Project Director, Strengthening Skills Training Ecosystems & Pathways in Kenya (STEP) Project at World University Service of Canada

The Project Director for STEP will report to the Kenya Country Director, and will be responsible for the following:

Vision and Strategy

• Oversee the development of STEP’s strategic documents (Annual Work Plan, Annual Report, Market System Strategies) and communications products.
• 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 TVET systems for youth employment. Refine and adapt tools and techniques of a systems approach to work with STEP’s context.
• Ensure that innovation and learning is shared across WUSC’s programming and in-country stakeholders.
• Provide strategic direction to the program’s monitoring and results measurement (MERL) agenda to ensure it delivers real time 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 STEP’s learning and capacity building agenda.
• Identify current and future talent requirements, competencies, risks and opportunities to ensure that the STEP 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 in Kenya and internally;
• Establish a strong working relationship with the Donor, including planning, capacity building and information sharing; 
• Develop robust relationships with project stakeholders, including relevant governments, private sector actors, consultants and civil society organizations;
• Organize and manage governance structures / committees;
• Represent WUSC among stakeholders, ensuring that the STEP project can provide value to local actors and make a positive impact within the digital and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Technical Direction & Project Management 

• Provide technical and managerial direction and guidance to the initiative, in line with the project’s expected outcomes; 
• 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 team in Kenya;
• Supervise, guide and evaluate the work of project staff and consultants;

Financial oversight

• Work 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 AND COMPETENCIES

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 digital 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, forced displacement, and/or TVET. 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;