Technical Advisor - Programs at Swisscontact

General Position Summary

• The Technical Advisor - Programs is a key management position for Swisscontact and works closely with the Country Director with oversight of a diverse portfolio. S/he is responsible for management oversight of all programs, building and sustaining motivated and creative cross-cultural teams, ensuring technical quality and cross-program synergies and fundraising strategically.
• The Technical Advisor - Programs plays an integral role in program development, evidence building and use, as well as communications, influence, accountability, and overall quality assurance. They represent Swisscontact programs and are responsible for directly supervising programming staff.
• The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya with approximately 30% travel being required to field locations.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Program Management (60%)

• Ensure the delivery of the assigned project(s) with demonstrable impact and accountability for overall quality, compliance, learning, and reporting as per the contract(s) with the client(s).
• Support partners so they become more knowledgeable and apply the market systems development thinking and/or management systems and processes (strategic and operational planning, quality assurance, administrative processes) in the project works.
• Ensure that both programs and projects follow sound planning, implementation, monitoring, learning and adaptation processes to; have high performing teams, receive appropriate technical input and support, focus on quality, accountability, results, deploy cutting-edge technical approaches and, that good participatory methods and stakeholder engagement approaches are used.
• Ensure the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) team and all program teams understand and utilize Swisscontact’s project design, monitoring, learning, accountability, and documentation tools and system. Collaborate with the MRM specialist in the development of result chains and carrying out of baselines and monitoring tasks.
• Maintain relationship with relevant provincial and national government institutions and manages stakeholders’ relations.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits and provide feedback in ways that improve both project and program level progress, impact, influence, and innovation.
• Promote knowledge exchange and learnings among the various actors. Track and communicate lessons learned/proof of concepts and share information with other relevant stakeholders and networks in the region.

Team Management (25%)

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Provide motivational support, empower, coach and develop project staff by: promoting accountability, communicating expectations and providing constructive feedback via performance reviews.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, by helping team members identify problem solving options and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.
• Guide project team by setting direction, establishing focus, deciding on action, assigning responsibility, delegating appropriately and mobilizing commitment.
• Supervise and regularly coordinate with project staff and support departments to ensure smooth planning, preparation, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of program activities.
• Draft and/or review scope of work to hire and manage any technical consultants, including review for technical efficacy and contract.

Business Development (15%)

• Contribute to developing and facilitating links with the implementing partners, private sector, private foundations, academic /knowledge institutions, and government agencies.
• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with consortium partners, sub-grantees, donors, local governments and other stakeholders.
• Ensure effective, consistent and timely communication with donors and project partners.
• Collaborate with the Portfolio team to respond to potential funding opportunities.
• Participate in co-creation workshops with prospective partner organisations. Organise and administer workshops/events as required, and development of learning documents and concept notes arising from discussion.

Minimum Qualifications & Transferable Skills

• A Master’s degree in management, economics, finance, business administration or equivalent higher professional education.
• At least 8 – 10 years of project implementation experience, with at least three years in program management positions
• Demonstrated experience working with market actors (e.g., private sector, foundations, etc.); including program design and leading the proposal development process.
• Demonstrated technical understanding of at least two areas in: resilience, climate change mitigation/adaptation, disaster risk reduction, agriculture, market systems development or private sector, food security, nutrition, and circular economy.
• Practical knowledge and experience in successfully leading and managing a thematically diverse portfolio of projects is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing a multi-cultural.
• Strong written and verbal cross-cultural communication skills, and representation.