Country Director Kenya

Human Practice Foundation in Kenya Human Practice Foundation is a Danish INGO, that is registered in Kenya and Nepal with a goal of empowering marginalized kids through education. We have a holistic approach where we work with all school stakeholders and improve infrastructure, improve the educational level and empower the students’ skills to continue education or get a good job. HPF are currently working in 4 counties in Kenya – Meru, Laikipia, Isiolo and Narok. Our head office is located in Nanyuki with a small project office in Aitong.

HPF is currently working with 35 schools but has a goal of expanding our project scope to 200 schools within the next 5 years. With a strong focus on childcentered impact, we aim to transform these 200 neglected public schools to educational lighthouses that can help transform the local communities.

Job Summary

The Country Director (CD) is responsible for high performance standard for the Kenya organization. S/he oversees the development, funding and implementation of the Country Office (CO) program portfolio. S/he establishes and sustains productive relationships and political influence with government officials, donors and strategic partners. S/he leads the CO’s fundraising strategy and ensures the CO’s financial viability. An organizational citizen, s/he contributes to HPF’s global strategy, shares knowledge and supports the generation of evidence to inform HPF’s global programming.

The CD is also accountable for competent operational and risk management, including the proper management, wellbeing and safety of HPF staff and the proper stewardship of HPF’s resources. The CD models and ensures systematic practice of HPF core values. S/he also promotes Gender Equality and Diversity among CO staff and in programming.

The CD models new ways of working and drives the teams toward the HPF vision, fostering innovation, holistic planning and programming and helping to build effective teams, coalitions and networks. S/he encourages on-going staff development to motivate and strengthen the teams’ resilience in the face of change.

Responsibilities and Tasks

The key responsibility of the CD is to develop and build the CO and organization, ensure timely programme implementation with high quality and reporting of the CO activities to donors and HPF HQ in Denmark. This is done in close collaboration with the CEO and Kenya Head of Programs. The main tasks are outlined below.

Staff Management and HR

•Oversee the management and development of CO human resources to ensure a diverse, skilled and productive workforce.

•Promote an organizational culture where HPF Core Values are practiced, teamwork is encouraged, and all staff have a clear understanding of their role and contribution.

•Build a strong, innovative country team and effectively manage all direct reports.

•Manage direct reports towards high standards of performance through clear roles and responsibilities, on-going feedback and appraisals. Proactively address performance issues through timely constructive feedback and coaching.

•Notice talent and maximize the use of available talent through on-going staff development and career management.

•Prepare successors for senior roles (including CD role) and oversee the recruitment and orientation of new staff.

• Foster accountability, leadership, diversity and transparency of operations with the team.

• The CD oversees safety and security for all staff and visitors in the CO and upholds HPF Safety and Security Principles.

• Actively promote staff wellness by monitoring staff morale and taking action as needed.

Strategic planning

• Lead the design, implementation and evolution of the CO strategic plan in sync with the country context, and in line with the HPF vision and mission.

• Ensure proper alignment with HPF country plans and priorities as well as with HPF’s strategic initiatives • Ensure sound understanding of strategic plan and approaches by all stakeholders.

Program implementation

• Ensure timely implementation of country program and underlying project activities with high quality

• Oversee M&E framework for country program and ensure data collection as well as analyze data to monitor program targets

• Responsible for CO’s timely donor reporting as well as regular reporting to CEO

• Monitor the CO’s financial position and ensure the best use of available resources. This includes overseeing the development and review of CO annual budget, proper allocation of shared program costs (cost pools), development of unrestricted requests, review of financial transactions and reports, maximizing cost recovery from restricted grants and follow-up on audit recommendations. This is done in close cooperation with the CFO from DK office.

• Direct the mobilization, management and accounting of all resources in the CO in compliance with HPF policies, country program and donor requirements.

Fundraising, Partnerships and Advocacy

• Develop and enhance relationships, partnerships and networks between the CO, other parts of HPF and external organizations to maximize HPF’s impact on poverty and social justice.

• Proactively analyze the actors who have the potential to contribute to the achievement of the CO program goals within the broader context including government, private sector, donors and foundations, international and local civil society, academic institutions. Establish and actively sustain productive relationships with relevant actors (inside and outside the country).

• Play a key role in identifying issues to be addressed to heighten donor and government accountability and maintain HPF’s image and visibility amongst these groups.

• Actively participate in the high-level meetings and ensure that the CO contributes to country and institutional initiatives/priorities.

Qualifications

Education / Training

Bachelor’s Degree in related field

Experience/Technical Skills

6-8 years in senior management position in development field