Country Education Programme Manager, AKF Kenya at Aga Khan Foundation

Overall Role:

Reporting to the Regional Education and ECD Advisor, the Education Programme Manager (EPM) is responsible for leading the education portfolio and co-lead the ECD portfolio. The EPM will be responsible for developing and maintaining a robust portfolio of education and ECD programmes, grant management, high quality delivery of existing programmes, promoting learning and innovation, fostering effective partnerships, and enhancing visibility of AKF and AKDN in the education sector in Kenya. The EPM will work closely with the AKF(EA) Regional Education and ECD Advisor based in Nairobi.

Specific Responsibilities include:
Programme Strategy, Design, and Resource Mobilisation: Lead programme design processes for new opportunities to ensure a robust pipeline of for new education projects in Kenya:

• Develop a deep understanding of AKF’s Education strategy and priorities in the education sector in Kenya, East Africa, and globally.
• Develop an understanding of the priorities of other AKDN education agencies including the Aga Khan University – Institute for Education Development, Aga Khan Schools, and the Madrasa Early Childhood Programme.
• Proactively engage donor agencies, foundations, and other funders to mobilise resources to deepen and broaden AKF’s education programming in Kenya.

Effective portfolio and award management: Ensure high quality award management and reporting for all donor grants for education.

• Implement/improve award management system, processes, guidelines, and tools to effectively collaborate with Programme Managers to ensure all projects are delivered on budget, on time, and with quality.
• Collaborate with Programme Managers to set-up new education projects, including start-up plans, inception workshops, and recruitment plans, to ensure projects are set-up to succeed. 
• Manage donor communications to maintain positive partnerships and relationships.

Programme Quality and Learning: Improve the technical implementation and quality of education programmes in Kenya.

• Invest in developing a deeper understanding of education theory, best practices, and new thinking in Kenya and Globally as well as a deep understanding of the progress, challenges, and solutions from the school to systems level in Kenya.
• Proactively identify technical assistance needs of projects and the implementing teams. Organise technical advisory services/consultancies, as needed and ensure TA is delivered effectively.
• Introduce innovative ideas/approaches/technologies to improve programme implementation, sustainability, and impact based on findings and evidence.

Learning, Policy Engagement, and Communications: Lead a robust learning, policy engagement and communications agenda for the education targeting key stakeholders (government, donors, NGOs/CSOs, practitioners, AKDN etc.) to inform policy, programmes, and practices.

• Identify critical aspects of Kenyan education sector where AKF can influence policy and practice to develop and implement a learning and dialogue framework to enable AKF to influence policy and practice.
• Collaborate with Programme and M&E team, develop and lead the research and learning agenda.
• Manage relations with relevant ministries and parastatal bodies to enable information exchange and for influencing/informing national policies, strategies, regulations, and programmes.

The requirements

About you
To succeed in this role, you will need to be demonstrate a expertise and experience across the roles and responsibilities outlined, including:

• Strategic thinking
• Respect for diversity with a commitment to listen, hear, and appreciate diverse perspectives.
• A commitment to personal, professional, and collaborative learning.
• Self-motivated and able to take initiative.
• Inclusive programme design.
• Successful resource mobilisation.
• High quality report writing.
• Bachelor's degree in education, development, or relevant social science. Masters is desirable.
• Seven years of professional experience including evidence leading education projects and teams.
• Expert in written and oral communication in English and Kiswahili