Senior Program Manager - THRIVE 2030 Kenya Project at World Vision Kenya

Duties and Responsibilities

THRIVE Strategic Management and Technical Support

• Provide effective and innovative overall coordination and technical leadership of the THRIVE Project in the design and implementation of interventions focusing on Empowered World View, Savings for Transformation, Inclusive Market System Development and Financial linkages (Vision Fund Kenya)
• Facilitate effective transition of the participating projects as per the transition plans
• In liaison with the national level technical team, provide planning guidelines and offer technical leadership in the development of the various projects’ annual implementation plans and budgets for sustained co-funding
• Provide effective technical support to field project teams on roll out of the various components of the THRIVE project through close consultation with the Technical Program teams and the national level and cluster/grant project managers
• In liaison with the national technical teams, project managers, field officers and the DMEAL coordinator, develop and review monthly project progress to timely project execution as per WVK and WVUS expectations and accountability frameworks.
• Provide spiritual leadership and model a high standard of personal Christian ministry and integrity, by supporting spiritual development of the team.
• Ensure that business processes, standards and guidelines related to Livelihood & resilience initiatives are effectively applied by field programs
• Coordinate and participate in regular calls with WVUS and provide program progress reports and answers to queries related to THRIVE Project implementation
• Ensure program compliance with World Vision and donor guidelines, policies, business processes and bring any issues of risk, liability, or fraud to the immediate attention of your supervisor.
• Participate in resource mobilisation related initiatives, i.e., the development of timely and accurate funding proposals in line with support office requirements and WVK standards in collaboration with the team and other sector specialists.
• In close collaboration with the People & Culture Department, support staff recruitment, retention, performance management, mentorship, and coaching for THRIVE Project Staff.
• Assess and facilitate capacity building of THRIVE staff on technical modules, through trainings, workshops, on the Job training, technical backstopping for enhanced capacity in economic development
• Enhancing farmers and staff capacity on financial literacy, Agribusiness, entrepreneurship, Business incubation, Business Development Services, product pricing, aggregation, collective marketing and negotiation skills as well as on-farm and off-farm local value chain development
• Ensure strategic alignment and effective integration with sponsorship programming, grant-funded initiatives for complementarity to deliver cohesive, compliant, and impact-driven interventions.

THRIVE Quality Assurance, Monitoring Evaluation, Documentation and Learning

• Oversee development and dissemination of annual planning guidelines that will support delivery of the THRIVE objectives in collaboration with the national level technical team
• Working closely with the DMEAL coordinator, ensure accurate and quality Detailed Implementation Plans (DIP) for the program for respective sites are in place and is utilized in all sites.
• Working closely with the DMEAL coordinator, generate Quality & Accurate quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports informed by Monthly Management Reports and in line with support office requirements and regulations.
• In collaboration with the DMEAL coordinator, support the program field sites to develop and maintain households tracking using the project digital platforms
• Work with the DMEAL Coordinator to ensure the appropriate accountability, monitoring and evaluation tools are developed and are utilized in a timely manner.
• Ensure compliance with all support office data entry requirements including learning appropriate MIS systems and building capacity of project staff for necessary data collection and entry in coordination with the MEAL Coordinator
• In liaison with the DMEAL coordinator and the field program managers, develop a regular schedule for monitoring and support visits and organize reflection and learning forums.
• In consultation with the DMEAL coordinator, project managers and communications officer, develop context specific electronic and appropriate documentation on best practice and lessons learned.
• Develop a risk register to ensure risk mitigation in implementation and ensure accountability.
• Ensure that findings and recommendations from various accountability mechanisms such as Peer Review, Operational and Finance Audits, Program evaluations, Program Capability Reviews, are acted upon in a timely and effective manner.
• Coordinate the program’s research and learning agenda in close collaboration with identified academic partners and support office.

THRIVE Advocacy, Networking, Collaboration & Partnerships

• Strengthening engagements with financial institutions for capacity development and financial access among the S4T groups
• Market actors mapping per AP and development of engagement plan and platforms such as Business to Business for enhanced farmers’ profitability along key value chains.
• Mapping of key buyers at the Field & National level and fostering buyer seller agreements with farmers for maximum profitability
• Engagements with respective counties and National government for more investment in infrastructure development to support Inclusive Markey System development
• Establish and sustain working relationships with key THRIVE stakeholders including digitizing partners, local value chain and financial actors
• Coordinate as applicable sector integration interventions for ensuring integrated THRIVE Project implementation with other projects, technical programs and Vision Fund
• In collaboration with the program managers, ensure that program participants and partners are informed of all Government laws and policies and WVK policies in respect to Economic Development
• Participate in relevant Annual National and County Government’s Planning and Budgeting processes and influence resource allocation to the priority needs of the most vulnerable groups in programme areas.
• Oversee establishment of B2B forums, production groups, marketing groups and enhanced collective marketing of produce
• Ensure capacity building of the farmers and staff for effective engagement in the Inclusive Market System development
• Work with partners and coalitions to engage in advocacy activities with the government structures, (both at National and County level) to support community economic empowerment interventions

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE

Required Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in community development work implementing Livelihoods & Resilience programs. At least 5 years should be at managerial level. Familiarity with Economic development and specifically Inclusive Market System Development is an added advantage
• Thorough understanding of all areas of project management cycles in a complex, international development organization especially in development and/or Relief Projects.
• Experience in program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting.
• Good financial/budget management
• Good people management, training and coaching skills with strong conceptual and analytical skills
• Proven track record as a community trainer and capacity builder in mindset change, agricultural production, on-farm and off-farm Local value chain development, marketing and financial inclusion
• Familiarity with systems approaches to child protection programming, advocacy approaches and referral systems.
• Demonstrate ability to manage resources efficiently and effectively.
• Must be a committed Christian who is able to stand above denominational and cultural diversity challenges.
• Excellent oral and written communications, team player, and proficient in English and Kiswahili.

Required Education and Certifications:

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Agricultural Economics, Agriculture Extension, Dryland Agriculture or a closely related field from a recognized University
• Good computer skills in Ms. Office (Excel, word, PowerPoint), TEAMS, BOX filing, etc

Preferred Knowledge/Qualifications

• Proven ability in designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating child protection programmes.
• Experience in social norms and/or social behaviour change research will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrate ability to influence, network and collaborate with national and county level government, NGO and UN Agency on child protection and economic development
• Experience with report writing and strong budgetary and financial management skills.
• Demonstrate experience in implementing faith and development models and working with faith leaders.
• Ability to take initiative, solve complex problems, exercise independent judgment