Project Manager Job Vacancy at Kenya Payments Platform 2013
1. Background
The Kenya Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) programme was established in early 2005 to support the development of financial markets in Kenya as a means to stimulate wealth creation and reduce poverty.
The payments system provides a foundational infrastructure which is increasingly set to drive the future of retail finance in Kenya. All retail financial services necessarily ride on the rails of the payment system to some degree.
Retail banking has developed rapidly over the last decade in Kenya with significant innovations in the channels used to provide services. Collectively these channels represent a critical part of the payment system.
The Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) recognizing the central role of the banking industry in the payment system established the Integrating Payment Systems (IPS) project in 2012 to address the challenge of creating a more integrated retail payment system in Kenya.Various options were explored and the KBA membership mandated the Association to pursue a solution involving the establishment of an integrated payment platform.
FSD Kenya has established a project to support the wider development of Kenya’s payments platform as a part of its digital financial inclusion strategy. A core component of this project will be providing support to KBA’s IPS project.
3. Scope of Work
3.1 IPS project management
- Develop a plan for the implementation of the IPS project in close coordination with KBA management team.
- Provide day-to-day management of the IPS project implementation.
- Track project progress against plan on a regularly basis -a ‘hands on’ approach will be required to maximise the prospects for project success.
- Regular project monitoring to maximise project performance, swiftly identifying and resolving implementation challenges.
- Manage project resources for effectiveness – this will involve developing terms of reference and participating in procuring resources in line with KBA’s policies and procedures.
- Develop and manage a regular meeting schedule for oversight of the IPS project, providing meeting agendas, necessary background materials and other necessary support.
- Generate adequate documentation for all meetings to summarise key decisions and actions required.
- Provide direct technical advice to KBA in the course of the implementation of the IPS project.
- Develop comprehensive plan for technical inputs that will be required in the implementation of the IPS project within the various institutions and develop methodologies to provide them for a sustainable outcome.
- Identify specific technical assistance requirements to support the effective implementation of the project determining recommendations for funding from either KBA (IPS) or KPP (FSD) resources.
- Manage performance of consultancy contracts to maximise value for money, outputs and impact and in full compliance with relevant KBA/FSD policies and procedures.
- Document all technical assistance developed and delivered as well as the tangible results both expected and achieved.
- Provide information to KBA, CBK and other stakeholders to support activities related to improvements in the implementation environment for the Kenya payments platform.
- Establish and maintain links with key institutions and support programmes relevant to the development of an enabling environment.
- Work with KBA management team to ensure that the KBA membership is appropriately briefed on project progress
- Engage critical stakeholder institutions in Government to establish clear route to mainstreaming activities within the national payments system
- Ensure the broader stakeholder community is strongly engaged in line with the objectives of creating a national (cf bank-only) payments platform.
- Provide direct technical advice to other industry stakeholders (such as mobile network operators, payment business service providers, MFIs and SACCOs) as required.
- Identify specific requirements for technical assistance and studies relevant to ensuring the effective involvement of relevant stakeholder groups.
- Develop terms of reference and oversee FSD procurement process to engage relevant inputs.
- Manage performance of consultancy contracts to maximise value for money, outputs and impact and in full compliance with relevant KBA/FSD policies and procedures.
- Represent KBA in relevant project and other stakeholder forums.
- Write regular (at least quarterly) progress reports and distribute to all stakeholders.
- Prepare press releases on relevant announcements, provide briefings to journalists and provide point of contact for media enquiries.
- Identify creative ways of disseminating project results to maximize impact on financial inclusion.
- Identify significant issues for which further research and analysis is required.
- Ensure appropriate research is undertaken to support the KPP objectives, working closely with FSD’s knowledge team.
- Keep abreast of all relevant developments in the market including technological advances and new products.
- Keep abreast of changes in the landscape including expansion of financial institutions and changes in strategy.
- Track progress on the KPP project against planned activities using standard internal FSD reporting mechanisms.
- Organise monthly meetings of the FSD KPP working group (including FSD’s Head of Future
- Generate standard FSD project monitoring sheets (PMS) and other reports as necessary.
- Participate in other FSD activities relevant to the wider objectives of the project as required.
- Relevant qualification in social sciences (minimum masters level)
- Over 8 years experience with a minimum 3 years successful project management and 5 years working at a management level in a relevant industry
- Relevant work experience in the financial services industry
Management Consultants
P O Box 6416, Nairobi,
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Closing date: 3rd September 2013