Senior Policy Systems Manager Job Vacancy - Kenya Market Trust (KMT)

Senior Policy Systems Manager

Context and Purpose: Kenya Market Trust (KMT) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) whose vision is to enable the sustainable transformation of markets for the benefit of the poor. This involves working in partnership to facilitate improved functioning of markets, and to build capacity to make markets work better. 

One method that has found success is the “making markets work for the poor” (M4P) approach developed by the Department for international development (DFID). KMT uses the M4P methodology to facilitate “better markets, better lives”.

Kenya’s enabling environment is less effective than it should be, often sending conflicting signals
that foster uncertainty. 

Overall performance of the policy system and its resulting enabling environment can be measured by its ability to drive private sector upgrading, namely greater investment, enhanced competitiveness (products and operations) and societal benefit (poverty reduction, jobs, etc.)

The Senior Policy Systems Manager is responsible for increasing awareness and understanding among influential stakeholders - particularly within government, private sector, the media, research institutions and donors – regarding the efficiency and inclusiveness of markets in Kenya. 

This will include sharing insights into how the performance of these markets could improve and the role that different players could play in bringing about this transformation. 

You will provide strategic leadership and support to the portfolio teams in understanding and positively influencing the political economy of their market systems.  

You will also support KMT’s Knowledge and Learning Practice and other areas as needed.  

As a member of the Senior Management Team of KMT, you will oversee, motivate and guide staff, encouraging their commitment to corporate objectives and team learning and performance.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, you will be expected to:

• Regularly produce stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify champions that are active or could be active in thinking through efficiency and inclusiveness of markets or in influencing those debates and decision makers.  
• Clarify the roles being played by different institutions, help identify influential stakeholders and shape the approach and influencing strategy and partners to work with and through. This embraces National and County Government.
• Support the value proposition of evidence. You will gather appropriate materials internationally, from other programmes and sectors in Kenya and from KMT interventions, to build a compelling case on these issues and what can be achieved and identify tools for assessing the functioning of markets in Kenya.
• Facilitate participation of key players including research, education, private sector, civil society, and media organisations in policy development. You will support coalition building, communication and public relations, investigative journalism and grass roots evidence based advocacy strategies.
• Build the capacity of government to publicize policy decisions including objectives/benchmarks, proposed regulatory implementation vehicles and enforcement practices.
• Catalyze the Government to provide regulatory and oversight frameworks that allow commercial networks to form and flourish.
• Monitor policy debates and effectiveness of policies in Kenya for use both as a baseline and to measure progress of KMT influencing on these objectives.
• Work with influential private sector associations such as Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Kenya Agribusiness Agroindustry Alliance etc as well as consumer protection bodies to enhance their advocacy capacity, coordinating such action with other instruments such as the Business Advocacy Fund to explore synergy
• Identify and cultivate suitable implementing partners and service providers and oversee managers in managing contractual relationships and grant agreements.
• Prepare quarterly reports to inform the portfolio review process
• Produce case studies and research papers in conjunction with the Knowledge Results Team designed to shape the dialogue on system issues.
• Effectively manage external researchers and consultants when it is necessary to commission external research support.
• Participate in regular portfolio review meetings, relevant workshops and meetings and conferences both internationally and domestically.

Experience and Skills

• A masters degree in a relevant discipline such as Public Policy, Economics, Development Studies, Business Management, Agribusiness or an equivalent. Post graduate qualification in relevant discipline
• 7-10 years experience working in a private sector development programme and/or public policy formulation
• Extensive experience of stakeholder engagement; developing partnerships and managing relationships with government, business membership organisations, donors and NGOs
• Financial management and reporting including managing sub contractual relationships and/or grant agreements
• Excellent English; analytical and writing skills
• Project management
• Ability to facilitate stakeholder workshops; competent use of MS Office
• Developing results chains and log frames, or other relevant M & E experience and prior knowledge and exposure to the (M4P) approach, or value chain analysis is highly desirable.

How to Apply: Send your application including a cover letter demonstrating why you are the best suited candidate for this role; a detailed CV highlighting relevant experience and achievements, details of current and expected salary, a day time phone contact, email address, the names of three professional referees and a recent photo to:

Adept Systems

Management Consultants

P O Box 6416, 

Nairobi, GPO 00100
 

Email: recruit@adeptsystems.co.ke

Closing Date: Friday 23rd May 2014

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Please note that we do not charge fees for receiving or processing job applications.