PROGRAM MANAGER

PROGRAM MANAGER - STILL I RISE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

INTERNATIONAL STAFF

• Location: International School of Still I Rise, Nairobi, Kenya
• Direct Supervisor: Head of Impact & Programs
• Contract: Fixed term 12 month renewable

Still I Rise is a humanitarian organization founded in 2018 to bring top-quality education to refugee and vulnerable children around the world. Our goal is to end the global education crisis. Our flagship institution is our International School in Mathare, Nairobi. Here, we are passionately engaged in one of the world’s most ambitious, unique and exciting educational projects: to offer the very highest quality of schooling experience to some of the most disadvantaged children.

We are now seeking a Program Manager to join our team in Nairobi! With senior leadership experience in Project and Program Management, Operations within a no-profit sector and a focus on education, you will co-lead program implementation and streamline processes and operations onsite. You will play a crucial role in leading the achievement of financial compliance, program development, budget and stakeholder management, and ensure the school infrastructure as well as its staff operations runs smoothly within the country program supporting organisational objective and strategic goals. Working collaboratively with the leadership team, you will ensure that our students receive an outstanding education that empowers them to become future leaders in their communities and industries. The successful candidate will be an energetic, highly organized, excellent communicator, and skilled in community entry protocols and mobilization. The position may evolve into a senior management position within the Program once the set-up phase of the project is completed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management

• Work in close collaboration with the Programs Director for the planning, monitoring, and implementation of the organisation operations, processes, budget compliance, logistics procurement and supply chain, lead the teams' performance, ensure compliance with financial and legal regulations.
• Ensure monitoring through regular meetings, check ins (field visits if and when needed) and other appropriate instruments, identify existing challenges and potential risks, and relay feedback to the Programs Director
• Oversee procurement and processes as required based on program implementation’s needs
• Perform rigorous training needs assessment, develop and organize capacity development training for programs’ core team
• Ensure risk and needs assessment is conducted according to the highest operational standards

Financial Management:

• Ensure efficient regular management of budget as well as close monitoring of spending, and relay prompt feedback on potential over/underspend to the Programs Director
• Work in collaboration with the Finance Department, draft monthly expenditure forecasts/spending plan as well as quarterly expenditure forecasts in compliance with designated requirements
• Review and raise appropriate Purchase Requests (PRs) with correct budget codes and in-line with the allocated budget lines

Program Quality (Assurance and Control):

• Monitorimplementation against work plans and overall project objectives, documenting progress and achievements
• Identify gaps and manage systems and navigate process improvement areas to enhance the efficiency of inter-departmental work
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed and report any suspected information security violation and/or breach to the concerned department

Stakeholder Management:

• Represent programs with education, safeguarding/protection and relevant stakeholders - as and when needed, to foster ownership of approaches and effective participation in planning and implementation
• Coordinate closely with the Ministry of Education including working groups (education, protection, safeguarding)

KEY KPIs for Program and Operations:

• HR - Recruitment of junior management and teachers, with the support of the HR Manager
• HR - Recruitment of auxiliary staff (i.e. security guard, driver, cleaner)
• Logistics - Supervising supervising the transportation-related matters for staff and students
• Supply Chain & Procurement -Supervising and vetting the Organization’s suppliers, in coordination with the Supply Chain Manager remotely and Officer on the ground and logistics work on premises with the support of the logistics officer
• Finance - Operating the organizations’ bank account, if so requested, and manage compliance and processes relating the country program's budget.
• Legal - support coordinating external agencies (law firm, accountant) to ensure legal compliance of the Program in areas including lease agreements, building management, obtention of all necessary authorizations from the relevant public authorities, construction contract for renovations of the property (where applicable), supervision of all other procurement activities
• Stakeholders - Establishing strong ties with the relevant public authorities and interact with local stakeholders on behalf of Still I Rise to ensure our program is well received in the hosting community
• Identify the vulnerable communities for outreach purposes, and ensure that the Organization can gain access to the designated community
• Processes -Identify areas for improvement, anticipate risks and coordinate with the Programs Director to ensure the program's implementation of processes by assigning responsibilities, setting milestones, and keeping track of goals and deliverables
• Report - Prepare monthly progress reports to be shared with the Programs Director, ensure timely submissions of work plans and other deliverables required by donors and relevant remote departments
• Coordination & Communication. - Work closely with all remote departments to ensure well-coordinated, streamlined, and professional communication and support towards the achievement of organizational goals
• Safety & Security - Promote the health and security of the staff of the designated projects by ensuring the application of security guidelines, health and safety in the workplace and healthy living conditions and practices
• Perform other duties as required

REQUIREMENTS AND ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

• Extensive experience of senior leadership duties , in program management and PCM - supervision of teams
• Experience and oversight in Budget, Finance, HR, and Supply chain management (logisitics / procurement)
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility to operate in a fast-moving diverse role.
• Experience forming and maintaining partnerships with other educational institutions and stakeholders.
• Experience with assessment coordination, curriculum design, and professional development planning.
• Good IT skills including use of Google Suite.
• Fluent knowledge of the English language (written and oral).

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

• Experience working with underprivileged or refugee populations.
• Familiarity with international education systems and standards.
• Familiarity with US curricula and competency examinations including the SAT.
• Previous involvement in programme evaluations.