Head of Programs at Kalobeyei Initiative for Better Life (KI4BLI)

Key Responsibilities  
Strategic Program Leadership & Design  

• Lead the development and refinement of KI4BLI’s program strategy in line with the organization’s vision, mission, and evolving context. 
• Guide the design of high-quality, evidence-based, and scalable programs and projects. 
• Ensure that cross-cutting themes (safeguarding, gender equality, inclusion, accountability, environmental sustainability) are integrated into all interventions. 

Program Management, Quality & Learning  

• Provide oversight and support to Program/Project Coordinators to ensure timely, effective, and compliant implementation. 
• Establish and maintain program quality standards, tools, and operating procedures. 
• Work closely with M&E to strengthen results frameworks, indicator tracking, and use of data for decision-making and adaptation. 
• Promote a culture of learning, reflection, and continuous improvement, including documentation of lessons learned, case studies, and good practices. 

Team Leadership & Capacity Strengthening  

• Line-manage program leads and coordinators, providing regular coaching, performance management, and professional development support. 
• Build the capacity of program teams in project cycle management, market systems approaches, protection-sensitive programming, and partnership management. 
• Foster a collaborative, ethical, and inclusive team culture that centers refugee and host community leadership. 

Partnerships, Representation & Resource Mobilization  

• Represent KI4BLI in strategic coordination forums, consortia, and with key stakeholders (government, UN agencies, NGOs, private sector, and community 
• structures). 
• Strengthen partnerships that expand market access, livelihoods, and service delivery for refugees and host communities. 
• Support resource mobilization through concept note and proposal development, donor engagement, and strategic positioning of KI4BLI’s program models. 

Compliance, Risk Management & Safeguarding  

• Ensure adherence to donor requirements, contractual obligations, and KI4BLI policies across all programs. 
• Identify programmatic and operational risks and work with relevant teams to implement mitigation measures. 
• Champion safeguarding, accountability, and ethical standards, ensuring safe, dignified, and rights-respecting programming. 
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the organization. 

Qualifications & Experience  

• Master’s degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Business/Management, Humanitarian Affairs, or a related field; a Bachelor’s degree with strong relevant experience may be considered. 
• At least 7–10 years of progressive experience in program management/leadership in humanitarian, development, or social enterprise settings, with at least 3 years in a senior management role. 
• Proven experience in livelihoods, market systems, entrepreneurship, or self-reliance 
• programming for refugees and/or host communities. 
• Strong track record in program design, proposal development, donor compliance, and grant management (e.g. UN, bilateral, foundations). 
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives. 
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to operate effectively in dynamic, resource-constrained environments. 
• Strong communication, representation, and relationship-building skills with communities, partners, and donors. 
• High integrity, accountability, and commitment to localization, community leadership, and Do No Harm principles. 
• Experience working in refugee settings and/or the ASAL regions of Kenya is a strong asset.