ROGRAM MANAGER,  NAIROBI (KENYA) STILL I RISE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 

Ref:  SIR-KE-025-12

Location: International School of Still I Rise, Nairobi, Kenya

Direct Supervisor: Head of School

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 within schools operating the International Baccalaureate’s Diploma Programme, you will co-lead the setup, authorization, and implementation of the IB Diploma Programme at our school, alongside the Head of Teaching & Learning. You will play a crucial role in curriculum development, faculty training, student guidance, and strategic partnerships to provide post-graduation opportunities for students. 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 leading the Bogota’s planning process.

- 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 Bogota’s procurement and processes as required based on program implementation’s needs

- Perform rigorous training needs assessment, develop and organize capacity development training for Bogota’s programs’ core team

- Ensure Bogota’s’ risk and needs assessment is conducted according to the highest operational standards

Financial Management:

- Ensure efficient regular management of Bogota’s 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):

- Monitor Bogota’s implementation 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:

- Recruitment of junior management and teachers, with the support of the HR Manager 

- Recruitment of auxiliary staff (i.e. security guard, driver, cleaner)

- Supervising supervising the transportation-related matters for staff and students

- 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 

- Operating the organizations’ bank account, if so requested

- Support the Programs Director and the Supply Chain Manager/ Officer in coordinating  external agencies (law firm, accountant) to ensure legal compliance of the Program in the following areas:

1. Lease agreement or Title Deed for the Property

2. Obtention of all necessary authorizations from the relevant public authorities,

3. Construction contract for renovations of the property (where applicable),

4. All other procurement activities

- Establishing strong ties with the relevant public authorities

- Establishing, in coordination with the Programs Director and Chief School Officer a recruitment process for the students and beneficiaries of the Organization

- Interacting 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

- 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

- 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 

- Work closely with all remote departments to ensure well-coordinated, streamlined, and professional communication and support towards the achievement of organizational goals 

- Perform other duties as required

- Keep track of all finances and ensure expenditures are in accordance with the workplan and budget, oversee compliance with procurement processes and standards in coordination with Programs and Finance teams 

- Ensure funds are distributed in accordance with the donor's rules and procedures, while accounting records and supporting documents are processed, organized and archived (soft and hard copies) regularly and in a timely manner

- Lead regular monitoring and reporting on financial management aspects: timely forecasting, preparation and execution of procurement plan, budget vs actual, spending analysis and establish cross linkages with work-plan progress

- 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

REQUIREMENTS AND ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

- Extensive experience of senior leadership duties within schools operating the IB Diploma Programme.

- A strong understanding of the IB philosophy and requirements.

- Experience in university and careers counselling and networking.

- A demonstrated appreciation for student-centered, global-minded, value-driven approaches to education.

- 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.

HOW TO APPLY - Candidates are invited to submit their application including a copy of their CV, cover letter and TSC Number (if possessed) and specifying the subject “Program Manager”. 

Please kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Thank you for your interest in Still I Rise.  

Diversity and inclusion are a central part of Still I Rise values at the highest level. As such, it is key to Still I Rise Organisation and staff to show a passion for excellence for bringing about positive change in all the communities we strive to serve. Our commitment to diversity is linked to our mission of providing quality education access to vulnerable youth and children in torn apart and remote areas across the world, which is essential in shaping and creating the organization, serving all people, respectfully, connected to our scope. We recognise that everyone is different and that attracting, developing and retaining our employees will create a sustainable working environment which is essential to our success. We strongly encourage interested candidates from diverse backgrounds to submit their applications.