Project Manager at Practical Action Kenya

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Planning, monitoring, and reporting of the project field activities.
• Overseeing the effective implementation and delivery of project activities; ensuring quality
• delivery and performance in line with project objectives and the broader organizational strategies and in close coordination with project partners and other project staff.
• Serve as the budget holder for the project, manage and support delegated sub-budget holders for grants and individual contracts where applicable.
• Contribute to development of tools and methodologies for integrated energy planning.
• Work with the support team to ensure that the project activities are implemented in line with the grant agreement and work schedules in a timely manner and within the budget.
• Lead in the execution of work plans, budget plans, monitoring, evaluation and learning plans, communication plans, and documentation plans.
• Work closely with Impact and Influence team to ensure systematic and gender sensitive monitoring and evaluation and ensure findings are recorded and escalated to guide the continued successful implementation of the project and inform the development of new initiatives.
• Identify project risks, monitor, and update the risk register, as well as execute mitigation plans to minimize the effects of the identified risks.
• Take the lead role in project reporting, ensuring that timely project reports are prepared and shared as per donor requirements.

Coordination and communication-15%

• Coordinate with the national and county governments, partner’s team to deliver agreed technical outputs towards the preparation of the county energy plans, Organize meetings, workshops, and other information dissemination events with different stakeholders as appropriate.
• Coordinate the engagement between energy and nexus sectors for the achievement of integrated planning with energy as an enabler of other sectors.
• Contribute to awareness raising and influencing the public and private sector on the role of energy as an enabler and the need for effective community and private sector engagement during the energy planning process,
• Coordinate and collaborate with other relevant actors for mutual sharing and learning.

Managing Relationships – 10%

• Establish and strengthen key relationships with the donor, national and county governments, private sector, other implementing partners, community networks and other professional contacts outside the organization and explore opportunities for the development of synergies with other ongoing initiatives around a just and inclusive energy transition.
• Maintain relationship with County and National level stakeholders ensuring that transparency at all levels is maintained and project information is communicated to relevant stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Collaborate and contribute to networking with other PA programme partners for learning and adoption of innovative interventions to improve project delivery.

Lead People – 10%

• Supervise, manage and build a motivated project team of Project Officers and consultants to achieve their maximum productivity to ensure the project -outcomes are met.
• Proactively ensure the well-being of team members and ensure they are aware of policies to help manage insecure environments.
• Sensitivity on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion:
• Should have respectful beliefs regardless of their gender, age, sex, race, ethnic background, culture, different ability, nationality, religion, and marital status. Is sensitive and adaptable to gender and social inclusion and adopts inclusive practices. Responds and behaves appropriately in different situations.
• Safeguarding
• It is all staff's shared responsibility and obligation to safeguard and protect populations with whom we work with, including vulnerable adults and children.
• Practical Action believes that it is unacceptable for anyone to experience exploitation or abuse in any form, anywhere. All staff members undergo mandatory Safeguarding training and are expected to always commit/adhere to our Safeguarding Policy whilst working for or on behalf of Practical Action.

PERSON PROFILE

• To be successful in the role, the ideal candidate should meet the following requirements:

Experience & Knowledge

• Essential
• A Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in Energy, Environmental Studies, Economics, policy, Engineering, Project Management, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of integrated energy planning, energy access, and its intersection with climate, agriculture, water, and other development sectors.
• Familiarity with gender-sensitive programming, safeguarding, and inclusive development approaches.
• Proficiency in project management tools, budget tracking, and report writing.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in project management, preferably in the energy access, climate change, or development sectors.
• Proven experience in planning, implementing, and reporting on donor-funded projects (experience with UKPACT, FCDO, or similar donors is a strong asset).
• Experience in working with government agencies, development partners, and private sector actors at national and county levels.
• Demonstrated success in managing budgets, contracts, and grant compliance.