The Programme Director serves as the technical and operational head of the FIYMA Implementation Team. This role is crucial for ensuring the successful implementation of this 5-year, Mastercard Foundation-funded programme by providing strategic leadership, technical oversight, and direct management of all related activities, notably including a $17 million Fund. A primary function is managing effective partnerships with Lead Sub Contractors/implementing partners.
Key Responsibilities
Programme Leadership and Management
Provide strategic, technical, and managerial leadership to ensure effective planning, implementation, and achievement of programme outcomes in line with the Foundation’s requirements and institutional priorities.
- Lead and oversee all phases of the programme cycle, including design, planning, implementation, quality assurance, monitoring, evaluation, learning, and accountability.
- Provide day-to-day leadership and coordination of programme operations to ensure activities are delivered on time, within scope, and to the highest standards of quality and compliance.
- Supervise and mentor programme staff, ensuring clear work planning, performance management, capacity development, and a supportive environment that fosters teamwork, innovation, and accountability.
- Provide technical guidance and strategic direction in the development and implementation of work plans, strategies, training materials, operational manuals, and knowledge products.
- Ensure effective integration of core technical areas, including business development services, market systems development, social inclusion, cooperative management, and climate-smart practices, across all programme components.
- Strengthen internal coordination and collaboration within MESPT, ensuring efficient communication, alignment, and synergy across departments and thematic areas.
- Represent MESPT at high-level meetings, workshops, and forums with government, development partners, private sector actors, and other stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and visibility of the programme.
Subcontractor Coordination and Management
Provide strategic leadership, coordination, and oversight to ensure the effective delivery of programme results across all subcontractors. Facilitate collaboration between Women’s Empowerment Link (WEL), East Africa Market Development Associates (EAMDA), and NCBA-CLUSA to achieve alignment with programme objectives, contractual obligations, and donor requirements. Specific tasks include:
- Serve as the principal liaison among consortium partners to ensure cohesive and timely execution of activities across all programme components.
- Convene regular coordination meetings to review progress, share learnings, and resolve implementation challenges.
- Facilitate effective communication, joint planning, and decision-making within established governance and reporting frameworks.
- Ensure subcontractor compliance with the Grant Agreement, including contractual, fiduciary, and safeguarding standards.
- Lead the joint preparation and harmonization of annual and quarterly work plans to promote complementarity and synergy across consortium interventions.
- Monitor implementation progress, coordinate technical support, and ensure deliverables are aligned with approved work plans, budgets, and results frameworks.
Qualifications, Experience & Skills
Candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Master’s degree in development studies, Agricultural Economics, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership in large-scale donor-funded programmes (>$25M), including at least 7 years in a Programme Director, Chief of Party, Team Leader, or equivalent in a senior management role.
- Proven experience in managing multi-partner consortia and large budgets of $25 M and above.
- Demonstrated expertise in financial inclusion, MSME development, cooperative development, and agribusiness transformation.
- Demonstrated adaptability, innovative thinking, and a track record in scaling financial and agricultural models sustainably.
- Strong knowledge of youth empowerment approaches, gender equity, disability inclusion, and safeguarding.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
- Fluency in English and Kiswahili, with strong writing and reporting skills.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and team building skills.
- Ability to apply functional marketing, business planning, debt finance and investment, business growth advisory service or related areas.
Additional experience required:
- Experience working with Kenya’s agricultural finance ecosystem, including partnerships with SACCOs, microfinance banks, and digital finance providers.
- Prior engagement in working with refugees or youth-employment initiatives.
