Our Sisters Read Project Manager

Women’s Global Education Project

Job Description

Title: Our Sisters Read Project Manager

Location: Kenya (with at least ¾ time based in Gatunga, Tharaka-Nithi County)

Schedule: Ability to overlap with central-US time zone several days a week

Employee Type: 1-year contract with option to renew

Employee Category: Consultancy

Background

Women’s Global Education Project (WGEP) was founded to address the educational needs of rural and marginalized girls in Sub-Saharan Africa who tend to fall through the cracks of larger initiatives. Since 2003, through its Sisters to School program, WGEP has been providing access to quality education and developing training programs that empower women and girls in rural Senegal and Kenya to build better lives and foster equitable and sustainable communities. WGEP uses a holistic approach, working with local partners to help girls access education and to assist teachers, families, and community members in promoting and supporting girls’ education and women’s empowerment.

WGEP received funding from the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA), a division of USAID, to expand its Our Sisters Read (OSR) program in Kenya, promoting access to girls’ education and literacy by constructing a library and community center in Gatunga, Kenya. In addition, WGEP has received funding from USAID’s Office for Local Sustainability to further develop OSR’s programmatic activities. The project will improve foundational reading skills of rural primary school students, creating lifetime learners, with a special focus on girls and grades 1-3. The proposed activities include engaging students, families, and community members to create and strengthen a culture of reading while reducing the gender gap in reading and education. WGEP will build a physical center, design, and implement innovative reading activities, and encourage communities to support literacy and educational advancement.

Job Summary

The OSR Project Manager will be responsible for meeting the objectives of the USAID-funded project working closely with WGEP’s Kenya Program Manager and local partner, Tharaka Women’s Welfare Project (TWWP), to ensure that all activities are on track. The manager will work closely with TWWP staff to ensure that programmatic goals and targets are being met. S/he will draft and complete all required USAID reports as required. S/he will also be responsible for managing the day-to-day logistical, financial, and administrative aspects of the program including meeting donor reporting requirements. The Project Manager will communicate regularly with WGEP to provide updates and program progress including putting in place systems and procedures that will facilitate program implementation. The OSR Project Manager will report to the US-based Executive Director and will be responsible for other deliverables as directed.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management

• Provide overall technical and administrative leadership to TWWP, including development of work plans, and following up to ensure tasks are completed




• Lead and carefully monitor program implementation, impact, and milestone achievement, ensuring these are on track




• Play a lead role in internal communications between local partner TWWP staff and US-based WGEP




• Identify issues and risks related to program implementation and guide appropriate adjustments




• Ensure full compliance with USAID rules and regulations (including branding and marking, procurement, financial reporting, M&E, etc.)




• Draft and submit high-quality donor reports in a timely manner (including quarterly/annual reports, communications strategy, etc.)




• Brainstorm ideas for ways to improve programming and reach

Logistics

• Lead local procurement activities as needed, including obtaining quotes and negotiating with vendors




• Support TWWP with the set-up of the new library and ICT center




• Organize trainings and special events with TWWP

Finance

• Ensure the proper management of finances including planning, cash flow management, and authorization of expenses in compliance with grant requirements




• Monitor and track program expenditures and budgeting together with TWWP Finance Officer and WGEP Finance Manager




• Coordinate VAT reimbursement process with USAID Kenya

Additional responsibilities

• Provide scale up support to WGEP in East Africa, including identifying new opportunities and partnerships




• Build the capacity of TWWP in proposal development, systems, policies/procedures, etc.




• Contribute to proposal development to sustain the OSR program beyond the initial five-year grant period




• Keep Dropbox up to date and organized




• Provide updates to board in quarterly meetings




• Draft sub-award agreements with partner organizations

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Responsible for USAID Local Works M&E compliance, including AMEP and reporting




• Build the capacity of local team in M&E including data collection, storage, and regular reporting




• Support building out M&E systems including designing questionnaires and surveys, etc.

REQUIREMENTS

Essential

• University degree, Masters preferred




• Minimum of 5 years of work experience (or 3 years with Masters) managing international development programs, including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics




• Excellent spoken and written abilities in English, with sensitivity to cross-cultural context




• Mastery of MS Office Suite, specifically Word and Excel




• Knowledge of USAID policies and procedures (or experience working with another large donors such as FCDO, UN, GIZ, etc.)




• Proactive, flexible, and a team player




• Passion for girls’ education and women’s empowerment




• Must have the right to live/work in Kenya

Desirable

• Skills in monitoring and evaluation




• Familiar with financial accounting and logistical procedures, including Quickbooks




• Fluent in Kiswahili and Kitharaka




• Experience working on girls’ education and/or early grade reading programs




• Experience working in rural community settings, ideally with community-based organizations




• Experience in collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA)




• Knowledge of reading software, ICT, and/or library management




• Women and residents of Tharaka-Nithi County are highly encouraged to apply

How to apply

Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to info@womensglobal.org and write ‘OSR Project Manager Application’ in the subject line.