Program Manager

I&M Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of I&M Holdings Limited, a publicly quoted company at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). The bank possesses a rich heritage in banking.

The Program Manager at I&M Foundation is tasked with the comprehensive coordination and daily oversight of programs. This role involves close collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure that annual work plans are met on schedule, implementation issues are resolved, donor compliance is maintained, programmatic risks are proactively managed, and strategic decisions are made to guarantee successful program delivery. The position is crucial for ensuring effective program implementation and achieving the intended impact through various activities.

1. Translate proposals and log frames into detailed work plans and budgets.
2. Develop annual work plans with realistic long-term goals and short-term objectives, overseeing weekly and monthly plans.
3. Monitor and report on objective achievement and deviations from work plans and budgets.
4. Oversee overall program activity implementation, focusing on meeting targets within the specified budget.
5. Promote accountability and transparency in all implementing activities and with relevant partners.
6. Monitor budget/expenditure based on implementation plans, analyze Budget-versus-Actual reports, and ensure timely and appropriate fund usage.
7. Produce timely internal reports on ongoing programming and contribute to donor reporting.
8. Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to ensure all aspects of programs are delivered.
9. Coordinate with procurement and logistics staff for program procurements and for identifying and contracting local suppliers.
10. Ensure end-to-end program documentation is developed and maintained according to approved formats and internal standards.
11. Work closely with the Measurement, Evidence and Learning (MEL) team to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation, designing performance metrics, collecting data, evaluating impact, and informing continuous improvement.
12. Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies, responding effectively to crises or emergencies.
13. Oversee implementation partners' activities, ensuring alignment with signed agreements.
14. Assess training needs within internal teams and develop an overall capacity building plan.
15. Provide regular constructive feedback to direct reports, following performance management procedures.
16. Participate in training staff (officers and assistants) to ensure a solid understanding of key program documents and tools, including MEL tools.
17. Support and stimulate teamwork within I&M Foundation and the group where necessary.
18. Participate in program design with partners, establishing accountability measures and ensuring stakeholder feedback is considered.
19. Collaborate closely with partners on proposal and budget development, ensuring alignment with the Foundation Strategy.
20. Lead the process of identifying and managing implementation partners following procurement procedures and approvals.
21. Monitor and support partners based on contractual agreements, conducting field visits, attending project activities, and producing timely internal reports.
22. Provide continuous program management and facilitate technical support to partners for timely, quality programming.
23. Coordinate with MEL teams to lead partner capacity building, develop training/awareness raising materials and Monitoring and Evaluation Tools, and organize and conduct trainings for program partners, beneficiaries, and stakeholders.
24. Work with HR/Finance/Procurement teams to ensure partners receive adequate support.
25. Monitor and support partner outputs.
26. Review partner narrative and financial reports.
27. Follow up on reporting requirements by partners.
28. Liaise regularly with Strategic partners, Implementation partners, and communities to ensure adequate participation in all steps of the program implementation cycle.
29. Continuously coordinate with all relevant stakeholders regarding activity progress.
30. Participate in member meetings as required and provide updates to the team.
31. Represent the foundation at working group meetings and other education forums under programs.
32. Participate in internal and external planning meetings as required and interact regularly with Foundation stakeholders to ensure coordinated and efficient programming.
33. Prepare reports and presentations for internal and external audiences.
34. Ensure adherence to funder requirements on reporting.

1. Bachelor's or a relevant Master’s degree in business administration, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.
2. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
3. Strong planning and organization skills.
4. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
5. Proficiency in digital tools for reporting and program management, such as Kobo toolkits, Power BI, and CRMs.
6. Ability to synthesize complex information and present reports in a clear format.
7. Qualifications in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2) or training in Agile Methodologies.
8. At least 7+ years of relevant work experience in program management, preferably within impact-driven organizations, with demonstrated success in program delivery in development contexts.
9. Experience in coordination with local and international NGOs, and representation with donors and impact-led actors.
10. Experience working with donor-funded programs.
11. Ability to inspire, empower, and lead diverse teams with a collaborative leadership style that fosters ownership and accountability.
12. Skill in designing program logic models and aligning with organizational goals for coherent, targeted, and impactful efforts.
13. Capability to create realistic budgets, monitor spending, and clearly communicate financial performance to funders and leadership.
14. Understanding of how to define, track, and interpret metrics for monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), including measuring impact (qualitative and quantitative), identifying gaps, and informing strategy.
15. Ability to successfully co-create programs with the community, adept at listening, engaging, and building trust.
16. Strong ability to write grant reports, present to a board, and facilitate workshops with clear and compelling communication.
17. Cultural competency, demonstrating sensitivity, respect, and adaptability when working in diverse communities.
18. Technical digital skills and the ability to leverage digital solutions to manage and improve program management.
19. Agility, with the ability to balance rigor with flexibility in a philanthropic environment.
20. Strong analytical, critical thinking skills, and risk management ability to anticipate program risks, implement timely mitigation measures, analyze situations, and propose solutions during implementation.