Humanitarian Leadership Academy
Kenya Academy Centre Director
Kenya Academy Centre | Nairobi, Kenya

The role: Responsibility of leading the overall set up and implementation of the Kenya Academy Centre and the delivery of its learning and professional development portfolio largely through national learning providers, to ensure a sector leading service to meet the humanitarian capacity building needs of Kenya and outreach locations in the wider region.

Scale and scope of the role

  • Reports to Chief Executive of the Humanitarian Leadership Academy
  • Line Management responsibility of Heads of functions in Kenya
  • Budget responsibility of approximately £1m (GBP) per annum
  • Up to 25% international travel
Responsibilities include:
  1. Direct the establishment of the legal and business structure and support the development of initial governance arrangements (including the formation of an advisory group) for Kenya Academy Centre.
  2. Be responsible for setting the strategic direction of the Kenya Academy Centre, leading on the development and implementation of the annual and long-term strategic priorities and business plans for the Academy Centre, in consultation with the Global Academy Office (GAO) , to ensure the design, resourcing, promotion and partnerships of the Academy Centre’s Core Services are effective to enable the Academy and its implementing partners to reach  target number and quality of programmes delivered and individuals (and organisations) reached, based on need.
  3. Recruit, mentor and lead the Kenya Academy Centre team, showing particular attention to professional development.
  4. Manage the development of and subsequent implementation of learning, evidence and knowledge strategy and a portfolio of Academy products, in coordination with the GAO, and other Academy Centres, for Kenya, as the primary location of Academy Centre activities.
  5. Scope, through oversight of the commissioning of comprehensive Needs Assessments, and manage the development and implementation of learning, evidence and knowledge strategies and a portfolio of Academy products, for outreach countries covered by the Academy Centre.
  6. Ensure relevant quality standards and delivery methodologies are integrated into all of the Academy’s Kenya and outreach programmes.
  7. Lead on the management of existing in country relationships and delivery commitments, supported by the GAO
  8. Maintain partnerships with key stakeholders including national and local government, national and international NGOs, networks of NGOs, UNOCHA, Red Cross, national corporates and lead the development and management of partnerships with local vocational colleges, universities, training providers, external consultants and other relevant networks to enhance the Kenya Academy Centre’s ability to deliver, needs oriented high quality and collaborative Academy Core Services.
  9. In the long-term, drive new and existing funding partnerships, both at local and global levels, that will benefit the Kenya Academy Centre and other centres, to generate £1 million min. over first 5 years.
  10. Identify new business development opportunities within the market, establishing and promoting the Kenya Academy Centre as a facilitator and enabler of capacity and capability building for humanitarian and disaster risk reduction sectors, largely through national learning providers.
  11. Ensure the Core Services of the Kenya Academy Centre are aligned with the best of what is happening in the learning and development arena in Kenya and beyond, linking new developments in thinking and practice to programmes and regularly conduct future trend analysis around work force development.
  12. Manage the Kenya Academy Centre budget, regularly monitoring expenditure of capacity building activities and their respective cost models to ensure activities remain within budget.
The post holder will be expected to undertake other duties as may reasonably be required to meet the changing needs of the business.

Requirements
 

Minimum:
  • Solid strategic, business development experience on a comparable scale (preferably for a start-up venture).
  • A proven record of leading a sizeable, complex service delivery operation and the development of multi-level operational plans.
  • Experience of developing and leading productive partnerships with organisations, networks, funding bodies and companies.
  • Robust knowledge and understanding of challenges of professional development in the humanitarian sector and associated learning and development needs of the Kenya audience.
  • Previous budget and financial management of at least £2m.
  • Right to work in Kenya and willingness travel to insecure environments for short periods of time.
  • Fluent in English.
Preferred:
  • Experience in developing countries in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of humanitarian and/or development programmes with capacity building components.
  • Exposure to a rapidly growing organisation and robust understanding of associated risks and opportunities.
  • Proven experience of inputting into sector wide initiatives, developing strong relationships, working with multi-stakeholder groups/partnerships.
  • BA/BS or above, or significant equivalent leadership experience, in a business administration, accounting, HR or economics.
  • Proven track record of leading organisational development interventions within a learning and development context and preferably the development and maintenance of quality standards.
  • Significant experience of representing organisations externally and the ability to advocate sell ideas and influence at a high level.
  • Good knowledge and understanding of how the evolution of technologies is impacting on learning and development at local and global levels.
  • Experience of employing new technologies to improve knowledge management, organisational learning, networking and distance learning.
Personal attributes:
  • An instinctive strategic thinker and leader, able to get the very best out of a team – empowering and motivating.
  • Undeniably positive with high levels of personal resilience to lead a team and operations through change and challenges in ambiguous and unstructured environments.
  • A first class facilitator and team builder, taking a collaborative approach to dealing with people at all levels and in diverse contexts.
  • Entrepreneurial approach with confidence and intellect to challenge conventional thinking and ways of working.
  • Strong representational and communication skills, an impulsive networker.
  • Passion and energy to work in pursuit of transforming humanitarian response globally and making a reality of true collaboration.
We look for people who not only have the required skills and experience but who also fit our culture, based on our organisational values.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are required to submit a CV and mandatory Cover letter stating their salary expectations to Kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org indicating the Position Name on the subject line by 9th September 2015.  

Applications will be reviewed as and when they are received.  
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.



If you would like to Get email updates of a new Job Vacancies,Enter your email address down here :

Note: Activation required. After subscribing, please go to your inbox and click on activation link