associated with their positions.

We collaborate with budget holders to guide, mentor, and support them in creating precise budget forecasts.

We are seeking a skilled Partnerships Manager to oversee and cultivate strategic alliances that drive business growth. The ideal candidate will be responsible for identifying, negotiating, and maintaining high-value partnerships while ensuring alignment with organizational objectives. Key responsibilities include developing partnership frameworks, conducting market research to assess potential collaborators, and managing relationship lifecycles from inception to renewal. Additionally, the role requires strong interpersonal skills to liaise with stakeholders, analyze partnership performance metrics, and report insights to senior leadership. A bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or a related field is required, along with 3+ years of experience in partnerships, business development, or a similar role. Proficiency in CRM tools, contract negotiation, and data-driven decision-making is essential, and candidates should demonstrate a track record of exceeding partnership targets.

Spearheading the cultivation and sustenance of robust relationships and collaborative efforts with essential stakeholders.

Demonstrate proactive leadership in guiding and evolving the program by capitalizing on emerging trends and opportunities while proactively addressing and resolving new challenges.

Spearhead the cultivation of robust collaborations with private sector entities—particularly financial service providers (FSPs)—by ensuring their strategic engagement, adherence to due diligence protocols, and evaluation of their capabilities and potential contributions to program goals.

You will spearhead the development of strategic partnerships with local and national stakeholders to advance program goals, while also collaborating with the technical lead to evaluate the sectoral capabilities of these identified Las—particularly their ability to provide assistance through CVA, where practical and appropriate.

Offering high-level strategic direction and leadership to partners at both memo and macro organizational levels.

Networking and Representation: Establishing and nurturing professional relationships to enhance organizational visibility, fostering strategic partnerships, and representing the company at industry events, conferences, and community engagements to strengthen brand presence and advocacy.

Serving as the designated representative for Concern at pertinent technical inter-agency gatherings, meetings with the UN, government entities, and coordination platforms, upon request from the Country Director.

Ensure representation by technical staff in relevant national and subnational coordination forums pertaining to Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) or market-based solutions.

Oversee the design, implementation, and assessment of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to systematically track program performance, identify areas for improvement, and ensure data-driven decision-making across initiatives.

Develops and implements robust Monitoring & Evaluation plans, frameworks, and mechanisms to systematically track progress, measure impact, and ensure accountability throughout program implementation.

Professional Program Managers are responsible for overseeing the monitoring and evaluation of all programs—including those implemented by partners—to ensure alignment with established plans, allocated budgets, defined timelines, and donor stipulations.

Delivering all project outputs with precision and adherence to established standards while meeting critical deadlines is essential to maintaining accountability and transparency for all stakeholders.

Collaborate proactively with program teams and the MEAL Unit to foster evidence-based programming, continuous learning, adaptive management, and strategic utilization of data for informed decision-making.

Responding promptly and effectively to emergency situations is a critical responsibility of this role, ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals and property during crises. This position requires the ability to assess threats, implement immediate actions, and coordinate with relevant authorities or teams to mitigate risks and restore order. Candidates must demonstrate composure under pressure, sound decision-making skills, and a commitment to following established protocols in high-stress environments.

In the capacity of contributing to Concern’s emergency response efforts, you will actively engage and provide support as required, ensuring timely and effective participation in critical situations.

Ensuring adherence to Concern’s health, safety, and security protocols amid emergency situations is essential.

Ensure comprehensive preparedness measures are implemented to uphold a prompt and adequate response capability during emergency situations.

Maintain active engagement and awareness across all pertinent departments regarding established procedures, particularly those pertaining to the delivery of CVA (Cash and Voucher Assistance) in sudden-onset emergencies.

Accountability is a core expectation for this role, requiring you to take ownership of your responsibilities and deliver results consistently. You will be expected to meet deadlines, adhere to quality standards, and provide transparent updates on progress. Problem-solving and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively are essential, as is the capacity to learn from mistakes and adapt to changing circumstances. This position demands a proactive approach, ensuring that all commitments are fulfilled with integrity and professionalism.

Drive adherence to and champion the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) commitments and quality criteria at all levels.

Ensure all staff fully understand the core principles of accountability and safeguarding, as well as Concern’s Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM). Additionally, actively share information about Concern’s accountability and safeguarding commitments with program participants and communities to foster awareness and transparency.

Ensure the CRM system operates seamlessly, is fully integrated, and remains accessible across all program locations, thereby facilitating secure reporting of both programmatic and sensitive complaints—including safeguarding concerns. Guarantee that complaints are received, processed, and addressed promptly, fairly, and appropriately. Maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive complaints, particularly safeguarding concerns, with a steadfast focus on protecting the safety and well-being of complainants and affected individuals throughout every stage.

Managers are tasked with overseeing daily operations, ensuring team productivity, and maintaining high performance standards. They are responsible for delegating tasks, fostering collaboration, and resolving conflicts to promote a cohesive work environment. Additionally, managers conduct performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and support employee development. Strong leadership, organizational skills, and effective communication are essential to meet both team and organizational goals.

All managers must actively uphold and champion Concern’s values, lead by example in fostering workplace equality, diversity, and inclusion, and consistently model a strong commitment to safeguarding principles.

All managers must promptly engage in emergency response efforts whenever the need arises.

The ideal candidate must fulfill the following professional qualifications and criteria to be considered for the position.

A master’s degree, or equivalent qualification, in social science, development management, business management, or a closely related field is preferred.

Requires 8 to 10 years of pertinent experience, including a minimum of three years in a senior management capacity within a development or humanitarian organization or NGO.

Possesses comprehensive technical and programmatic expertise on a global scale.

Proven expertise in overseeing budgets, personnel, and resources is essential.

Seeking a candidate with demonstrated expertise in designing and managing programs across key thematic areas, including market systems development and market-based approaches, climate change adaptation, nature-based solutions (NBS), or health and nutrition systems strengthening.

Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in representing the organization at a senior level.

Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in conveying ideas and delivering information clearly and persuasively in English, both verbally and in writing.

Exceptional ability in coordinating efforts and mediating disputes to maintain productive team dynamics.

Proven expertise in coaching, motivation, facilitation, and capacity-building is essential.

Proven leadership capabilities and a track record of successfully navigating transitions.

Qualifications

BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA

Experience Required

8 - 10 years

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