Operations Program Manager at - Nairobi, Kenya - Flone Initiative

Description

Flone Initiative is a pan-African women-led non-profit organization working towards the realization of Safe, Accessible, Inclusive and Sustainable public transportation for all in Africa, with particular focus on women and vulnerable groups.

Summary

This is a full-time on-site role for an Operations Program Manager. The Operations Program Manager will oversee day-to-day operations, manage programs and projects, and ensure the organization's smooth running. This role is located in Kiambu, Kenya.
Responsibilities
Strategic leadership

As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), contribute to strategic direction, organisational decision-making, and other management related issues
Encourage and promote empowering and collaborative leadership, effective management, and a culture of openness, innovation and accountability in line Flone's values
Regularly update and account to SMT on programs work and provide expert advice.

Identify the key gaps and opportunities in the external public policy and service delivery environments where Flone programmatic and advocacy interventions can have high impact and bring about progressive change.

Identify the key gaps and opportunities in the public transport sector where Floans's programmatic and advocacy interventions can have high impact and bring about progressive change
Leads the design of quality projects and proposals for implementation of Flone's strategic plan
Guide the development of policy and advocacy programs
Communicate Flone's impact through strategic media engagements including writing, radio and tv interviews etc
Deputise for, and represent, the Executive Director as required

Program design and implementation

Lead the planning and design of high quality programmes around for gender equity, inclusion and movement building ,
Ensure effective programme design and delivery in line with Flones's strategic plan,
Set high standards and protocols for programming quality that reflect adherence to technical standards, best practice and donor guidelines,
Work collaboratively with Grants and Partnerships Office to mobilise resources, effectively manage relationships, negotiations and communication efforts with donors and partners in all phases of project design and implementation
Assist in development of funding and partnership proposals
Develop and ensure timely monthly, quarterly and annual programmatic reporting and information
Develop operational plans and budgets for the implementation of programmes.
Manage and monitor expenditure against budgets for strategic and annual plans in adherence to financial guidelines and ensuring value for money
Lead monitoring and evaluation processes and measure both qualitative and quantitative outcomes and impacts of programs
Serve as the key liaison with key stakeholders and implementing partners;
Evaluate and manage program risks
Manage data collection for the updating of metrics to achieve productivity targets, reduce cost per unit, eliminate errors, and deliver excellent service

Research and Knowledge management

Keep up to date with the existing body of research and ensure its effective use in our programmes and advocacy;
Conduct high quality research to generate new evidence to address knowledge gaps and our organisational gaps;
Build organisational capacity and effective partnerships to generate, understand and use research evidence;
Ensure effective dissemination of research findings within and outside the organisation;
Facilitates knowledge management, learning and capacity building .

Policy advocacy and social accountability

Build strong movements of women and linkages with like-minded organisations to advocate for a gender sensitive, fair, and equitable public transport systems;
Represent Flone in relationships with senior decision-makers to persuasively advocate for gender sensitive, fair and equitable public transport sector;
Contribute to regional and global advocacy platforms to advocate for gender sensitive, fair and equitable public transport;
Raise awareness of gender, equity, and human rights issues in public transport systems;
Draft policy positions, standards and guidelines for a gender sensitive , fair and just public transport systems and advocate for their adoption,
Advocate for incorporation of climate change resilience, adaptation , and green energy transition in public transport sector.

Donor Compliance and Reporting

In collaboration with the Grants and Partnerships and programmme team ensure effective compliance with funding agreements through translated proposal documents, start-of-project workshops and training on donor guidelines.

Effectively manage and lead the program teams to ensure appropriate compliance including reporting schedules, preparation of quality donor narratives and financial reports.

Produce Flone's annual and half-year program reports, consolidating inputs into the country level report.

Human Resources Management

Provide management support to Executive Director including track staffing requirements, hiring new employees as needed
Support the recruitment of competent staff and effectively manage the program team to deliver high performance;
develop team members in order to maximize their contribution to the team and organization;
Coach, guide, and mentor program staff so that they are effective in quality program delivery;
Create and maintain a positive environment conducive for high performance of the department;
Ensure proper staff performance management processes are undertaken and maintained with people management responsibility, ensuring that all processes are properly documented;
Ensure that work within the programme team(s) is planned and organised in a way which will meet the organisation's needs in the most cost-effective manner, ensuring that team members are given appropriate workloads and are working efficiently;

Build clear processes in each programme to ensure organisational learning is prioritised and systematically used in project cycle management, external exchange and advocacy.

Lead, motivate, and support colleagues within a time-sensitive and demanding environment, including career development plans for direct reports and problem resolution
Perform any other tasks as may be assigned from time to time.

Qualifications

Five or more years of proven success in a program management role
Strong skills in budget development and oversight

Competence in application of common approaches to work including partnerships, inclusion, systems strengthening, creating behavioral change, and mainstreaming gender and inclusion of women and PLWD.

Experience of leading the design and implementation of projects; facilitating capacity building or institutional support activities targeting partners/ actors
Proven ability to innovate and develop a successful change agenda.
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative partnerships and alliances for influencing government policy and program delivery.
Familiarity with the rights-based approach, social justice, adult empowerment and gender sensitive approaches.
Ability to take outputs from critical thoughts/analysis to inform programme plans, 'hands on' and problem solving.
Excellent relationship management skills with a variety of stakeholders.
Excellent ability to delegate responsibilities while maintaining organizational control of operations and beneficiary service
Understanding of monitoring and evaluation tools and methodologies
Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in leading, managing, and motivating others, and building high performing teams.
Strong people management skills
Proficiency in conflict management and negotiation processes
Ability to quickly and effectively problem solve and troubleshoot independently
Knowledge of productivity software, program management techniques and methods
An aptitude for learning new applications
Good communication skills and fluent command of written and spoken English, Kiswahili and Sheng