Job Openings at Action Aid

The Program and Strategy Lead provide strategic leadership for programme design, implementation, and influencing, ensuring women’s rights, accountability, and a human right–based approach are central to ActionAid Kenya’s work. The role leads national policy research, advocacy, and campaigning in alignment with the ActionAid Federation’s campaign priorities and works closely with the Executive Director to deliver ActionAid Kenya’s strategic role within the Federation. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (Uamuzi), the position contributes to shaping organisational vision and goals, oversees programme strategy and planning, manages a multidisciplinary team, fosters an inclusive and high-performing team culture, and leads talent development. The role also has significant responsibility for programme resources, overseeing up to 60% of the organisation’s budget to ensure effective and accountable programme delivery.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities:

Key Activities

• Values Practice & Strategy Change Priorities
• Leading Innovation and Change - Establish a culture of excellence in respective to a team that values experimentation and continuous improvement
• Feminist Leadership – Championing feminist leadership principles and values including commitment to diversity and inclusion (race, gender, power)
• Child protection and safeguarding –Embed AAIK and sector’s approach to child protection and Safeguarding is embedded in all initiatives holistically
• AAIK Values Practice – Ensure a personal and team culture that demonstrates all of AAI’s
• Values including: Mutual Respect, Equity and Justice, Integrity, Solidarity with people
• Living in Poverty and Exclusion, Courage of Conviction, Independence and Humility Organisational and Corporate Development
• Contribute to the development and achievement of the AAI’s strategic objectives including Country Strategy development.
• Ensure that the long-term financial strategy of the country programme is viable.
• Keep the other members of the AAIK Management Team informed about programmes and strategy.
• Establish and develop close communication links with the Global Secretariat Team.
• Ensure compliance & stay current with international, regional, local legal & legislative requirements

Person Specification

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences or its equivalent from a recognized University;
• Master’s degree in social sciences or its equivalent from a recognized University is desirable;
• Experience Appointment to the position will be made from persons who have:
• Have at least Eight (08) years working experience in policy/programmes function in an INGO or a large organization of which at least three (3) years must have been at management position;
• Have demonstrated in-depth understanding of programming issues and Policy work at organizational, national and international levels;
• Have practical experience in donor reporting, designing, setting up and coordinating, monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment systems and processes; and
• Understanding women’s rights issues in development and demonstrable commitment to promoting gender equity within the organization and in programme work.
• Well grounded in the interpretation and execution of the Feminist Principles
• Experience and knowledge of Kenya country and context will be an added advantage.

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Key Accountabilities

• Strategic Leadership
• Lead the design and execution of ActionAid Kenya’s institutional fundraising strategy in alignment with the country strategy and ActionAid International priorities.
• Define and enforce clear funding priorities and criteria.
• Build and manage a strategic funding pipeline focused on multi year, flexible, and influence enhancing partnerships.
• Advise the Executive Director and Senior Management Team on funding risks, political trade offs, and emerging donor trends.

Institutional Partnerships and Relationship Management

• Develop and sustain high trust relationships with bilateral donors, foundations, multilateral agencies, and strategic INGO partners.
• Engage donors upstream to shape priorities, narratives, and funding calls in ways that align with ActionAid’s mission.
• Position ActionAid Kenya as a thought partner and political actor, not just an implementing agency.

Person Specification Education & Certifications

• A bachelor’s degree in social sciences, policy development or its equivalent from a recognized University.
• Master’s degree in social sciences or its equivalent from a recognized University is desirable.

Job Description and Person Specification

Experience Appointment to the position will be made from persons who have:

• 10 years of progressive experience in institutional fundraising and partnership development within INGOs, foundations, or bilateral agencies.
• Proven experience securing large scale, multi year institutional funding (bilateral donors, foundations, or pooled funds).
• Deep understanding of the political economy of aid, donor decision making processes, and shifting global funding trends.
• Experience working within complex organisational structures or confederations.