Senior Programme Manager at Sense International

Key Responsibilities

Programme Management

1. Ensure that regional and country programmes are aligned with Sense International’s global Strategy and East Africa Regional Strategy and policies.
2. Ensure high quality programme management, in line with donor requirements and SI policies and procedures, including reviewing quarterly reports and providing feedback on narrative and financial data to country teams.
3. Monitor key performance indicators, risks and support country teams with quality assurance to ensure maintenance of high reputation.
4. Ensure effective programme planning and implementation as well as seeking out opportunities for continuous improvement and innovation.
5. Support country teams with reviewing and updating country strategies and plans.
6. Ensure that technical support needs are appropriately met and support country teams with capacity building. Contract and oversee consultants as needed for specialist work such as provision of technical assistance on deaf-blindness, quality assurance, audits, research and scoping of innovation.
7. Conduct regular programme visits to review progress and support country teams if they face challenges.
8. Ensure strong promotion of the impacts and outcomes achieved by the East Africa programme using a variety of platforms including providing web updates / content in alignment with the SI communications strategy and brand guidance.
9. Support country teams to develop research and policy on thematic issues.
10. Support country teams with professional development, HR issues and capacity development linking them to colleagues in Sense or to sources of external expertise as needed.

Financial Management

1. Ensure strong budgeting, disbursement, reporting and forecasting for all work in East Africa working collaboratively with the UK-based Finance team and country teams.
2. Monitor regional plans and budgets on monthly and quarterly basis to ensure effective programme delivery.
3. Report to the Director of SI regularly on programme expenditure highlighting variances and potential delays in programme implementation.
4. Collaborate with Finance colleagues to ensure effective systems are in place for managing finances related to the programmes operations and to ensure adherence to high standards of financial management in accordance with SI's Finance Manual and other policies.
5. Contribute to development of new project / programme budgets and the annual and three year rolling SI budget.

Grant / Contract Management and resource mobilisation

1. Maintain an overview of grants for East Africa and support country teams to deliver excellent grant compliance and the timely provision of high quality narrative and financial reports, collaborating with Sense Statutory fundraising colleagues where needed.
2. Proactively seek out funding opportunities and support development of strong proposals. Ensure that UK-based Sense fundraising colleagues have the information they need about the East African programmes.

Representation

1. Participate in relevant coalitions and support strategic partnerships with NGOs and other partners.
2. Represent the East Africa programme at meetings with decision-makers, SI supporters, potential donors, and trustees as required.
3. Support management of Goodwill Ambassadors in the Region.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL)

1. Work as the SI focal point / expert for MEAL, contributing to MEAL frameworks, evaluations and capacity building across SI, including advising teams in other parts of the world.
2. Ensure strong MEAL frameworks are in place for all programme work in East Africa.
3. Support reflection and sharing of learning between the East Africa Programme countries and between East Africa and the rest of Sense International.

Lead on programme expansion

1. Scope out new opportunities for SI in other countries in the East Africa region and as appropriate lead due diligence reviews of new partners or the establishment of new SI operations.

Other duties

1. The EASPM will be expected to work flexible hours to accommodate meetings or time differences and to travel for up to 45 days a year to work with the teams in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, as well as any new countries of operation in the region. If based in Nairobi the EASPM will be need to make regular visits to the UK to collaborate with the SI in London.
2. The EASPM will work closely with the Country Director / Country Representatives to support them across the breadth of their responsibilities, as well as with the SI Director (London based) who line-manages the Country Director / Country Representatives.
3. The EASPM will work closely with the Senior Programme Manager (London-based), who supports programmes in other parts of the world, to ensure coherent standards across SI and when working on cross-organisational projects such as MEAL or gender.
4. Contribute to the Sense International Leadership Team (SILT) along with the East Africa Country Representatives / Country Director, Senior Programme Manager and others. Make an active contribution to SI-wide discussions, policies and plans.