Country Director job opening
• The Country Director leads all aspects of country level strategic branding and operations to achieve sustainable economic development in a cost-effective manner.
• This position serves as legal representative in Kenya and will provide overall management of Kenya projects, including HR, procurement, finance and operations, ensuring efficient and effective and high quality implementation of programs, compliance with all donor and local legal requirements as well policies, statutory and organizational laws and regulations.
Program Summary:
• Our client has been designing, executing and scaling transformational market-led agricultural and entrepreneurship development programs in Kenya since 1973.
• The country team has deep technical and sectorial expertise and is delivering a dynamic, impactful and growing portfolio of programs in coffee, horticulture, food processing / fortification, youth economic empowerment, and micro-retail programs.
• In addition to traditional bilateral donors such as USDA, USAID, and Sida, our portfolio includes partnerships with foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mastercard Foundation, and Citi Foundation.
• Our client also collaborates closely with corporate partners to strengthen sectors and drive inclusive growth for poor women and men.
Primary Functions & Responsibilities:
• Accountable for effective, efficient and compliant financial, administrative and operational functions in Kenya, and high quality execution of Kenya’s projects.
• Leadership: Manage Kenya’s Senior Management Team, currently Program Managers / COPs and leaders of the HR, Finance and Procurement functions.
• Develop among staff a principled commitment to mission and build a working culture that aligns with organizational values of integrity, collegiality;
• Foster a working environment for in-country staff that make priority destination for motivated local professionals and develop a team spirit among the staff.
• Human resources: Execute authority to: (a) Manage personnel subject to one-over-one approval process and Human Resources policy, and (b) Hire independent consultants in accordance with procurement policy;
• Ensure timely completion of HR-related reports including performance appraisals and annual salary adjustments, among others.
• Regional Coordination: establish and maintain strong working relationships with divisional, regional and HQ teams; ensure information is shared and flows transparently within the country project team and to the regional program management team.
• Stakeholder Representation: Establish and maintain strong relationships with relevant stakeholders in Kenya, including government ministries, private sector companies, business associations, and civil society organizations;
• Securing their support as needed; represent Kenya at internal and external functions.
• Legal Compliance: Represent in all legal matters at the country level, and ensure retains and consults with qualified local legal counsel as needed;
• Ensure that is properly registered in Kenya and complies with all local laws; establish and manage a board of directors if required.
• Execute agreements with local government, bilateral and multilateral institutions, and client groups.
• Finance : Review and approve expenditures to ensure compliance with country and donor budgets and procurement / finance policies;
• Ensure submission of high quality reports and documents to HQ on a timely basis in accordance with the corporate calendar, including monthly financial close, annual and mid-year budgets;
• Monitor burn rates on a monthly basis and course correct spending as needed and / or ensure donor and internal budget realignments are requested and approved when required.
• Kenya Program Oversight: Coach and supervise leaders / managers of Kenya’s programs for successful delivery of results;
• Ensure timely submission of internal reports including PSRs and corporate measurement; ensure timely submission of high quality donor reports with support of the divisional back-stopping team;
• Support country-level adaptation and use of program management tools; work with program staff to identify and address technical assistance needs in Kenya.
• Program Development : In collaboration with East Africa leadership and program development teams, execute a new business strategy aligned with global and regional strategies, maintain strong relationships with a wide range of donors, and develop a robust pipeline of new program opportunities to grow the Kenya platform and scale impact.
Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in economics, international relations business or related field, with a minimum of 12 years of experience; Or Master’s degree in economics, international economics, international relations / policy, with a minimum of 10 years of experience.
• 5 years’ implementation and management experience relating to large-scale projects with responsibility for all aspects of operations.
• Experience working in developing countries.
Preferred Qualifications:
• East Africa country and program management experience is strongly preferred
• Significant operations experience, including experience in budget development and management; private sector experience;
Donor and stakeholder management experience.
• Required Languages Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English, including report writing and presentations
• Travel Ability to travel domestically up to 20%, and internationally as necessary
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Entrepreneurial and inspirational, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain high-performing team in stressful context.
• Ability to build strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Supervisory Responsibilities Supervises 9 direct reports including program and operations staff.
Qualified candidates are required to send their updated CV
The Country Director leads all aspects of country level strategic branding and operations to achieve sustainable economic development in a cost-effective manner.
