Programme Manager - Horn of Africa

SUMMARY

The Horn of Africa Programme Manager is a new position in RVI. The Programme Manager will be responsible for developing and managing RVI’s projects and programmes in the Horn of Africa, with a focus on the Somali territories. In addition they will manage security for RVI operations in Eastern and Central Africa generally. The successful candidate will have a strong record of effective project and operational management in the region.

GENERAL

Title -Programme Manager - Horn of Africa

Employment type -Full-time

Duration -One year contract

Start date -June 2015

Location -RVI Nairobi office with extensive travel in the Horn of Africa.

Salary -KES 3.5 million

Other provisions -28 days annual paid leave, public holidays, overseas allowance, training allowance, staff canteen; flexible working arrangements are possible.

Application deadline -15 May 2015

BACKGROUND

The Rift Valley Institute (www.riftvalley.net) is a small, expanding, independent non-profit organisation working in eastern and central Africa. The Institute operates at the interface between research, policy and education, aiming to advance understanding of the region and its diverse communities. RVI programmes are designed for long-term impact: shaping aid interventions, expanding space for public participation in policy, supporting local research capacity, preserving communal histories and promoting social justice. The activities of the Institute include action-oriented research, field-based training, online digital archives, distance learning, open-access publishing and support for educational institutions in eastern and central Africa. RVI has been actively engaged in the Horn of Africa since 2008, with several on-going projects in the Somali regions. There are RVI offices in the UK (London), in Kenya (Nairobi), in South Sudan (Juba) and in the United States (Annandale-on-Hudson). The Institute is a registered charity. RVI staff and Fellows are drawn from Eastern and Central Africa, and from Europe, Asia and America. The RVI is an equal-opportunity employer.

RESPONSIBILITIES

· Manage RVI’s on-going projects in the Horn of Africa regions.

· Manage security for RVI in eastern and central Africa.

· Maintain and develop relations with partners in the region

· Support the development of new RVI projects in the region.

· Ensure timely reporting to RVI and to donors.

· Be responsible for internal information and communications management for projects in the region.

REQUIREMENTS

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

· Legal residency in Kenya or right to work in Kenya or East Africa.

· A recognised university degree.

· At least 5 years relevant experience working in project management with experience in planning, project cycle management, preparing and managing budgets.

· Experience of working in one or more countries in eastern and or central Africa

· Experience in working with an international organisation.

· Fluency in written and spoken English and one or more major language of the region (e.g. KiSwahili, Somali, Amharic).

· Knowledge of and interest in eastern and or central Africa

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

· Experience of working in the NGO sector

· Experience in working in small-to-medium sized teams in an inter-cultural context

· Experience in social research

· Experience in financial management

· Familiarity with Mac OS X and Microsoft Office.

· Experience in security management

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Programme management

· Support the strategic development of RVI’s programme in the Horn of Africa.

· Support the development of existing and new programmes and projects in the region.

· Draft proposals for existing and new programmes and projects.

· Develop partnerships with regionally based organisations, and regional organisations.

· Prepare annual and quarterly financial and narrative reports for internal purposes.

· Prepare annual and quarterly financial and narrative reports for donors in a timely manner.

· Establish and manage a schedule of programme activities, including monitoring of contracts and activities and reporting schedules to donors.

· Oversee procurement of office goods and services for programmes.

· Contribute lectures on the RVI annual Horn of Africa course and other bespoke courses on the region.

· Support the work of the Rift Valley Forum in the Horn of Africa.

Knowledge and information management

· Monitor political, social, humanitarian and security developments in the region.

· Monitor international engagement in the region and keep abreast of developments in regional and international policy towards countries in the Horn of Africa.

· Develop RVI’s network of contacts and relationships with organisations and individuals in the region.

· Engage with international donors.

· Prepare briefings, as needed, on political and social developments on the region.

· Prepare monthly Nairobi office narrative reports for RVI internal circulation.

Human resources management

· Assist the RVI Director of Finance and Operations in the preparation of employment contracts for staff and consultants working in the region.

· Ensure employee and consultant contracts are up to date and compliant with employment regulations in the relevant operational country.

· Line manage RVI local Focal Point/s.

· Assist in the organization and recruitment of interns and their line management.

Financial

· Manage budgets, submit invoices, authorise, where appropriate, and execute payments.

· Prepare grant applications, and interim and final reports on grants.

· Provide orientation and training to employees and consultants who will work in the region on RVI financial reporting procedures.

Legal management

· Ensure maintenance of the RVI as a legal entity in countries in the Horn where it is operational.

· Manage visa and permit applications in Kenya for RVI staff, Fellows and consultants.

Security

· Implement RVI’s security systems in the region including records of staff and consultant travel and managing the ‘check in’ function for all staff and consultants travelling in the region.

· Ensure security arrangements for RVI activities in the region are sufficient and up to date, including RVI annual field courses.

· Ensure RVI staff and consultants receive security briefings.

· Organise security training courses for staff.

· Ensure RVI Travel Plans are completed by all staff and consultants in advance of travel in the region.

Other responsibilities

· Support other RVI staff in the organisation of RVI events held in the region, including publication launch events, seminar series, training courses and conferences.

Reporting and management lines

The Programme Manager will report to the Horn of Africa and East Africa Regional Director in Nairobi and to the Director of Finance and Operations in London. She/he will undertake the responsibilities described above and below with additional oversight from and the RVI Director of Programmes, and support from the Finance and Office Administrator and Information Administrator.

Modification to duties

These are the normal duties required from the Programme Manager at the date of appointment. However, it may be necessary for changes to be made to this job description in accordance with the needs of the job and the organisation. Existing duties may be changed and new duties may be added. Any changes will only be made after consultation.

HOW TO APPLY:

Application forms can be found on the RVI website. All submissions require a CV and a cover letter including two references. The deadline for applications is 15 May 2015. For further information seewww.riftvalley.net or write to recruitment@riftvalley.net. Candidates who are nationals of countries in eastern Africa and central Africa, the region where RVI operates, and who have legal residency in Kenya or right to work in Kenya, are strongly encouraged to apply.