Career Opportunities at Equal Access

Position:

The Project Director will be responsible for overall project management, quality and timeliness of deliverables, external representation, and coordination with US Department of Stated GOR. The Director will provide strategic vision for managing the activities and will ensure the quality of work and compliance with contractual obligations and results, and will be responsible for the quality and performance of work that is sub-contracted to other partners. S/he will be responsible for establishing an office in Nairobi, recruiting Core Staff, and managing a network of qualified professionals to serve as short term technical advisors.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Project Director will report to the Senior Technical Manager based in Washington, DC.

Responsibilities:

• Manage daily program implementation of an 18-month CVE-focused media project.
• Prepare and manage project implementation work plans, M&E plans, and budgets (including providing approval of project expenditures).
• Mentor and manage in-house teams to implement project within budget and deadline.
• Manage relevant partners to ensure proper project implementation.
• Ensure project implementation is in compliance with USG donor requirements and Equal Access organizational policies.
• Collect and report on success stories and prepare project reports for the donor and EA communications.
• Liaise with partners including Government of Kenya stakeholders.
• Manage donor relations with the U.S. Embassy.
• Strengthen program management systems and ensure their effective utilization, in close collaboration with the HQ Program Management Unit.
• Work closely with HQ Technical Leads to ensure quality and impactful program implementation.
• Responsible for timely and accurate reporting to donors.
• Supervise the Tech-Camp Coordinator, the Radio Producers, the Youth and Community Outreach Officer, and the Finance Manager.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• At least five years of international program management experience required, preferably in Kenya or other insecure settings.
• Experience managing USG grants and working with USG and/or international donors.
• Demonstrated experience in programming, planning, reporting, monitoring, and managing budgets required.
• Experience in capacity building/mentoring of staff required.
• Willingness to travel to field sites within Kenya and East Africa required.
• Ability to function effectively in a fluid but complex team work environment and to set appropriate priorities and deal effectively with numerous simultaneous requirements required.
• Fluency in Somali required; knowledge of Arabic preferred.
• Minimum five years’ experience managing staff preferred.

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Position:

The Research Manager will be responsible for overall design and oversight of research on violent extremism in the East Africa region, design and implementation of monitoring & evaluation (M&E) systems for all EAI-East Africa programming, and facilitation of a robust learning strategy for the EAI-East Africa office. The Research Manager will provide strategic vision and direction for the types of research activities to best understand VE dynamics and monitor rapidly evolving contexts. The Manager will also oversee M&E for all programming, with an emphasis on complexity-awareness.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Research Manager will report to the EAI-East Africa Director.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain current knowledge of evolving dynamics related to violent extremism in Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, and Ethiopia
• Manage implementation research components of an 18-month CVE-focused media project
• Design and implement an M&E framework for EAI-East Africa programming
• Design and facilitate a learning strategy for EAI-East Africa
• Prepare and manage research implementation work plans, M&E plans, and budgets
• Evaluate research tools and emerging technologies, and coordinate vendor relations
• Identify, hire, and supervise short-term field researchers.
• Liaise with national and international partners, including government stakeholders.
• Work closely with HQ Technical Leads to ensure quality and impactful program implementation.
• Collect and report on success stories and prepare project reports for the donor and EA communications.
• Ensure project implementation is in compliance with USG donor requirements and Equal Access organizational policies.
• Produce timely and accurate donor reporting.
• Required Skills & Qualifications:
• Fluency in Somali required; knowledge of Arabic preferred.
• Proficiency in conceptualizing and developing proactive prospecting methodologies using such tools as constituent list segmentation, data mining, and electronic and peer screenings.
• Understanding of impact indicators and ability to translate such information into viable M&E systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency with electronic and printed reference materials.
• Strong analytical skills, including expertise in the modeling and analysis of data.
• Ability to appropriately communicate sensitive information and to judge how and with whom this information should be shared.
• At least five years of relevant work experience with progressive data management and research responsibilities, preferably in East Africa.
• Willingness to travel to field sites within Kenya and East Africa required.
• Ability to function effectively in a fluid but complex team work environment and to set appropriate priorities and deal effectively with numerous simultaneous requirements required.
• Advanced computer skills, particularly with the Microsoft Office suite of applications.
• Knowledge and ability to implement principles of management, leadership, conflict resolution, negotiation, and motivation.
• Demonstrated record of initiative, problem solving, and adaptability.
• Strong listening, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree(s) preferred.

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Position:

The Finance and Operations Manager (FOM) is a key member of the operations team. He/She will play a pivotal role in overseeing adherence to EAI’s finance and procurement manuals, donor policies, contract requirements and limitations, financial and procurement policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems. The individual ensures compliance of all operational reporting functions, oversees cost and general accounting, accounts receivable/payable, payroll, risk management, and partner’s relationships, audit backup documentation, and directly supervise and support the project’s Administrative Assistant.

In addition, the FOM will ensure that labor contracts, policies and procedures are set up in accordance with local labor laws, EAI and donor requirements. The FOM will provide technical assistance to staff in implementing and complying with financial procedures to ensure compliance with the Government of Kenya, the State Department and US Government, and EAI’s policies and regulations. S/he will serve as the financial liaison to EAI HQ, as well as to the Government of Kenya as well provide HR support when needed.

Reporting & Supervision:

The FOM will report to the Project Director based in Nairobi, Kenya

Specific Financial Responsibilities:

• Responsible for overall financial management in compliance with USG/State Department rules and regulations and local law.
• Prepare and review month end closing financial reports and vouchers and ensure timely submission of financial reporting to EA HQ.
• Manage bank accounts, and the transfer of money between HQ and field office to ensure that enough funds are always available in the bank
• Develop and manage systems of internal controls for funds and property.
• Manage monthly accounting functions, including bank reconciliations, monthly cash reconciliations, and cash flow statements and ability to account and manage multiple programs simultaneously.
• Review all petty cash transactions, payments receipts and cash reimbursements from employees and donors/clients, ensuring accurate documentation of expenditures (vouchers and distinct ledger).
• Merge expenditures against project budgets to ensure expenditures are allowable and within budget.
• Review the monthly financial expenditure spreadsheet for submission to EAI HQ.
• Train, provide guidance to, and assist program staff on donor financial requirements;
• Oversee all local procurement including the creation, revision and implementation of a procurement policy that ensures three price quotations and other procurement requests as necessary.
• Payment to vendors and contractors as required ensuring completing appropriate documentation.
• Oversee the preparation of copies of all financial documentation, including vouchers and receipts, for monthly submission to headquarters.
• Manage monthly payroll and salary payments, social security payments and tax payments and ensure benefit accrual are comply with the local labor law and HR manual.
• Supervise logistic arrangements for international staff and consultant visits (visa, hotel reservations, per-diem disbursements etc.)
• Take part in contract negotiations with external production companies and other potential partners.
• Supervise and train the Administrative Assistant.

Specific Operational Responsibilities

• Support in establishing projects office(s)
• Assist in all project start-up tasks directed by the PMU
• Contribute to EAI’s registration status within Kenya
• Help to setup a bank account in Kenya
• Ensure integrity, compliance, fairness, accuracy, and openness in procurement processes
• Ensure adequate competition is achieved, as per EAI policies and procedures.
• Help other project staff become more familiar, and understand, the EAI policies and procedures as related to procurement
• Solicit bids and quotes from vendors in adherence with policies & approved requisitions and quarterly procurement plans
• Monitor, track and expedite all project procurement activities and delivery status of goods/services
• Gather current pricing information independently
• Conduct price/cost/reasonability analyses
• Help non-procurement staff understand the requirements for submitting accurate and thorough requisitions, cost estimates, statements of work, or to determine other technical specifications
• Determine source selection methods for complex procurement to ensure compliance
• Assist project staff in coordinating meetings, facilitating discussions, and developing briefings in support of the source selection process
• Prepare cost evaluation data, and source selection documentation
• Ensure procurements are approved by the required EAI authorities, and/or client approvals are received, before awards are made
• Through market research efforts, identify and qualify potential suppliers (and products/services). Ensure that beneficial, ethical and open supplier relationships are created and maintained according to procurement policies
• Work closely with various home office support staff
• Carry out other duties and responsibilities as directed

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• At least five years of international program management experience required, preferably in Kenya or other insecure settings.
• Experience with Department of State and USAID financial reporting and procurement processes.
• A thorough knowledge of budgeting, accounting principles, and auditing standards in Kenya.
• Experience in coordinating with internal and external auditors.
• Able to work under pressure and deadlines.
• Willingness to travel to field sites within Kenya and East Africa required.
• Ability to function effectively in a fluid but complex team work environment and to set appropriate priorities and deal effectively with numerous simultaneous requirements required.
• Fluency in Somali required; knowledge of Arabic preferred.
• Minimum five years’ experience managing staff preferred.

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Position:

Under direct supervision of the Finance and Operations Manager, the Administrative Assistant will provide operational/financial and administrative services to the project ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work according to EAI rules and regulations.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Administrative Assistant will report to the Finance and Operations Manager based in Nairobi, Kenya

Functions and responsibilities:

Administrative:

• Assist on all activities carried under the Project;
• Coordinate administrative activities under the Project;
• Take care of all arrangements in regard to visit of short- and long-term consultants;
• Assist in keeping close communication with Project main stakeholders and partners;
• Make arrangements for meetings, trainings, conferences and workshops;
• Drafting and registration of in/out business correspondence, faxes and reports, passing them to relevant recipients;
• Office supplies: ensuring the availability of office supplies and on a daily basis ensuring that the fax machine, printers, copiers have sufficient paper and toner supply. Purchase of office supplies, and other disposals necessary for office operations;
• Logistics support: registration of foreign/regional advisors/visitors with Kenyan authorities when/if is needed; make hotel reservations; based on the required parameters, search for relevant apartments. If requested by advisors, help to find a cleaning services, determine frequency of their visits and negotiate payment;
• Prepares detailed cost estimates for planned events;
• Maintains filing system for project documents and materials;
• Support the procurement process by soliciting bids and quotes from vendors in adherence with policies & approved requisitions and quarterly procurement plans
• Monitor, track and expedite all project procurement activities and delivery status of goods/services
• Gather current pricing information independently
• Conduct price/cost/reasonability analyses

General Accounting:

• Verifies vendor invoices for accuracy
• Verifies accuracy of expenses, and project accounting codes
• Ensures accurate and timely processing of invoices, advances and reimbursements, checks, and wire transfer payments
• Ensures request for payments have appropriate approvals
• Ensures the timely deposit of cash receipts
• Compiles backup documentation for all project related transactions, and ensures completeness and appropriate review and approvals are documented
• If applicable, ensures petty cash is maintained according to maximum petty cash policy, and that all petty cash procedures are followed
• Ensures the safeguard of bank checks, cash receipts, and petty cash
• Responsible for maintaining file management systems for soft and hard copy documentation
• Ensures non-billable expenses are thoroughly reviewed and kept to a minimum
• Perform other related activities requested by the Finance and Operations Manager.