Team Leader – Programmes at Kenya Community Development Foundation

Job Summary & Purpose:

The purpose of this role is to ensure effective and efficient implementation of programmes as well as maintain and improve quality programming across multiple projects. The position will have a strong focus on programme quality and support. The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring there is strong project-level monitoring and evaluation, grants management, programme quality support and thematic advisor functions. The successful applicant will lead KCDF ‘s Education, and Organizational Development work with expectations to work closely with other KCDF project holders. The role reports to the Programmes Director and will be supervising a lean programmes team.

General Responsibilities:

• Support the development of a multi-year funding strategy, programme forecasts and identify funding opportunities, while considering the ever-changing landscape of funder priorities.
• Accountable for grant management compliance and project cycle management processes, as delegated by the Programmes Director.
• Support the development of submissions to funders, including project proposals and coordinate input for reporting to Funders.
• Staff management and development.
• Ensure rigorous quality control of funder applications and reports, maintaining high standards of accuracy and completeness.
• Lead and support the management of relevant consortia, and in the development of any consortia applications.
• Ensure a robust programmes level monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) system is in place by working closely with the MEL team, including an appropriate beneficiary feedback mechanism. Regular monitoring and data collection should be analyzed and factored into future programme design and development.
• Ensure all programme staff members are trained in KCDF’s project cycle management and grant management policy.
• Ensure comprehensive training for all program staff in project cycle management and grant policies, promoting a culture of adherence to KCDF policies and procedures.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide guidance, in line with KCDF’s policy/governance influencing agenda, on key legal and institutional frameworks and strategic high-level policy interactions that support an enabling environment for civil society, promote local organized giving/philanthropy and strengthen citizen engagement.
• Innovatively, take lead in Education programmes at KCDF, and oversee their development, efficient implementation, and reporting, as needed.
• Coordinate and lead the execution of robust capacity development/organizational development-related activities for KCDF and its grantee partners and other local actors in diverse areas of organizational development (e.g. program management,resource mobilization, board development, communications and sustainability planning etc.)
• Provide oversight in development programming and related grant-making initiatives ensuring innovation, efficient implementation, and capacity building for local community resources mobilization and donor reporting.
• Ensure effective grant management and appropriate identification of grantees or new partners at community, sub-county, county and national levels for various programmes.
• Work in close collaboration with state and non-state stakeholders and actors in education, philanthropy, and governance both at the national and county level to facilitate the formulation and or implementation of relevant policies. Includes strengthening communities' capability to engage with duty bearers at county and national levels of government.
• Participate in relevant local and regional forums and networks that promote sustainable and participatory development.
• Work closely with the MEL team to develop annual consolidated programme implementation and staff development plans and budgets, complete with corresponding monitoring, evaluation, learning & reporting system/tools.
• Support and undertake a leadership role in developing a coherent programme strategy in line with KCDF’s Strategic Plan. The role is part of KCDF’s Senior Management Team.
• Be proactive in exploring fundraising opportunities to grow various programmes aligned with the KCDF strategy, and in the actual fundraising activities as opportunities emerge, for both programmes and institutional sustainability.

Qualifications and Skills Required:

• A university degree in development studies, education or any other relevant area of specialization. A post graduate degree is highly desirable.
• An overall 12 years' experience with a minimum of 3 years being in management position with responsibility in programmes management. Demonstrable experience designing, planning and implementing programmes focused on education, and organizational development (institutional strengthening) support for varied Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
• Demonstrable knowledge in social accountability, devolution, national and county governance matters.
• Demonstrated experience in developing the capacity of community-based organizations and networks.
• Experience in forming, working on, coordinating or leading various forms of partnerships like consortia, alliances, networks etc.
• Experience in working in and advancing community led programming.
• Excellent analytical and policy articulation skills, communication, writing and public speaking skills.
• Experience in MEL systems, approaches and accountability mechanisms and frameworks.
• Excellent proposal writing and fundraising skills with demonstrable success.
• Strong leadership, agility, team development and management skills.
• Diplomatic, networking and influencing skills in support of effective collaboration and cooperation with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent report writing skills.