Head of Partnerships & Programmes

About the Role

Role Objective

The Head of Partnerships & Programmes role is at the centre of Shujaaz’s ambitious strategy for growth and impact. You will lead and manage key donor relationships as well as build relationships with other partners, representing Shujaaz Inc externally. You will oversee the design and delivery of all Shujaaz programmes bringing experience in strategy development and profile-raising, with a track record of delivering programmes that deliver impact at scale.

Reporting to the Managing Director Shujaaz, you will work closely with the HOD’s to ensure Shujaaz’s programmes deliver impact and value to both their partners and to the young people they are designed for.

Key responsibilities

The Head of Partnerships & Programmes function has the following core roles:

• Partnerships: The Head of Partnerships & Programmes is the main point of contact for all Shujaaz funding and strategic partners and is responsible for building, strengthening and sustaining dynamic partnerships that result in lasting engagements, renewed business and a growing network of ambassadors for Shujaaz Inc.
• Programme Delivery: The Head of Partnerships & Programmes is responsible for the effective delivery of all Shujaaz programmes, ensuring coordinated and efficient cross-functional programme design that will deliver impact for youth in East Africa. Managing a team of account managers, they will ensure effective programme delivery that ensures client, audience, business and brand expectations are enforced and maintained across all programme activities. The programme function creates an enabling environment for all teams to contribute to the design and delivery of programmes in a coordinated and efficient way. The account management structure model for Shujaaz requires a strategic leader to shape the future of this department. This will require someone with entrepreneurial skills; a self-starter, but also someone who is sensitive to the impact of change on others.
• Strategy & Leadership: The Head of Partnerships & Programmes will act as an entrepreneurial thought partner in the organisation and provide input in decisions related to fundraising, strategic communications and technical programmatic issues. They will provide strong, visible leadership internally at Shujaaz as well as externally, taking an active role in raising the international brand profile of Shujaaz Inc as a world-leading expert on young people in East Africa, and the power of story-telling and media to deliver social change.
• People Management & Finance: The Head of Partnerships & Programmes will manage and coach a team of Programme Account Managers and will be responsible for developing and managing a department budget as well as multiple programme budgets.

About You

What we’re looking for;

·    Experience at a senior level of proactively developing, designing & securing funding for development projects in Africa and/or globally

·    Experience in building partnerships with international development donors and other sector organizations.

·    Experience in growing and managing a team, establishing robust processes and systems & enabling a team to meet multiple deadlines under pressure.

·    Knowledge of international development sector trends and of the key themes in which Shujaaz Inc works.

·    You have proven experience securing new business by writing dynamic, concise proposals & / or donor reports for large grants, including financial narratives

·    Experience with managing complex budgets.

·    Experience/understanding of social behaviour change communications is an added advantage.

Additionally, the capabilities required to succeed in this role include:

• Leadership: You are a natural leader who is able to build, inspire and develop a team, especially through a period of change.

• Strategic thinking: You are a strong strategic thinker that is able to respond to both tactical and long-term opportunities, working with Shujaaz’s teams (Knowledge & Learning, Media Production, Finance and Networks) to design programmes that will deliver sustainable change for youth and does so in a way that positions our organisation as an innovator and leader in the sector.

• Partnership builder: You have strong interpersonal communication and negotiation skills and are able to identify and create alignment between organisations, developing mutually-beneficial partnerships.

• Communication skills: You are a clear and compelling communicator, working with the CEO and Communications team to craft compelling proposals and reports for our donors and representing the organisation at high-profile speaking events.

• Systems thinker: You are someone who can get into the detail of a particular project but also understands the way systems and processes can deliver results at scale.

• Value-for-money-driven: You have experience in creating plans and budgets that unlock cost-efficiencies; and are someone who is always exploring new, more efficient ways of working to deliver greater value to our donors and to young people.

• Purpose alignment: You have a deep commitment to empowering our young people to take control of their lives through our ventures.

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Reports to: Managing Director, Shujaaz Inc.

Direct Reports: Programme Account Managers (3); Senior Research Manager (x1)