Executive Director

The Executive Director will inspire vision, strategic leadership and financial sustainability as well as guidance to harness ActionAid International Kenya’s (AAIK) human and financial resources, partnerships, alliances and other resources in delivering the organization’s mandate in line with its values and AAIK constitution, established policies, principles and operating practice of ActionAid and the political, social, cultural & economic environment. The Executive Director has to translate the AAI global strategy into the Kenya context, provide country support to peer countries and engage in regional and global initiatives.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Provide leadership in shaping organizational strategic direction, identifying and diffusing bottlenecks in the delivery of the organization’s mandate. Provide conceptual and thought leadership in strategy development and reviews
• Implement and further develop AAIK’s vision, mission, philosophy and principles in line with agreed corporate strategies and organizational priorities.
• Lead and direct the activities of AAIK in accordance with sound management practices and development policies.
• Ensure AAIK has a well-balanced, well documented and efficient Programme that is responsive to the political, social and economic environment.
• Oversee programme implementation for its effectiveness and efficiency as per the Country Strategic Paper (CSP) and AAIK guidelines.
• Ensure Senior Management Team (SMT) capability for proper delegation and execution of their mandates effectively.

Development and maintenance of a good organizational and country programme corporate identity

• Plan, develop and project a corporate image in line with vision, mission, value and philosophy of AAIK.
• Ensure implementation and further develop AAI/AAIK’s vision, mission, philosophy and principles in line with agreed AAIK corporate strategies and organisational priorities.
• Ensure a pro-active communication strategy is followed with a sound relationship with media and stakeholders to manage the external impact of AAIK’s initiatives.
• Provide inputs to corporate activities
• Oversee the delivery of Programme obligations to the Federation
• Participate in working groups and international platforms and encourage a corporate perspective among staff.
• Encourage research with a view to improving the quality of AAIK’s
• Programmes and Policy development.

Values Practice & Strategy Change Priorities

• Leading Innovation and Change – Establish a culture ofexcellence in respective to a team that values experimentation and continuous improvement

• Feminist Leadership – Championing feminist leadership principles and values including commitment to diversity and inclusion (race, gender, power)

• Child protection and safeguarding –Embed AAIK and sector’s approach to child protection and Safeguarding is embedded in all initiatives holistically
• AAIK Values Practice – Ensure a personal and team culture that demonstrates all of AAI’s Values including: Mutual Respect, Equity and Justice, Integrity, Solidarity with people Living in Poverty and Exclusion, Courage of Conviction, Independence and Humility
• Ability and experience in leading in implementation of change projects.
• Ensure the delivery of the Country Strategy Paper (CSP) of Kenya; oversee the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the CSP
• Ensure delivery and contextualisation of the Global campaign
• Ensure compliance to the assurance policy
• Engage and lead major organizational process such as the Strategy Implementation Framework (SIF) and the Long-Term Funding and Finance strategy (LTFFS) with a particular focus of country context tailored fund-raising initiatives.
• Lead in the implementation of the Country Models Review Phase III as per the proposed model of presence.

Programme Management

Programme Implementation:

• Lead and direct the work of AAIK in accordance with sound management practices and ActionAid’s development policies and accountability systems.
• Ensure AAIK has a well-balanced, well documented and cost-effective programme.
• Develop AAIK’s capacity to document, disseminate and learn from development work in and ensure all reporting is of the highest standard.
• Manage and encourage the co-operative relationships established with various specialist institutions and ensure that these joint initiatives conform to programme objectives.
• Ensure all programme activities are sensitive to and responsive to changes in the political, social, and economic environments.

 Policy, Research and Advocacy:

• Encourage the development of appropriate research with a view to improving the quality of fieldwork and influencing change in policy to improve the quality of life for those living in poverty in the country.
• Maintain sound relations with policy, research and advocacy specialists at international level.

 Emergency Preparedness:

Develop and maintain appropriate contingency plans for all kinds of

• Such plans to be presented for approval of the Head of Country Support for inclusion in corporate emergency response mechanisms.

 

Feminism, child protection and safeguarding:

• Ensure feminist approach is embedded in the ways of working, policies and engagements
• Foster and promoting AAIK’s approach to Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse and other Safeguarding concerns (including child abuse and abuse of adults at-risk) in policies, practices, programming, stakeholder engagement etc

Resource mobilisation

• Developing and implementing a viable business development framework to sustain Country operations.
• Establish and maintain a strong relationship with donors, corporate sponsors and supporters.
• Lead the organisation in local and external fundraising and maintenance and expansion of donors
• Ensure that the fundraising mechanisms such as sponsorship programmes, local and institutional fund raising and proposal development capacity and submission are functioning smoothly.
• Ensure that information and submission of reports to donors/funders is flawless.
• Ensure that donor servicing, contract management and compliance is effectively done.

Operations & Finance

• Ensure that there is a medium-term sound financial sustainability plan and that it is implemented for smooth running of the organization
• Manage the financial resources allocated to or raised by the country in compliance with approved policies/ frameworks as well as the national law and donors’ regulations
• Ensure the financial integrity and accountability of Kenya in accordance with ActionAid Financial Management framework
• Prepare budget and financial plan to ensure that that the control of expenditure and the disbursement of resources is in accordance with the established procedures
• Maintain an efficient internal control framework and good practice with regard to the identification and management of risk.
• Ensure the establishment of a sound financial management system for the effective and efficient utilization of organizational resources
• Review and approve final work plans ensuring efficiency, cost control and compliance to policies and procedures.
• Provide progress and financial reports as required by the government, the governing Board/Assembly and ActionAid’s accountability procedures and as required by other organisations.
• Ensure effective communication of financial performance to stakeholders.
• Make sure the organization has a risk identification and mitigation plan and Senior Management Team (SMT) oversight.

People Management

• Maintain effective and appropriate staff recruitment, induction, appraisal, remuneration and development practices at all levels to ensure the optimum utilisation and development of AAIK’s human resources.
• Appoint, develop and manage all staff including senior staff. Ensure a high calibre of staff is recruited while promoting a gender balance in the organisation, and that optimum investments are made in their development.
• Encourage a corporate perspective amongst staff and actively promote staff exchange, secondment and development schemes, where these contribute to the meeting of ActionAid’s programme objectives and priorities.

Servicing of the National Board

• Strengthening governance and membership development processes for affiliate board.
• Regularly communicate with the board chairperson to update board on strategic management, policy and oversight issues.
• Work with the global secretariat and governance for the board development and increased dual citizenship and oversight of the county programme.
• Regularly communicate with the board chairperson to update board on strategic issues.
• Revise and provide input and recommendations into board reports and documents, verify accuracy of information in the documentation.
• Work with the global secretariat and governance for the board development and increased dual citizenship and oversight of the country programme.
• Facilitate with the existing board a membership development process for moving the country programme to associates and affiliates status
• Participate in board and committee meetings and contribute to organizational effectiveness and corporate accountability.

Steering the Senior Management Team (SMT) 

• Develop and continue to nurture a united Senior Management Team (SMT) working collectively to steer the organization to achieve strategic goals.
• Provide leadership to management of Senior Management Team (SMT)
• Plan and facilitate platforms and events that encourage shared leadership and team building such as Senior Management Team (SMT) retreat and solidarity events.
• Create an enabling environment for innovation and performance excellence for staff
• Set and ensure performance targets for Heads of departments and other relevant staff are achieved.
• Participate in decision-making at Senior Management Team (SMT) meetings and explain key decisions and policies of AAIK to staff.

Person Specification
Education & Certifications			·      The ideal candidate should have a degree either in social sciences, IT, development studies, management, international development studies or any other development-related fields. ·      A Master’s degree in related fields is an added advantage.
Experience			·        Ten years of relevant experience, five years of which must be at the senior management level in development work and poverty eradication programmes with proven initiative, flexibility and enthusiasm in managing complex activities in a changing environment. ·        Experience working a head for a similar organisation is an advantage. ·        Demonstrated senior management expertise, including proven ability to develop the capacities of multi-disciplinary professional teams undertaking comprehensive social justice, poverty eradication and gender equality strategies. ·        Demonstrated expertise in strategic and long-term planning and the ability to ensure that operational plans and activities meet targets and appropriately reflect longer term perspectives. ·        Experience in external engagements, networking, working with social movements, youth and feminist led movements ·        Proven experience in managing complex financial controls and management systems. Proficiency in accounting, grant management, project management, conflict management and resolution and/or monitoring and evaluation will be an added advantage. ·        Demonstrated resource mobilisation skills with proven track record. ·        Demonstrable experience in leading organisational development and human resource change and transition processes ·        Proven experience of working and negotiating with Government officials and/or donors at all levels. ·        Experience working with organisations with oversight boards will be an advantage.
Essential knowledge & skills			·        A strong commitment to AA’s vision, mission and values, especially the rights-based approach and the principles of equal opportunity as outlined in AAIK Code of Conduct. ·        Have requisite knowledge of all the legal documents, policies of the organisation to note applicability during Board meetings. ·        Sound and up to date knowledge of development concepts, methodologies and techniques including demonstrated expertise in at least one specialist development field. ·        Excellent negotiation and communication skills, including demonstrated ability to handle sensitive diplomatic and Government level negotiations on matters affecting AAIK programmes. ·        Sound awareness of the political, social, economic and historic environment in which AAIK’s poverty alleviation programmes are operating at both national and community levels. ·        Sound grasp of feminism and feminist leadership approaches. ·        Proficiency in English and a familiarity with the context of the country as it affects development strategies. ·        Strong leadership and management skills ·        Strong analytical/problem solving, and management of crisis, conflict and risk ·        Strong and demonstrated resource mobilisation skills. ·        A strong commitment to embedding feminist leadership and AAIK’s humanitarian signature. ·        A strong commitment to adhering to and promoting AAIK’s approach to Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse and other Safeguarding concerns (including child abuse and abuse of adults at-risk).
Competency Profile
Leading organisation	Strategic perspective	Demonstrate alignment of the Organisation’s strategic priorities and goals.
	Change management	Uses effective strategies to facilitate organisation change initiatives and overcome resistance to change by involving others, listening and building commitment.
	Decisiveness and Agility	Prefers quick and appropriate actions in many management situations, able to adapt and respond to fast changing eco system/environment.
Leading others	Leading Teams	Attracts, motivates, and develops high performing teams.
	Building Collaborative Relationship	Builds productive working relationships with co-workers and external parties, whilst valuing diversity (gender, race, culture).
	Communication	Expresses ideas clearly and concisely; disseminates information about decisions and plans proactively.
Leading self	Leading with Purpose and Credibility	Acts in accordance with stated values; has strong commitment to develop, promote and practice AAI’s values
	Innovation and Taking Initiative	Takes charge and proactively seeks new ideas, experiments with new processes/practices that capitalizes on opportunities

 

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should submit their application, indicating current and expected salary, together with a detailed CV including contact information for three (3) professional referees, via email to hresources.kenya@actionaid.org to reach us no later than Friday, 21st November 2025.