Project Manager

Women’s Global Education Project

Job Description

Title: Project Manager

Location: Kenya (with frequent trips to rural Kenya)

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 Africa who 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 comprehensive multi-level approach, working with its local partners to help girls access education and to assist teachers, families, and community members in promoting and supporting girls’ education.

WGEP has received funding from the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA), a division of USAID, to expand its Our Sisters Read program in Kenya, promoting access to girls’ education and literacy by constructing a library and community center. Funding for this project will build and equip a library and computer center, including commodities, in remote Tharaka-Nithi County, Eastern Kenya. The library will offer unique, unprecedented facilities and activities in a region where few organizations and initiatives operate, addressing economic, educational, and cultural barriers that prevent community members from reaching their full potential and engaging the population in supporting education, advancement, and gender equality. The library will generate goodwill towards the U.S. and its people as sponsors of a state-of-the-art facility that will positively impact the community for generations to come. Working with its local partner of over 13 years, Tharaka Women’s Welfare Project (TWWP), WGEP will expand its Our Sisters Read program by creating this vibrant center for learning and growth, building upon the trust and experience it has garnered in Tharaka region, to achieve the important goals of this new project.

Job Summary

The Project Manager will be responsible for meeting the objectives of the USAID-funded construction project, working closely with the construction manager, Architecture & Engineering (A&E) firm, M&E Consultant, and local partner Tharaka Women’s Welfare Project (TWWP) to ensure that all activities are on track. The manager will work closely with TWWP’s 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 and building the capacity of local partners The Project Manager will communicate regularly with WGEP to provide updates and program progress including putting systems and procedures in place that will facilitate program implementation. The Project Manager will report to the US-based Executive Director and will play a pivotal role in facilitating and promoting communications between local partner, TWWP, and US-based Women’s Global Education Project.

Responsibilities

Program Management

• Provide overall technical and administrative leadership to the project team, including development of work plans, leading regular check-ins, and taking a proactive approach to problem solving




• Lead and carefully monitor program implementation, impact, and milestone achievement, ensuring these are on track according to M&E plan




• Play a lead role in internal communications between TWWP and WGEP




• Take the lead on all construction activities, working in parallel with A&E firm and construction manager, ensuring all activities are in alignment with USAID regulations and Kenya environmental/construction laws




• Coordinate and ensure day-to-day implementation of activities through activity tracking and planning




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




• Ensure full compliance with USAID rules and regulations, including environmental requirements




• Draft and complete high-quality donor reports in timely manner as required by the funder (including quarterly/annual reports, operations & maintenance strategy, etc.)

Logistics

• Lead procurement of all durable commodity program inputs, including computers and books




• Assist with tender processes for the construction of ICT center in accordance with donor guidelines, including tendering of construction firm




• Follow up on issues related to local government such as community buy-in meetings, securing an MoU for land use, land survey, etc.

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 in coordination with TWWP and US-based Finance Manager




• Prepare financial reports on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis as required




• Conduct occasional mini audits of TWWP’s financial system




• Build capacity of TWWP to adhere to USAID’s financial reporting policies




• Finalize TWWP’s financial and HR policies and procedures

Other responsibilities as required

• Support with identifying new opportunities and contributing to proposals




• Networking and partnership development




• Supporting TWWP to brainstorm creative approaches to arising challenges




• Support WGEP with requests such as interviews with program participants, taking photo/video footage, etc.




• Support in recruitment and hiring process of new program staff




• Facilitate the Kenya registration process as needed

Requirements

Essential

• University degree, Masters preferred




• Minimum of 3 years progressive work experience in international development including experience working in a multi-cultural environment




• Minimum of 2 years of program management experience including management of complex, high-value, multi-activity projects, with complicated logistics




• Excellent spoken and written abilities in English is a must, with sensitivity to cross cultural context




• Work experience Kenya or East Africa




• Mastery of MS Office Suite, specifically Word and Excel




• Proactive, resourceful, solutions-oriented, open-minded, and flexible

Desirable

• Knowledge of USAID policies and procedures (or another major international donor)




• Knowledge of financial accounting and logistical procedures, including Quickbooks




• Skills in monitoring and evaluation




• Experience working with community-based organizations in rural Africa




• Knowledge and passion for girls’ education and women’s empowerment




• Understanding of construction logistics and/or processes, particularly in Kenya

How to apply

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