Manager, Area

Vacancy Name: Manager, Area

Employment Type: Full Time (Fixed Term)

Childfund Work Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Childfund Division: Global Operations

ChildFund Department: Country Management

Title: Area Manager
Div/Dept: Programs
Location: Country Office
Reporting Relationship: Partnership Portfolio Manager

SUMMARY
Responsible for leadership and direction for the development of area plans and proposals, networks, and partnerships based on the organization’s program approach; provides leadership for the effective planning, implementation, monitoring, sharing of lessons learned, tracking and reporting on all program and sponsorship activities in assigned area.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establishes an atmosphere of responsibility for the mission of the organization and accountability to the stakeholders; establishes clear expectations by which staff and partners are measured; responsible for all personnel management duties for area staff.
• Selects or identifies areas of intervention and develops long-term programs in participatory mode relevant to the area.
• Collaborate with local partners on the implementation of programs and sponsorship activities in the assigned area; ensures that monitoring & evaluation, continuous improvement, and technical assistance is an integral part of the implementation; ensure the Area Strategic Plan is developed according to organizational policies and procedures, the Strategic Plan of the Country Office and is based on the best practices of community planning.
• Oversee implementation of grant-funded projects in the program area; manage and supervise grants staff who are responsible for the implementation of grant-funded projects; review grants reports and closely work with the grants manager to address donor queries.
• Ensure all grants-funded project requests are reviewed and approved by the grants unit prior to implementation and are within the approved budget and activities.
• Builds positive and productive relations with local partners, communities, enrolled families, and authorities at all levels. Raises awareness of the organization as a leader of child development and a leader of children’s issues; ensures clear communication channels between stakeholders and staff.
• Represents the organization in forums to promote program approaches while ensuring the convergence of resources.
• Responsible for providing technical support to Local partners in order to expand program impact at a regional level and create new & ongoing funding streams to finance additional services to enrolled families and children.
• Builds and manages relationships with government, foundations, corporations, local authorities and the general public to optimize marketing and funding.
• Responsible for providing technical assistance and oversight in the development and management of plans and budgets and reporting.
• Supervise and coordinate Country office sponsorship functions; provide support & training to local partners on sponsorship requirements in conjunction with the sponsor relations staff and ensure the LP consistently meets sponsorship standards.
• Provides capacity-building opportunities to local partners; ensures that partners are accountable and compliant with organizational policies/procedures and local laws/regulations.
• Identifies and manages technical resource agencies for implementation of programs; manages partners on the allocation of resources to execute program activities in accordance with the Letter of Agreement( AOP).
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE

• 7 years experience.
• Demonstrated experience with managing development programs, preferably in a technical area, community development and/or child-focused programming
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills in English
• Demonstrated high-level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills including the ability to build collaborative relationships internally and externally with sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, social, and political issues.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in such areas as project, budget, and resource management.
• Demonstration of knowledge of program design; grant acquisition and management; providing oversight and accountability grant-funded programs; resource stewardship, and cross-functional coordination
• Computer proficiency in general office software (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook).
• Experience in resource mobilization, coordination and negotiation, and social policy.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s or higher-level degree required in a relevant discipline such as Development Studies, Project management, Economics, Business Management, Agriculture, Education etc
A postgraduate certificate or diploma in project planning, community development, or related studies will be an added advantage.