PLATFORM MANAGER – DEMOCRACY GOVERNANCE & HUMAN RIGHTS (DGHR)

Job Summary Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Platform Manager, Democracy, Governance & Human Rights (DGHR), based in Nairobi with frequent travels across the country is responsible for one of the three Strategic Pillars of Act! Change Transform will be responsible for providing strategic direction to all the Democracy, Governance & Human Rights programs/projects under this platform. Key tasks include the (1). overall implementation oversight of all activities; (2). new programs design and development for growth and sustainability; (3). leadership and management of technical staff within the platform; (4). Coordinating MERL, Knowledge Management and Communication needs of the platform; (5). all technical and financial reporting to donors and by implementing partners; (6). ensuring the platform is responsive to the local and international context; and (7). ensuring that sound internal and external analyses inform program/project responsiveness. The key responsibilities are described in more detail below. Key responsibilities: Specifically, the Platform Manager will be responsible for but not limited to: A. Program Management • Be part of Act! Program Technical & Management Team • Support the CEO in providing strategic visioning, guidance and leadership to the DGHR portfolio. • Work closely with the Resource Mobilization teams in the identifying potential funders and initiatives to be undertaken by Act! specifically, the DGHR Platform Manager will be responsible for identifying and provide leadership in responding to funding opportunities to support DGHR work. • Develop DGHR detailed program work plans, including activity descriptions and manage the implementation of these activities so as to ensure the program’s activities and outputs are executed on time and to adequate quality standards. • Ensure that current programs are delivered according to plan and that adequate consultation happens with key stakeholders. • Ensure that staff and partners within existing programs in the platform engage effectively with communities, CSOs and Government partners. • Ensure that the DGHR portfolio undertakes regular analysis to inform its program interventions. • Conduct follow-ups through site visits and mentor partners in areas of program/project design and implementation, reporting, strategic planning, advocacy, communication, building coalitions and networks. B. Financial Management • Responsible for the overall DGHR Platform budget within Act!. • Provide oversight in budget preparation and tracking of all DGHR programs within the portfolio. • Provide oversight for all expenditure related to grants and administration within the portfolio. • Provide updates to the CEO on the financial health of the DGHR portfolio. • Provide oversight to the budgeting process for all proposals submitted within the portfolio. • Work closely with the Grants departmental Lead, in providing up-to-date reports on partner’s performance. C. Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting Learning and Adaptation (MERL&A) • Collaborate with the MERL team to design and operationalize integrated platform-level MERL plans which are linked to the overall Act! organizational MERL framework. • Develop content for relevant internal publications and liaise with Act! communication team for production (case studies, end-term reports, biennial impact reports, and features, etc.) for the Platform. • Provide technical support to research experts, consultants and internal teams by coordinating their work ensuring coordination, process thoroughness and high-quality final outputs. • Participate in setting baseline and target indicators in line with the overall strategic goals of the individual programs/projects. • Lead the timely preparation of all periodic technical reports and financials, coordinating downstream partners’ reporting while linking with donor partners’ contact persons on high-quality deliverables. • Lead the archiving and efficient storage of all communications and documentation related to the platform in the central repository for knowledge management. D. Capacity Development • Provide technical inputs to the design of responsive Capacity Development plans for DGHR Program partners and collaborators in close consultation with the Act! CD team. • Provide leadership in training and delivery of DGHR training for Act! Partners/subgrantees. • Provide leadership in mentoring and coaching for partners through accompaniment and quarterly site visits. • Ensure all capacity development needs for the partners are addressed in a timely manner. • Prepare of CD and training materials and content modules that respond to the training needs identified and feedback from the Organizational Capacity Assessments (OCAs). E. Program Staff Supervision • In close collaboration with the HR Manager, provide leadership for the Performance Management of assigned staff within the DGHR team. • Provide mentorship and technical support to Program Managers and Senior Officers, and ensure that officers supervising others do the same. • Ensure that all staff within the platform are adequately supported to develop objectives and work plans in line with their agreed objectives. • Ensure that all staff within the platform are adequately appraised by filing timely reports with the HR department. • Provide advice and technical support to the Program Team within the platform. • Provide targeted mentorship and technical support to all staff under their supervision. Ensuring that all staff under their supervision are performing to their best. • At commencement of every appraisal period, discuss with staff assigned to the DGHR portfolio their performance targets for the period, ensure that these are agreed upon and signed off and deposited with HR Manager. F. Networking and Representation • Maintain good external linkages with all actors including national and county government, and the community. • Establish and maintain regular contact with beneficiary groups and partner organizations, and to liaise and coordinate with the appropriate government and non-governmental bodies whenever appropriate to ensure successful project progress. • Negotiate collaboration with partner institutions and government departments in support of Act!. • Represent the DGHR platform and Act! when called upon at relevant meetings, forums and processes to stay up to date with unfolding events or issues and ensure that Act! is best placed to advise donors and other stakeholders G. Resource Mobilization • Responsible for the sustainability and steady growth of the programs under this platform. • Leads active and ongoing research on the funding landscape to identify opportunities for new partnerships and collaboration. • Ensures all partnerships and collaborations with key actors and stakeholders are guided by the Act! Partnerships development strategies and are sustained. H. Strategic Planning • The DGHR Platform Manager is part of the core team managing and ensuring delivery of the relevant Strategic Plan objectives assigned to this platform within the broader framework of the organization. • Participate in program planning, review, coordination and lessons learning meetings. • Contribute to the formulation and review of the platform strategy and business planning. • Provide management support to the Chief Executive Officer of Act!. I. Key Performance Indicators The following performance indicators are pertinent to the evaluation of the job holder’s performance (targets will be set on an annual basis): • Compliance of program to donor, Act!’s and Government of Kenya requirements, standards and policies. • Programs compliance with approved budgets. • Timeliness in program implementation. • Complement of qualified program staff in accordance with program structure and donor requirements. • Timeliness, accuracy and completeness of quarterly and annual program reports. • Completeness and accuracy of records for MERL. • Level of staff engagement in the platform. • Timeliness in provision of resources to programs. Number of new initiatives in program management or new programs. J. Qualification, Experience and Skills: Academic Qualifications Hold a Master’s degree in political science, social sciences, development studies or other related fields. Professional Qualifications Post graduate qualification in Project Management or specialized subject area relevant to the platform sector. Experience The successful jobholder should have at least 10 years’ experience in democracy and governance related program management, including budget oversight, grants management, programs design, project proposal development, reporting and relationship management. One must demonstrate that they have spent the last five years leading multiple programmes and teams at any one given time. Essential Skills • Knowledge and experience in Program Management at a Senior Level with proven track record. • Experience working in grant making and capacity development. • Excellent people management skills. • Excellent supervision & mentorship skills. • Excellent Public Relations and representation skills. • Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills. • Strong analytical and complex problem-solving skills. • Excellent team player in a cultural and multi-disciplinary setting. • Excellent policy influencing, advocacy and lobby skills. • Able to work with minimum or no supervision. Highly proficient in Ms Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and the use of the Internet for research.

How to Apply: If you meet the requirements as described above, please submit the following: (1). a detailed CV with current references and their day contacts; (2). cover letter demonstrating why you qualify for the position, quoting your current/last gross monthly salary and expectation. Only applicants who meet the requirements should submit their application electronically via [email protected] quoting the reference number (Ref: ACT-PM-DGHR/2/2025) and Position on the e-mail subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.