Director, Centre of Excellence FGM/C at Amref Kenya

Reporting to the Technical Director, the job holder will provide strategic leadership. This will involve programme development and growth, while building strong external relations and partnerships. The incumbent will be the face of the CoE and of Amref’s work on FGM/C and as such will strengthen its positioning as a key player in the field of ending FGM/C in Africa. In addition, the incumbent will be responsible for seeking and implementing strategic advice and counsel from the CoE Steering Committee.

Key Responsibilities Main Tasks

External relations

Represent Amref in international events and high-level stages on FGM/C and ensure strong advocacy and positioning of the organization and the CoE on the topic of FGM/C

Key Deliverable 1

• To build strategic partnerships with key players in the field of human rights and community-led development, particularly those working on ending FGM/C
• Proactively establish strong partnerships with potential donors, civil society partners and multilateral institutions and agencies
• Guide and supervise the Global Ambassador on ending FGM/C with the aim of enhancing the impact and fundraising outcomes of international public relations engagements taken

Key Deliverable 2

• To coordinate and lead joint fundraising initiativesfor FGM/C programmes with all relevant Amref units and offices through the CoE, working towards sustainable funding for scale-up of impact
• Coordinate and liaise with Business Development and relevant Northern Offices to identify and follow up on all relevant fundraising opportunities for FGM/C
• Leading the development and execution of a fundraising strategy for the CoE, together with the Global Ambassador on ending FGM/C

Leadership and management

• Lead the CoE core team, pillars and country teams in the CoE towards increased efficiency and alignment to ensure impact.
• Responsible for ensuring that CoE results are achieved and scaled-up to meet up to and surpass donor expectations
• Responsible for creating an effective, agile and results-oriented CoE that works towards the Amref vision of ending FGM/C
• Rally, engage and influence all relevant Amref units and offices working on FGM/C under the CoE umbrella, ensuring alignment and strong collaboration
• Proactively engage Steering Committee members in strategic matters such as fundraising and seek their approval for major decisions affecting the CoE in the long term

Vision

• Proactively seek out new ways of achieving impact including developing pilots, testing new approaches and promoting innovation at all levels
• Update and apply the Amref vision to end FGM/C by 2030 to all CoE activities, emphasizing analytical thinking in all programme design and implementation
• Provide strategic direction to CoE and related offices in line with set out priorities and focus areas

Required Qualifications

Education and Knowledge

• Masters’ degree in relevant field of study;
• Post graduate study and associated experience in business or project management an added advantage;
• Leadership and team management experience required;
• Strong knowledge In-depth knowledge and work experience on FGM issues globally
• Experience on gender, women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights

Experience

• At least 15 years in programme or project management in Africa;
• Demonstrated experience with managing complex projects;
• Demonstrated ability to manage a team effectively and bring people together;
• Demonstrated ability to understand and clearly communicate to all members of a project team;
• Experience managing and coordinating project teams;
• Proven skills of working with people from different cultural backgrounds;
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomacy, written/oral communications and presentation skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Strong strategic planning skills;
• Prior experience with Amref Health Africa is a plus.
• Proven experience in networking with Wide networks

Competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Strong organisational and political sensitivity and awareness
• Strong communicator
• Persuasive and inspiring
• Ability to link, connect and bring together
• Integrity, commitment and respect for diversity
• Proactive leader demonstrated by previous professional experience
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Excellent writing and reporting skills
• Resource Mobilization
• Research capability

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• Travel: This position will require frequent international travel