Vacancy title:
Programme Manager

Jobs at:
Chance for childhood

Deadline of this Job:
25 May 2018

Duty Station:
Kigali, Rwanda

JOB DETAILS:
Job Title: Programme Manager (Kenya Country Lead)
Reporting to: Director of Programmes
Salary: 25,000,000 – 30,000,000 RWF per annum, inclusive of medical insurance and monthly travel allowance
Contract term: Two-year fixed term with possible extension
Based at: Chance for Childhood’s Office in Kigali, Rwanda
About Chance for Childhood
We want to see a world where children enjoy their rights to their fullest potential, with access to justice and education in a fair, safe and resilient society. Chance for Childhood (CfC) works primarily in East and Central Africa in the areas of justice for children, inclusive education, working with children with street connections, and working with displaced children.
Following a recent merger, CfC is seeking a Programme Manager to lead their programme portfolio in Kenya, based in our new regional hub in Kigali, Rwanda.

Working alongside CfC partner organisations, the Programme Manager will coordinate projects funded by multiple donors in Kenya. This role is a senior position and will provide critical support to the Director of Programmes (based in the UK) in new programme development and regional fundraising growth in line with our Global Programme Strategy. The Programme Manager will also support their colleagues in managing the regional programmes portfolio.
A successful candidate for CfC’s Programme Manager will possess excellent management skills together with proven experience of operating and networking at a management level with global and local partners. We are specifically seeking a ‘hands on’, ambitious, creative, self-starter who can think outside the box to support CfC’s pursuit of impact and effectiveness through partnership, cooperation and sound governance.

Job Purpose: To lead the management of Chance for Childhood’s programmes in Kenya with our local partners; support regional programmes management and portfolio; support the development of new concepts and institutional grant proposals with a strategic focus on growing our programmes in Kenya; and to help identify and develop a network of prospective regional and local partners to support the achievement and development of the country strategies.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Programme Coordination
a. Participate in the roll out of the newly defined Country Programme Strategies for Kenya, and the related annual operational plans.
b. Manage a portfolio of partnerships and projects in Kenya. Ensure strategic guidance and effective support to all local partners so that projects are implemented to a high standard. Provide technical support to field offices and troubleshooting.
c. Identify capacity building needs of local partners and assist in developing capacity building strategies. Support local partners to improve their programme development skills and expertise, including finance, MEL, child protection and governance, through identification of training needs and opportunities, and sharing of good practice.
d. Ensure that each project has a specific advocacy and exit strategy from project design onwards, and that these are implemented throughout each project.
e. Ensure the overall oversight of all CfC programmes activities in Kenya.
f. Support management and coordination of programmes activities in the region.
2. Monitoring and Evaluation
a. Monitor the impact of any changes to projects’ activity plans, ensure issues or challenges are identified early, effectively addressed and communicated internally and/or to the donor as appropriate.
b. Ensure that the database with beneficiary numbers is maintained and up-to-date.
c. Support the development and monitoring of project budgets, ensuring ownership from the local partners over activity plans and through the entire project cycle. Ensure timely receipt of financial and narrative reports from partners, analysing and seeking clarification where necessary, and agreeing on a remedial plan of action with partners on any issues of concern.
d. Complete project monitoring visits as required and respond to partners’ quarterly narrative and financial reports and overview the learning emanating from the project.
e. Arrange external evaluation of project/programmes and financial audits. Produce annual project reports capturing performance against targets and our learning.
3. Compliance
a. Lead the selection of relevant new local partner organisations in accordance with our Partner Selection Criteria and Due Diligence procedures.
b. Be responsible for the effective grant management and compliance of grants and contracts secured, including coordinating the development of interim and final reports (narrative and financial), to ensure their timely submission in respect of the applicable donor’s guidelines and requirements.
c. Comply fully with CfC’s finance, security and child protection policies and procedures.
4. Programme development and Fundraising
a. Facilitate programme development and funding applications, including identifying opportunities, advising on programme design and a strategic approach to donors, plus advising on proposal and budget development.
b. Proactively identify grant funding opportunities by developing and maintaining familiarity with the regional and thematic priorities of donors, and ensure a detailed understanding of donor grant-making schedules, guidelines and procedures, and eligibility requirements.
c. In consultation with local partners, lead on the submission of high quality project funding proposals/applications to donors in country and in the region, overseeing the development of concept notes and project proposals, including Theory of Change, logical frameworks and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) strategies.
d. Work on the selection of potential new partners, undertaking needs and risk assessments and due diligence.
e. Network and share information within the sector; help develop strategic partnerships with NGOs and academic institutions that would add value, improve coordination or lead to new work opportunities for CfC and their in-country partners.
f. Make contributions to CfC’s strategic plans including country, thematic and regional fundraising strategies.
5. Advocacy and networking
a. Build contacts and relationships with other NGOs and local CSOs to learn from, share, and apply best practice in acquisition and management of grants.
b. Support the development of programmes resources or factsheets showcasing lessons learned and distinct approach of CfC to the sector.
c. Occasionally represent CfC at learning platforms, seminars and conferences concerning one of our focus areas and/or organisational interests.

Person Specification – essential criteria

• Degree in International Development, Education, Social Sciences or related field (for example: conflict, special needs education, children’s rights)
• Programme Management experience working in Eastern and Central Africa; experience of working in Kenya highly desirable
• Significant experience in a programme/project management for an international NGO
• Knowledge of Inclusive Education, Early Childhood Education, Juvenile Justice and/or Justice for Children and Child Right’s based programming
• Excellent project management and planning skills across complex multiple projects and competing priorities
• Knowledge and experience of Monitoring and Evaluation
• Experience with child participation is highly desirable
• Proven Leadership and Management skills
• Good knowledge and understanding of financial management and Excel skills highly desirable
• Strong decision maker, proactive, willing and able to take initiatives.
• A strong track record of managing multi-year grant funding from a diverse range of donors. Knowledge of Comic Relief, DFID, USAID and EU preferred.
• Experience in developing high quality project proposals.
• Experience developing, implementing and delivering programmes that support children in low resource settings
• Flexibility in approach to work with an ability to perform in a fast-paced work environment
• Proven adaptability to external environment and/or changes in internal priorities
• An excellent communicator in written and spoken English; French is desirable
• Ability to undertake regular travel for project monitoring visits
• A commitment to CfC’s values
• A commitment to personal learning, development and improvement
• Applicants must have the right to live and work in Rwanda

A child safeguarding check will be required for this post, as part of CfC’s commitment to child protection, as outlined in CfC’s Child Protection policy, which all staff are required to sign and adhere to. Child Protection Policy: https://chanceforchildhood.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Chance-for-Childhood-Child-Protection-Policy-2017.pdf

Contract terms
Working hours: Full time (35 hours per week)
Contract type: Fixed term (24 months with possible extension)
Probation: 6 months
Travel: Regular travel to Kenya; occasional visits to the UK
Salary: 25,000,000 – 30,000,000 RWF per annum inclusive of medical insurance and monthly transportation allowance
Leave: 25 days per year (pro rata)
Pension: Employer pensions contribution equivalent to 5% of gross salary
Benefits: The CfC package for this role includes medical insurance and coverage

Job application procedure
Please send your CV (no more than 2 A4 pages) and a letter of application (no more than 1 A4 page) explaining your relevant work experience, your interest in this post, and how you meet the points in the person specification above. Please also give details of two referees. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Chance for Childhood is an equal opportunities employer.
Applications should be sent to hr@chanceforchildhood.org  with the following subject line “[YOUR NAME] – CfC Programme Manager”
Closing date: 25 May 2018 before midnight Central Africa Time (CAT).