Head of Kenya and East Africa programme
Location:
Nairobi, Kenya
Management responsibility:
Somalia Country Manager, Kenya Programme Manager, Office Manager, Finance Manager
Reporting to:
Director of Programmes, UK
Key Relationships:
Organisation Management Team; Director of Operations UK; Director of Finance and Procurement; Director of Policy and Communications UK; Regional Funding Manager; Programme partners; Head of S/Sudan and Great Lakes
Contract Duration:
Open
Salary range:
£43,166 - £54,681 gross per year plus benefits package
BACKGROUND:
Saferworld is an independent non-governmental organisation that works internationally with governments, international/regional organisations and local civil society - especially in fragile contexts - to prevent violent conflict and contribute to long term recovery and stability. Since our establishment in 1989, we have been active internationally to encourage and support effective policies and practices through advocacy, research and policy development, and through supporting the actions of others. We have made significant progress on a range of conflict prevention issues such as promoting effective and more accountable security and justice sector development and supporting initiatives to tackle the spread and misuse of small arms and light weapons.
Saferworld has developed its work both at the international level across these themes and in countries affected by conflict or insecurity. We engage in over 15 countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. In addition to our headquarters in London, we have staff based in Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Nepal, Kosovo, Brussels and Vienna.
Saferworld has worked in Africa since 1997, with a primary focus upon the Horn of Africa region. We have well-established programmes in Kenya, Uganda, Somalia and Sudan. The regional programme office is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and from where we oversee operations in Somalia/Somaliland. We also have an office in Kampala (Uganda) where the Head of S/Sudan and the Great Lakes programme is based and in Juba, South Sudan.
Job Purpose:
The Head of Kenya and the Horn of Africa programme is responsible for the design and delivery of all Saferworld’s work in the region, promoting conflict prevention and cooperative approaches to security and justice. The current focus is on the Kenya and Somalia country programmes; developing interests in Ethiopia and at the sub-region; and–together with the Head of S/Sudan and the Great Lakes programme–developing broader regional interests and acting on strategic opportunities for new engagements where they occur. The post holder will contribute regularly to Saferworld’s organisational learning and strategy development as a member of the Organisational Management Team.
Key areas of responsibility:
1: Strategic planning
2: Organisational leadership and cross-organisational learning
3: Project design and implementation
4: Policy research, advocacy and communications
5: People management
6: Fundraising and financial management
Duties:
1: Strategic planning and programme development
Detailed Actions:
- Play a leading role in the development of country, sub-regional and thematic strategies, reflecting Saferworld’s priorities to prevent and reduce violent conflict; strengthen the security and justice sectors; influence the manner in which international assistance contributes to conflict prevention; and promote conflict transformation through governance and state-building processes;
- Lead on the strategic development of Saferworld’s work in Kenya and the Horn of Africa region;
- Identify new and emerging issues of relevance to Saferworld’s work in the region with the Head of South Sudan, Sudan and the Great Lakes Programme, developing appropriate strategies to address them;
- Contribute to Saferworld’s wider organisational strategy development.
2. Organisational leadership and cross-organisational learning
Detailed Actions:
- Actively participate in Saferworld’s Organisational Management Team, including by representing the interests of the Kenya and Horn of Africa Programme, and the organisation as a whole, in wider discussions and decision-making;
- Lead and inspire staff to develop and implement the Business plans;
- Play a role in developing organisational systems and policies;
- Promote internal lesson learning;
- Undertake senior representation for the Programme;
- Work to ensure the effective integration of cross-cutting themes (such as gender and conflict sensitivity) and functions (such as advocacy, communications and capacity building) with members of the Organisational Management Team;
- Work with team members to identify new approaches and methods of working which enable Saferworld to address violent conflict and insecurity in innovative and effective ways.
3. Project design and implementation
Detailed Actions:
- Lead on the development of a variety of projects aimed at effectively addressing Saferworld’s change objectives, including support for the implementation of monitoring and learning systems;
- Oversee the development of relationships with Saferworld’s partners in the region. Work with the programme team to strengthen existing partnerships, and promote the development of practical approaches for building the capacity of key stakeholders (such as government and non-government actors and evolving civil society networks) concerned with conflict prevention and peacebuilding;
- Manage the implementation of particular programme tasks as determined by capacity needs and strategic significance.
4: Policy research, advocacy and communications
Detailed Actions:
- In co-operation with our partner organisations and the Policy and Communications Division, define and manage Saferworld’s research initiatives in support of our programmes relating to security and justice, aid and conflict, small arms control, and governance and peacebuilding issues in the region;
- Support the building of organisational contacts and the participation in networks in support of Saferworld’s strategies for the region. Identify and facilitate opportunities for policy dialogue and problem-solving amongst a range of decision-makers within and between different sub-regions, and with the international community;
- Define and manage internal and external communications on the programme in coordination with the Policy & Communications division;
- Act as a Saferworld spokesperson on conflict prevention themes in the region, promoting lessons learnt from the region; ensure regular engagement with officials from relevant governments, civil society and international agencies.
5: People management
Detailed Actions:
- Oversee the management of office functions;
- Monitor and support the performance of staff on the basis of Saferworld’s performance management system;
- Manage the performance of direct line reports and oversee other senior staff and consultants where necessary;
- Ensure organisational security protocols and duty of care standards are maintained by team;
- Ensure the physical welfare, well-being and professional development of programme staff;
- Ensure effective relations are maintained with other parts of Saferworld.
6: Fundraising and financial management
Detailed Actions:
- Develop and implement (with the Head of S/Sudan and Great Lakes programme; Director of Programmes, Head of Funding and Africa Grants Manager) a fundraising strategy for the Kenya and Horn of Africa Programme
- Oversee the finance functions
- Ensure that Kenya and Horn of Africa Programme staff understand and apply financial management and control policies, and work within their budgets to deliver agreed priorities.
- Lead the development of the Kenya and Horn of Africa annual budget and contribute to the development of the organisational budget;
- Ensure regular engagement with representatives from the international donor community
PERSON SPECIFICATION
- A masters degree (or equivalent) in international relations, development studies, political science or a related field;
- An excellent understanding of the discourse on conflict prevention and reduction, security and justice sector development, small arms control, and of the international policy environment in which these issues are addressed;
- A good understanding of Kenya and the Horn of Africa, and experience of working in Africa;
- Minimum of five years’ senior management experience, preferably in an international non-government organisation;
- Proven ability to manage and motivate staff at all levels. Experience of managing staff based overseas is desirable;
- Proven ability to undertake and lead strategic planning, programme development and evaluation;
- Experience of budget development and financial management;
- Experience of donor liaison and fundraising (including reporting to donors);
- Proven experience of working in partnership with NGOs and other civil society organisations and networks;
- Experience of relating to government officials at a senior level
- Ability to undertake extensive travel (up to 3 months each year);
- High level communication skills, including experience of communicating effectively across cultures and with diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing;
- Excellent written and spoken English, and preferably of another language spoken in Africa such as Kiswahili.
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