Practical Action Jobs | Fundraising Manager, Quality Assurance Manager, Area Coordinator, Senior Project Officer and Project Officer Jobs in Kenya

Practical Action is an international development agency working with poor communities to help them choose and use technology to improve their lives today and in generations to come.

We are seeking to recruit individuals with strong self drive for success, high motivation, strategic thinking and proactive team playing to fill the following vacant positions:

1. Fundraising Manager

Based in Nairobi

Reporting to the Regional Director, this senior management position will lead the process of diversifying our donor portfolio and ultimately increasing our funding from government and multilateral institutions, Trusts, Foundations and Corporate bodies for the regional office.

The Fundraising Manager will be expected to help Practical Action in achieving its vision of reaching many more poor people in the region through programmes of work that build on secure financial foundation.

Further, s/he will be responsible for generating revenue from diverse sources and supporting the development, nurturing and managing of key external relationships and partnerships. The role will be delivered through a more commercial/business oriented approach than is common in traditional NGO based fundraising.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a regional fundraising strategy and objectives; design a detailed fundraising plan and ensure KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are met;
• Work closely with the Regional Director and other members of the Regional Management Team to monitor and analyse the external funding environment and trends,identify prospective donors,organize appropriate levels of engagement and develop strategic proposals targeting different funding streams;
• Work effectively with other members of the Regional Management Team to develop relationships and ensure continuity of loyalty by developing, coordinating and implementing high quality communications;
• Proactively develop opportunities to secure programme funding and consultancy work through building partnerships, networks and positive working relationships with external contacts, consultants and associates;
• Effectively work with Quality Assurance to support programme teams in conceptualizing programs and projects, develop budgets, write proposals and reports in compliance with donor requirements;
• Secure opportunities for the Consulting Arm of Practical Action to extend its services and influence to development partners and institutions in the region;
• Maintain restricted funding information systems and records on donor intelligence;
• Assess and build the capacity of programme staff and partners to fundraise and manage the restricted funding portfolio; and
• Initiate and maintain strong partnerships with relevant public, community based institutions and other NGOs to collaborate on government and other funding proposals;

Qualifications, skills and competencies

• Minimum Master’s degree in Business Management/Marketing and Administration / International Development;
• Minimum 7 years relevant experience, 3 of which must have been at senior management level;
• Proven success working within and/or seeking funds from complex institutional funders (such as DFID, USAID/OFDA, DANIDA, EU, World Bank/International Finance Corporation, African Development Bank), foundations and corporates;
• Knowledge of international development and a good understanding of current donor trends;
• Proven knowledge of international fundraising techniques and management thereof;
• Proven experience in strategic planning, project management and financial management;
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, both written and verbal (excellent skills in public speaking, presentations, correspondence, proposals and reports writing);
• Proven ability to conceptualize, think strategically, innovate, plan and execute ideas as well as transfer knowledge and skills;
• A drive to cultivate and close new and existing revenue opportunities; and
• Experience living and working in at least 2 different countries in the Eastern
• Africa /Sub-Saharan Africa.

2. Quality Assurance Manager

Based in Nairobi

Reporting to the Regional Director, the successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating and leading programmatic innovation at this exciting time when the Practical Action is developing its new strategic plan.

S/he will manage the quality assurance (QA), monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and contractual compliance activities of the organization.

Working closely with other members of the management team, the position will cover the whole programme and project cycle; managing research and strategy development for programmes.

S/he will participate in designing and evaluating the programmes, developing projects on the basis of the programme documents and ensuring that systems are in place to monitor and evaluate impact.

S/he will ensure strong integration of partnership development and gender in all programmes as well as provide technical and administrative backstopping to programme teams in the development, implementation and assessment of projects and programmes of work.

Additionally, the position holder will coordinate and facilitate activities related to strategic planning and development of organizational business plans and reports.

S/he will further ensure that programmes of work are innovative, integrate a strong technology focus in consonance with and contribute to the vision and mission of the organization and the achievement of its regional strategic objectives and goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop a strong QA/M&E team that is able to develop strong collaborative relations across the organization, in both the programmes and programme support departments;
• Ensure that regional staff maintain high standards of performance in the management and execution of projects and programmes through considered recruitment, objective appraisal and focused capacity building and on the job training and mentorship;
• Working closely with other members of the Regional Management Team, lead the research and generation of innovative programmatic ideas; ffacilitate the conceptualization, formulation, documentation and periodic review of the Regional Strategic Plan;
• Co-ordinate and oversee the Quality Assurance of regional office’s proposals and concept notes;
• Facilitate and coordinate periodic project and regional programme reviews to assess the performance, achievements and impacts of our work; distil lessons and propose measures to achieve greater efficiency;
• Ensure all projects develop M&E framework at the start-up phase and monitor implementation;
• Work with field staff / project teams, the communications and Practical Answers team to identify and develop knowledge products for wider dissemination in the region;
• Lead the development of the regions’ partnership development strategy, implementation guidelines and monitor implementation; and
• Oversee adherence to internal procedures for documenting and tracking contractual compliance in the delivery of projects (PROMISS) and maintain an up to date project database.

Qualifications, skills and competencies

• Master’s degree in a development related field and post graduate diploma in project management / M&E;
• Over 7 years relevant experience, 3 of which must have been at senior management level preferably in an International NGO or a reputable corporate organization;
• Proven project /programme management experience, including hands on experience in program assessments, problem analysis and project and program design, project cycle management, grant management and donor liaison;
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation and in the preparation of high quality reports;
• Demonstrated experience of designing proposals that successfully win grants;
• Excellent analytical skills with ability to collect, collate and assimilate information from a variety of sources and to present it to others clearly and simply;
• Strong data management and data analysis skills;
• A team player with excellent written and verbal communication; and
• Good facilitation skills and ability to train advise and guide others in a range of project and programme management issues plus methodological and procedural matters.

3. Area Coordinator – Lake Victoria Cluster

based in Kisumu

(Re-advertisement; those who applied before need not re-apply)

Reporting to the Team Leader Infrastructure Services based in Nairobi, the successful candidate will head up Practical Action’s Lake Victoria Cluster and ensure effective leadership, management, continuous development and implementation of programme activities in the Cluster.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to Practical Action programmes within the cluster; oversee programme planning, management and delivery; management of resources, effective liaison and communication;
• Take lead in ensuring that programme outputs and learning (i.e. reports, case studies, lessons etc.) achieve organization and donor requirements and shared as envisaged ;
• Take lead in developing project ideas and proposals to secure funding in the cluster;
• Develop and maintain links with local governance structures, partners and target community;
• Actively partake of policy advocacy and networking at local, national and regional levels;
• Ensure timely and accurate development of operational budgets; monitor and manage individual project expenditure to ensure cost effectiveness and compliance with budgetary requirements;
• Manage the organization’s resources and assets within the cluster;
• Mentor, motivate and line manage programme staff s to achieve high levels of performance; and
• Develop, maintain and promote Practical Action’s image within the cluster.

Qualifications, skills and competencies

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Urban/Environmental Planning or related development field;
• Post graduate diploma in project management;
• Minimum five years working experience in development work or relevant field of which two must be at management level;
• Proven experience in project/programme identification and design;
• Proven financial and personnel management/leadership skills;
• Excellent advocacy, networking and fundraising skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and
• A critical thinker with excellent analytical skills (research and writing).

4. Senior Project Officer – Nairobi/Nakuru Cluster

Based in Nakuru

Reporting to the Area Coordinator, the successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of “Nakuru Slums Total Sanitation Project” within the water, Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene programme.

S/he will also provide financial and administrative support to the organization’s activities within the project.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the implementation of the project in compliance with donor requirements;
• Contribute to integration of gender and market approaches in all project activities;
• Develop and manage partnerships within the WASH subsector in Nakuru;
• Mobilize public and private sector resources to support the project implementation;
• Conduct regular assess of the project impact to benefits those with greatest needs;
• Carry out project learning and document experiences and lessons for wider dissemination;
• Assist in improving the adoption of appropriate environmental, water, sanitation and hygiene policies to inform project implementation and related urban poverty reduction;
• Work effectively with project team members to develop water and sanitation programme in Nakuru and its environs; and
• Support the development of fundable project ideas and proposals for the WASH Programme.

Qualifications, skills and competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in Water and Environmental Engineering/Science, Social Scientist or related development discipline;
• Post graduate diploma in Project Management, Community Development or related field;
• Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in WASH, Community Development and/or Micro Enterprise Development. Working experience in NGO Sector will be an added advantage;
• Excellent knowledge in Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approaches
• Strong policy advocacy skills and ability to negotiate and network with broad range of stakeholders; and
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.

5. Project Officer – WASH

Based in Nakuru

Reporting to the Senior Project Officer, the successful candidate will be in charge of implementing project activities covering water and environmental sanitation. S/he will also be responsible for developing technical guidance in the “Nakuru Slums Total Sanitation Project”.

Key Responsibilities

• Take lead in implementation of innovative cost effective WAASH technical options
• Take lead in community and partners in WASH participatory technology development in accordance with the local context and project desired project outputs;
• Support in implementation of CLTS approaches;
• Develop and manage partnerships within the WASH subsector in Nakuru;
• Ensure effective representation of Project in in relevant forums and boards within Nakuru;
• Coordinate documentation of project experiences and lessons learnt for wider sharing;
• Conduct environmental impact assessments/audits of project;
• Responsible for the production of timely and quality project reports;
• Responsible for effective delivery of project activities to time and budget;
• Support the development of WASH programme within the cluster in line with Practical Action’s strategy; and
• Support the development of project ideas and proposals to raise funds.

Qualifications, skills and competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in Water and Environmental Engineering/Science/Public Health or related discipline;
• Post graduate diploma in technical designs, or related field;
• Minimum three years working experience in development work;
• Good knowledge of CLTS in urban setting will an advantage;
• Good understanding of policy context and ability to think critically;
• Ability to customize WASH access issues and how they relate to gender and vulnerable groups’ needs; Excellent verbal and written communication skills; and
• Excellent analytical skills (research and writing).

6. Project Assistant – Energy

Based in Nairobi

Reporting to the Project Officer – Energy, the successful candidate will be responsible for designing and implementation of strategies to stimulate, encourage and facilitate participation of energy entrepreneurs in activities aimed at increasing access to sustainable, affordable and clean energy services to men and women who are un-served or under-served in slums and peri-urban areas of Nairobi and Nakuru towns.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical support in energy technology design and use to support the production, marketing, adoption and use of briquettes by households,;
• Responsible for implementation of project activities, preparation of accurate and timely reports;
• Conduct feasibility study on existing technologies and marketing approaches on briquetting industry to inform project implementation;
• Effectively monitor and evaluate the projects to inform implementation process
• Implement activities aimed at improving briquetting tools, equipment and production methods;
• Prepare and disseminate manuals based on the feasibility study and modifications on technologies to entrepreneurs to improve their business operations;;
• Identify entrepreneurs, assess and provide the support they require with regard to briquetting technologies
• Identify and work with local commercial bank/ MFI and Business Development Service providers to set up an energy investment fund to provide affordable credit to energy entrepreneurs;
• Document lessons learnt for knowledge sharing. .

Qualifications, skills and competencies

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering/ Energy Engineering or relevant field;
• Certificate in project management/community development would be an added advantage;
• Minimum 2 years relevant work experience in Community Development and/or Micro Enterprise Development;
• Familiarity with practical design/development and implementation of rural/urban micro enterprise/community income generation ventures, especially related to Energy; and
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Application together with a CV indicating the current and expected salary, and names of three professional referees plus their day-time contacts should be submitted to Practical Action by email on: recruitment@practicalaction.or.ke. to be received no later than 20th November 2011.

Please quote the position applied for in the subject line.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Practical Action is an “equal opportunities” employer and highly encourages women to apply