National Director, WV Kenya

With over 70 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 34,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Key Responsibilities

• Please submit your CV in English. KENYA COUNTRY CONTEXT: World Vision began operations in Kenya in 1974. Inspired by Christian values, World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. World Vision Kenya has developed its 2021 to 2025 strategy, whose goal is to contribute to the improved and sustained wellbeing of 8,827,654 children, including 2,521,600 children reached directly out of which 1,4,87,744 are identified as most vulnerable children by year 2025. The Strategy focusses on child learning and household resilience; water, sanitation and hygiene; child protection and participation; community engagement & sponsorship programming; disaster management and emergency response. This strategy has been developed in alignment to World Vision’s Global Strategy (Our Promise Phase Two) that has five strategic imperatives that reinforces the choices made as a Partnership to serve the most vulnerable children. WVK affirms its commitments to ensure that the implementation of its FY21-25 Strategy demonstrates alignment to the WVI Strategic Imperatives. Towards the execution of this Strategy, WVK will require US$301 million (over 30 Billion Kenya Shillings) for the full implementation of this Strategy for a period of five years. This calls for quality sponsorship programming; accessing private non sponsorship funding; sustained donor engagements and deliberate focus on private sector linkages; including national resource development to fund locally funded programmes. WVK has an average annual budget of US$75 million (cash & in kind drawn from sponsorship and grant funding) with a staff compliment of approximately 700. Its operational coverage spans across 39 of the 47 Counties in Kenya, where projects are implemented through its community based Area Programmes. Operating in an environment of multiple crises of Covid 19, climate change and conflict (3Cs), WVK will also continue to implement its strategy with a focus on emergency response and disaster management, with a focus on initiatives that contribute to reduced risk of vulnerability among children and their families. PURPOSE OF POSITION: The National Director (ND) will strategically lead, develop and direct the implementation of World Vision Kenya’s FY21 to 25 Strategy, in alignment with the Government of Kenya priorities and Our Promise. In performing this role, the ND will be an effective leader locally, an effective member of the broader WVI Partnership, and will model the organization’s principles of Twin Citizenship to ensure high ministry quality and overall organizational effectiveness. The ND as a leader will contribute to partnership life and unity, by acting as both a local and global representative of the organization. The ND will ensure the country’s operations and operating models maintain the Partnership’s focus on Child Well Being (CWB) Outcomes and Aspirations as they apply in the Kenyan specific country context, maximizing the impact in the field while maintaining efficiency as wise stewards of entrusted resources. The ND will lead national resource development, leading local fund raising and ensuring growth of local resources through effective partnerships with County Governments, the private sector in Kenya, individual Kenyans, the Church and the WVK Alumni network, amongst other local partners. The ND will ensure the effective resourcing of the flagship locally funded Area Program, Salgaa, and also have in place an effective growth plan for more locally funded APs. The ND will also ensure the office collaborates effectively with other partnership offices and divisions to achieve local and organizational goals. The ND will also continue to position WVK as a learning centre in the Partnership on localization, while continuing to grow locally restricted funding, including effectively managing locally acquired awards to donor expectations; as well as effectively managing relations with donors locally. Externally, the ND will foster collaboration with major donors, project partners, local government, church representatives, faith-based organizations and non-governmental organizations. In doing so, he/she will maximize stewardship, effectiveness and efficiency of costs and operating models The ND will model a high standard of personal Christian leadership, ministry and integrity; leading by example and providing spiritual guidance to staff on the WV Vision, Mission and Core Values. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Leadership and Management of WV Kenya (20%):
• Promote WV’s Vision, Mission, Core Values and key Partnership Standards and Practices among the staff and partners and ensure these are the core foundation of WV Kenya strategies and work.
• Lead the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and ensure diverse representation on the leadership team.
• Strong focus on leadership and people management, ensuring the most capable and qualified staff members are in place to implement office strategy and operational plans.
• Lead processes to develop National Office (NO) governance from advisory status to governing board. Lead processes to transition the office to fully interdependent status.
• Review and approve WV Kenya’s succession plan; ensure that proper capacity is in place and succession plans are updated and executed.
• Promote and participate in leadership development initiatives, including those for staff at management levels in the field and at the NO level.
• Lead and manage WVK’s team in a way that facilitates a high performance culture, open trustworthy relationships and integrity.
• Promote a culture of learning and development, employee engagement and good stewardship of human capital in the office.
• Ensure implementation and compliance to Partnership Performance Management Standards and Principles, while seeking to implement Performance Management guidelines on reasonable level.
• Champion WVK’s leadership team in the proper implementation of Performance Evaluations on a mid –term and annual basis for the whole organization.
• Support initiatives for staff care and well-being, both for international and local employees.
• Ensure excellent standards in the management of the human, financial, capital and technical resources of the organization, which includes inspiring and maintaining high standards of work and clear accountability to stakeholders.
• Visit field projects frequently to encourage, build relationships and support WV programs.
• Ensure that initiatives directed to build capacity required to implement local fundraising are included in the office capacity- building plan. Strategy, Operating Plan and Long and Short Term Targets (15%):
• Ensure there is a documented office strategy, Ministry strategies and operating plans, and the latter have been derived from the office strategy and has clear, measurable short-term and long-term targets.
• Ensure that Ministry strategies are aligned with Regional and Partnership strategic priorities.
• Ensure there are clear strategies for People and Culture, Communications and other main functions, and they are based on the office strategy and operational plan and include main priority areas identified in respective Regional and Partnership Strategies.
• Facilitate and be accountable for the execution and monitoring of strategies. Ministry Performance (10%):
• Ensure high quality Ministry approaches that align with LEAP 3 principles and ensure best practice development work at scale.
• Ensure strong ability to measure Child Well Being (CWB) outcomes and maintain a green rating on the CWB report each year.
• Ensure strong engagement in international and local resource mobilization, including positioning and support to grant acquisition efforts to raise additional resources and diversify WV Kenya’s portfolio.
• Ensure the highest standards of quality and accountability through compliance with World Vision policies and standards and international standards for emergency response, disaster mitigation, rehabilitation and development.
• Ensure all project proposals, reports, integrated audits and Ministry evaluations are reviewed at a proper level within the office and appropriate actions are implemented, to ensure impact, accountability and compliance.
• Ensure that a strong national Monitoring, Learning & Evaluation (ML&E) strategy is in place and that ML&E systems are streamlined to reduce processes and focus on child well-being.
• Ensure accountability for the implementation of effective ministry to all key stakeholders. Ensure a relevant, timely and accurate flow of management and operational reports according to program objectives and standards and to to meet reporting requirements from donors, Regional Offices, local partners. Spiritual Leadership (10%):
• Ensure that the office has a strong and integrated Faith and Development strategy that includes staff nurture, integration of program approaches such as Covenant with umbrella church bodies, Celebrating Families, FBFs, etc.
• Model a high standard of personal Christian leadership, ministry and integrity though lifestyle and work relationships, and provide spiritual guidance to staff on the Vision, Mission and WV Core Values.
• Ensure that office leadership is capable to work in interfaith contexts and is familiar with World Vision’s commitments.
• Participate and lead regular devotional meetings. Advocacy and Representation (10%):
• Represent WVK and engage and build strategic alliances with the National and County governments of the country, WVK Board, major donor agencies, WV Partnership, non-governmental agencies, churches and media.
• Develop and implement appropriate advocacy strategies to raise awareness of- and advocate for change in- key issues within Kenya that relate to CWB.
• Lead and facilitate strategies for the promotion of justice that look for the change of unfair structures that oppress those in need.
• Ensure WV is positioned as a leading NGO in promoting the well-being and rights of children within the country context to develop public and stakeholders’ confidence and trust.
• Strengthen awareness of World Vision’s program both within and outside of the WV Partnership.
• Ensure that the WV brand is respected within the country and that all vehicles and facilities are properly branded with standard WV branding.
• Provide leadership, strategic direction and support to the team for developing and implementing a strong donor experience and acquisition of ministry funds.
• Identify new opportunities and forge alliances that lead to optimization of all resources. Safety and Security, Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness (10%):
• Develop and maintain capacity to respond to natural and man-made emergencies.
• Review security and safety plans and protocols (security manual, evacuation plan, Disaster Preparedness Plan, and Risk Assessments at National, Regional and Programme Office levels) and ensure understanding and compliance by all staff and visitors.
• Oversee relief efforts, as and when they arise and work in partnership with response teams. Build in-country relief response capacity to ensure adequate disaster management and response.
• Liaise with other international organizations to collect information about the security environment and, where appropriate, discuss joint responses to security threats. Financial Management and Financial and Operational Audit Compliance (10%):
• Ensure efficient and effective organizational practices that result in successful financial and operational audit scores.
• Ensure action planning and execution to resolve audit findings in an agreed and timely manner. Undertake appropriate reporting of audit results and actions.
• Oversee and ensure strong engagement of leadership in monthly Field Finance Reports (FFRs) and ensure rapid action on issues raised.
• Ensure strong financial compliance through timeliness and completeness of financial reports.
• Ensure strong operational compliance through timeliness and completeness of program/project reports.
• Provide direction for integrating private and public funds to maximize results and respond to community needs in most effective and efficient way.
• Manage overall financial integrity of the program to WV Support Offices donors, the government and other stakeholders.
• Provide overall strategic leadership and initiative for identifying and securing financial resources to support the program. Governance, Compliance and Country Legal Environment (5%):
• Ensure the office complies with local labour law requirements and standards.
• Maintain an external legal counsel that can support WV leadership when required.
• Ensure and oversee proper mechanisms for Child Protection and other WVI standards and principles implementation.
• Ensure that the entity functions in a complementary, cohesive manner where principles of interdependence and twin citizenship guide the contribution made to the Partnership and the use of WV Partnership resources.
• Ensure effective Governance of the NO, ensuring Board & Committee meetings are held and succession planning is effectively managed for effective oversight, insight and foresight by the WVK Board. Resource Development and Management (5%):
• Explore opportunities and facilitate Resource Development business planning. Align with regional and local Grants.
• Acquisition and Management (GAM) team objectives.
• Implement an effective National Resource Development strategy and implementation plan to generate funds locally.
• Execute plan to generate funds from a variety of donors.
• Implement long term and short term programs that create new opportunities for acquisition, retention and transformation of a diverse set of private donors.
• Ensure strong external engagement and visibility of WV Kenya to help promote its work to key donors and acquire greater levels of resource for ministry from a diverse set of donors.
• Ensure strong grants management to create trust and engagement with the donor for accessing future resources and increased credibility. Micro Finance Institution (MFI) Strategic Management (5%):
• As a member of the VISION FUND board, ensure that Vision Fund’s micro-finance ministry is integrated with World Vision’s Ministry to promote fullness of life for children and their communities.
• Facilitate programmatic integration of VISION FUND and APs/ADPs operations. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
• Experience in managing effective and efficient operations of the organization demonstrating sound financial management (e.g. organizations with over 700 staff and an annual total budget of $ 75 million).
• Proven track record of leading multi-cultural teams in complex, culturally and politically-sensitive contexts and/or multi-sectoral emergency response projects.
• Is politically astute and shows strong responsible negotiations skills (especially in dealing with politically sensitive government, donors, staff and internal politics).
• Builds and manages relationships to effectively build trust and influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders (eg colleagues, donors, global partners).
• Adapts behaviours and style to effectively interact with others and creates an environment that supports inclusiveness and diversity.
• Works effectively under pressure and with ambiguity and complex change.
• Negotiates with purpose and integrity and effectively handles multiple demands from many stakeholders.
• Provides a clear and compelling strategic direction for the organization.
• At least 5 years’ experience overseeing a large Government grant, its acquisition and donor engagement.
• Experience in one of major Ministries (Relief, Development, Advocacy), close familiarity with other two.
• Experience in fund raising in general and generating local revenue in particular, Advocacy and public relations and overseeing large Government grant; its acquisition and donor engagement.
• Good knowledge of financial management and accounting principles, financial control principles and tools.
• Experience in Development and/ Emergency and domestic/ international relief as one of major Ministries (Relief, Development, Advocacy), close familiarity with other two.
• Understanding of country political and socio-economic and cultural context achieved within 3 months after assuming the role.
• Ability to work under pressure and make key decisions that impact the safety and wellbeing of WV staff and other assets.
• Good understanding of safety and security rules and regulations.
• Master’s degree in development studies, international development, management, administration or social sciences or equivalent with 10 years’ experience in country level program management. Preferred:
• Experience with large bilateral and multilateral grant acquisition and compliance as well multi-sectorial humanitarian operations.
• Proven Leadership and Management skills.
• Ability to work and travel extensively in country of assignment as well as internationally (Approximately 20-25% of working time).
• Ability to work under pressure and make tough decisions.
• Proven visionary and strategic abilities.
• Achieving quality results and service, practicing accountability and integrity, and communicating information effectively.
• Thinking clearly, deeply and broadly, understanding the humanitarian industry, understanding World Vision’s mission and operations, and practicing innovation and change.
• Building collaborative relationships, practicing gender and cultural diversity, and influencing individuals and groups.
• Supporting World Vision’s Christian identify and commitments, learning for growth and development, and maintaining work/life balance and effectiveness.
• Develops diverse, high-performing teams through effective recruitment, coaching and team-building.
• Role models biblical ethics and principles in action.
• Responsible steward of resources and assets.
• Knowledge of UN humanitarian architecture and donor community. Work Environment/Travel:
• Domestic Travel: 20% Regular internal travel to project areas is required.
• International Travel: 30% international travel will be required.
• Office based however some level of travel is expected within the Kenya Program and to other places. Some travel may be in remote location with minimal facilities.
• Ability to work under pressure and in a stressful environment.
• On call: 10% In emergency and disaster situations, the position will be required to be on-call.
• HEAT (hostile environment awareness training) and SRMT (security risk management training) or a UN equivalent, as appropriate for fragile contexts.

Applicant Types Accepted

Local and International Applicants (IA’s) Accepted