Kenya Devolution Programme (KDP) Deputy Team Leader at Save the Children

Role Purpose

Save the Children is seeking a Deputy Team Leader for the anticipated FCDO Kenya Devolution Programme (KDP). The role holder will support the Team Leader to oversee the overall consortium’s deliverables in the project.  S/he will provide leadership in ensuring achievement of project’s overall deliverables.  The project aims to strengthen the effectiveness of Kenya’s devolution process, specifically to improve development results by strengthening effective, open and accountable County Governments that improve service delivery and reduce poverty. This will be done through strengthening the functions of county governments, improving intergovernmental relations, enhancing citizens’ engagement and public participation. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly. This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.

Contract Duration: 12 months with possibility of extension subject to funding and performance.

No of Vacancies: One (1) Position

Reporting to: Team Leader  

Location: Nairobi

Nationality: Kenya Nationals only

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Technical assistance and capacity building

• Provide leadership in setting priorities in designing and managing the implementation of the project’s activities in collaboration with the other technical advisors and the implementation team, and updating the Team Leader on progress.
• Provide leadership for Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement measures in governance work.
• Review and analyze data for performance monitoring and utilize the data to take corrective actions.
• Provide leadership in ensuring the KDP is implemented on budget, on time and with quality

Oversight and Management KDP Project Operations

• Responsible for overall coordination, line management and support of the Project, and ensure that: Project has an up-to-date work plan, in line with the approved annual Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) and phased budget.
• Ensure project receives adequate support from Country office support functions (supply chain, HR, Admin, Awards and Finance) to deliver high quality programme. 
• Ensure gaps are identified, prioritized, and communicated to the stakeholders effectively. Project has standardized systems, policies and procedures in place, well understood by all staff and implemented accordingly in the project.

Oversight of Grants and Finance Management:

• In close coordination with Award and Finance team, ensure that all programs progress in accordance with grant agreements, are completed within time, budget, and quality.
• Ensure compliance with all grant provisions and timely fulfilment of all project programmatic reporting requirements including donor reports and internal reports such as pipeline analyses and monthly reports.
• Oversee timely expenditure of approved budgets, avoiding both underspending and overspending on grant line items, and implementing plans for expenditure modification.
• Coordinate activities and prepare results reports, resource request and pipeline analyses.

Representation and advocacy

• Represent the project in relevant internal and external fora including donor meetings (as appropriate)
• Supports stakeholder engagement with communities, CSOs, national and county Governments and foster strong relationships and collaboration of other key stakeholders.
• Work with consortium members to further KDP’s vision.

People management, mentoring and development

• Ensure the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate; ensure availability of and support appropriate professional development opportunities for staff in the project
• Incorporate staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems into team building process.

Assessment, monitoring, evaluation, and documentation

• Facilitate the annual work planning process in close collaboration the government teams and the project staff
• Ensure technical and administrative compliance with donor requirements
• Oversee narrative and financial reports for donor(s), ensuring these are of a high quality and submitted for review in a timely manner.
• Monitor KDP program outputs and results and work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Research team and FCDO MEL partner to ensure that results are documented and reported accurately and in a timely manner.
• Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Research team and take a lead in ensuring that all KDP components have robust monitoring plans, baselines, reviews and evaluations in line with the project design and donor guidelines
• Facilitate appropriate documentation and dissemination of learnings, analyses, and good practices documentations in the project internally and externally to donors, governments, consortium partners and other key actors.

Qualifications and Experience

• A postgraduate qualification in governance, leadership, public administration, public policy, development studies or any relevant qualification.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant technical experience in devolved governance projects in Kenya or similar context
• Minimum of 5 years of expertise managing large and complex grants (ideally UK Government), working in a consortium, managing multiple partners and sub-contracting organizations.
• Excellent experience in external representation with donors, local/national governments, communities, and partners
• Strong understanding of existing policies, laws, planning and public finance planning processes in Kenya at national and county level
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, adapting and innovating where necessary, and defining a clear way forward and ensuring buy in
• Ability to extensively travel for project monitoring and provide on-site technical support to field teams 
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Highly developed cultural and political awareness and ability to work well in an international and matrix management environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
• Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
•  Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required
•  Commitment to Save the Children values