Programme Manager - Kenya: SolarAid Jobs

SolarAid is an innovative and fast-growing charity working in Argentina, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia that aims to enable the world’s poorest people to have access to clean, renewable power.

SolarAid carries out micro solar projects – training local entrepreneurs to sell small scale solar devices such as solar powered radios and lamps – and installs small solar systems on community centres, medical clinics, schools and other such communal infrastructure.

Closing date: 05 Apr 2010
Location: Kenya

Mission for this post

The Programme Manager will lead our programme in Kenya, reporting to the Head of Programmes. The mission of the Programme Manager is to build and manage a strong, high performing team with superior talent at every level.

The Programme Manager is responsible for ensuring that the team hits or exceeds all programme targets, meets all reporting deadlines and operates within budget.

Objectives for this post for first 12 months

1. Oversee installation of macrosolar systems schools and clinics, ensuring that all project targets are met
2. Achieve ambitious microsolar sales and entrepreneur recruitment targets
3. Recruit a team of A-player interns and staff who will successfully implement the programme
4. Ensure that all financial and programme narrative reports are submitted internally and externally on time, in the correct format and to a high standard

Duties and Responsibilities

A Project Management

• Develop and implement robust and ambitious project implementation timeline and strategy
• Set monthly microsolar sales and revenue targets
• Work closely with the UK programmes team to ensure consistency with SolarAid UK
• Ensure team fully adopts SolarAid’s M&E system which enables SolarAid to document and learn more about the impact of its work
• Identify and implement most cost effective method of installing quality solar systems on communal infrastructure
• Identify, implement and document most effective method for distributing microsolar products at scale
• Where necessary, develop strong relationships with partners, local and national governments to enable us to meet and exceed targets
• Ensure that SolarAid is complying with all in country legal requirements
• Ensure that end of year targets are met and within budget

Reporting

Responsible for ensuring that all reporting deadlines are met. You will be expected to ensure that the following reports are delivered on time to a satisfactory standard:

1. Monthly Financial reports (Internal)
2. Monthly Programme Reports (Internal)
3. Donor Reports (External)
4. In country reports to trustees and other legal bodies

Skills/ knowledge

1. Proven knowledge and experience of implementing programmes in Africa
2. Demonstrated ability to take the initiative, lead on project implementation
3. Ability to write regular and comprehensive reports for both SolarAid and donor use
4. Demonstrated skills in leadership and management
5. Ability to prepare budgets and to monitor expenditure against budgets
6. Strong people skills with ability to support, supervise and motivate professional staff
7. Able to make decisions, take the initiative, originate action and be responsible for the decisions made
8. Excellent communication, representational and negotiation skills
9. Excellent oral and written English
10. Computer literacy (project planning, spreadsheets, word processing, email/internet)
11. Educated to degree level, preferably with management training

Experience

• Experience of managing human and financial resources that demonstrates ability to set objectives, monitor and evaluate progress and outcomes
• Experience of leading effective teams and implementing ambitious programmes in Africa.

Other

• Commitment to and sympathy with SolarAid’s purpose, vision and values
• Participative and collaborative working approach
• Self starting, passionate, trustworthy, dependable and decisive leader who communicates effectively and consistently works efficiently to high standards

Terms and conditions

• Full-time
• Probationary period: six months, after which there will be a review and confirmation in post or otherwise.
• You will also be required to spend 3 months working alongside the SolarAid UK team during the probationary period
• Notice period: one week within probationary period, one month thereafter.
• Annual leave: 25 days
• Length: two year contract.
• Opportunities for training and personal development will be made available.
• The employee will have a contract of employment containing more details of the terms and conditions relating to the post.

How to apply

Applicants should put CV and covering letter into one folder entitled:

Name_Surname Programme_Manager_Kenya_2010
(e.g.James_Smith_Programme_Manager_Kenya_2010)

Applications should be emailed to: recruitment @ solar-aid.org

Note: Your covering letter must clearly explain how you meet the skills, qualifications and criteria as set out in the job description