NGO Program Director Job in Nairobi Kenya

Position: Program Director

Organization: Adeso, www.adesoafrica.org

Reporting to: Regional Director

Working with: Program team in Kenya and Somalia, Country Directors, Program Quality Team in Nairobi

Duty station: Nairobi with frequent field visits throughout Kenya and Somalia

Duration: 3 years

Starting date: 1st October 2012

Organizational Context

Adeso, formerly known as Horn Relief, is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. 

At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. 

We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.

For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. Currently, Adeso has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan. 

Our current donor portfolio includes the European Commission, USAID, SIDA, CIDA, UNICEF, and the Government of Netherlands, among others.

Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.

Position Summary

Adeso is seeking to fill the following position for an anticipated UKAID (UKAID) funded project. 

The Girls' Education Challenge (GEC) will help up to a million of the world’s poorest girls to have an opportunity to improve their lives through education. 

The initiative calls on NGOs, charities and the private sector to find better ways of getting girls in school and ensuring they receive a quality of education to transform their future.

Position Purpose

The Program Director will be responsible for overall strategic leadership and oversight to the project. S/he will ensure timely and efficient delivery of project’s results. 

S/he will be responsible for coordinating partners, project planning and review, stakeholder engagement, financial and people management, and donor reporting.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities

General 

• Provide overall strategic and programmatic leadership and oversight within the consortium of project partners; 
• Facilitate the design and implementation of innovative and effective strategies for the development of education programs in North Eastern Kenya and Somalia; 
• Responsible for the overall quality of program and plans developed by both the EMACK core team members and partners in North Eastern Province; and 
• Responsible for overall GEC capacity-building efforts for local Education Officials in project areas.

Program Specific 

• Support Education Specialists in the design of innovative education programs, linking this effort to GEC’s objective of scaling up and mainstreaming of successful features and approaches; 
• Ensure that project activities are meeting client and stakeholder expectations and that project results are proactively disseminated; 
• Provide oversight to all project operations and reporting, ensuring compliance with UKAID requirements and regulations; 
• Work closely with the UKAID, Government of Kenya, and other critical counterparts, to ensure the project effectively complies with the UKAID and GOK objectives, rules and regulations; 
• Ensure compliance with the policy and legislative requirements of UKAID as stipulated under the Agreement; 
• Supervise and provide strategic and technical guidance to project technical staff in a range of Education interventions as outlined in the program document, ensure collaboration between the program’s technical staff and the various partner organizations; 
• Collaborate with the program’s technical staff and the various partner organizations to bring ideas, findings, and lessons learned to project leadership and the donor agency; 
• Responsible for timely preparation of annual work plans and reports to the donor; 
• Supervise, mentor, manage and motivate staff for optimal performance of the project; 
• Responsible for co-ordination and collaboration with partner and key stakeholders; and 
• Document and disseminate project achievements and lessons on a timely basis. 

Finance and Administration 

• Responsible for the development and accountability of the program budgets.

Skills and Qualifications

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in Education or related field. 
• A Doctoral Degree is desirable; 
• A team player with visionary leadership: 
• Experience in Education development field in East Africa required; 
• Sound knowledge of the dynamics of the Education system in North Eastern Kenya and Somalia; 
• Exceptional managerial and operational experience, preferably in managing large complex activities involving coordination with multiple program partner institutions in developing countries/sub Saharan Africa; 
• A minimum of 7 years of experience working with UKAID or other donor supported projects at a senior level; 
• Experience in developing program work-plans, developing program budgets, managing program implementation, managing staff, and field and managing short-term technical assistance; and 
• Excellent representational and communication skills, written and oral proficiency in English, and verbal communication skills in one or more local languages.

Application Process

This is a challenging position for a dedicated and highly motivated professional. If you would like to join this dynamic team and help contribute to better resilience and economic growth for African communities, please submit your job application to jobs@adesoafrica.org. 

Each application should be addressed to the Human Resources Manager and include the following: An updated CV; and A cover letter, which should include the full contact details of three professional references. 

Applications not including all of the above will not be reviewed. 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. 

Adeso is an equal opportunity employer.

Closing date: 31 Aug 2012