About the Role
The Senior Project Associate will spearhead Busra’s Social Cohesion portfolio, overseeing a range of multi-method research initiatives and capacity-building programs in collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs) and government agencies across East Africa. The primary objective is to cultivate a nuanced comprehension of the factors influencing civic engagement behaviors and to translate these insights into actionable strategies for CSOs and government bodies to enhance social cohesion, civic participation, and engagement throughout the region. Additionally, the Senior Project Associate will be responsible for designing, testing, and sustaining the continuous improvement of various tools that support the portfolio’s objectives, as well as strategically managing capacity-strengthening efforts across the region.
The Senior Project Associate serves as the lead project manager for dedicated external Busra initiatives, swiftly acquiring deep expertise in intricate challenges while leveraging all available resources to deliver engagements with uncompromising quality, meticulous attention to timelines, and strict adherence to budgetary constraints. Tasked with devising innovative yet meticulously researched solutions to address client and partner demands, this role also oversees internal and external stakeholder relationships with strategic acumen and polished professionalism.
Senior Project Associates collaborate with the Projects Division and other Busra teams, providing senior-level support in coordinating and supervising staff. Additionally, they contribute strategic direction and oversight to project design and stakeholder engagement.
We are seeking a highly skilled professional to oversee and execute the essential responsibilities of this project, ensuring all core objectives are met with precision and efficiency. The role demands a strong understanding of project management principles, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to coordinate cross-functional teams to achieve deliverables. Key duties include developing and implementing project plans, monitoring progress against milestones, and resolving any obstacles that may arise to maintain seamless workflows. Additionally, the position requires effective communication with stakeholders to provide updates, gather feedback, and align expectations.
The Senior Project Associate will collaborate with Busra offices and engage directly with academic researchers and advisory clients to execute a diverse range of responsibilities, which may encompass, among others:
Design and execute comprehensive research initiatives, ensuring rigorous methodology and robust data analysis to support evidence-based decision-making. Oversee the implementation of research projects, coordinating resources, timelines, and stakeholder engagement to achieve strategic objectives efficiently.
Lead comprehensive research initiatives from inception to completion, encompassing research methodology design, systematic literature reviews, in-depth qualitative interviews, meticulous data collection and analysis, as well as the preparation of detailed reports and strategic dissemination of findings.
Develop and execute comprehensive mixed-method research frameworks specifically designed to align with Busra’s initiatives in fostering social cohesion.
Facilitate high-level stakeholder workshops to co-design interventions, leveraging evidence and research derived from pertinent project data and established literature.
Assist in the conceptualization, implementation, and dissemination of Busra Social Cohesion research initiatives.
Formulating and executing strategies to maximize the utilization and impact of research findings among primary stakeholder groups is essential.
Capacity-building and professional development initiatives are essential responsibilities of this role, which entails designing, implementing, and evaluating training programs to enhance organizational capabilities. The ideal candidate will possess expertise in curriculum development, instructional design, and adult learning principles, alongside strong facilitation and coaching skills. They will collaborate with stakeholders to identify skill gaps, tailor learning solutions, and measure training effectiveness through metrics such as knowledge retention and performance improvement. Experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks is required, with a preference for candidates familiar with participatory and inclusive training methodologies.
Spearhead the development and execution of training programs and assessment frameworks for civil society organizations and partner entities.
Provide assistance to fellow Associates and Analysts by delivering and facilitating training sessions.
Enhance the capabilities of civil society organizations and public sector professionals to integrate behavioral insights and research outcomes into their strategic initiatives.
Develop, rigorously test, and distribute tools and products designed to enhance organizational capacity.
Project and stakeholder management responsibilities include coordinating cross-functional teams, ensuring timely project delivery, and maintaining strong communication with stakeholders to align expectations and resolve issues. This role requires proficiency in project management methodologies, exceptional organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively. Key requirements include experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, strong leadership capabilities, and excellent problem-solving abilities to mitigate risks and drive project success.
Plan, oversee, and carry out both external and internal engagements end-to-end with minimal oversight, ensuring seamless execution from initiation to completion.
Act as the key liaison between clients, partners, and internal teams, addressing stakeholder needs with timely, proactive communication and efficient issue resolution.
Forge and nurture strategic relationships across the stakeholder and funder networks, while remaining vigilant to emerging trends that influence Busra’s methodology for fostering social cohesion.
Oversee the organization and coordination of regional team activities, ensuring alignment with objectives and efficient collaboration among members.
Consistently deliver prompt and accurate updates to fellow team members and project leadership.
Collaborate effectively with finance teams to uphold strict adherence to funder mandates, project budgets, and all pertinent financial obligations in a punctual manner.
Oversee project timelines, deliverables, reports, and staffing to ensure successful execution.
Assist in the development and execution of project onboarding and offboarding processes to enhance knowledge management initiatives.
Guide or assist colleagues in conducting research and fulfilling engagement obligations effectively.
Assist the project supervisor with any additional tasks and responsibilities as required.
Core organizational duties encompass coordinating cross-functional initiatives, optimizing operational workflows, and ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives. The role demands meticulous planning, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment. Responsibilities include developing and implementing policies, allocating resources efficiently, and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. Additionally, the position requires fostering collaboration among teams, overseeing project timelines, and driving continuous improvement to enhance overall productivity and organizational success.
Additionally, Senior Project Associates shoulder key organizational duties designed to cultivate and sustain a thriving, high-performance organization.
Collaborate with the Associate team to facilitate goal-setting initiatives, establish Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), and organize team-building activities.
Design and facilitate interactive skills-development workshops tailored to Associate and Analyst cohorts.
Facilitate collaboration and alignment among various organizational teams to cultivate a unified and effective workplace culture.
Prepare and finalize essential focus contracts, conduct thorough performance evaluations, and generate regular progress snapshots to ensure alignment with established objectives and targets.
Provide support for and actively promote internal initiatives as needed.
Acting as mentors, we guide Analysts and Officers, demonstrating professionalism and intellectual rigor.
Participate actively in internal committees as needed to support organizational objectives.
Seeking a candidate with proven expertise and a strong educational background in the relevant field, along with several years of hands-on experience in a professional setting. The ideal applicant should demonstrate proficiency in key technical and soft skills, including problem-solving, project management, and effective communication. Prior to work experience in a similar role is essential, as is familiarity with industry-standard tools and methodologies. A commitment to continuous learning and professional development is highly valued, ensuring adaptability in a dynamic work environment. Strong analytical abilities and the capacity to work collaboratively within a team are also required.
Seeking a candidate who meets the following essential criteria: a high school diploma or equivalent, minimum two years of relevant experience, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to pass a background check. Key responsibilities include data entry, report generation, and maintaining organized records, while ensuring strict adherence to company policies and confidentiality standards. Strong attention to detail and effective communication skills are required to collaborate with team members and support daily operations.
Individuals must possess valid work authorization in Kenya or demonstrate a current residence in Kenya—or be prepared to relocate to the country.
With a minimum of seven years of professional experience in social cohesion, peace building, civic engagement, governance, or a closely related discipline, you will bring proven expertise to this role.
Proven track record in delivering organizational training and/or capacity-building programs tailored for civil society institutions and/or public sector entities.
Proficient in both spoken and written English and Kiswahili, with a strong command of both languages.
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders from various cultural backgrounds and professional domains, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and clear communication.
Able to lead and engage effectively in both individual and collaborative settings, coupled with polished and persuasive oral presentation capabilities.
Must possess strong capabilities in cultivating and overseeing significant connections with partner organizations and major institutional donors.
Experienced in leading and coordinating intricate initiatives that involve multiple stakeholders, with a strong aptitude for both organization and project management.
Highly adaptable and driven, this individual excels at juggling diverse responsibilities with precision while maintaining productivity in dynamic settings.
Accomplishes projects successfully while ensuring alignment with a global perspective and supporting institutional strategy and planning initiatives.
We seek candidates who demonstrate strong proficiency in relevant technical skills and tools pertinent to the role. Ideal applicants will possess a minimum of [X] years of experience in [specific field or industry], along with a proven track record of [specific achievement or responsibility]. A Bachelor’s degree in [related field] or equivalent professional experience is preferred. Strong problem-solving abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively are essential. Additionally, familiarity with [specific software, methodologies, or frameworks] is highly advantageous.
Proficiency in preparing policy briefs or research communications tailored for non-specialist audiences is required.
Individuals with a proven track record in leading or guiding teams within research-focused or consulting environments are sought.
Demonstrated proficiency in behavioral science research methodologies, particularly randomized controlled trials (RCTs), is essential.
Proficiency in quantitative analysis tools like STATE or R, as well as data collection platforms including Survey CTO, is required.
Individuals with a background in collaborating with civil society organizations or government entities across East Africa are encouraged to apply.
A master’s or doctoral degree in social sciences, public policy, development studies, or an equivalent discipline is required.
Skilled in overseeing the creation of products and tools designed to enhance capacity building initiatives.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
7 years
