Program Director at Cedar Consulting Ltd

Role Objective

The Program Director is the lead for all projects and program related activities in CPHD. Working closely with the Executive team, Senior Management Team and all the relevant stakeholders, the
Program Director is expected to successfully ensure effective management of donor funded projects while driving the program to sustainability through leveraging on the existing organizational structures to cover operational costs that are not directly grant funded and mentoring teams on cost effective grant management practices. The role will also deputize the Executive Director
The role requires an experienced and dynamic individual with first hand international development experience of over 5 years, international donor expertise and highly developed writing and communication skills. The role is varied and offers the opportunity to develop internal and country specific donor strategies, engage donor representatives, lead project designs including teaming and support in developing first class proposals and budgets to build internal capacity.

Program Leadership

• Provide leadership and guidance to the teams; motivate and coach departmental staff members and direct reports in particular.
• Ensure that all departmental members operate with a high degree of accountability and professionalism.
• Set and regularly review departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and those for direct reports. By working through direct reports ensure that all team members have updated KPIs that are regularly monitored and discussed; ensure that all CPHD policies and procedures are adhered to meet donor compliance requirements.
•  Ensure appropriate succession planning within the program
• Ensure a high degree of cooperation, coordination and participation in the related company activities and other departments.
• Develop tracking systems (e.g., dashboards, reporting templates, management dashboards) to track key performance areas on a monthly basis; use data to inform decision making, policy, and allocation of technical resources.
• Manage recruitment, team motivation, and support of personal and professional development of all directorate staff in collaboration with the Human Resource Department.
• Lead on the selection and recruitment of departmental team members, alongside HR; ensure the availability of all relevant staff, participate in interviews and contract negotiations with these professionals as needed.
• Ensure the structure of the directorate is fit for purpose and that all roles and responsibilities are relevant to the needs and demands of the program and clearly communicated to team members. ·
•  Ensure that departmental (and activity, donor and other) budgets are accurate, well-monitored, expenditure per activity plans and priorities are fully compliance with internal financial and procurement polices requirements.

Business Development and Design, Planning and Project Execution:

• Ensure high service standards to donors, stakeholders and partners; effectively represent CPHD, ensure timely and quality project management and donor reporting, foster strong NGO and private sector partnerships, and strengthen the capacity of team members to represent, manage and report on projects while ensuring that that all donor projects are managed strictly according to donor contracts and requirements.
• Work closely with the Executive to identify opportunities and raise new donor funds.
• Lead development of high-quality proposals
• Ensure the program develops local business development strategies and work plans with a particular focus on delivering program sustainability and efficiency, achieving project objectives.
• Ensure that strategic plan targets and objectives are met and per schedule across the program to enhance sustainability, implementation of projects while providing guidance and initiating corrective action where needed.
• Working with the Executive, SMT and relevant managers, to support the development of organizational annual work plans.
• Ensure effective external communications to attract international and local funding and enhance advocacy and communicate progress to relevant government agencies, partners and relevant stakeholders.
• Develop a clear annual implementation plan in consultation with heads of departments
• Ensure high quality standards are maintained and high levels client and stakeholder satisfaction achieved across all implementation projects.
• Working closely with RM&E teams, ensure accurate data for dissemination to donors and stakeholders

Operational Efficiency

• Ensure high standards of operational efficiency and effectiveness are provided across the program and transparent systems are in place.
• Ensure all teams strictly comply with organizational policies and procedures relating to, income and expenditure, and the management of stock, equipment, and assets. · ·

Collaboration:

• Foster strong working relationships with other departments to ensure they provide appropriate support to the program
• Support positive engagement with external stakeholders and ensure effective CPHD representation at county and national level with government, donors, project partners and other stakeholders.
• Work closely with the executive to identify and respond to new business development opportunities – both donor and corporate.
• Ensure Programs teams are fostering strong county, and community relations and maintain good relationships with important county and community leaders
• CPHD teams are kept informed of program development and progress; all internal stakeholders are engaged appropriately; decisions are taking with appropriate input and respect for authority levels. Stakeholders and partners hold CPHD in high regard.
• External partners are kept informed and engaged appropriately.
• Highly visible representation of CPHD at key meetings and events.

Qualifications

•  Minimum of five years senior management experience
• Minimum of two years management in an international context
• Postgraduate Degree in the relevant field

Experience

•  Significant programming and business experience in a developing country context
•  Significant senior management experience including working with government and institutional donors
• Extensive grants cycle management experience
• Significant external relations experience
• Demonstrable results-based management experience
• Experience in developing and maintaining work relationships with donors, governments and development partners

Skills

• Strong relationship management skills and negotiation skills
• Significant experience in securing high value contract from donors including bilateral donors
• Experience in working with the Kenyan government health system
• Proven abilities in working with multiple sectors and stakeholders to achieve programmatic and financial results.
• Knowledge of/experience with programs that are health oriented
• Demonstrated technical management, supervision and leadership experience, especially related to team building and mentoring a diverse and multicultural staff
• Excellent analytical, organizational and creative problem-solving thinking skills
• Comfortable working in a fluid and complex environment