Chief Executive Officer
Closing date: 15/06/2010
Date of issuance: 17/05/2010
Job Grade: Senior Management
Location Duty station: Nairobi
Vacancy No. Ref.: CEO 06/2010
Organization: The Youth Agenda
Accountable to: Board of Directors
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The Youth Agenda, Kenya’s premier governance and development youth organisation is seeking a Chief Executive Officer who is under 30 years, ambitious, creative, analytic, dynamic and committed to championing the youth agenda. The successful candidate will be responsible for the following;
Job summary
To provide strategic leadership and direction in the management and implementation of all operational, administrative and financial functions of the Youth Agenda (YAA).
Duties and Responsibilities
- Strategic and Leadership Roles:
- Overall management of YAA and implementation of its strategic plan, programmes and projects as well as Guiding and supervising the development of strategy, strategic plans and proposals for specific programmes.
- Implementation and management of all operational guidelines and policy direction of YAA, in close liaison with the Board.
- Developing collaborative and cooperative relationships with donors, media, and public relations organizations, stakeholders and other partners.
- Analyzing short and long term organizational resource needs and in consultation with the Board of Directors, adjust staffing and resource levels appropriately
- Travelling as needed, to provide oversight, assistance and evaluation of YAA‘s field projects
- Identifying and recommending to the Board, new opportunities, systems, procedures and processes as well as improvements in operations.
- Influencing, through advocacy and other means, the response of stakeholders (local leaders, donors, government, CSOs) to youth issues in county
- Operational and Financial Management roles:
- Budgeting, fundraising and maintaining adequate funding levels for effective implementation of the organization‘s strategic plan, programmes and projects
- Effective planning, allocation and control of the organization‘s financial resources in meeting the mandate and strategic objectives of the organization
- Oversee the preparation of financial reports in line with donors funding requirements and protocol
- Oversees sound organizational financial structure and ensures that all accounting and finance operations, functions and reporting processes conform to donor standards.
- Overseeing effective financial and programmatic audits according to laid down organizational, donor requirements and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
- Ensuring total compliance with local regulations in respect of financial and related matters including taxation, labour laws, auditor‘s recommendations and other statutory requirements
- In charge of all major procurements and management of organization assets, inventory and services
- Implementing operational improvements as may be directed by the Board from time to time.
3. Human Resources Management and other Administrative roles:
- Ensuring implementation and review of staff contracts and job description
- Supervising key management staff to ensure that all programmes, Projects and operations run efficiently and effectively. Reporting regularly to the board, providing timely updates of all situational and project developments
- Designing and implementing continuous staff capacity building programmes
- Assisting the Board in identifying talent and charting career paths for staff so as to ensure that YAA maintains a quality human resource supply pool
- Conducting regular effective management staff performance evaluations and ensure the implementation of the same for other staff cadres
- Conducting and chairing regular staff meetings and consultations in order to instil discipline and teamwork among staff.
- Scheduling regular Board meetings and sending them regular updates on the organization activity and financial status
- Performing any other duties as assigned by the board so as to effectively and efficiently manage the organization.
Critical Technical Skills and competencies
- Significant experience in working with youth programs and an understanding of relevant current youth issues
- Demonstrable understanding of and commitment to youth programs.
- Good Advocacy and Lobbying skills ° Comprehensive knowledge of donors and funding mechanisms
- Good understanding of fundamental financial, Human Resources and administrative policies and procedures and/or proven record of effective management of people and resources, including planning and organizational skills
- Strong report writing and editing, presentation and programme development skills ° Strong analytical and strategic planning skills
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Strong representational skills and experience of bringing about demonstrable change through external networking.
- Sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts
- Proficiency in computer skills (Linux and other Open source applications as well as in Word, PowerPoint and Excel etc)
Other desirable skills and aptitudes
- Good teamwork and leadership skills
- interpersonal, communication and multi-cultural skills
- Good personal organization skills, accuracy and attention to detail required
- Highly effective multi-tasking skills, with ability to coordinate, prioritize, and organize workload, meet deadlines and work under pressure
- Capacity to take initiative, demonstrate good judgement and work under minimal or no supervision
Education
- Minimum of first degree in relevant fields such as law, social sciences, commerce or business administration etc
- Postgraduate qualifications in relevant field is an added advantage
Languages
- Excellent command of both written and spoken English is mandatory
- Fluency in Kiswahili language is an added advantage
Work experience
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in programme/project design, planning and management in a non-profit organization or private sector organization in a multi-cultural environment; and/or demonstrable experience in leading teams and managing projects.
- Experience in implementing financial control systems in a busy non-profit organization is desirable
- Previous work in youth organizations, youth serving organizations or related field is an added advantage.
Terms of appointment
This is a senior management position and competitive remuneration will be provided commensurate to the qualifications of the successful candidate.
Applications
Applicants should send a cover letter expressing their interest and expectations from the position and curriculum vitae with contact details of three professional referees by 15th June 2010 to:
The Recruitment Committee
The Youth Agenda
PO Box 10174-00100
Nairobi, KENYA
E-mail: ceo@youthagenda.org
Note
The title and reference number of the position for which the application is made should be clearly marked on the envelope mailed, or on the subject head of the email application.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted. 
