Area Manager: Save the Children Alliance Jobs in Kenya

Save the Children UK is a leading international child rights organization, fighting to improve the lives of children in the UK and 50 countries around the world.

Together with children, we are helping to build a better world for present and future generations by making a reality of children’s rights.

Save the Children UK in Kenya works in the North Eastern Province (Dadaab, Wajir and Mandera) with Programmes in Child Protection, Nutrition, Livelihoods and Health.

Closing date: 10 Jul 2010
Location: Kenya – Mandera

Job Purpose

The Area Manager will manage the efficient and proactive operation of the Save the Children UK Field Office. Area Manager is responsible for supporting Save the Children UK field teams in achieving their workplans in an efficient and timely manner. The post-holder will represent Save the Children UK in the sub-district with local officials and other stakeholders.

Key accountabilities:

* Directly lead, manage and motivate the Programme Managers, Finance Asst/Officer; Logs Asst/Officer; Programme co-ordinators (currently Nutrition and Health) plus other programme staff located in the Elwak office. Ensure they have clear workplans and objectives and receive regular supervision and reviews. Workplans for programme staff will need to be developed jointly with the relevant technical project manager.
* Lead and motivate the wider team in the Field Office. Promote a team approach to management through regular team meetings to review and improve integration and quality support and service provision.
* Supervise HR/Admin activities in the field office.
* Ensure that information and support for promotion of the program are clearly disseminated to program teams and, where necessary, beneficiaries.
* Work in close collaboration with program partners at field level and National level ensure that program operation procedures and systems are well communicated.
* Identify staff training needs and conduct appropriate project management related training to enhance management capacity and program sustainability.
* Represent Save the Children locally in the Field area ensuring good relations and are fostered and maintained with local communities, government authorities and other stakeholders. Attend monthly DSG and / or other equivalent meetings as required.
* Maintain appropriate systems to ensure communication protocols are followed by field teams and with other Save the Children UK offices. Report any breakdown in communications and seek the appropriate support from logistics and other managers to rectify problems.
* As required, facilitate field visits to the Area office area by other staff members, Save the Children UK donor representatives and other guests e.g. consultants, journalists.
* Ensure the proper handling and maintenance of all Save the Children UK assets of the sub-area office and ascertain the proper location of these assets.
* Ensure strict adherence to current security management procedures and monitor the security situations in the area covered by the office. Liaise frequently with other security focal persons to monitor incidences and changing circumstances and report these to AOM and Safety and Security Manager.
* Ensure the effective and efficient use of all Save the Children UK resources in order to keep costs low and ensure the security of staff. Undertake regular spot-checks and monitoring of expenses claims and other costs incurred locally.

Person Specification:

Essential

* Preferably Masters degree in management, project management, public/ business administration, human resources management, social sciences or other related fields with a minimum of 3 years experience in a senior management position with a leading NGO, INGO or Donor. In addition should have International field work experience in emergency response and rehabilitation work/development work.
* Strong conceptual/analytical skill supported by training/coaching capacity.
* Program cycle management training and experience.
* High levels of initiative coupled with diplomacy and tack and demonstrated capacity to work independently and meet deadlines
* Management of INGO relief or development projects
* Management of staff safety in an insecure context
* People management
* Project design and management
* Finance management and strong budget management skills
* Strategic planning
* Excellent communication skills
* Excellent written and spoken English and Swahili
* Knowledge of Microsoft Office package
* Proficiency in Microsoft Office; Excellent report writing and communication skills;
* Willing to work and live in difficult and demanding locations

How to apply

If you meet the above requirements, please send your detailed CV together with a cover letter and current contacts of three referees including immediate supervisor addressed to Head of Human Resources, Save the Children UK, Kenya Programme email: jobskenya@scuk.or.ke.

Quote the job title on the subject line.Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

Save the Children (UK) recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to equal employment opportunities and the protection of children from abuse.

Kenyan nationals are strongly encouraged to apply