Act! Head of Programmes Job in Nairobi Kenya

Act Change Transform (Act!) is a local Non-Governmental Organization whose mission is to facilitate the empowerment of marginalized people and communities in Kenya and neighboring countries, to become active participants in their development by enabling them to: stand up for their rights; demand good governance in the management of resources; and participate in decision making processes. Act! does this through implementing partners, offering them capacity development, management of grants so that value for money is achieved and providing strategic leadership in national advocacy for the benefit of women, youth, people with disabilities and other marginalized communities.Job Summary: Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Head of Programmes will be based in Nairobi and responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction to programmes, and playing an oversight advisory and guiding role in support of Programmes Management team. She/he will be a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), chair the Programmes Management Team (PMT) and provide linkage with Board Programmes Committee.

The main roles and responsibilities of the Head of Programmes will include but not limited to the following:
 Advising the CEO and SMT on Act! strategy for programme management including programme development and implementation.Lead the review, updating and development of programmatic strategies and guidelines in line with Act!’s mission, vision and the strategic plan.Lead in the development and review of Act!’s Strategic Plan on all programmatic themes.Provide leadership in enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of Act!’s programme management model/s.Provide technical support to the CEO in preparation of work-plans, programmatic and other reports for the Board.Participate in the Senior Management Team meetings and contribute to organizational decision-making process.Lead in the implementation of Act!’s Strategic Plan in matters of programme management in all programmes.Lead in programmes planning and review meetings, and programmes co-ordination meetings.To contribute to the formulation and review of programmes strategy and business planning.Programmatic Oversight and SustainabilityBe part of the senior programme management team across the four platforms within which Act! worksLead the design of structures for identification, screening and grants award in all programmes in line with donor and Act! Policy and standards.To lead the development of structures and systems for the review and selection of sub-grant concepts and proposals in all platforms in collaboration with the Platform Managers/Team Leaders.Participate in the development of Capacity Development approaches within all programs/programme areas.Remain up to date on the latest developments in all sectors within Act! Platforms in Kenya and best practices from other programmes and countries.Contribute to leveraging of programme funding to enhance achievement of targeted results.Collaborate with other senior managers in the identification and management of cross cutting issues that will enhance Act!’s capacity to design and implement programmes.Financial management in partnership with Head of Finance and OperationsDevelop systems for ensuring high level accountability in management of programme funds.Support budget preparation for Act!’s programmess across the four platforms/programme areas.Work closely with the Head of Finance, Grants and Operations in the preparation of indicative budgets for all programmes and planned new work.In consultation with the Head of Finance, Grants and Operations, actively engage in budget tracking for all platforms.Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge ManagementProvide leadership in the development of appropriate Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning tools including Balanced Score Card for every programme.In collaboration with the MERL Specialist, lead the development of sound MERL systems to assure the attainment of set programme targets and objectives in accordance with commitments in the Balanced Score card.Ensure programme specific targets exist for all programmes in line with the overall strategic goal of each platform.Provide leadership in the development of annual work plans for program implementation across all platforms.Work closely with Platform Managers/Team Leaders and MERL Specialist to ensure sound monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning across all platforms.Provide leadership in the development and implementation of knowledge management strategy and plan.Provide leadership in the development of annual and project specific reports.Provide leadership in the development of systems for establishing and maintain regular contacts with key stakeholders, donors/development partners and beneficiary groups in all platforms and constantly monitor those contacts to ensure Act! standards are maintained throughout.Lead Negotiations for collaboration with partner institutions and government departments in support of Act!s platform initiatives.Where necessary, participate in strategic meetings, forums and processes to stay up to date with unfolding events or issues and ensure that Act! is best placed to respond.Represent Act! at meetings as necessary.Support the CEO in developing and delivering a fundraising strategy in line with Act!s Strategic Plan and with a clear mapping and understanding of donor strategies and funding possibilities.Promote constant search, consideration and development of funding programmes.Qualifications, Experience and Essential Skills
The minimum required academic and professional skills for the jobholder to perform successfully are:
A Masters’ degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Project Management or related fields.Post graduate qualifications in related fields including program/project design, development and management; monitoring and evaluation, strategic planning, networking, advocacy, or related fields.Experience in years and indicative level of experienceAt least 8 years’ of senior level experience in project management, including budget oversight, grants management, proposal development, reporting and relationships building.Essential Skills and CompetenciesExcellent oral and written communication skills (English and Kiswahili) Knowledge of another international language would be an added advantage.Demonstrated ability in workshop planning and facilitation.Strong analytical and report writing skills.Proven leadership, management, communication, inter-personal, decision-making and analytical skills.Self-driven person who requires no supervision.Demonstrated ability to work as a team player in a multi-disciplinary team setting.Possess computer and word processing skills. Computer literacy in the use of MS Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook is preferred, with practical experience in the use of electronic communications including email, internet, etc.If you meet the requirements as contained in the job descriptions, please submit (1) a detailed and current CV; (2) an application cover letter demonstrating why you qualify for the position, quoting your current and expected gross salary and three referees including their most current contact details. All applications should be submitted electronically to hr.admin@act.or.ke quoting the reference number (ACT/HOP/06/2014). Only candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted.
Deadline for applications submission is 5:00pm Thursday 5th June 2014

Act! is an equal opportunities employer.