Country Director Job in Nairobi Kenya

Established in 1915 with Helen Keller as a founding trustee, Helen Keller International (HKI) works to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Headquartered in New York City, HKI currently conducts programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia as well as in the United States. 

HKI is known for sustainability, reliability, efficiency and the highest level of technical expertise in fighting and treating blindness and malnutrition. 

To accomplish its work, HKI builds the capacity of local governmental, civil society and private sector systems and infrastructure, and promotes the development of sustained, large-scale programs that deliver effective preventative and curative services for nutrition, neglected tropical disease control and eye health. 

The hallmark of the organization’s work is its proven effectiveness in developing, testing and scaling-up health interventions, and integrating them within government and community structures. 

HKI works with partners around the world to help meet key provisions of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), selected by all 191 United Nations member states, as well as VISION2020, The Right to Sight. Globally HKI employs over 700 staff, with an annual cash and in-kind budget of over $120 million.

Country Program Overview:

Since opening a regional office in Nairobi Kenya in 2011, HKI has been approached by many key nutrition partners (Ministry of Sanitation and Public Health, Division of Nutrition, UNICEF, WFP, GAIN, and others) to undertake direct programming initiatives in the country. 

In 2011, HKI engaged with the WFP and other partners to implement the Blanket Food Security Program (BFSP) in the Arid and semi-arid northern regions of the country. 

This operational experience has raised additional opportunities with national and internal partners in the areas of Food Fortification, Vitamin A Supplementation, ENA, Neglected Tropical Diseases and eye health.

To this end, HKI will begin expanding its operational presence in Kenya over the next year and is seeking experienced Leadership to help guide and manage this growth.

Scope of the Position:

The Country Director (CD) has overall responsibility for supervising the implementation of HKI-Kenya programs and management of the office, including performance management of staff, to achieve the HKI mission and the objectives established in grants. 

The CD is responsible for representing HKI and securing funding for project activities in Kenya; developing and implementing strategic and annual plans to further the HKI’s mission in Kenya; program design, proposal development, implementation and reporting; financial and grant management; operations, security, and human resource management. 

This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya with travel up country required. 

The CD reports to the Deputy Regional Director for East, South and Central Africa (based in Nairobi) and works closely with other staff members at HKI’s Africa regional office and headquarters.

Specific Responsibilities

Overall Management and Leadership

• Implement and periodically update HKI-Kenya strategic plan.
• Generate funding from international and bilateral agencies, donor agencies, corporations, and individuals in collaboration with national, regional and Headquarters staff in alignment with the country office’s strategic plan.
• Manage financial resources and provide oversight for grants.
• Manage key project personnel including the support of their ongoing professional development.
• Provide Strategic vision and direction for overall program design and proposal development; program implementation and reporting; grant management; financial planning; and human resource planning and management; work closely with the country team to accomplish the strategic goals;
• Represent HKI in formal and informal meetings with government officials, international donor agencies, and national technical advisory groups pertinent to HKI project activities.

Programmatic

• Provide technical input to the government, international donor agencies and technical advisory groups pertinent to HKI project activities.Oversee research design, dissemination of information gathered and advocacy to advance programmatic and policy changes.
• Oversee and coordinate the program portfolio to ensure the highest level of project quality and accountability, while fostering continuity through building local capacity.
• Ensure implementation of strong program monitoring, evaluation and learning functions.
• Strengthen the quality and effectiveness of existing programs in VAS, food fortification and OFSP, including the development of a strong M&E framework;
• Disseminate findings from HKI projects that are of importance to decision-makers in a position to fund or implement projects in Kenya and internationally.
• Keep the national partners and others informed about progress of the projects, plans for the development of new programs/projects/activities and donor involvement in the overall program.

Financial and Administrative

• Provide oversight to finance and administrative services including procurement, property management, human resources management, vehicle and facilities management, and staff safety and security;
• Work with HKI Regional Office and Headquarters to manage the development and implementation of annual country budgets.
• Ensure the preparation and accuracy of financial reports that comply with grant or contract agreements and ensure compliance with all aspects of donor funding and HKI policies.
• Ensure timely submission of financial reports within the guidelines established by the HKI Finance and Accounting Department and the Grants and Contracts Management Department.
• Authorize expenditures for grant or contract allocations and ensure compliance with procedures required by grant or contract agreements.
• Hire and manage personnel for Kenya projects in compliance with HKI policies and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity.

Qualifications

• Minimum Master’s degree in public health, nutrition, agriculture, development, management or related field;
• Minimum seven (7) years of field experience in managing international development, public health or nutrition programs in developing countries including the management of administrative and financial activities;
• Minimum seven years demonstrated experience in program development, implementation and evaluation; Strong background in nutrition is desirable or with willingness to learn about control of Neglected Tropical Diseases.
• Demonstrated capacity to mobilize program funding including donor cultivation and grants writing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including an ability to effectively lead a team, communicate a vision, make timely and transparent decisions, and manage conflict.
• Experience in research design, data analysis and interpretation.
• Excellent oral and written English and Swahili language skills, including the ability to quickly synthesize complex technical and programmatic issues into concise communications.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake high-level representation and advocacy.
• Knowledge and Experience managing compliance to diverse donors (USAID, DFID, CIDA, EU, etc,);
• Demonstrated Leadership and Management skills that effectively motivate staff and support team building; demonstrated ability to manage a professional team in a multi-cultural environment;
• Well established and practiced organizational and planning skills;
• Computer Literate and Proficient in Microsoft Office including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook; Experience with EPI-INFO and/or SPSS will be an advantage.
• Experience with staff security and safety issues is desirable;

How to apply: 

If you meet the above requirements, please send a detailed CV, Application letter stating clearly the position that you are applying for as the subject line, names and contacts of three references, a daytime telephone/ mobile contact to rkatana@hki.org by the close of business on 31st May 2012.