Program Manager, Nairobi at DT Global

Position Overview:

• DT Global is seeking a Program Manager based in Nairobi, Kenya to support the USAID-funded Inclusive Resilience in Somalia (IRiS) activity. The Program Manager will support overall operational, contractual, and financial management of the program and management of field office operational staff. This role will serve as a primary liaison between the field project team and the home-office Program Management Unit (PMU). Additionally, the Program Manager will ensure that DT Global program effectiveness standards are met across all areas and will coordinate with the DT Global Nairobi office as necessary. The Program Manager will report to the Senior Program Manager based in the U.S.

Project Background:

• The Inclusive Resilience in Somalia (IRiS) program seeks to accelerate economic development for marginalized groups in the target areas of Somalia by increasing individual, household, business, and community, and system-wide resilience through rural and urban livelihood diversification and promoting inclusive economic market systems to combat real perceived grievances that contribute to violent extremism and conflict.

The project will pursue two main objectives:

• Strengthen and diversity in rural and urban livelihoods for marginalized groups; and
• Promote economic agency of marginalized groups.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
Project Delivery

• Serve as a DT Global home office representative to USG clients throughout the project life cycle as delegated, including startup and closeout meetings; regular correspondence regarding implementation progress; as-needed problem solving; and delivering presentations on the project to a variety of actors.
• Manage one or multiple donor-funded projects and oversee day-to-day project management from award through closeout, including contractual compliance, financial management, and oversight of project personnel and subcontractors.
• Stay up to date on program implementation and serve as a resource for other home office colleagues regarding projects within their portfolio.
• Identify implementation bottlenecks across functional areas and rally resources to address and resolve issues
• Work closely with the MERL Director, Director of Strategic Communications, and Communications Specialist to ensure timely preparation of quarterly and annual reports. Edit and provide quality control. Collaborate with relevant technical staff to ensure that activities and achievements are captured in reports in line with workplans, AMELP, and contractual requirements.
• Proactively manage project issues, involving Senior Program Manager or Director as required. Identify and communicate, in a timely manner, any risk management issues and elevate, as needed.
• Serve as back-up support for the Senior Program Manager pertaining to PMU operational matters, traveling regionally to support project initiatives and backfill project leadership, as needed.
• Coordinate with and integrate consortia partner staff as appropriate and necessary to optimize implementation and use of expert resources.
• Assist the development of technical and HR scopes of work
• In conjunction with the contract’s representative, take accountability for project processes including contractual quality assurance and compliance; co-leading drafting and updates to relevant manuals; interface with finance and contracts departments to ensure proper financial management and contract compliance.
• Support donor approval sub-award package preparation before final review from HQ-based PMU and Contracts teams.
• Monitor project budgets, manage monthly budget projections (including ensuring the accuracy of field office projections), review budget modifications prior to submission, and ensure budgets are correct. Provide variance analysis (actuals vs budget).

Technical Excellence

• Provide technical input on the design and implementation of programs, as appropriate.
• Contribute to the development of project work plans and help to ensure that technical work plans are executed. Encouraged to use knowledge of development issues and culture to adapt work plans to changing circumstances and seek alternative ways of achieving project implementation goals.
• Work with Senior Program Manager to ensure project financial management and compliance, including overseeing accruals, pipelines, and cost-to-complete reports prepared for both DT Global and clients.

Business Development

• Support business development efforts from capture phase through live solicitation.
• Contribute to proposal development, including technical approach, staffing, and partnering strategies and negotiations, and decisions on information gathering trips, and oversee cost development.
• Participate in scoping and information gathering trips for anticipated and live proposals and guide staff and consultants supporting research efforts.
• Participate in recruitment activities for business development, as necessary.
• Draft proposal sections, as assigned.

Overarching Responsibilities
Leadership

• Help identify project and team capacity gaps across all functional areas and assist with developing plans to improve effectiveness.
• Provide training on systems and procedures relating to the job and ensures new staff are properly prepared for the job they were hired to do.
• Set an example as a leader by holding yourself and others accountable, communicating professionally, being a team player, and embody DT Global’s values daily.
• Represent DT Global at professional events/conferences.

Learning and Innovation

• Proactively engage in self-driven professional development and growth activities.
• Contribute to DT Global’s learning agenda; and,
• Proactively incorporate learning best practices into all aspects of work.

Education and Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, including international development or relations, economics, political science, government, or business; or a relevant combination of education and work experience required.
• Minimum 4-6 years of direct USAID project management and support experience, responsible for overseeing project implementation and business development initiatives.
• Substantial experience in managing international donor projects and extensive knowledge of donor regulations and policies (including AIDAR and FAR), especially as they relate to contracting and procurement.
• Solid background in managing programs, including complicated budgets.
• Ability to serve as in-country program manager in the event of a vacancy or absence.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently as well as on a team.
• Strong organization and prioritization skills with keen attention to detail.
• Long-term field experience working outside the US, particularly in developing countries, required.
• Knowledge of U.S. foreign policy in the Africa, the Middle East, or other relevant regions.
• Ability to be based in Nairobi and spend at least 70% of time in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in international development or relations, economics, political science, government, business, or a related field
• Economic growth or market systems development expertise and experience preferred
• 2 years staff management experience
• Experience working within or managing awards made up of consortium partners is a plus
• Experience with project start-ups and/or closedowns preferred
• Experience working with multiple donor countries preferred
• Fluency in Somali, Arabic, or French

Core Competencies:

• TEAMWORK: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals. Participates in building a culture characterized by inclusion, trust and commitment.
• COMMUNICATION: Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts professionally. Demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.
• ADAPTABILITY: Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment.
• CUSTOMER/CLIENT FOCUSED: Anticipates, monitors and meets the needs of customers and responds to them in an appropriate and responsive manner.
• DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: Conveys respect for diverse individuals and perspectives; models inclusive behavior and treats everyone fairly.
• PROFESSIONALISM: Displays appropriate and ethical behavior, integrity and personal presentation in the workplace always; demonstrates respectful communication for others, both verbal and non-verbal.