Country Manager at Christian Aid

About the Role

This role brings dynamic leadership to Christian Aid’s programme in Kenya, enabling us to work in partnership with others to contribute significantly to the change we want to see: individuals and communities living in dignity, free from poverty and need; economic, political and social systems transformed to remove power imbalances and other root causes of poverty and inequality; and movements of individuals and communities speaking out against poverty and injustice so that everyone can experience life in all its fullness. The role also champions the operational excellence of Christian Aid’s Kenya programme ensuring that staff capabilities, the quality of our programmes, our financial resilience and digital capability all work effectively together to realise Christian Aid’s vision, goals and ambition.

About you

Do you have the passion, knowledge, and experience to support Christian Aid in eradicating poverty in Kenya? Do you have the leadership and programme development skills to take a successful country programme to new heights of performance and impact? Can you build effective partnerships across all sectors – civil society, faith institutions, local and national government, private sector, aid community?

You could be working for a multi-national company and looking for a job which is just as challenging but infinitely more rewarding. Or you could be feeling your ambition and entrepreneurial flair are being stifled by a traditional NGO environment. Whatever you are doing, wherever you are, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a natural leader and skilled professional to use your talent to mobilise people and resources and make a very real difference to those living in poverty.

As Country Manager you will bring entrepreneurial skills to develop new opportunities, alliances and partnerships to help bring about the end of poverty. You will have excellent people and performance management skills. Your experience in programme management needs to be matched by your ability to act as an ambassador for Christian Aid and your commitment to advocacy and communications. You will have a proactive approach to leading and delivering the changes needed to ensure we maximize the quality and impact of our Kenya country programme. You will be committed to your own learning and development, and that of your team and the wider organization. You will have strong abilities in strategic planning and implementation. And you will have a clear vision and passion to make a lasting contribution to the eradication of poverty in Kenya.

You will need to demonstrate the ability to build team spirit and the ability to work to tight deadlines while undertaking multiple priorities. You will also have excellent planning and organizational skills and have good interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communication, and making decisions regarding the day to day running of the administrative and financial functions within the country office. A minimum of a tertiary degree in development studies or related field is required, while post graduate training in management is desirable

Further information

This role requires applicants to have the right to work in the country where this position is based. Kenyan Nationals and permanent residents are encouraged to apply.

Contract terms: Initial contract is fixed term for 3yrs. Renewal subject to performance and availability of funding.

We value diversity and aspire to reflect this in its workforce. We welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, irrespective of race, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

You can expect a wide range of rewards and benefits and flexibility that will ensure you enjoy a good work/life balance.

Competency questions

As part of your application you will be asked to demonstrate your suitability by giving answers to the following questions:

Question 1: Communicate effectively

Tell us about a time when you had to apply a range of negotiating and influencing skills to secure agreement with a diverse group of people or stakeholders where there was little common ground? What was the situation? What was the particular challenge? Why were advanced skills needed? What was your specific role? What strategies did you employ? Why? How effective were they? What were the results? Did you secure an agreement? If so, what was the critical factor? What did you learn from the experience?

Question 2: Steward resources

Please tell us about a time when you had to coordinate work where there were conflicting demands on both time and resources and where you had to negotiate and adapt resources requirements accordingly: What was the context? What were the conflicting demands? What was your role? What was expected of you? What action(s) did you take? Why? How? What were the results? In what way(s) were you successful? How did you know?

Question 3: Strive for improvement

Please give us an example of a time when you encouraged your team members to identify more creative and innovative solutions to problem: What was the context? Why did you want to encourage this kind of creativity? What solutions were identified? What were the results of your actions?