Program Officer Job in Nairobi Kenya

Position Title: Chief Program Officer (CPO)

Organization: Adeso - African Development Solutions

Reporting to: Executive Director

Working With: All levels of staff worldwide

Employment Status: Full time, one year or two year contract

Program / Duty Station: Nairobi

Starting date: ASAP

Commitment to Diversity: Adeso is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on one's background, beliefs, gender or sexual orientation.

Organizational Context: Adeso is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization.

We work with communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive.

Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming.

Position Summary: Reporting to the Executive Director, the core function of this position is to lead and manage all of Adeso’s programs.

The CPO will lead more than 10 programs delivered across more than 15 field offices in 3 countries with a program staff of over 200.

The CPO will be responsible for all program planning, organizing, operating, staffing and budgeting.

The CPO will also assist the Executive Director and CFO with strategic planning activities including fund development.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Provide inspiring leadership and management to ensure the effective, quality and timely delivery of all of Adeso’s programs.
  • Develop robust management systems and tools to enhance efficiencies and accountability throughout the program structure.
  • Set program priorities and provide day-to-day guidance within the overall vision, mission and goals of Adeso; support, enable and hold accountable program staff within this framework.
  • Develop new initiatives to support the strategic direction of the organization
  • Develop and implement long-term goals and objectives to achieve the successful outcome of the programs
  • Lead the development of a program evaluation framework to assess the strengths of the program and to identify areas for improvement
  • Develop new and unique ways to improve the efficiency of program operations across the organization
  • Focus on client needs; anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
  • Implement and lead a continuous quality improvement process throughout the program area focusing on systems/process improvement.
  • Ensure that all program activities operate consistently and ethically within the mission and values of Adeso, as well as in accordance with relevant donor rules and regulations.
  • Prepare and submit an annual operational budget for programs to the ED and CFO for review and approval, manage effectively within the budget and report accurately on the progress made and challenges encountered.
  • Lead a high performing field team at all levels by developing and mentoring them. In partnership with HR, implement recruitment, training and retention strategies.
  • Lead a robust new business development approach that proactively identifies, pursues and wins new funding within Adeso’s vision and goals.
  • Actively contribute to the content and development of concept notes and proposals for additional program funding.
  • As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), provide leadership coverage for other members of the SMT in their absence as required.

Skills and Qualifications
  • A minimum of ten years professional experience with a minimum of five years senior – leadership experience supervising seasoned staff operating multiple field programs across Africa
  • Bachelor’s degree in Management or related field
  • Experience with USAID funded programs including USAID rules and regulations including engaging with key stakeholders in the national and international NGO community.
  • Relationship builder and communicator with experience leading diverse work teams, developing organization-wide strategies for program excellence, engaging community partners and working closely within the senior leadership team.
  • Proven ability to monitor and evaluate field programs and understands the relationship between field and HQ.
  • Understand ethical behavior and business practices, and ensure that own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization
  • Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
  • Foster Teamwork – the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
  • Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interest of the organization.
  • Assertive decision-maker - Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
  • Outstanding problem solver - Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
  • Ability to travel 50% of the time to provide on-site leadership to programs
  • Ability to work independently and on one’s own initiative.
  • Understanding of and commitment to humanitarian principles
  • Cultural sensitivity

Application Processes

This is a challenging opportunity for a dedicated and highly motivated professional.

If you would like to join this dynamic team, please submit your application to jobs@adesoafrica.org quoting the position in the email subject matter, by 12th June 2014.

Each application should be addressed to the Regional Human Resources Manager and include the following:
  • An updated CV; and
  • An application letter which should include cover letter, remuneration requirements and contact information for three work-related referees.
  • Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed.


Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Adeso is an equal opportunity employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Please note: This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job.


But, this job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.