THE ORGANISATION
Founded in 1937, Plan International, Inc. (“PII”) is a globally recognized non-profit dedicated to advancing children’s rights and gender equality in both humanitarian and development contexts. With over 80 years of experience, Plan International addresses the root causes of challenges faced by girls and vulnerable children, working in 70+ countries. The organization collaborates with children, young people, supporters, and partners to create a just world, acknowledging that the potential of every child is often hindered by poverty, violence, exclusion, disasters, and discrimination.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL KENYA
Plan International Kenya (PIK), operational since 1982, focuses on long-term development. Collaborating closely with local communities and governments, PIK implements programs to enhance the well-being of children in areas such as Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Tharaka-Nithi, Siaya, Kwale, Kilifi, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Tana River, Turkana, and Marsabit.

Under the current Country Strategy (July 2021 – June 2026), PIK aims to end teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence against girls. This goal aligns with four strategic objectives:

1. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR): Improve access to SRHR services and information to reduce teenage pregnancies and harmful practices in Kenya.
2. Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence: Ensure functional child and girls’ rights protection mechanisms to prevent and respond to all forms of violence and abuse.
3. Protecting Girls and Young Women in Crisis and Climate Change Adaptation: Minimize the impact of disasters on girls, young women, families, and communities.
Youth-led and Innovative Partnerships for Job Creation: Build a stronger ecosystem for youth employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for vulnerable young women, fostering job seekers and creators.

ABOUT THE ROLE
The Regional Program Manager will provide overall managerial, administrative and programmatic accountability for the Coast/Nyanza regions. The Coast region covers, Kilifi (Hub Office), Tana River, Mombasa, Kwale and Taita Taveta; while the Nyanza region covers Kisumu (Hub Office), Homabay, Siaya counties, as long as there are active programs running in the defined locations in the region.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES

1. Planning, strategy and policy (10%)
• Provide strategic and thought leadership for the region and support project teams to develop and implement quality projects in line with the Country and Global Strategy and the Program Influencing & Quality
• Provide direct support and technical guidance to the grant teams in relation to adapting diverse program models.
• Facilitate and support in the development of appropriate tools and resources that define and shape delivery of high quality, innovative programs in the hub.
• Model partnerships: Lead in the integration and effective implementation of the Plan Policy on Building Better Partnerships (BBP) in alignment with Plan Kenya’s Country Strategy on ensuring the creation of an equal, systematic, positive, and process-driven approach to partner engagement and relationship management
• Diversify and grow income in a planned and sustainable manner
• Ensure the Hub is fit for purpose and has the relevant knowledge, management systems, structure and skill-sets to work effectively, to support the implementation of quality programmes, sponsorship and influencing work.
• Ensure correct and appropriate branding and media coverage at all times while working in contact with the Influencing and Communications Manager and Country Director.
• Regularly review and update strategic plans to adapt to changing program and partner needs.
• Proactively seek opportunities for professional growth and learning in emerging program areas.

2. Project design, planning and Implementation (20%)
• Provide leadership in program design, while ensuring meaningful stakeholder (girls, boys, youth, communities and partners) engagement, to inform priorities of program participants in the project design, implementation and evaluation
• Enhance realization of children and girls’ rights through design and implementation of gender transformative program interventions.
• Sustained application of Plan’s Gender, Age and Inclusion Analytical Framework to support others in uncovering the root causes of gender inequality and exclusion.
• Provide technical support to partners for the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of quality and innovative programming for all sub granting.
• Provide oversight to all sub granted partners/CBOs on the management and delivery of both sponsorship and program work against the work plans.
• Provide leadership in phase-out management processes while mobilizing and putting in place structures and systems that support a seamless PIK exit.
• Hold periodic programme reviews with partners to monitor achievement of the outcomes and budget utilization as per the costed detailed implementation plans.
• In liaison with the partners, continually identify opportunities for innovation and scale up of project initiatives to inform PIK fundraising efforts.
• Mainstream safeguarding of children and young persons involved in all the Program work through the partners.
• Establish feedback mechanisms to gather ongoing input from program participants.

3. Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting (15%)
• Coordinate proactive reporting on projects, emerging risks and lessons learned, for the team.
• Working with communications and LKM, support team in developing and implementing a communications strategy to disseminate programme results, outputs and outcomes to internal and external audiences.
• Establish and monitor the progress of all program and sponsorship deliverables by implementing partners and undertake corrective actions at project implementation level.
• Develop quality and timely reports in accordance with Organization guidelines and procedures.
• Promote evidence-based programming through data and information analysis and dissemination.
• With support of M&E, enhance learning and knowledge management through documentation and profiling of Plan’s work.
• Ensure the M&E and Program team work with the Implementing partners at the PU level to monitor and provide accurate and timely data on the status of the project quality and reach including capturing data on the sponsored child/families each month
• Put in place and implement project-based outcome and impact monitoring process
• In collaboration with Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning team, support in knowledge management and learning on partnership strengthening as well as ensure joint monitoring initiatives together with the implementing partners.
• Integrate digital tools for real-time data collection and analysis.

4. Partnership management and networking (10%)
• Contribute to development of minimum standards, technical frameworks and strategies on Building Better Partnerships.
• Responsible for leading the project teams in partner assessments and working jointly with the partners to develop customized plans, that include a monitoring and evaluation plan for organizational improvement;
• Act as the liaison and maintain cordial working between the organization and the County leadership with the various government departments PIK works with.
• Represent PIK in relevant County level cluster meetings and partner strategic engagements and promote its development agenda.
• Promote effective working relations with county and sub-county stakeholders
• Promote active engagement and participation of boys, girls, men, women and communities in all project activities.
• Engage and influence key duty bearers towards realization of children and girl’s rights at the county level
• Actively identify and engage youth and girls led movements in PIK’s operation areas in projects and campaigns
• Map potential implementing and influencing partners for sustained Business Development
• Create a partnership feedback loop to continuously improve collaboration.

5. Financial Responsibility (10%)
• The incumbent will have oversight of all financial aspects of grant projects and program as the primary budget holder grants allocated budgets.
• Manage the team’s economic and urban programming budgets, monitoring expenditure and costs against delivered and realised benefits/outputs throughout the project lifecycles.
• Ensure all requisitions, purchase orders and receipting/payment of invoices meet donor standards, financial rules, and are linked to agreed project milestones and/or partner or supplier reporting obligations.
• Ensure that the team and delivery partners are consistently practising sound financial management, delivering Value for Money.
• The incumbent will act within the provided delegated authority for all financial related processes
• Strengthen accountability on activity budgets disbursed to Implementing partners (IPs) during implementation phases and report on any variances to relevant project/program managers and the Country Office finance manager.
• Monitor implementing partners expenditures to promote prudent budget management.
• Support the development and execution close out plans and budgets for the different grants
• Ensure compliance with all grant funded projects, donor policies, agreements, requirements, contracts.
• Implement regular financial audits for partners to ensure transparency

6. Capacity Building and People Management (10%)
• Provide oversight to managers on the day to day implementation and operations grant processes, taking into consideration safety and security of the staff.
• Embrace overall responsibility of the assets of the organization while ensuring donor regulations on assets are well managed.
• Provide strategic leadership that inspires the grant teams and the partnerships network towards the realization of PIK purpose and goal.
• Promote team cohesiveness and integration across project teams, dealing with conflict resolution in a timely way.
• Manage the performance, mentorship and coaching for all direct reports and dotted line reports
• Liaise with HR for any staff development issues as per the training needs analysis for the project teams.
• Establish and manage a staff Learning and Development Program
• Conduct regular team-building activities to foster collaboration

7. Logistics admin and procurement oversight (10%)
• Support the development and usage of procurement plans in execution of PU programs through the sub granted partners.
• Oversight on asset, fleet, office and inventory management
• In close collaboration with the Senior Logistics, Procurement and Administration Co-ordinator, ensure smooth operations for effective and efficient implementation of programs in field offices.
• Implement a tracking system for real-time monitoring of logistics and procurement.
• Development and submission of administration related reports.

8. Risk Management (5%)
• Provide leadership in risk mapping and documentation of all grants.
• Consultatively with project teams and CO stakeholders put mitigation measures for programme risks in place.
• Continually monitor the risks environment and act as appropriate.
• Ensure all projects teams understand projects risks and related responsibilities.
• Conduct regular risk assessment workshops with project teams.

9. Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) (5%)
• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and Gender Equality and Inclusion policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
• Leads the orientation of programme staff to ensure that they are properly inducted on and understands their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GEI policies;
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in project design, during implementation and as principles applied in day-to-day work of Programme team;
• Ensures that Plan Kenya contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.

10. Other duties (5%)
• Any other duties as assigned by the line manager.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
• Setting and communicating ambitious but realistic work goals and priorities, explaining how these contribute to Plan International’s purpose.
• Setting high standards for self and others’ behaviour, inside and outside work. Championing our values and commitment to rights, gender equality and safeguarding. Supporting the health, well-being and both physical and psychological safety of our staff, including their safety to speak out.
• Holding self and others to account for what we have agreed, dealing with poor performance quickly, firmly and constructively.
• Creating a positive team spirit, helping people work well together, to reflect and continuously improve the efficiency and quality of what we do.
• Collaborating with team members, colleagues and partners in finding creative solutions to problems by sharing information, experience and ideas and actively seeking their input.
• Motivating and developing others by taking an interest, giving constructive feedback and praise, ensuring they are properly trained and helping them develop their potential.
• Positive about change and supporting others in adjusting to it, helping them understand.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

• Understands Plan International in Context, including its purpose, values, and global strategy, and can communicate these to varied audiences, including how Plan International will deliver on its objectives through the theory of change

• Manages legal and reputational risk including risk assessment, communication, risk management and reporting in full compliance with Plan International’s core risk-related standards (Child and Youth safeguarding and Protection, Gender equality and inclusion, Counter Fraud Safety and Security

• Managing activities and resources including skills in strategic thinking, planning and organising, financial planning and monitoring, and programme and project management, including MERL principles and procedures for cost allocation and cost recovery

• Managing people and information including skills in assessment and coaching, evidence-based management, communication skills, both speaking and writing, and digital working, including personal digital skills

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Qualifications/ experience essential:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Project Management, Development studies and related disciplines.
• At least 10 Years’ experience in relevant field preferable in management of multiple projects in both Urban and Rural Context and programming.
• A minimum 5 Years in a leadership/managerial role leading Project Managers/Coordinators
• Strong organizational and time management skills; excellent attention to detail
• Adaptability to flex across portfolios in delivering multiple grants, tasks and responsibilities for effective team delivery
• The resilience to manage multiple projects concurrently, with the ability to support project monitoring and evaluate project delivery to tight deadlines.
• Demonstrable experience in effective partnership engagement and management
• The role will have responsibility for the programme management from multiple grants with a value above €4.5M preferably across diverse programme thematic areas.
• Demonstrable experience in project cycle management
• Knowledge of programming methodologies.
• Demonstrable experience in Gender Transformative programming
• Can lead others in holding Plan and our team accountable to the Policy on Gender Equality and Inclusion.
• Sound understanding of integrated and rights-based programming.
• Ability to facilitate, enable and provide leadership in adaptation and utilization of Corporate

Organizational systems.
• Risk management Strategic planning skills
• Analytical skills

Qualifications/ experience desirable:
• Sound understanding of integrated development issues and rights-based programming.
• Ability to lead, motivate, innovate and adapt to change.
• Sound understanding of integrated development and child-rights programming
• Sound judgement and decision-making in complex situations
• Experience in developing strong, equal and robust partnership contracts or experience in strengthening civil society
• Experience in advocacy and influencing
• Knowledge and experience of urban programming models
• Experience in capacity building of partners
• Good Interpersonal / Communication skills
• A Master’s Degree

Please click on the below link to access the full Job Description:

Program Area Manager_ Coast and Nyanza.pdf

2 vacancies: 1 – Coast Region, 1- Nyanza Region

Location: Kilifi and Kisumu, Kenya
Reports to: Director of Programs, Implementation and Operations
Closing Date: 14th June 2024

Interested applicants are requested to choose preferred location and indicate it on the subject of their cover letter.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Disclaimer: Plan International is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate applicants on any basis. We also do not charge Job seekers any fees at any point of the recruitment process.