Programme Manager at Basel Institute on Governance

Place of work: Nairobi, Kenya

Start date: September 2022 or shortly thereafter

Employment rate: 100%

Contract duration: 1 year (with potential for extension)

Reporting: HQ-based Programme Officer, ICAR

Number of reportees: 2 office drivers

Open to: Kenyan nationals/residents with valid work permit

About the International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR)

ICAR is a specialist centre of the Basel Institute on Governance that works with countries around the world to strengthen their capacities to recover stolen assets. Particular emphasis is placed on hands-on mentoring to assist practitioners from law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities to conduct financial investigations, develop suitable strategies for the prosecution of corruption offences, and to identify, restrain and confiscate proceeds of crime.

ICAR also supports legislative and institutional reform processes, develops and delivers tailor-made training, and works with other international organisations to advance innovation and global policy dialogue on asset recovery.

With funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), ICAR is supporting Kenya’s efforts to further strengthen its asset recovery system. To that end, it is providing technical assistance to Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the Courts.

Responsibilities

The Programme Manager will provide financial management, administrative, and operational support to the Kenya programme. She/he will also contribute to the technical management of the programme under the leadership of the in-country ICAR Coordinator for East and Southern Africa. In addition, the Programme Manager will support ICAR headquarter-based Programme Officers in the management of projects in countries where no resident Programme Manager is in place, and ensure that ICAR programmes are delivered in line with donor requirements and regulations as well as the Basel Institute’s policies and procedures.

Whilst the post holder will ultimately report formally to the HQ-based Programme Officer, she/ he will be supervised on a day-to-day basis and take direction from the in-country ICAR Coordinator for East and Southern Africa. She/he will also work closely with designated technical and other key project staff at both headquarters and in field offices. The key responsibilities and associated tasks are as follows:

Financial management (Kenya programme)

• Design, monitor, and manage the programme budget;
• Lead on financial forecasting and reporting;
• Conduct the local accounting for all financial transactions conducted through the Kenya office in support of the programme;
• Prepare and submit the local office’s quarterly financial reports to HQ according to the Basel Institute’s policies and procedures and donor regulations;
• Ensure sufficient supporting documentation is obtained and transmitted for all financial transactions, in line with Basel Institute’s policies and procedures and donor regulations;
• Support ICAR in the preparation of programme audits and reviews;

Administration and operations support (Kenya programme)

• Administer and manage the local office (space and premises), including all associated office and programme delivery infrastructure;
• Book venues for workshops and similar programme-related events;
• Procure and administer local service suppliers in line with the Basel Institute’s procurement policy;
• In coordination with the in-country technical advisory team, coordinate deployments by short-term experts (including assistance with accommodation, transport, etc.);
• Manage ICAR’s vehicle fleet and office drivers in accordance with the Basel Institute’s policies and procedures.

Technical management (Kenya programme)

• Support the in-country technical advisory team to draft programme reports, including quarterly and/or annual update reports;
• Support the in-country technical advisory team to monitor progress against the programme’s goals through M&E tools etc., in close coordination with the HQ-based M&E Lead;
• Support the HQ-based Programme Officer to manage programme risks by maintaining risk registers and working with technical advisory teams to implement mitigating measures;
• Support the in-country technical advisory team with stakeholder management, including Government of Kenya, development partners, and Kenyan civil society organisations.

Support for ICAR’s regional programmes

• Support ICAR experts and Programme Officers in the development of funding proposals;
• Provide logistical and procurement support to the delivery of specific programme activities as may be required;
• Contribute to identification and mitigation of key risks associated with the delivery of donor contracts and grants;
• Support the financial administration and financial reporting of ICAR programmes;
• Ensure the efficient and cost effective use of financial resources and that local procurement decisions are made in in line with Basel Institute’s policies and procedures and donor regulations;
• Support technical advisory teams to draft programme reports, including quarterly and/or annual update reports;
• Support the in-country technical advisory teams to monitor progress against programmes’ goals through M&E tools etc., in close coordination with the HQ-based M&E Lead.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor-level degree (Master’s degree an advantage);
• Six years of progressively responsible programme management experience;
• Prior experience working on donor-funded international development programmes required, preferably in governance and/or anti-corruption programming;
• Demonstrable experience managing budgets, finances, and forecasting;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including the ability to produce cogently and succinctly written progress reports, edit the work of experts, and represent the programme adequately to a variety of stakeholders;
• Basic knowledge of M&E processes and tools;
• Ability to build effective and credible client relationships and networks including with a range of multicultural stakeholders (remotely and in-person);
• High degree of organisational ability, including working well under pressure and a strong track-record meeting tight deadlines;
• Superior computer skills including the full Microsoft suite, especially Excel;
• Experience with project management tools (basic project accounting an advantage);
• The successful applicant will demonstrate that they meet the requirements under Kenyan law to work in Kenya.

Remuneration package

The salary will be commensurate to experience and responsibility. The position is entitled to an allowance for health insurance, and 25 days of paid leave per 12-month period.