Country Director at Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE)

Key Responsibilities: 

Leadership and Program Implementation

• Develop, manage, and execute CIPE Kenya's program strategy, programs, and work plans in coordination with Africa Regional Hub and Program and strategic innovation and impact teams in HQ.
• Oversee the implementation of CIPE’s diverse program portfolio in and remote operations in Kenya.
• Provide expert perspectives on the political and economic contexts in Kenya to inform program strategy and delivery
• Provide expert strategic, technical, and capacity-building assistance to implementing partners of CIPE programs.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks, establishing benchmarks, and measuring goals and objectives.
• Monitor current events, including political and economic developments, assessing their impact on CIPE programs.

Public Relations and Business Development

• Identify and cultivate new opportunities and partnerships in the country, in coordination with HQ and the Regional Hub’s business development efforts. 
• Contribute to concept development, country and regional scoping, and proposal inputs that align with CIPE’s thematic priorities. 
• Provide political and operational insights to support effective donor engagement and project design. 
• Build and strengthen relationships within the donor community in Kenya.
• Promote the CIPE brand by attending and speaking at conferences, official meetings, and relevant events.

Program Team Management 

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing in-country program team that reflects CIPE’s values and mission. 
• Supervise and support the professional development of program teams, setting performance goals, and assigning responsibilities following HR policies and processes.
• In coordination with the Human Resources teams in the Regional Hub Office and HQ, oversee recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and staff development for all in-country programmatic of all CIPE staff based in Kenya.
• Foster a collaborative and supportive work culture within the hub and across field presence in the region. 

Operational Management and Compliance 

• Ensure compliance with CIPE and donor policies, procedures, and Kenyan legal requirements (e.g., employment, tax, and social security).
• Upon request by Hub Office or HQ functional team leads, support in-country program administration, operations, procurement, budgeting, risk management, and security protocols.
• Manage country program financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, including ensuring financial and tax compliance.
• Manage country program budgets and expenditures, ensuring alignment with program goals and financial standards. 

Qualifications: 

• University degree or an Advanced degree in International Development, International Relations, Law, Political Science, Economics, Public Administration, or a related field, or equivalent work experience. Professional training in management is preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in private sector development, governance reform or related functions including managing projects and program portfolios and teams. 
• Reliable understanding of the political, economic, and institutional dynamics in the country. 
• Proven ability to build and maintain a diverse network of development partners particularly in the private sector, civil society and the policy making space in Kenya and internationally.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing impactful programs with NGOs, businesses, associations, and governments.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills, with a proven ability to represent an organization to high-level stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated experience in program design, donor engagement, and organizational representation. 
• Experience working on issues related to business advocacy, organizational management, digital economy, trade and investment, women economic empowerment, business integrity and corporate governance.
• Strong financial acumen and the ability to develop, manage, and monitor budgets.
• Proven ability to work in a remote team environment and manage organizational growth and sustainability.
• Minimum of 5 years experience managing donor relationships.
• Minimum of 5 years experience managing donor relationships especially U.S. government-funded programs (e.g., NED, DRL) and working with international donors is preferred. 
• Strong organizational and financial management skills. 
• Fluency in professional written and spoken English; Swahili proficiency is preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively within Kenya and the region.
• Legal authorization to work in Kenya is required.