Program Manager – Early Childhood Development (ECD)

Job Summary

• The Program Manager – ECD is responsible for all aspects of implementation of the ECD projects in Kenya. S/he will work closely with the Association of Sisterhood of Kenya (AOSK) and Inter Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) and their affiliate partners to coordinate and oversee the development and implementation of the projects. All planning and implementation will be done in close coordination with AOSK and IRCK with the aim of increasing their technical and organizational sustainability to ensure quality ECD services delivery.

Job Responsibilities

• Serve as overall Program Manager for the projects, ensuring quality implementation in compliance with CRS and donor policy; provide technical and programmatic leadership.
• Lead and coordinate the development of Detailed Implementation Plans (DIPs) and oversee implementation of project activities in line with the approved plans, and according to approved budget and donor guidelines.
• Ensure CRS policies and procedures are adhered to at all times.
• Maintain accurate project records and any other responsibilities that may be assigned to you from time to time.
• Provide leadership and strategic direction to initiative fundraising efforts in Kenya, including participating in the identification of new strategic directions and donors, and proposal development.
• Provide guidance and technical oversight to ensure ECD training for partners is developed according to international and Kenyan ECD standards; ensure interventions meet the specific needs of children 0-5 affected by HIV/AIDS.
• Design training materials and organize trainings taking into account the specific needs of the sisters and faith leaders.
• Work closely with AOSK and IRCK to build capacity of Sister Congregations and Religious Coordinating Bodies to implement ECD, Institutional Strengthening and Advocacy activities.
• Keep abreast of technical developments and new research in ECD.
• Manage ongoing relations with project participants and address any issues in a timely manner.
• Prepare and submit timely, quality progress reports that meet organization and donor requirements to the SCORE-ECD Coordinator (EARO) and Interfaith Advocacy on ECD Lead
• Provide technical reports or other M&E special reports as requested.
• Contribute to the development of organizational learning through information sharing with counterparts in Malawi, Ghana, Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique.
• Coordinate and work with ECD consultants who provide support to the projects.
• Provide overall financial management of the projects. This includes, but is not limited to, monthly reviews of Budget Comparison Report (BCR) against donor line items, timely submission of budget tracking forms, budget maintenance forms, cash forecast forms, and annual budgets, preparation of quarterly forecasts, local partner grant management, and timely submission of quarterly and annual expenditure analysis reports.
• Ensure that project expenditure is undertaken in line with CRS finance policies and procedures, CRS sub-recipient monitoring policies, and donor requirements.
• In collaboration with finance department, provide guidance to partners on financial management and stewardship.
• Effectively manage talent and supervise the ECD Advocacy SPO in line with CRS’ values, principles, and commitment to Respect, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI).
• Manage team dynamics and staff well-being, provide coaching, strategically tailor individual development plans, and complete performance management for direct report.
• Ensure staff and project compliance with all CRS administrative, safeguarding, MEAL, operational, and financial procedures, and policies, as well as applicable to the donor regulations.
• With partner staff, review project goals and objectives on a regular basis and develop an annual work plan; oversee work plan implementation.
• In coordination with partner staff, design and implement relevant, effective, efficient, sustainable interventions that achieve project goals and objectives in a timely manner, using donor-approved project documents and work plans to guide implementation.
• Prioritize participation of Sisters and the Faith Leaders throughout the programming process and ensure interventions address identified priority needs by congregations.
• Collaborate with CRS’ MEAL Coordinator, SCORE-ECD RegionalCoordinator and Interfaith Advocacy on ECD Lead to provide guidance to partner staff and congregations. Work with MEAL to ensure CRS and partner staff are using the MEAL tools and systems to ensure complete and accurate data is collected and reported monthly, and that the reliable data informs project decision-making, captures project impact, and meets CRS agency-wide, regional, and donor, reporting requirements.
• Routinely analyze MEAL data, field visit findings, and other feedback. Based on this learning, modify programming as necessary in order to meet projects targets and objectives.
• Forge and manage dynamic partnerships with the GoK, local implementing partners, civil society partners including faith-based organizations and leaders, academic institutions, UN agencies, and the donor community in Kenya and externally. Act as primary program contact to MoH, MoE, NCCS, and other local and international stakeholders responsible for addressing all project matters.
• Engage the local implementing partners, as appropriate, during key stages in the project cycle to ensure that their insights and experiences inform approaches and interventions and to support program quality.
• Conduct monthly site supervisory and mentoring visits to partner congregations, Religious Coordinating Bodies and County Interfaith Networks
• Lead in identification of partner capacity gaps and strengthen capacities to improve project implementation.
• Collaborate closely with AOSK and IRCK on financial, managerial, and other capacity building initiatives.
• Provide substantive and timely feedback on partner reports.
• In collaboration with the PCS Unit Lead, Senior Technical Advisors, and other project staff, provide guidance and technical oversight to AOSK and IRCK and their implementing partners, government entities, and other collaborating agencies and stakeholders to ensure that project objectives are achieved.
• Oversee the identification, documentation and dissemination of project learning and results in various forums, including media stories, lessons learned, case studies, etc., and support learning exchanges among the donor community, GoK entities, and other programs both within and outside of Kenya aligned to learning plans and influence strategies.
• Foster linkages with other CRS/Kenya projects and pursue opportunities for project integration.
• Support the development and dissemination of up-to-date information, education, and communication (IEC) materials, as necessary.
• Draft, review, and obtain appropriate approval for project reports, as necessary, and ensure timely submission to donor.
• Organize and participate in regular ECD meetings with key stakeholders including the line Ministries and state departments, local universities, ECD experts, Sisters, faith leaders and representatives of the Catholic Church.
• Maintain close communication and coordination with ECD stakeholders within Kenya.
• Collaborate closely with SCORE-ECD Coordinator, Interfaith Advocacy on ECD Lead, HQ ECD technical experts, regional Technical Advisors, and ECD consultants; disseminate lessons learned.
• Represent CRS at national/sub national stakeholder meetings and other external meetings and conferences as needed.

Required Languages – English Fluency, Knowledge of a main national language.
Travel– Must be willing and able to travel up to 40% to the field Location.
Personal Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, representation, and networking skills.
• Practical experience in ECD training
• Strong relationship management skills with ability to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Good strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment.
• Good technical writing skills
• Presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful, and results-oriented

Supervision: SPO ECD Advocacy
Key Working Relationships

• Internal: CRS/Kenya programming and operations departments, SCORE-ECD Coordinator, Interfaith Advocacy on ECD Lead, CRS HQ and regional staff, CRS ECD staff in Malawi, Zambia and Ghana, Interfaith Advocacy Project in Tanzania and Mozambique as well as appropriate regional technical advisors.
• External: National Association of Sisterhood of Kenya (AOSK), partner congregations and Sisters, Inter Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), National Council for Children Services, Line Ministries both at National and County levels, Kenyan universities, ECD experts, and HIV/AIDS stakeholders in country.

Qualifications
Typical Background, Experience & Requirements:
Education And Experience

• Degree in Early Childhood Development, Education, Social Work, Health, or related field. Masters-level Degree will be added advantage.
• At least 5 years of ECD field experience including experience in ECD curriculum development and trainings.
• Strong background in working with children 0-5 affected and infected by HIV/AIDS
• Demonstrated commitment to development through local empowerment.
• Demonstrated knowledge in project cycle management.
• Experience working with Catholic Sisters strongly preferred.
• Ability to work both independently, and as member of diverse task teams.
• Advanced computer literacy (Microsoft Office)
• Demonstrated commitment to respect, equity, diversity, and inclusion including gender equality.