Practical Action Careers

ABOUT THE ROLE

• The Administrative Officer is responsible for managing the day-to-day administration and procurement activities for Practical Action’s field office in Kisumu, Kenya. Practical Action is looking for an Administrative Officer who will provide hands on administrative support to ensure efficient operation of the office.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Front Office Reception
• Receive and screen visitors coming into the office, assisting them with enquiries /references while directing them appropriately.
• Call and fix appointments internally and external as requested/required.
• Manage incoming and outgoing official calls within the office through the switch board.
• Ensure that the front office reception is maintained, neat, tidy, and welcoming at all times.
• Incoming and outgoing mail management, record and dispatch cheques and other payments made by the office for collection/delivery.
• Manage the office diary, i.e., booking the meeting rooms, recording workshop dates, travelling dates and manage staff movement.
• Maintain and update the Practical action contact lists for stakeholders and service providers.
• Accurate filing of documents and correspondence while ensuring there is efficient movement of documents within the office.
• Preparation of requisitions for office stationery, kitchen items and toiletries.

Logistics & Procurement Support

• The Administrative Officer, in conjunction with the Senior Procurement and Logistics officer will assist in performing procurement and logistics functions including and not limited to:
• Support in the strengthening of internal controls around asset management ensuring Practical Action’s assets are safeguarded at all times.
• Assist in the preparation of procurement requests of office supplies for onward processing to the Senior Procurement & Logistics Officer
• Support in raising purchase requisitions and LPOs.
• Assist in tracking orders and ensuring timely delivery of the same.
• Provide support in receiving goods and services while ensuring right quantities are delivered and quality services are rendered as per respective purchase orders.
• Take part in preparation of project procurement plans.
• Assist in responding to queries from internal and external clients regarding procurement matters.
• Manage and monitor office stock levels and identify office purchase requirements.
• Arranging/making reservations of hotel accommodation for staff and visitors and process the associated costs.
• Provide support in identifying and booking suitable meeting venues for official Practical Action meetings and ensure availability of all materials and equipment required at competitive rates.
• Assist in maintaining relevant internal databases and procurement files in a chronological order.
• Assist in maintaining and tracking vendors’ contractual agreements on an annual basis.
• Receiving approved invoices and ensuring payments are processed on a timely basis and forwarded to finance for remittance.
• Conduct regular checks on office maintenance (furniture and fittings) and report any defects to the Senior Procurement & Logistics Officer
• Perform other relevant duties as and when assigned.

PERSON PROFILE

To be successful in the role, the ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate:

Experience & Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, or related field.
• At least 3 years relevant working experience in a similar position

Essential

• Excellent administrative skills
• Good communication (verbal and written) skills in English.
• Good inter-personal skills and ability to work in a team with minimal supervision.
• Ability to organize multiple tasks and prioritize appropriately.
• Ability to handle confidential information in a discreet and professional manner.
• Practical experience in the use of the Internet, email and MS Office applications (spreadsheets)
• Time management skills.

Method of Application

If you have the experience, skills and the ability we are looking for, please email your application letter stating your motivation and suitability for the role and an up to date CV to: [email protected] with the title “Administrative Officer” not later than 27th October 2023. All information/data given will be in the strictest confidence and will only be used for recruitment purposes. 

About the role

Practical Action is an international development organisation putting ingenious ideas to work so people in poverty can change their world. For the past four years, Practical Action has been hosting and building the Global Distributors Collective (GDC): a collective of over 200 last mile distribution companies that cumulatively reach millions of the poorest consumers in the world with beneficial products like solar lanterns, water filters and improved cookstoves.

The GDC provides a collective voice for distributors to ensure their priorities are heard; drives research and innovation across the sector; facilitates the exchange of information, insight, and expertise; and provides critical services that leverage economies of scale.

The GDC has recently finalised its 2022-25 strategy and will be focusing on six key areas for the next three years:

• Accelerating innovation, e.g., through our Innovation Challenges
• Building capacity, e.g., through information exchange, formal training for managers and agents, and mentoring programmes
• Helping members access products, suppliers, and services at affordable prices
• Helping members access to finance and become investment-ready
• Undertaking market intelligence and research, e.g., by creating a performance benchmark for the last-mile distribution sector
• Engaging with members and advocating for their interests

As the GDC Project Manager you will play an essential role in the GDC team, focused on overseeing one of the GDC’s flagship projects, a technical assistance facility that supports leading last mile distribution companies to strengthen their businesses and increase their impact. You will be expected to have excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to multitask, work independently and adapt in a fast-paced environment. To succeed as the GDC Project Manager you should be creative, organised and self-motivated with a keen interest in the development sector.

Project Responsibilities

Work with and support the GDC Operations Manager to ensure robust programme management and project delivery. This will include:

• Co-creating programme activities, including managing stakeholder negotiation and leading detailed project design processes, in partnership with the wider GDC team, donor, and consortium partners.
• Leading in creating and updating project plans and timelines to monitor programme progress (using GAANT charts and/or Asana project management platform) and ensuring accurate allocation of project resources for the projects assigned by the GDC Operations Manager.
• Managing high-profile external relationships (e.g., with donors), and liaising closely with key internal and external stakeholders (project teams, consortium members, etc.). This includes coordinating and chairing regular multistakeholder meetings, developing agendas, capturing the inputs and actions from meetings, and following up on actions in a timely manner.
• Managing all knowledge relating to the project, including ensuring project documentation is up-to-date and appropriately stored/tagged in our document libraries.
• Working with the GDC communications team to develop project-related communications, as needed e.g., presentations, stakeholder surveys, marketing materials, etc.
• Tracking project deliverables and leading all day-to-day administrative support across the assigned projects including proactive risk and issue management.
• Supporting the development of practices, templates and tools related to project management across the programme.

Budget Responsibilities

• Responsibility and accountability for certain budgets, up to £0.5m annually. Includes accurate budgeting, monitoring budgets against actual expenditures, approving spend in line with budget, ensuring accurate recording of expenditure and income, ensuring timely and quality financial reporting in line with internal and donor regulations.
• Updating budgets, forecasts, and partner tracking schedules to ensure an accurate oversight of the project expenditure.
• Inputting into the design of any new activities and budgets.
• Raising invoices on the internal system, and consulting with the Practical Action Finance Team as needed.
• Obtaining timesheets and expense claims from outsourced suppliers, reviewing them for their accuracy, and processing them accordingly.

Reporting

• Leading on developing and/or presenting weekly, monthly and/or quarterly update reports for projects, as requested by the donor. This includes obtaining input from the technical assistance teams on e.g., progress against agreed deliverables and KPIs, changes to project schedule/scope, risks and opportunities, etc.

Monitoring Learning, Evaluation and Gender

• Working with the GDC team, donor, and consortium partners to embed MEL activities throughout the project in a way that is consistent with the wider GDC programme; supporting consortium partners to enable participating companies to embed MEL considerations throughout TA projects in a sustainable way.
• Working closely with the GDC gender focal point to ensure that gender analysis and considerations are integrated meaningfully within TA projects, internal processes, and knowledge outputs relating to the projects.
• Keeping an updated log of all monitoring, learning and evaluation requirements for all GDC projects, and coordinating the required MEL activities e.g., monitoring when MEL activities are due, setting surveys and analysing results.

How to apply

To apply, view the recruitment pack here and submit a copy of your CV and a supporting statement that describes your suitability for the role, including your salary expectation to [email protected] no later than 9th June 2023.

Practical Action is therefore looking for a Project Manager whose primary responsibility will be to oversee all aspects of project delivery including development of work plans and budgets, contract management and donor liaison, partner relationships and coordination of field activities.

To be successful in the role, you will:

• Have a Master’s degree in a relevant field e.g. Energy, Gender Studies, Development Studies, International Development, Rural Development, Community Development
• At least seven (7) years demonstrated experience and expertise in gender-responsive project design and implementation particularly in the energy sector
• Experience in fundraising and building networks with relevant stakeholders including County and National Governments, private sector, CSOs and development partners
• Experience in private sector engagement and market development
• Experience in capacity building
• Financial inclusion and behavior change communications (BCC)
• Experience in BDS curriculum development
• Experience working in gender and energy programs and immediate availability is desirable

ABOUT US

Practical Action is a global innovator, inspiring people to discover and adopt ingenious, practical ways to free themselves from poverty and disadvantage. With over 50 years of expertise, Practical Action has a strong heritage, and track record of bringing communities and experts together to find practical, sustainable solutions to enable people to meet their needs, which work for both people and the planet.

We are committed to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment through all our work. This includes programmes, knowledge sharing, advocacy, external communications, and our own organisational development. At a minimum, we ensure that all our work is gender sensitive, seeking gender transformative approaches as our overall ambition and in accordance with context.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Country Director, the Head of Finance and Systems plays a leadership role within the Country office and is accountable for providing strategic operational management in overall organisation development and in areas of finance in the organisation.

The post holder will lead a team of finance to oversee all financial management and ensure strong controls, oversee risk management at multiple levels ensuring that data analysis informs decision making, ensure organizational and donor policies and procedures are applied appropriately, ensure functional support to project and consultancy delivery especially in budget management and compliance and work with the management team to ensure operational efficiency across all units of the organization.

The post holder will also provide leadership and management across all five core areas of the strategy: achieve change and impact, strengthen organizational profile, lead and manage people, support generation of funds and manage relationships and deliver performance.

As an experienced Finance professional, you will have ACCA/CIMA/ ACA or equivalent professional qualification, , At least ten years relevant work experience in finance or business administration, preferably in the international development sector, with at least half of that at the senior management level, proven leadership skills and the ability to support organizational change, ability in budgeting, planning and control of medium or large size organisation, ability to forecast financial challenges and provide strategic inputs, experience in office operations, organisational development, and institutional practices, experience of contributing to development and designing of inclusive proposals, in-depth knowledge and experience in financial reporting requirements, strong understanding of donor rules and requirements and ability to identify, assess, monitor, and manage risks including developing mitigation strategies.

A detailed Job Profile can be accessed through this link: https://practicalaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JD-Head-of-Finance-Systems-Mar-2023.pdf

How to apply

If you are ready for an exciting challenge with an organisation whose mission and values are particularly relevant in these rapidly changing times, please forward your application, curriculum vitae and cover letter to: Practical Action, Kenya Office by email :[email protected] not later than 30th March, 2023 indicating ‘Practical Action: Job Title Position’ in the subject line of the email. Your cover letter should outline why you feel this is the position for you and you are the right candidate. Please include the names of 3 referees in your CV.

Additional Information

Practical Action is an equal opportunities employer and we encourage applications from under-represented groups. We stay committed to cultivating an inclusive and diverse working environment and believe that people from different backgrounds or cultures give us different perspectives, and the more perspectives we have, the more successful we will be. By building a culture where everyone feels heard, respected and valued we give everyone working with us the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Practical Action is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults and as such candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks.

The successful applicant must have the pre-existing right to both live and work in Kenya. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Practical Action is a global innovator, inspiring people to discover and adopt ingenious, practical ways to free themselves from poverty and disadvantage. With over 50 years of expertise, Practical Action has a strong heritage, and track record of bringing communities and experts together to find practical, sustainable solutions to enable people to meet their needs, which work for both people and the planet.

We are committed to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment through all our work. This includes programmes, knowledge sharing, advocacy, external communications, and our own organisational development. At a minimum, we ensure that all our work is gender sensitive, seeking gender transformative approaches as our overall ambition and in accordance with context.

Practical Action is commencing a five-year project that will be implemented in Kisumu, Homabay, Siaya, Migori, Nyamira, Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and Vihiga Counties. The project aims to make agriculture an attractive and resilient employer for young people by promoting agricultural livelihoods for the youth underpinned by agro-ecological principles and practices. The project aims to break the cycles of low productivity and increasing rural poverty, through a holistic approach which will enable young men and women to increase their income through agri-business.

Practical Action seeks to recruit a capable and profession Driver to be based in our Kisumu field office. The post holder will be responsible for driving Practical Action vehicles to transfer staff and approved visitors and project stakeholders as well as to deliver/collect parcels as assigned.

To be successful in the role, you will have at least Secondary School Education (KCSE), minimum valid Kenya driver’s license Class (B, C, E), minimum of 3 years accident-free driving experience, must be of good conduct demonstrated through a valid certificate of good conduct, basic level vehicle mechanics and Computer skills (at least in use of Ms Word, Excel and Internet) is desirable.

A detailed job description can be accessed through this link: https://practicalaction.org/careers/vacancies/drivers-3-ray-project/

How to apply

If you have the experience, skills and the ability we are looking for, please email your application letter stating your motivation and suitability for the role and an up to date CV to: :[email protected] with the title ‘Driver – RAY Project ’ not later than 17th March 2023.

Practical Action is a global innovator, inspiring people to discover and adopt ingenious, practical ways to free themselves from poverty and disadvantage. With over 50 years of expertise, Practical Action has a strong heritage, and track record of bringing communities and experts together to find practical, sustainable solutions to enable people to meet their needs, which work for both people and the planet.

We are committed to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment through all our work. This includes programmes, knowledge sharing, advocacy, external communications, and our own organisational development. At a minimum, we ensure that all our work is gender sensitive, seeking gender transformative approaches as our overall ambition and in accordance with context. We believe that the possibilities open to employees of Practical Action to participate and reach their full potential should not be defined by gender. Practical Action therefore seek to create an inclusive workplace for both women and men.

Reporting to the Country Director, the Head of People, Culture and Administration plays a leadership role in planning and delivering our ambition in people and culture, ensuring alignment to our global approach, and supporting management in strengthening our investment in people.

The post holder will provide operational expertise and leadership to the Country Office team across the full range of people matters and provide advice and guidance in line with our strategy, global standards, labour law and best practice approaches. The post holder will be directly accountable for the delivery of the Kenya Human Resource function. Additionally, the role provides oversight of the administrative processes, procedures, policies, and people across the Kenya office including the procurement, logistics and security function of the office.

The post holder will be accountable for partnering, coaching and supporting the Kenya team on all people related matters to enable good and inclusive people management, empowering managers to lead, and to deliver on the strategic ambitions of the Kenya office relating to people and culture. This will include identifying and leading on improvements to the day-to-day function as well as delivering on global initiatives projects such as Reward, Flexible Working, Induction and new global policies.

As an experienced Human Resources professional, you will have a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Human Resource Management, or similar discipline, 5 – 7 years of post-graduate working experience in human resource management and administration, knowledge in HR best practice and innovative new practices, ability to provide strategic inputs, Knowledge, understanding and application of employment law in Kenya, experience in Learning and Development of staff, office operations, organisational development, and institutional practices, Operational experience of working within a busy HR and Admin team environment providing timely and high-quality advice and work in all aspects of HR (recruitment, reward, employee relations, employment legislation, learning and development, change management, policies, and processes), knowledge and experience in application of gender equality principles in execution of the mandate is desirable.

A detailed Job Profile can be accessed through this link: https://practicalaction.org/careers/vacancies/head-of-people-culture-administration/

How to apply

If you are ready for an exciting challenge with an organisation whose mission and values are particularly relevant in these rapidly changing times, please forward your application, curriculum vitae and cover letter to: Practical Action, Kenya Office by email :[email protected] not later than 22nd March, 2023 indicating ‘Practical Action: Job Title Position’ in the subject line of the email. Your cover letter should outline why you feel this is the position for you and you are the right candidate. Please include the names of 3 referees in your CV.

Additional Information

Practical Action is an equal opportunities employer and we encourage applications from under-represented groups. We stay committed to cultivating an inclusive and diverse working environment and believe that people from different backgrounds or cultures give us different perspectives, and the more perspectives we have, the more successful we will be. By building a culture where everyone feels heard, respected and valued we give everyone working with us the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Practical Action is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults and as such candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks.

The successful applicant must have the pre-existing right to both live and work in Kenya. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

PRACTICAL ACTION

Practical Action is a global innovator, inspiring people to discover and adopt ingenious, practical ways to free themselves from poverty and disadvantage. With over 50 years of expertise, Practical Action has a strong heritage, and track record of bringing communities and experts together to find practical, sustainable solutions to enable people to meet their needs, which work for both people and the planet.

We are committed to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment through all our work. This includes programs, knowledge sharing, advocacy, external communications, and our own organizational development. At a minimum, we ensure that all our work is gender sensitive, seeking gender transformative approaches as our overall ambition and in accordance with context.

ABOUT THE ROLE

• To work closely with, and support, the Africa Director on the operational aspects of the five programmes in Africa. In particular building capacity and collaboration across country offices and teams.
• To build key relationships based on mutual trust and respect within regional/country offices in order strengthen and build robust operational and financial capacity in country offices and increase confidence and skills relevant to the programs.
• To be able to engage informal teams and networks, internally and globally, to support the programs capability and effectiveness. To be able to tap into the relevant internal expertise and resources as needed.
• To support the country offices in anticipating issues, mitigating risks, and finding solutions within the scope of the operational aspects of the program work.

ABOUT YOU

You will have professional experience in the field of international development, preferably with a good portion of that gained in overseas contexts. You will have a strong understanding and experience of new business development, including facilitation of consortia and partnerships, opportunity identification, quality proposal development and donor rules.

You will need experience of project and award management, including planning, budgeting, resource management, controls, problem solving, monitoring, and delivering on time, to quality and within budget. You will have experience of building capability, through coaching and mentoring methods, and some experience in safety & security management and wider risk management.

We are looking for someone with positive persuasion skills, who works in a way that builds trust and respect, who is able to work in different cultural contexts.

Location: This role is being advertised to attract suitable candidates from across Africa and beyond. The successful candidate could be based in any of the countries with a Practical Action presence – Rwanda, Sudan, Senegal, Kenya & Zimbabwe therefore the Right to Work for the respective country is essential.

Remote working / home working is possible with this role.

Salary: The salary and benefits will be applied according to the salary scale in the country where the candidate is appointed.

A detailed job description can be accessed using this link: https://practicalaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Recruitment-Pack-Operations-Support-Manager-Africa-March-2023.pdf

How to apply

Submit your CV and a supporting statement outlining your suitability for the role to [email protected]

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 7th March 2023

Tentative date for interviews: Monday 13th March 2023

Practical Action is an equal opportunities employer, and we encourage applications from under-represented groups. We stay committed to cultivating an inclusive and diverse working environment and believe that people from different backgrounds or cultures give us different perspectives, and the more perspectives we have, the more successful we will be. By building a culture where everyone feels heard, respected and valued we give everyone working with us the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Practical Action is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults and as such candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks including criminal checks and terrorist financing. Please note that this is an urgent recruitment and shortlisting shall be done as applications are received. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

About the role 

• To work closely with, and support, the Africa Director on the operational aspects of the five programmes in Africa.  In particular building capacity and collaboration across country offices and teams.
• To build key relationships based on mutual trust and respect within regional/country offices in order strengthen and build robust operational and financial capacity in country offices and increase confidence and skills relevant to the programmes.
• To be able to engage informal teams and networks, internally and globally, to support the programmes capability and effectiveness. To be able to tap into the relevant internal expertise and resources as needed.
• To support the country offices in anticipating issues, mitigating risks and finding solutions within the scope of the operational aspects of the programme work.

About you

• You will have professional experience in the field of international development, preferably with a good portion of that gained in overseas contexts.
• You will have a strong understanding and experience of new business development, including facilitation of consortia and partnerships, opportunity identification, quality proposal development and donor rules.
• You will need experience of project and award management, including planning, budgeting, resource management, controls, problem solving, monitoring, and delivering on time, to quality and within budget. You will have experience of building capability, through coaching and mentoring methods, and some experience in safety & security management and wider risk management.
• We are looking for someone with positive persuasion skills, who works in a way that builds trust and respect, who is able to work in different cultural contexts.

Method of Application

Submit your CV and a supporting statement outlining your suitability for the role to [email protected] . Closing date for applications: Tuesday 7th March 2023

The objectives of this project are as follows:

• To design an office space that reflects our organization’s brand and culture.
• To create a comfortable and functional working environment for our employees.
• To optimize the use of the available space and to ensure that the office layout supports our workflow.
• To select appropriate furniture, fixtures, and equipment that match our company’s style and budget.
• To reuse and re-modify old furniture from our current office space.
• To complete the project within the specified timeline.

Scope of Work

The interior designer and contractor will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Conduct a needs assessment to determine Practical Action’s specific requirements.
• Develop a design concept that aligns with our Organization’s brand and culture.
• Provide detailed layout and floor plans, including furniture and equipment specifications.
• Provide color schemes, materials, and finishes for all interior elements.
• Make recommendations on the use of existing partitions or the removal of any partitions that do not align with the design concept.
• Reuse and re-modify old furniture from our current office space.
• Provide cost estimates and project timelines for approval by Practical Action
• Coordinate and execute the implementation of the design concept.
• Provide project management, including scheduling, supervision, quality control, and communication with Practical Action.

Deliverables

The following deliverables are expected from the interior designer and contractor:

• A comprehensive design concept including layout and floor plans, furniture and equipment specifications, color schemes, materials, and finishes.
• Provide cost estimates and project timelines.
• Coordination and execution of the implementation of the design concept, including reusing and re-modifying old furniture from our current office space.
• Project management, including scheduling, supervision, quality control, and communication with Practical Action.

Timeline

The project is expected to be completed within 3 weeks, starting from the date of the contract award.

Selection Criteria

The selection of the interior designer and contractor will be based on the following criteria:

• Relevant experience in office interior design and contracting.
• Demonstration of creative design solutions that meet Practical Action’s objectives.
• Availability to start the project within the specified timeframe.
• Cost-effectiveness of the proposed design and contracting services.

Method of Application

Interested interior designers and contractors should submit a proposal, including their portfolio, company profile, and relevant experience, to [email protected] no later than 24th February 2023 at 4:30pm.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the selection criteria outlined above, and the successful candidate will be notified by 1st March 2023.