Head Of Programs

Job Summary

The Head of Programs leads, develops, and manages the entire program team at TISA. The role holder is responsible for operational management, which includes program development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting while ensuring performance and quality delivery in line with the TISA strategic framework. Additionally, the role is responsible for strategic planning and resource mobilization. The role also deputizes the Executive Director, who is responsible for building and maintaining strategic partnerships and representing TISA among various constituencies.

The position is responsible for providing leadership in design, development, effective implementation and management of TISA’s strategies and programmes that are responsive to the organization’s vision, objectives and interventions. The individual also leads policy, advocacy, lobbying, research and studies, resource mobilization (with drive towards stability and sustainability), building partnerships and networks, grants management, compliance, and reporting. Lastly, the individual is responsible for program performance and quality, effective monitoring and evaluation of program activities and ensuring programmes’ provides for capacity building, learning and sharing.

The Head of Programs is the designated Deputy Executive Director by virtue of driving the core business and largest portfolio at TISA and is a member of the senior management team; whose role is supporting the Executive Director in overall leadership and day to day management of the organization, building and maintaining strategic partnerships and ensuring effective representation of TISA among various constituencies.

Education and Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Political Science, Law, Economics, International Trade, Public Policy, Public Finance, Governance or a related humanities field.
  

• Proven experience in managing program teams, fundraising, advocacy, and operational management in a way that inspires people to deliver.
  

• Strong leadership and management skills.
  

• Demonstrate knowledge and command of key macroeconomic and public finance management issues as well as devolution in Kenya.
  

• Sound knowledge of Human Rights, Public Finance, International Trade Justice, Social Accountability, Governance, Feminism and Inclusion Mainstreaming.
  

Skills, Competencies and Relevant work experience

• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in a reputed organization, preferably in the NGO sector, three (3) years of which should be in senior management positions.
  

• Experience in designing, setting up and coordinating monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment systems and processes of a program is required.
  

• Experience managing funding from diverse sources, including governments, aid agencies, and private sector donors.
  

• Experience working with national and county government, its agencies and research institutions with focus on human rights, governance, public finance, trade and social accountability.
  

• Experience working with informal traders and small-scale farmers through an intersectional lens.
  

• Proven knowledge in designing and implementing programs empowering citizen-led initiatives and movements.
  

• Good understanding of the project cycle management and experience in change management.
  

• In-depth understanding of a human rights-based approach to development and programming issues and policy work at the state, national, and international levels.
  

• Sound and up-to-date knowledge of social accountability and participatory governance development concepts, methodologies, and techniques, including a demonstrated understanding of gender and inclusion approaches in development and a demonstrable commitment to promoting gender equality within the organisation and in programme work.
  

• Knowledge of the devolved system of government and the public finance in Kenya and Africa Region.
  

• Sound knowledge of the political, social, economic and historical environment in which TISA’s programs on public accountability and inclusive people’s economies are operating at both national and community levels.
  

• Excellent understanding of development partnerships, fund-raising, donor strategies, governmental and international relations in the country.
  

• Strong knowledge of learning, monitoring and evaluation approaches.
  

Job Summary

The Head of Programs leads, develops, and manages the entire program team at TISA. The role holder is responsible for operational management, which includes program development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting while ensuring performance and quality delivery in line with the TISA strategic framework. Additionally, the role is responsible for strategic planning and resource mobilization. The role also deputizes the Executive Director, who is responsible for building and maintaining strategic partnerships and representing TISA among various constituencies.

The position is responsible for providing leadership in design, development, effective implementation and management of TISA’s strategies and programmes that are responsive to the organization’s vision, objectives and interventions. The individual also leads policy, advocacy, lobbying, research and studies, resource mobilization (with drive towards stability and sustainability), building partnerships and networks, grants management, compliance, and reporting. Lastly, the individual is responsible for program performance and quality, effective monitoring and evaluation of program activities and ensuring programmes’ provides for capacity building, learning and sharing.

The Head of Programs is the designated Deputy Executive Director by virtue of driving the core business and largest portfolio at TISA and is a member of the senior management team; whose role is supporting the Executive Director in overall leadership and day to day management of the organization, building and maintaining strategic partnerships and ensuring effective representation of TISA among various constituencies.

Education and Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Political Science, Law, Economics, International Trade, Public Policy, Public Finance, Governance or a related humanities field.
  

• Proven experience in managing program teams, fundraising, advocacy, and operational management in a way that inspires people to deliver.
  

• Strong leadership and management skills.
  

• Demonstrate knowledge and command of key macroeconomic and public finance management issues as well as devolution in Kenya.
  

• Sound knowledge of Human Rights, Public Finance, International Trade Justice, Social Accountability, Governance, Feminism and Inclusion Mainstreaming.
  

Skills, Competencies and Relevant work experience

• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in a reputed organization, preferably in the NGO sector, three (3) years of which should be in senior management positions.
  

• Experience in designing, setting up and coordinating monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment systems and processes of a program is required.
  

• Experience managing funding from diverse sources, including governments, aid agencies, and private sector donors.
  

• Experience working with national and county government, its agencies and research institutions with focus on human rights, governance, public finance, trade and social accountability.
  

• Experience working with informal traders and small-scale farmers through an intersectional lens.
  

• Proven knowledge in designing and implementing programs empowering citizen-led initiatives and movements.
  

• Good understanding of the project cycle management and experience in change management.
  

• In-depth understanding of a human rights-based approach to development and programming issues and policy work at the state, national, and international levels.
  

• Sound and up-to-date knowledge of social accountability and participatory governance development concepts, methodologies, and techniques, including a demonstrated understanding of gender and inclusion approaches in development and a demonstrable commitment to promoting gender equality within the organisation and in programme work.
  

• Knowledge of the devolved system of government and the public finance in Kenya and Africa Region.
  

• Sound knowledge of the political, social, economic and historical environment in which TISA’s programs on public accountability and inclusive people’s economies are operating at both national and community levels.
  

• Excellent understanding of development partnerships, fund-raising, donor strategies, governmental and international relations in the country.
  

• Strong knowledge of learning, monitoring and evaluation approaches.
  

• Lead, coordinate and provide oversight in implementation of TISA’s strategic plan.
  

• Ensure program strategies incorporate thematic areas; Public Accountability and Inclusive People Economies, and program activities respond to TISA’S program focus areas.
  

• Spearhead development and oversee implementation of programs activities ensuring vision, mission, values, thematic areas and approaches are incorporated and practiced.
  

• Lead and manage fundraising and resource mobilization, while ensuring proper management and use of resources allocated for Program.
  

• Ensure development and implementation of internal protocol, standards, policies and procedures that support programme work.
  

• Lead and support program teams in developing results-based program and management, monthly budgets, implementation and work plans, targets, activities, performance measures and reporting, and ensure delivery of desired results.
  

• Ensure TISA effectively participates in advocacy, lobbying and policy influencing forums with like-minded actors.
  

• As the budget holder for programs, responsible for financial performance of the Program team and ensures development and implementation of annual budgets and management of monthly budget execution, monitoring, control and reporting.
  

• Oversee and coordinate program team in timely preparation and submission of reports.
  

• Ensure development and use of monitoring systems to enhance program results and provide oversight on baselines, studies, surveys, assessments, evaluations and monitoring activities.
  

• Ensure implementation of MEL findings and recommendations to improve program work.
  

• Ensure documentation and dissemination of appropriate case studies, experiences, best practices and lessons to promote TISA programs.
  

• Ensure compliance with terms and conditions of any agreements and contracts entered into with donors and partners.
  

• Build and maintain productive relationships with strategic stakeholders and ensure TISA is represented in relevant meetings and forums to facilitate and ensure cooperation and partnerships.
  

• Designated Deputy to the Executive Director; has delegated authority to support in leadership and management at TISA; supervision, coaching, mentoring, and motivation of management organs and staff.
  

• Provide leadership, management and effective supervision of program team.
  

In accordance with TISA values, conduct oneself honestly, work diligently and deliver on all outputs within the required time frame as well as, maintain absolute confidentiality on all sensitive matters which come to one’s knowledge.