Program Manager

About the Program Manager Position:

The Program Manager will play a pivotal role in advancing The CRADLE’s mission to promote and protect the rights of the child especially the girl-child.

As the Program Manager, you will lead the development of program strategies, work plans, and budgets, ensuring that these align with The CRADLE’s strategic objectives and donor requirements.

You will conduct needs assessments, stakeholder consultations, and research to inform program design and development. Your role will involve overseeing the implementation and coordination of program activities, working closely with project staff, partners, and consultants to ensure the timely and high-quality delivery of services. Additionally, you will support the implementation of monitoring, evaluation, measurement and learning frameworks , using evidence-based insights to inform decision-making and improve program effectiveness.

You will also provide support in building and maintaining relationships with donors, government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders, identifying opportunities for collaboration and resource mobilization. Additionally, the program manager will keep stakeholders informed about the program’s impact, and address any queries.

The financial management aspect of the role will involve developing and managing program budgets in collaboration with the finance team, ensuring compliance with donor regulations and organizational policies. You will monitor program expenditures and contribute to the preparation of financial reports.

The successful candidate will be a person of high integrity, with a deep understanding of safeguarding ethics and a commitment to transparent decision-making. You should be a team player with strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to facilitate teamwork, manage conflicts, and encourage continuous learning and knowledge sharing within the organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Program Design and Development: Develop and design child rights programs, including needs assessments, theory of change, logical frameworks, and implementation plans. This involves researching best practices, understanding the local context, and incorporating child participation.
• Program Implementation and Management: Oversee the day-to-day implementation of programs, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This includes managing project teams, coordinating activities, and monitoring progress.
• Provision of Legal advice to Clients: Support a team of advocates in provision of legal to clients
• Child Safeguarding: Ensure the effective drafting Pleadings and representation child clients in Court
• Budget Management: Develop and manage program budgets, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and efficiently. This involves tracking expenditures and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track program impact and identify areas for improvement. This involves collecting data, analyzing results, and preparing reports.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including children, families, communities, government agencies, and other NGO partners. This involves networking, collaborating, and advocating for child rights.
• Advocacy and Policy Influence: Contribute to advocacy efforts aimed at influencing policies and practices related to child rights. This may involve conducting research, preparing policy briefs, and engaging with policymakers.
• Reporting and Communication: Prepare regular reports on program progress and impact for internal and external stakeholders, including donors. This involves communicating program successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Team Leadership and Mentorship: Lead the in house advocates in Conducting research and preparing pleadings in Strategic Impact Litigation cases.

QUALIFICATION, SKILLS AND COMPETENCY

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, an LLM, or a master's degree in social sciences, public health, and related field will be an added advantage.
• MUST be an advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practicing certificate with at least Five (5) year post-admission experience.
• Proven work experience (At least 5 years) in program management, preferably in the field of child or human rights or development.
• Strong background in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) skills.
• Able to travel to program areas in country and internationally, including occasional time away from the duty station and home.
• Proficiency in using computers and office software packages, including MS Word and Excel.

Required Skills and Competences

• • Deep understanding of child rights principles and issues: Should have strong working experience in litigation in the areas of Family Law, Child Rights (Including Child Marriage), Human Rights, Constitutional Rights, and Climate Justice. Experience in Strategic Impact Litigation (SIL) is an added advantage.
  • Strong project management skills: Ability to plan, implement, monitor, and evaluate programs effectively.
  • Budget management experience: Ability to develop and manage program budgets.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills: Ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including children, families, and communities.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills: Ability to identify and address challenges related to program implementation.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English (and other relevant languages, depending on the context): Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
  • Commitment to child protection and safeguarding, with a strong understanding of child safeguarding principles and procedures, particularly in child marriage, harmful practices and gender transformation.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team: Strong work ethic and ability to manage multiple priorities.

  Additional Considerations:

• Experience working with children: Demonstrated ability to engage with children in a respectful and culturally sensitive manner.
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness: Ability to work effectively in diverse cultural contexts.
• Passion for making a difference in the lives of children: A strong commitment to the mission and values of the organization.

How to apply

Candidates meeting the criteria are invited to submit an application in The CRADLE Job Form available for download here, together with a cover letter to:

The Selection Panel,

The CRADLE- The Children Foundation,

Subject: Program Manager

Ref Number: CRA/HR/CJP/PM/01/2025

E-mail: recruitment@thecradle.ke

Deadline: 14^th May 2025, 5:00PM(EAT).

Only email applications will be considered and only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The CRADLE- The Children Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on any basis (age, gender, sex, race, ethnic origin, social origin, disability, religion, and marital status) and DOES NOT charge applicants any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.