Job Title: Program Manager

Self Help Africa (SHA) is an international NGO dedicated to the vision of an economically thriving and resilient rural Africa. We have 50 years of experience working with smallholder farmers, farmer associations, cooperatives and agribusinesses across Africa to help farmers grow and sell more food, improve diets, diversify incomes and make their livelihoods more sustainable and resilient to external shocks. SHA also builds awareness of issues affecting smallholders and represent their interests at policy and institutional level.

SHA is a core member of The Gorta Group which is composed of a group of innovative organizations driving sustainable economic and social change across Africa. Comprising Self Help Africa, Partner Africa and TruTrade, the Gorta Group combines expertise in market-based solutions to poverty and rural development; climate change mitigation and resilience; trade facilitation and farmer and worker rights; underpinned by an inclusive ethos that specifically targets women and youth.  In August 2021, United Purpose joined the Gorta Group, which operates as Self Help Africa (SHA), bringing together two organizations with proud histories of assisting those in greatest need. United Purpose, formerly Concern Universal, has worked for more than 40 years as a leader in community-led development and grassroots innovation. SHA now has over 700 staff worldwide, as a result of the merger, and a global turnover of over €40m. We are currently implementing a portfolio of 80 projects in Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia funded by a variety of institutional and private donors including the European Union, Irish Aid and World Food Program. In 2020, we supported close to eight million people in rural communities across sub-Saharan Africa, Brazil and Bangladesh.

Job Purpose:

The Program Manager will be the technical and operational head of the BAringo Resilience Initiative; Nurturing Greater Opportunity (BARINGO) project team and will provide strategic advice, analysis and direction to the organization on a range of forestry related issues, ensuring climate change adaptation and Natural Resource Management is embedded in programs. S/He will be responsible for ensuring successful implementation of this 4-year, European Union-funded program through providing leadership, technical oversight and direct management of all activities related to the project. A key function of this role will be managing effective partnerships with the Implementing Organizations, the Baringo County Government and the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) among others.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Management

  • Lead and manage all aspects of the project cycle: design, planning, implementation, quality and accountability, monitoring and evaluation.
  • Develop annual, quarterly and monthly plans and budgets for the project and monitor allocation of resources, anticipating changing requirements that may impact work delivery
  • Work in close liaison and ensure effective communication with stakeholders including SHA program staff, partners, government agencies and the donor to coordinate coherent and consistent delivery of the project objectives
  • Provide technical input for the implementation of the project including in the preparation of, strategies, training materials, guides and manuals in liaison with the Country Team Technical Advisors and ensure effective integration of core technical areas – Nutrition, Social Inclusion, Enterprise Development, Agriculture and Natural Resource Management
  • Represent SHA at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field in close coordination with the Head of Programs and ensure that the the BAringo Resilience Initiative collaborates and networks with stakeholders as appropriate;
  • Work with the SHA Communications team to develop a project communication and visibility plan and facilitate its implementation
  • Ensure effective coordination and collaboration mechanisms are in place between SHA and other partners as well as National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

Operational and Financial Management

  • Manage and periodically review the program budget in close collaboration with the Head of Programs and Head of Finance
  • Ensure compliance by SHA and partners with contract requirements in planning, financial management, procurement, branding, monitoring and reporting, and facilitate further training where necessary.
  • Act as the focal point with SHA country office and HQ to ensure all programming, financial and administrative matters related to the program comply with donor and SHA policies and procedures and are transparently, expediently and effectively managed in line with established processes, rules and regulations;
  • Monitor external context and carry out adjustments to project plans, where necessary;
  • Ensure all SHA safety and security guidelines are followed and that all safety or security incidents (fires, accidents, theft, etc.) are recorded and reported;
  • Ensure efficient use and management of project resources including transport;

Monitoring, Reporting and Results Communication

  • In conjunction with the M&E Coordinator, facilitate monitoring and documentation of learning by ensuring that effective mechanisms are in place to monitor activities and outputs and assessments for project quality and impact and ensure project implementation is on time, target and budget;
  • Ensure monitoring plan is in place and undertake project monitoring visits from time to time
  • Compile periodic program reports as required by the donor and SHA
  • Check partner technical and financial reports and ensure that they are compliant with set policies and procedures

Performance Management

  • Conduct periodic reviews of staff performance in keeping with SHA’ performance management system
  • Motivate and inspire the project staff to perform their duties to their best, recognizing and valuing their work and encouraging them to learn
  • Set clear direction and expectations for the project and enable project staff to interpret competing priorities (Annual project key performance indicators)
  • Manage performance issues effectively to avoid adverse impact on the project, team morale and performance
  • Promote a positive team culture that respects diversity and deals with barriers to inclusion
  • Any other task assigned by the Head of Programs.

Key Relationships:

Internal

  • Head of Finance and Administration
  • Finance and Administration Team
  • All Program Coordinators
  • Communication Officer
  • All Senior Technical Advisors (Gender, Nutrition, Enterprise, Policy and Humanitarian)
  • HQ Desk Officer – assigned to Kenya
  • Country Director

External

  • Project implementation partners
  • NDMA
  • County Government
  • EU
  • Stakeholders including national government, research institutions, financial institutions, external auditors, donors, Academia and private companies

Knowledge and Experience:

  • At least 10 years’ experience in the implementation of Livelihood programs design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning in fragile contexts.
  • Experience managing multi-year donor funded programs
  • Knowledge and experience in multiple sectors such as food and nutrition security; agricultural systems and livelihoods; market systems development; climate change and adaptation; natural resource management; peace building and Humanitarian development
  • Demonstrated understanding of the resilience framework and approaches in the fragile contexts
  • Strong project management skills and understanding of project cycle management approaches and tools
  • Familiarity and experience with EU regulations preferred
  • Experience in engaging and networking with the development partners and multi stakeholders including the government departments and agencies
  • High level of initiative, motivation, commitment and professionalism
  • Ability and resilience to cope with multiple internal and external demands
  • Strong training and facilitation skills.
  • High level skills and experience in capacity building and report writing
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal and team building skills

Qualifications/Other Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Management Economics, Rural Development, Veterinary Medicine or related field required;
  • Master’s degree in Project Management, Enterprise Development or related field will be an added advantage
  • Strong computer skills especially with MS Word and Excel and other related packages
  • Strong M and E skills
  • Valid Driving License

Role Competencies:

  • Excellent verbal, analytical, organizational and written skills with fluency in Swahili and English.
  • People management skills
  • Proactive and motivated with a strong commitment to Self Help Africa’s vision, mission and values
  • Attention to detail and the ability to produce timely and accurate reports
  • Ability to work as part of team across different cultures
How to Apply:

If you are interested in the position and have the right skills and attributes, please download the Application Form and fill it in. Upload this, along with your CV and covering letter to our Online Recruitment Platform.

If you are experiencing any problem with submitting your online application please visit this link for assistance: https://bit.ly/SHA_TechSupport1

Please note incomplete applications will not be considered for shortlisting.

Closing date is Friday 5th November at 5pm.

Please note that Self Help Africa Kenya advocates for equal opportunity and does not require applicants to pay any fee at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification. All details on; https://selfhelpafrica.org/ie/programme-manager-based-in-baringo-county-kenya/

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