Senior Project Manager at Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is now searching for a dynamic and driven Senior Project Manager to join the GAIN Kenya team and to ensure effective ongoing performance of a complex and ambitious food systems project through leading a team of direct reports and functional specialists. This role is offered on a fixed-term basis until December 2024, subject to funding, and is based in the GAIN office in Nairobi, Kenya.

About GAIN

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people. In particular, we aim to make healthier food choices more desirable, more available, and more affordable. GAIN’s mission is to advance nutrition outcomes by improving consumption of nutritious and safe food for all people, especially the most vulnerable to malnutrition.

About the Role

The Senior Project Manager is a leadership role. The postholder is expected to ensure effective ongoing performance of a complex and ambitious food systems project through leading a team of direct reports and functional specialists (advisors). Theyy will be directly responsible for managing key stakeholder relationships internally and externally.

The post is a dynamic and exciting role. The Sr. Project Manager will be expected to quickly develop strong relationships with their team, relevant partners, exploiting synergies within GAIN and with external stakeholders to ensure continued, effective project delivery. This role is offered on a fixed-term basis until December 2024, subject to funding, and is based in the GAIN office in Nairobi, Kenya.

Specific Responsibilities include;

• Leading and managing the activity planning and schedule of project timelines, in close collaboration with the PST and KL focal points to ensure integration and coherence among all project activities
• Supervising the implementation of project activities to ensure they are completed in a timely manner in accordance with Project Management Guidelines, and in collaboration with the PST & KL focal points, local partners, and country leadership.
• Reviewing project deliverables and ensure their timely delivery
• Leading resource allocation, budgets and forecasting.
• Ensuring efficient management of project funds through regular tracking of funds utilization and gaps thereof along with Kenya and global finance point persons.
• Establishing and maintaining close collaboration with GAIN subject matter experts in PST and KL.
• Maintaining high level liaison with government stakeholders (county level) and other organizations working on complementary projects in the country context to share knowledge and best practice.
• Line managing direct reports, specifically supporting yearly work plan development and performance management.
• Developing direct reports to maximize their contribution to the project team and organization.

About You

Applicants for this role should have proven experience in international development within a project management/project leadership role with an existing network in Kenya. They should have demonstrable experience in delivering projects on time and on budget and should be confident using project management processes and tools to ensure that project goals are consistently met. They should have a strong understanding of Kenyan public health sector and existing food systems, and ideally will have previous experience working with the Kenyan government at county and/or national levels.

In addition to the above, applicants should possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in management, business management, nutrition, food science, health, international development, or a relevant field. Additional Master’s qualifications in the above fields and/or in project management or business administration are highly desirable.

About our Offer

The starting salary on offer for this role is from KES 3,657,196 to 4,181,194 per annum, dependent on experience.

GAIN has a fair and competitive salary structure that allows for annual progression subject to good performance. In addition, GAIN offers a total of 37 days holiday per year (including annual leave, public holidays and additional office closure days), an attractive pension scheme and competitive insurance cover including health, travel and life assurance.

We are committed to the health of our staff, especially in these challenging times, and have developed a programme of wellbeing that includes flexible working, additional leave allowances, wellbeing days, mindfulness coaching and access to independent and confidential counselling.

GAIN also has a strong commitment to professional development. We will support you to grow in your career through both formal and informal training, and are committed to providing opportunities through internal recruitment, secondments and promotion. All of this is delivered in a supportive and collaborative environment.

This advert closes on 17th December 2021. Early applications are encouraged. GAIN reserves the right to close this advert early should we receive suitable candidates ahead of the closing date.

Applicants must have the existing right to live and work in Kenya. Please note that GAIN are currently unable to sponsor working visas.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition is committed to equality of opportunity and creating an inclusive environment where diversity is valued. We are keen to reflect the diversity of our society at every level within our organisation and therefore welcome applications from talented and committed people from all backgrounds, representing the diverse societies we operate in.