Head of School – Nairobi, Kenya
- Area: Program Management – Head of School
- Location: Nairobi, Kenya – International School Still I Rise (10-17 years old – MYP IB Curriculum)
- Contract: Fixed term (with possibility of extension) Full Time
- Category: Expatriates – International Staff
- Compensation: Based on experience
Contract terms and salary compensations will vary and be defined based on local employment rates in accordance with the position grade and experience.
Job Description
Still I Rise, an international NGO focused on humanitarian projects providing education and support to refugee children and youth, is seeking a Program Manager to lead the rollout of an innovative childhood educational program in Kenya. The Program Manager will be responsible for scouting locations in Nairobi, identifying suitable buildings for educational operations, training staff, managing government relationships, and engaging with communities on behalf of the organization.
The role will also involve overseeing logistics and the education department during setup phases and managing the application process for an operating license with the Ministry of Education. The ideal candidate will be energetic, highly organized, an excellent communicator, and skilled in community mobilization protocols. This position may evolve into a senior management role within the program once the setup phase is complete.
The ideal candidate will be comfortable outlining and planning all aspects of work related to a given project such as budget, timelines and teams. They will have strong communication skills that enable them to effectively communicate with all relevant teams. This individual should be able to foresee any problems related to the completion of a project and act in a timely manner to mitigate any issues.
Key Responsibilities
Program Management
- Collaborate closely with the Programs Director for planning, monitoring, and implementation of the Nairobi program.
- Conduct regular meetings and check-ins to identify challenges and relay feedback to the Programs Director.
- Oversee procurement processes based on program implementation needs.
- Assess training needs and organize capacity development training for the core team.
- Conduct risk and needs assessments according to high operational standards.
- Develop timelines, budget, teams and plan for given project
- Anticipate and solve any problems related to the program
- Conduct performance reviews and evaluate program
- Facilitate communication between relevant teams
Financial Management
- Manage the Nairobi budget efficiently and monitor spending closely, providing feedback on potential over/underspend.
- Collaborate with the Finance Department to draft monthly and quarterly expenditure forecasts.
- Review and raise appropriate Purchase Requests (PRs) in line with the allocated budget.
Program Quality Assurance
- Monitor program implementation against work plans and project objectives, documenting progress.
- Identify gaps and manage process improvements to enhance inter-departmental efficiency.
- Ensure confidentiality and integrity of information and report any suspected security violations.
Stakeholder Management
- Represent programs with relevant stakeholders, fostering ownership and effective participation in planning and implementation.
- Coordinate with the Ministry of Education and relevant working groups.
Key KPIs for Nairobi Program and Operations:
- Recruit mgmt and teachers with the support of the HR Manager.
- Oversee construction and maintenance of the organization’s building.
- Supervise transportation-related matters for staff and students.
- Coordinate with external agencies to ensure legal compliance.
- Establish strong ties with public authorities and engage local stakeholders.
- Coordinate all aspects of operations and school management.
Essential Skills & Requirements
- 5 years of experience in operations management, including team management and financial oversight.
- Proven experience in project management cycles.
- Familiarity with the education sector.
- Understanding of procurement, logistics, and supply chain processes.
- Strong communication, organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills
- Proficiency in MS Office.
- Fluent in English (written and oral) and Spanish.
- Legal right to work as a resident in Kenya.
- Full proficiency in English (C2)
- Bachelor’s degree 3+ years of experience in program management
Desired Skills
- Coordination of Educational project
- Knowledge of the International Baccalaureate system is an advantage.
- Facilitative leadership style.
- Commitment to integrity and accountability.
- Adaptability to changing environments.
- Creative problem-solving abilities.
- Certification in SPHERE humanitarian standards is a plus.
- Competency in negotiation.
How to apply
How to Apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications, including a CV, cover letter, and written authorization for personal data processing, by emailing [email protected] indicating “HEAD OF SCHOOL” in the subject.
The position is open to international applicants. At Still I Rise, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We thrive on it for the benefit of our programs, mission, and community. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Thank you for your interest in Still I Rise.