Executive Director, The S.H.E. College Trust Kenya
Applications due by 5:00 PM on Friday, February 7th
Job Title: Executive Director
Location: Narok Town, Narok County, Kenya
Language Proficiency: Maa, Swahili and English
Reports to: The Trustees
Supervises: Director of Students; Director of Programs & Operations
Compensation: Salary range from Ksh 1,530,000 to 2,070,000 with Standard Benefits (NHIF, Pension NSSF)
Terms of Service: Two-year contract, renewable
Job Type: Full-time, in-person
The S.H.E. College Trust Kenya is seeking a dynamic woman leader to assume the position of Executive Director to execute its current scholarship and enrichment programs with excellence, grow and sustain broader program offerings to students and graduates building on the organization’s local and international linkages as well as write and support funding initiatives.
BACKGROUND
The S.H.E. College Trust Kenya administers full scholarships for college, university, or trade school education along with student enrichment programs and mentorship to young women who have been at risk throughout childhood and adolescence for harmful traditional practices such as Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and Early Forced Child Marriage (EFCM). They take refuge at accredited Safe Houses that provide for all their needs and ensure the girls' education through the end of secondary school.
By providing these young women with post-secondary education, The S.H.E. College Trust Kenya makes it possible for them to acquire the knowledge, skills, experience, and self-confidence to go out into the world, secure a job or start a small business, and return to their families and communities as successful graduates, empowered adult women, role models, and influential changemakers.
THE VALUES OF THE S.H.E. COLLEGE TRUST KENYA
RELATIONSHIP/OSOTUA: Osotua, a Maa word, refers to the invisible umbilical cord that connects us all in peaceful and generous relationships. The S.H.E. College Trust Kenya is committed to fostering mutually enriching connections within the worldwide community: among the students; between staff members and students; between students and funders; and between the Kenyan and U.S. communities we serve.
INTEGRITY: All S.H.E. College Trust Kenya students, staff, and trustees commit to honesty, transparency, and accountability in all their communications and actions.
COMMUNITY: An environment of support and concern for each individual member of the S.H.E. A community of students, staff, board members, and funders is at the core of the organization’s success.
HEART: Decisions, actions, and interactions in the organization are informed by the heart as well as the mind.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Executive Director reports directly to the Trustees and executes the following responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership
Collaborate on and implement the organization’s strategic vision and be accountable for its execution and impact;
Collaboratively design program offerings that serve the needs of students and alumnae and will deliver on the organization’s strategic objectives;
Clearly articulate the organization’s impact to internal and external stakeholders;
Lead the engagement of all internal and external stakeholders to achieve impact, enabling all to play their roles toward the realization of the organization’s vision;
Represent the organization at the highest level to ensure its role in women’s empowerment and right to higher education is well-understood;
Assure the organization’s financial health including exploring funding sources to sustain revenue for critical work and advance its mission;
As the key spokesperson, model the organization’s values and culture internally and externally.
Operational Management
Ensure the organizational structure, operational policies, and other organizational policies are optimal, applied effectively, and updated as needed;
Supervise all staff;
Maintain a positive work environment, cultivating a culture of “relationship, integrity, community, and heart,” and encouraging all staff to excel in their performance and enjoy helping to advance the mission.
Financial Management
Take a hands-on role in financial management, procurement, and asset management;
Present annual budget to the Trustees for approval;
Coordinate with the Director of Students to project three times a year each student’s semester costs, e.g., tuition and fees; hostel and meals; other authorized allowances;
Provide oversight to ensure payments are made to students and educational institutions;
In collaboration with the Director of Programs & Operations, oversee all financial spreadsheets, ensuring accuracy and timely recording of financial data in Quickbooks;
Contract and interact with the external auditor, ensuring accounts are regularly audited and the annual financial report is submitted to the Government of Kenya by the deadline;
Manage the organization’s bank account, including tracking electronic transfers from the US and exchange rates; and,
Ensure all funds are used to advance the mission.
Program Oversight and Partnerships
Provide oversight on strategic activities to ensure all results are delivered promptly;
Actively promote the organization's work to foundations and corporate entities to resource all programmatic work and maximize impact;
Maintain strong relationships with partner organizations, including timely and effective communications;
Interact with local and national government agencies as appropriate.
Financial Resources and Sustainability
Cultivate and leverage relationships with bilateral and multilateral donors, private & public foundations, philanthropists, and other funding sources;
Identify and lead proposal-writing to secure funds to deliver the organization’s strategic plan;
Co-fundraise with relevant partners, organize fund-raising events, secure new sponsors and donors within Kenya.
Performance & Quality Assurance
Take overall responsibility for organizational performance, ensuring every piece of work is undertaken with excellence and integrity;
Ensure effective implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on all programs;
Update the Trustees on strategic activities;
Serve as an ex-officio member of the Trustees.
Trustee Management
Act as the Secretary, and ensure timely production and delivery of the docket to the Trustees;
Communicate the Trustees’ decisions to staff and other stakeholders;
Collaborate closely with the Trustees to strengthen the governance of the organization.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
The successful candidate will hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and demonstrable knowledge, skills, and experience in the following areas:
Five plus (5 +) years of non-profit management with proven potential to lead and inspire teams;
Demonstrated ability to manage an annual portfolio of at least 19M KSh, with strong quantitative skills and ability to manage financial spreadsheets;
Working knowledge of Quickbooks;
Deep knowledge of and connections with the Maasai community;
Knowledge and experience working on issues such as FGM/C and EFCM;
Passion to advance women’s completion of higher education;
High-level strategic thinking and planning, with the ability to envision and convey the organization’s strategic future to the staff, trustees, community, and donors;
Proven fundraising experience;
Evidence in establishing relationships with individuals and organizations of influence including funders and partner agencies;
Solid organizational abilities such as financial management, planning, delegating, program development, and task facilitation;
Strong proficiency in Google Workspace: Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slide plus expertise in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint;
Strong written and oral communication skills; and strong work ethic with a high degree of energy.
HOW TO APPLY
If you meet the position requirements, send a cover letter explaining your qualifications for the role, a CV, and contact information for three references to skambou@shecollegefund.org and shenarok@shecollegefund.org.
Note “Executive Director-Narok” in the subject line and submit on or before Friday, February 7th at 5:00 PM.