VVOB in Kenya

Our country office in Kenya is the newest addition in the growth of VVOB. We expect to start-up our first project in Kenya in January 2022, and then gradually expand our project portfolio from there. Our first project will support the implementation of the new competence-based curriculum in Kenya, specifically at the junior secondary level. The focus of this project will be on strengthening the instructional leadership skills of school leaders by providing them with new opportunities for their continuous professional development, combining a traditional cascade training system with innovative app-based learning experiences.

Purpose of the function:

Your specific mission as Country Programmes Manager in Kenya would be to start all country operations in this new country, ranging from building partnerships with governmental partners to opening a VVOB office.
Furthermore, as our Country Programmes Manager, you bear the end-responsibility for all VVOB’s operations in Kenya. You carry out the vision and mission of VVOB in Kenya, you start and develop our business further within the country and contribute to global business development.
You report to the General Director and you are the direct or indirect manager of all the VVOB employees in Kenya.

Are you interested in this vacancy? Read the full job announcement here

Your Responsibilities:

• Starting the country operations:

· You establish new strategic and operational partnerships and formalize them in ‘Memoranda of Understanding;

· You introduce VVOB towards relevant Kenyan authorities, educational institutions and (international) developmental partners;

· You open a VVOB office in Nairobi and are ready to handle the administrative and practical tasks as well that come together with this.

· You recruit national colleagues and build a strong team.

• Further CPM responsibilities:

· As a leader and role model, you develop and inspire strong teams;

· You hold the end responsibility of all VVOB operations within the country, including finances, human resources and internal organisation and you are accountable for key results of the country operations in terms of programme results and financial results;

· You provide input for organisation wide strategy and policy development;

· You translate general organisational strategies and policies into relevant, feasible, effective and efficient strategies, policies and programmes at the country level;

· You are actively involved in the further development of the business at country level, including portfolio management, highlighting of achievements, identifying the landscape of both partnerships and competition and seeking new funding opportunities.

· You maintain a network with relevant government, funding, technical and network partners and other internal and external stakeholders. Furthermore, you represent VVOB towards them.

Qualifications, experience & competencies you bring to our team:

This position is open to expat candidates.

• You have a Master’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.

-You have at least 2 years international (working) experience in Low and Middle income countries.

-You have strong and proven management and leadership skills with a track record of success in building effective teams and leading and motivating a diverse group of professional staff.

-You have demonstrated and successful experience in strategic networking and partnership building with a varied range of partners, including government partners, donors and investors. You have experience working alongside Ministry of Education staff.

-You have experience with capacity development processes and strategies, change processes and change management at institutional level.

-You have experience in organisational development and leading an organisation through change.

-You have at least 3 years’ work experience in managing a project portfolio with an annual budget of more than $1 million.

-Experience with managing starting projects, programmes, country operations or other businesses, including building strong teams starting from zero, is a plus.

-English proficiency: CEFR level C1.