Kenya Red Cross Society is one of the
largest humanitarian organizations in Kenya. Its mission is to be the leading
humanitarian organization in Kenya delivering excellent quality service of
preventing and Alleviating Human Suffering.
The Center is geared towards establishing a collaborative enterprise between humanitarian agencies, governments, academics, and donors to support capacity building, evidence based policy and practice in order to increase effectiveness of humanitarian initiatives.
The Centre is looking for a qualified
person to fill the following position:
Position Title: Program Manager - Research
Reporting to: Executive Director
Job location: Headquarters
Overall Purpose: The International Centre for Humanitarian Affairs which is part of Kenya Red Cross is carrying out a research project which will examine resilience in the Arid and Semi-Arid parts of Kenya. The research will have three thematic areas.
Overall Purpose: The International Centre for Humanitarian Affairs which is part of Kenya Red Cross is carrying out a research project which will examine resilience in the Arid and Semi-Arid parts of Kenya. The research will have three thematic areas.
The Programme Manager will oversee
the day-to-day development and management of agreed research projects and
programmes and provide oversight and information to the Executive Director of
ICHA.
Working closely with the Executive Director and the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) Head of Policy, as well as programme and support staff throughout KRCS, the Programme Manager will ensure the smooth management of work plans, budgets and relationships.
Working closely with the Executive Director and the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) Head of Policy, as well as programme and support staff throughout KRCS, the Programme Manager will ensure the smooth management of work plans, budgets and relationships.
S/he will support business
development and ensure the delivery of high quality research programmes.
The Programme Manager will support
the Executive Director in developing methods and strategies to ensure that
programme/project activities achieve goals and agreed outputs.
The Programme Manager will also be expected to contribute substantively on research issues, work to produce briefing papers and other learning outputs in relation to humanitarian issues.
The Programme Manager will also be expected to contribute substantively on research issues, work to produce briefing papers and other learning outputs in relation to humanitarian issues.
S/he will represent the organisation
externally where required.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Working with professionalism, integrity and under the guidance of Executive Director ICHA, the Programme Manager will:
Programme / project management:
- Ensure delivery of agreed annual plans
- Be responsible for the management of specific
research programmes, initially this will a predominant focus on a major
research project, with programme and policy influencing components, which
will examine resilience and early response in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands
- Facilitate information sharing and problem
solving to improve the effectiveness of the programmes
- Develop and ensure on-going strengthening of
the programme management and administrative systems.
- Assist in the process of developing work plans
of researchers and tracking progress in order to ensure that targets are
achieved and deliverables are produced on time and to standard in order to
achieve the programme outcomes.
- Provide support and advice on the planning and
financial management of research projects
- Liaise with HR and logistics regarding
recruitment, staffing issues and consultancy contracts
- Contribute to coordination and ensure that
steering and advisory committee meetings take place, which meetings are
documented and actions disseminated.
- Input into strengthening partnerships and
maintain effective productive working relationships with donor and
research partners.
Financial management:
- Develop budgets for new programmes and
projects
- Work closely with finance colleagues to ensure
budgets are accurately established and financial reports generated on a
monthly basis.
- Be responsible for regularly reviewing
financial information and ensuring that all expenditure is in line with
agreed budgets and contracts.
- Reporting on budget v actuals and document any
significant variances.
- Agree any significant changes to plans and
budgets with the Executive Director and seek donor approval as
needed.
- Ensure accurate financial reports are
generated for internal use and for donors and ensure that accurate reports
are submitted according to agreed schedules.
Research
- Provide technical inputs to on-going research
projects including literature reviews, interviews, data analysis and preparation
of reports
- Support project activities or lead parts of
research projects including field work, holding workshops, producing
written outputs, reviewing and providing feedback on consultancy reports
- Be responsible for writing or co-writing
research reports, policy briefs and other documents for publication
Funding
- Liaise with donors and partners on programme
funding and opportunities for collaboration
- Lead and support, as agreed with the Executive
Director, the development of research proposals, expressions of interest
and project proposals
- Prepare high quality and timely reports,
ensuring internal peer review (as appropriate) ahead of submission to
donors
Other duties
- Supporting work led by Executive Director,
ICHA and Head of Policy.
- Representing the Centre in internal and
external forums
Person Specification
Knowledge and qualifications
Knowledge and qualifications
- Masters’ degree in a relevant discipline
- Experience of donor narrative and financial
reporting
- Knowledge and experience of coordinating
proposals, reports and donors and knowledge management
- An understanding of the Fundamental Principles
of the Red Cross
Experience
- At least 5 years in a programme management
role
- Substantial experience of project development
and administration
- Experience of donor relationship management,
including donor narrative and financial reporting
- Substantial experience of managing staff to
tight deadlines in a team environment
- Experience of managing research projects
- Experience of different research
methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative
- Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian
issues
- Experience of SharePoint document management
systems (preferred)
- Substantial experience of writing high quality
reports and consistently delivering to agreed deadlines
Skills / Abilities
- Advanced IT skills including excel, word,
outlook, PowerPoint and databases
- Strong oral and verbal communication and
presentation skills in both English and Kiswahili
- Ability to write well and to prepare reports
with minimum supervision
- Multi-tasking skills
- Ability to solve problems
- Excellent planning and execution skills
- Ability to work to own initiative or as part
of a team
Applications should be sent by email
to careers@kenyaredcross.org.
Applications should be submitted by
and to be received on or before Friday, 23rd January 2015.
Applications should comprise:
Applications should comprise:
- A one page cover letter explaining how your
experience makes you a suitable candidate for the job
- A CV of no more than 3 sides
- Details of 3 references - including current
employer
Note: no additional documents should be submitted.
Note: applications which do not follow the above requirements will not be considered.
Note: applications which do not follow the above requirements will not be considered.
