Project Director, Action for Paid Childcare Sector Transformation (Kenya) at World University Service of Canada

• The Project Director (PD) oversees all aspects of the ACT project in Kenya and Malawi to ensure it is a learning initiative, with the ability to innovate, adapt and produce high-quality outcomes. The PD has overall responsibility for programme strategy, results and reporting, maintaining technical rigor in intervention design, and driving a high performance and learning-oriented culture. The PD is also responsible for budgeting, monitoring and communicating results, and managing risks to project performance. This is closely linked to ensuring a strong and productive relationship between ACT, its partners, Global Affairs Canada, and other WUSC programming. The PD translates the funders’ objectives and research findings into relevant interventions that deliver results and value for money. They drive innovation and adaptation, providing strategy, technical and project leadership, as well as guidance and performance management to an international and interdisciplinary team split across Kenya and Malawi.
• The Project Director for ACT will report to the Director of Program Management and Operations and work closely with the Kenya Deputy Director and Malawi Country Director. The Project Director will be responsible for the following:

Vision and Strategy

• Oversee the development of ACT’s strategic documents (Annual Work Plan, Annual Report, Market System Strategies) and communications products
• Define and evolve the organizational structure of ACT including Country Teams, inter-country working groups, in-country and shared management positions
• Create a culture that balances control/compliance with innovation, embracing risk and dynamic organizational structures

Technical innovation

• Drive innovation and adaptation in Market Systems Development (MSD) to child care systems. Refine and adapt tools and techniques of a systems approach to work with ACT’s context
• Ensure that innovation and learning is shared across countries and stakeholders in a way that leverages ACT’s multi-country model and WUSC’s country office structure
• Provide strategic direction to the program’s monitoring and results measurement (MERL) agenda to ensure it delivers real time market intelligence to the team and other stakeholders
• Develop specific strategies for cross-cutting themes (capacity building, gender equality, private sector engagement, environmental sustainability) for the initiative

Leadership and culture

• Take the lead in developing a team culture that promotes teamwork, critical enquiry and creativity, which brings together different skills to generate innovative development solutions
• Provide strategic oversight of ACT’s learning and capacity building agenda
• Identify current and future talent requirements, competencies, risks and opportunities to ensure that the ACT attracts the caliber of staff required to fulfill its objectives
• Work with colleagues and partners to ensure the effective mobilization, orientation and coaching of volunteers and technical advisors

Partner Relations and Communications

• Establish and maintain effective relationships between key project partners, including those based in Kenya and Malawi
• Establish a strong working relationship with the Donor, including planning, capacity building and information sharing
• Develop robust relationships with project stakeholders, including relevant governments, financial institutions, investors, consultants and civil society organizations
• Organize and manage governance structures / committees
• Represent WUSC among stakeholders, ensuring that the ACT project can provide value to local actors and make a positive impact within the entrepreneurial ecosystem

Technical Direction & Project Management 

• Provide technical and managerial direction and guidance to the initiative, in line with the project’s expected outcomes
• Ensure focus on gender equality outcomes and deliverables
• Oversee day-to-day coordination and delivery of project activities in conjunction with staff, technical advisors, volunteers and partners

Monitoring & Evaluation 

• Stay apprised of developments in key markets of interest to the project and develop systems for monitoring changes and adaptations in these markets over time
• Regularly monitor progress towards results, ensuring appropriate course correction and iterative management
• Work with team members to produce regular reports to key stakeholders, including the donor agency
• Maintain regular communication with WUSC colleagues in Canada and with key overseas partners to ensure appropriate support

Human Resources Management 

• Manage the project teams in Kenya and Malawi
• Supervise, guide and evaluate the work of project staff and consultants

Financial oversight

• Works closely with the Finance team to establish and oversee a financial management system for the project
• In conjunction with the finance and project teams, develop and monitor the project budget and ensure regular reporting to the donor 

Donor Liaison & Coordination

• Convene Project Steering and Advisory Committees at regular intervals
• Coordinate regularly with other development actors to ensure harmonization and synergy with similar initiatives
• Represent the Project in official communication and fora

Qualifications:

Education

• A university degree in international development, business administration, finance or other relevant area
• Specialized training in entrepreneurship support, financial inclusion, gender  and/or the care economy would be an advantage

Experience and Competencies

• A minimum of ten years of progressively more responsible assignments related to management of development initiatives
• Knowledge and experience in entrepreneurship ecosystem support, gender lens investment and financial inclusion.
• Previous experience with the market systems development approach strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience in managing diverse teams and building a culture of curiosity and learning
• Knowledge of  Results Based Management (RBM) and environmental and gender policies and reporting requirements preferred
• Proven technical, financial, administrative and organizational skills
• Proven experience managing a large, multi-disciplinary and international  team of staff
• Diplomatic skills and the knowledge of cross-cultural, interpersonal communication
• Proven experience of adaptability to a challenging and constantly changing environment requiring iterative planning on a regular basis
• Proven knowledge of and commitment to the concepts of Gender Equality
• Experience in capacity building with local partner organizations and a commitment to a participatory partnership approach to development.
• Ability to travel internationally as required (especially to Malawi)
• Ability to work a flexible schedule with multiple time zones