Position Overview:
The Project Associate is responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and supporting maintenance, repair, and expansion projects across multiple Decentralized kitchens across multiple counties in Kenya. Each kitchen is located within a school campus. Working under the guidance of the Project Manager, the Project Associate ensures that all project activities meet F4E’s safety, quality, and efficiency standards. As a mid-level leader, the Project Associate directly supervises Junior Facility Associates, providing training, guidance, and day-to-day direction while ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals.
Key Responsibilities:
Project Coordination & Execution
Manage multiple school-based, decentralized kitchen facilities under the direction of the Project Manager.
Plan and coordinate small- to medium-scale improvement projects and repairs, ensuring compliance with F4E’s design and safety standards.
Develop clear project timelines, resource needs, and work plans, collaborating with architects, engineers, contractors, and the internal Expansion team.
Conduct regular site visits to verify quality, monitor progress, and identify or mitigate risks, escalating significant issues to the Project Manager.
Facility Maintenance & Repairs
Oversee routine maintenance and repair activities at decentralized kitchens—ensuring minimal disruption to school operations.
Implement preventive maintenance strategies, guide staff on best practices, and coordinate with school administrators and contractors for timely repairs.
Maintain documentation (permits, work orders, contracts, etc.) to ensure compliance with safety protocols and local regulations.
Team Leadership & Mentoring
Supervise and mentor Junior Facility Associates, delegating tasks, overseeing performance, and ensuring clear communication of project objectives.
Identify training gaps and coordinate upskilling or knowledge-sharing sessions to build technical expertise and foster a collaborative, high-performance environment.
Model F4E’s ownership mentality by coaching direct reports in effective stakeholder management, problem-solving, and accountability.
Stakeholder Management
Serve as a point of contact for school leadership, kitchen staff, and contractors at each decentralized kitchen location.
Work closely with the community and operations team to support projects pertaining to kitchen set up etc.
Maintain strong working relationships with internal teams (Community and, Operations) and external partners to facilitate efficient project delivery.
Communicate regularly with the Project Manager and other senior stakeholders regarding milestones, budget updates, and potential challenges.
Budgeting & Cost Control
Develop cost estimates for maintenance and minor construction projects, submitting detailed proposals to the Project Manager for approval.
Track project expenditures against allocated budgets, identifying variances and recommending corrective measures to maintain financial efficiency.
Ensure all procurement and contractual processes align with F4E policies and guidelines.
Quality Assurance & Risk Management
Conduct quality checks on all ongoing facility projects, confirming adherence to defined specifications and standards.
Maintain a risk register for assigned projects, anticipating potential issues (e.g., regulatory changes, material shortages) and taking action to mitigate them.
Investigate and resolve or escalate non-compliance issues, ensuring timely correction and future prevention.
Reporting & Continuous Improvement
Prepare routine status reports on project progress, facility conditions, and budget performance for the Project Manager.
Document lessons learned and propose procedural enhancements to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize overall project outcomes.
Contribute to organizational best practices by sharing insights and innovations identified on the job.
Desired Candidate Profile
A Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering.
3+ years of relevant experience in facilities management, construction oversight, or related project coordination roles.
Demonstrated experience managing teams or direct reports, ideally in a fast-paced operational environment with limited supervision.
Familiarity with working in a rural setting and or projects within a rural and remote environment is an added advantage .
Familiarity with building codes, safety regulations, and local regulatory requirements in Kenya.
Excellent project management skills, including project scheduling, stakeholder coordination, and resource allocation.
Strong communication and leadership abilities, with a proven track record of collaborating across diverse teams.
Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Trello) and standard office software.
Commitment to F4E’s mission and values, with a mindset of continuous improvement and innovation.
Deadline: 13th April 2025
Apply via :
.keka.com