Youth-Focused Dynamic Organization Executive Director Job in Kenya

Opening at Peace for Africa and Economic Development (PAD): Executive Director
 

PAD is a youth-focused dynamic organization working on empowering youth as catalysts for Amani (Peace) in ethnically sensitive, low income Kenyan grassroots communities. 

PAD‟s idea of peace is a situation of self-contentment of young people, which comes with access to economic opportunities, mutual understanding between ethnic groups and positive participation in democratic processes. 

We do this by creating market-based youth empowerment opportunities on three vital and interlinked pillars that define our model: Fanaka, Ujuzi and Uongozi. 

We are currently heightening implementation of systems, strengthening measuring of impact and positioning ourselves to significantly scale our programs.
 

We are pleased to announce an open position for a passionate, committed and visionary Executive Director.

Job Description for PAD Executive Director:
 

The Executive Director (ED‟s) primary role is to ensure the timely, efficient and effective delivery of PAD‟s strategy on the ground: planning, coordinating and supervising programs and activities managed by the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the Chief Communications Officer (CCO), all of whom report to the ED. 

The ED‟s principal responsibility is to maintain mission focus, and to optimize results and maximize impacts of PAD‟s programs and also to champion branding and fundraising initiatives in Kenya.
 

The Executive Director (ED) reports directly to the President and to the Board of Directors based in Kenya. 

S/he also attends Advisory Board meetings (the Advisory Board is based in the USA). In both Boards meetings, the ED is expected to provide program and progress updates, responding to questions and offering recommendations that can improve the current and future statues of the organization. 

The Executive Director manages the relationships between the Board of Directors, President, and Advisory Board on the one hand, and the Chief Operations Officer, Chief Finance Officer, Chief Communications Officer, and Program and Project Officers on the other.
 

The ED is also tasked with local fundraising and external organizational advocacy responsibilities in Africa, on behalf of the organization and the PAD President who is currently located primarily in the USA.

Main Functions:

• To implement the strategic goals and objectives of PAD in order to ensure the organization consistently achieves its mission.
• To work closely with the Co-founders, Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Chairperson of the Board of Advisors to ensure full systematic governance and implementation of PAD‟s organizational, strategic, and financial, and fundraising plans.
• To provide leadership, direction, and oversight based upon the organization's philosophy, mission, strategy, values and its annual goals and objectives to the entire staff of PAD.
• To champion PAD‟s efforts to mobilize financial resources and be the organization‟s Advocate-in-Chief in Sub Saharan Africa.

Roles and Responsibilities:
 

Please note that the Roles and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following. 

Other responsibilities may be required based upon the growth of PAD.

Leadership and Management:

• Advise the Board of Directors and the President on emerging policy matters relating to the management and growth of PAD.
• Communicate effectively between the Boards of Directors, the management team and staff.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with all legal and statutory requirements and any agreed protocols.
• Provide team leadership, guidance and supervision of the senior management and staff of PAD.
• Articulate the organization‟s objectives and ensure appropriate strategies and systems are developed, implemented, and evaluated.
• Ensure that appropriate management and administrative systems and procedures are constantly in place for monitoring and enhancing performance and impact.
• Collaborate with PAD co-founders, and Boards to secure adequate funding and to ensure proper resource allocation.
• Maintain official records and documents, and ensures compliance with state and local regulations.
• Exemplify the organization‟s standards of Integrity, Purpose and Values.
• Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the field.

Fundraising, Marketing and External Communication:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive local fundraising strategy targeting individuals, foundations, and corporations.
• Develop and maintain a strong branding and marketing strategy for PAD, both locally and internationally.
• Represent the programs and perspectives of the organization to agencies, organizations, and the general public consistent with PAD‟s beliefs, vision and values.
• Use publicity and external presence to garner new opportunities and relationships.
• Anchor the establishment and cultivation of relationships with individuals, other collaborative agencies, stakeholders and members.
• Plan and oversee fundraising events.

Human Resources

• Develop and maintain a high quality professional staff, committed to excellence and on-going professional development.
• Recruit, employ, and evaluate all personnel, both paid staff and volunteers in consultation with the President and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors.
• Ensure that job descriptions are up to date, that regular performance evaluations are held, and that sound human resource practices are in place.
• Ensure an effective management team, with appropriate provision for succession.
• Encourage the development and education of staff and volunteers, and assist program staff in relating/integrating their specialized work with the overall program.
• Ensure appropriate responsibility and accountability among all staff members of PAD.
• Promote broad, active participation by volunteers in all areas of the organization's work.
• Maintain a working environment that attracts, retains, and motivates a diverse staff of top quality professionals.

Finance:

• Ensure that the CFO prepares monthly reports and bank statements and forwards these to the President, Chairperson of the Board of Directors and Chairperson of the Board of Advisors.
• Develop and oversee responsible and sound financial practices.
• Work with the staff, CFO, Boards‟ Finance Committee, to prepare annual budgets; and ensure that the organization operates within annual budget guidelines.
• Investigate potential revenue streams.
• Ensure that adequate funds are available to permit the organization to carry out its work on a monthly basis.

Key Relationships:
 

Executive Director regularly liaises with:

• President, Board of Directors, Advisory Board and the COO, CFO, CCO, Program staff and Project staff.
• Civil society organizations including national and international NGOs.
• Government ministries and local government staff.
• Finance teams in country and other implementing partners.
• Individual and corporate partners, donors and supporters.

Desired Characteristics:

• Highly collaborative and cooperative, yet firm.
• Strong and effective communicator.
• Passionate about youth development and Africa.
• Eloquent and composed to both lead a team and engage partners.
• Systematic, keen on details, and highly accountable.
• Well-versed with grassroots development.
• Entrepreneurial.
• Have worked previously in the African continent, most preferably on youth development, entrepreneurship, youth leadership and civic education.
• Fundraiser.
• Flexible but principled.
• Interest in growing an organization and taking it to scale.
• A person of high integrity.

Qualifications:

• At least a Bachelors‟ Degree.
• At least 3 years‟ experience of humanitarian services, and/or civil society program management/administration.
• At least 3 years‟ program experience with low income women and youth, preferably in Africa.
• Excellent understanding of issues regarding socio-economic challenges and opportunities facing youth and women in Kenya and the East Africa region- Understanding about these issues in other sub-Saharan African countries would be an advantage.
• Experience and deep understanding of multiculturalism, conflicts and politics in Africa.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and grant writing.
• Strong conflict resolution and decision making skills.
• Bilingual English and Kiswahili; French is a plus.

Application:
 

(All the requirements listed below must be submitted in a single email together with a resume and a one-page cover letter. Share a link to the video required or submit a file using Google drive in the same email) 

1. Visit the PAD website and familiarize yourself with our story. Take a look at the Venn diagram herein, which illustrates the 3 main thematic areas (or pillars) that support our program interventions. Focus on the "FANAKA" Pillar and outline (in 400-600 words and whatever graphics you like) a program of intervention/engagement over a one year period which you feel may result in sustainable impacts, here defined as successful/profitable enterprises offering products/services/solutions (in the context of a developing market economy in Sub Saharan Africa) and which creates local employment. Please note there is no “correct answer” - we simply want to get an idea of how you conceptualize a practical program of action to address the issue of widespread youth unemployment. 

2. Working within an annual budget of $500,000 prepare a 3 page Work Plan (Diagram or Table, Budget, Explanatory Notes) for the implementation of the outline program above, presenting it in whatever spreadsheet/tabular format you like (e.g a regular work plan template or critical path) together with a budget and the relevant budget notes. Please also explain briefly how you might go about raising such a budget. (Again, no correct answer here. We simply want to see how you might translate your concept program into a systematic and manageable process, marked by targets and milestones) 

3. Imagine you have just 2 minutes with a prospective supporter or donor to PAD, e.g. during a coffee break at a conference, but with their focused and undivided attention Prepare a video of yourself making a pitch in order to capture their interest and secure a 30 minute appointment for next week to talk more.
 

Timeline:

• Application Deadline: 11:00pm GMT on Friday June 6th, 2014.
• Shortlisted finalists: In person interview at the PAD office in Nairobi between Thursday 19th and Friday 20th of June.
• Selected candidate: Full time orientation at PAD office in Nairobi for the period Tuesday 15th – Thursday 31st July 2014.
• Official start date: 4th of August 2014 for minimum 40 hours per week.
• While any salary, benefits, including- pension, will be discussed with the successful candidate, the range of the monthly basic salary will be $4,500- $5,500.

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted via email to info@executiveedgeconsulting.co.ke by latest 11:00 pm GMT on Friday June 6th 2014.