Job Description
Job Description
Position : Regional Programme Manager
Department : Programmes
Supervised By : Director – Eastern Africa
Supervises : Regional Programme Officers
Location : Nairobi, Kenya
Wetlands International is a non-profit organisation dedicated to safeguarding and restoring wetlands for people and nature. We are driven by the knowledge that safeguarding and restoring wetlands is urgent and vital for water security, biodiversity, climate regulation, sustainable development and human health. We bring knowledge into policy and practice, connect local actions in 100 countries to make a global difference, catalyse actions that support those that use or depend on wetlands, and we are passionate about the positive change we make for people and nature. See our website (www.wetlands.org) for more information on the values, strategies and policies that guide our work.
1.0 Job Purpose:
The candidate will be familiar with working in an international (network) organisation and will be responsible for providing visionary programmatic leadership while focusing on the overall organisational goals and objectives. The incumbent will be responsible for all aspects of the implementation of the projects in Wetlands International Eastern Africa (WIEA). He/she will be expected to lead and manage the Programme team to achieve the aspirations of WIEA through programme development, effective coordination, consolidation, technical support and strategic guidance by ensuring a cohesive team spirit and motivation to perform. He/she will support resource mobilization and ensure prioritization, allocation and work plan coherence to deliver the Wetlands International Eastern Africa Strategy. He/she will be a member of the WIEA senior management team.
This will be a challenging and highly rewarding leadership and management role. This will involve strategic planning and programme design to establish an innovative portfolio.
2.0 Reporting Lines:
This role reports to Director – Eastern Africa
3.0 Work Relationship:
3.1 Internal Context:
Reports to the Director Eastern Africa. Works in close collaboration with the Programme teams in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania and South Sudan; the Regional team including the Regional Communications Officer, Regional Policy & Advocacy Officer; the Global Office Teams
Regional Office support teams
3.2 External Context
Project partners, Academia & Research Centers, Government institutions, Private Sector, Communities
4.0 Key Responsibilities
Programme Management and Implementation
Overall responsibility for strategic programme design, development and management and alignment with the organisation’s overall vision and mission
Ensure the Programme activities are strongly grounded, strongly interlinked and consolidated at the regional level
Lead and coordinate the development of Detailed Implementation Plans and ensure delivery of high-quality programs
Explore innovative solutions and think creatively to identify solutions that maximise impact on the ground
Support the Director with communicating WIEA work and results and advocating for our objectives
Fundraising and Donor relationship management
Support the Director in developing and managing relationships with donors
Lead the design of innovative programmes in Eastern Africa (and potentially Southern Africa) – develop high-quality proposals through a participatory approach
Program reviews, monitoring, evaluation, programme learning and reporting
Ensure close monitoring of the projects in the field to ensure alignment and contribution to the WIEA Strategy
Integrating and ongoing management of effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks into programme design
Ensure quality and timely submission of quarterly and annual or required programme and project reports as per donor and organizational standards and guidelines
Oversee the identification, documentation and dissemination of project learning and results in various forums, including media stories, lessons learned, case studies, etc., and support learning exchanges
Partnerships and networking
Support the Programme Team in strengthening WIEA relationship with strategic networks and alliances
Initiate and nurture networks and alliances with key stakeholders
Financial Management
Develop, monitor, review and update the work plans to ensure that they attain objectives as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible
Develop, review and approve programme concepts, and partner financial requests as per organizational processes and procedures
Manage the expenditure and disbursement of resources allocated
Monitor and advise on programme and project spending and variance reports as per organizational process and procedures
Team Leadership
Provide overall leadership to a broad team of programme staff ensuring synergy, sharing of best practices and resources
Manage team dynamics and staff well-being, provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct reports
Supervise and regularly coordinate with all programmes and support staff to ensure smooth planning, preparation, activities implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of programme results and overall impact
6.0 Qualification, Experience & Skills
6.1 Professional Qualifications
A minimum of a Master’s Degree in the natural sciences, with a preference for strong expertise in ecology or conservation biology.
6.2 Relevant Experience
Over 15 years of experience with significant hands-on experience preferably in an international NGO with a proven record of accomplishment in managing donor-funded programmes. The candidate should have demonstrated experience in:
i. Project cycle management
ii. Understanding of and working with monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
iii. Leading and managing teams
iv. Setting up new projects and programs
v. Working with senior officials in both the public and private sectors.
Prior experience in water resources/wetlands management
Demonstrated track record in proposal development, funding acquisitions and grant management for major donors
6.3 Essential Competencies & Skills
Delivering Results: result-oriented, self-starter and able to work independently
Strategic Thinking and Planning: Experience in organisational strategic planning a programme design
Collaborative: Able to work independently and as part of multi-cultural and multi-country teams
Communicating and Influencing: Effective communication skills, both verbal and written
Cultural Sensitivity: Adaptable and sensitive to work in different cultural contexts
Time Management: Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines
Leadership and Management: Leading by example, setting direction and supporting colleagues
Core organizational competencies
Professionalism
Accountability for results
Integrity and leadership
Teamwork
Relationship building
Communications
Organisation and self-control
Language Requirement:
Excellent skills in English (writing and speaking)