Head of Programmes

Division:

PROG/RT

Line Manager:

Head of Delegation

Functional Link:

Programs, Technical, Grant Management

Salary scale level:

Activity rate:   100%

Supervises

Line management (direct):

Projects Managers

Access to Justice Specialist

MEAL Manager

Functional link:

Finance Coordinator

Logistics Manager

Regional technical advisors

Workplace

Nairobi

Overarching responsibilities “Main goals”

About Tdh in Kenya: Terre des hommes has been active in Kenya since 2011, working to protect children and support families affected by migration, drought, and poverty. Our programs focus on child protection, mobility and migration, and health and nutrition services, reaching both displaced populations and vulnerable host communities.

The organization operates through three sub-offices across the country, implementing projects in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps, the Kalobeyei settlement, and surrounding host communities. Our interventions combine prevention and response to child protection risks, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding children in complex humanitarian settings.

In addition, Terre des hommes is implementing an innovative Child Rights in Business program in Kiambu County. This initiative aims to prevent and address child labor in coffee-producing areas by improving access to quality education and strengthening community-based child protection mechanisms, while engaging local actors and the private sector to promote respect for children’s rights.

About the role: This is an exciting and varied role in a committed and creative team seeking to ensure all children access their rights in Kenya. It is the second most senior programme position for TdH in Kenya and is suited to someone with strong project design and fundraising, programme management and MEAL skills. The role is well suited to candidates who can balance strategic thinking with attention to detail and quality assurance of an integrated multi-sector portfolio. You will work on refugee services in camp settings and systems strengthening for Kenya on our priority programme area, including: Health and nutrition, Access to Justice, Children and Youth on the move, and child rights in business.

You will be given a high level of responsibility and independence in a team culture that values creativity, innovation, well-being, and commitment to child rights. The role is suited to dynamic, creative, and committed candidates who want to take ownership of their work and team, bring new ideas and focus on results and high-quality programmes. The role works across programme implementation, programme design, programme quality, monitoring and evaluation, grant management, donor compliance, team management and external representation.

The right candidate will be comfortable working across competing priorities and maintaining a positive working culture during challenging periods. The complexity of the portfolio requires a mature approach to management and leadership that recognizes our success is dependent on our people – our staff and relationships with those we serve. We’re seeking a person that values collaboration, has a positive and respectful approach to team management and leadership, and values learning from both success and failure.

Travel to field sites will be 40% to Dadaab, Kakuma, Garissa and Kiambu will be required.

Specific Responsibilities/Context of “tasks”

Project design and fundraising:

·       Lead on the development of concepts and proposals within Tdh’s global strategic priorities: Health and nutrition, Access to Justice, Children and Youth on the move, and child rights in business.

·       Source and build relationships with potential funding partners who fund projects in the areas Tdh seeks to make impact.

·       Quality assurance lead on high quality proposals, budgets and log-frames with well written and structured proposals that are aesthetically pleasing for corporate audiences.

·       Accountable for all tools being updated accurately and on time for effective grant management – business development and donor compliance.

Portfolio management:

·       Ensures all projects are on scope, time, and budget and all project management tools are current and updated.

·       Leads monthly program review meetings for delivery, quality and planning across program and support departments.

·       Leads on ensuring child led approaches and ensure compliance with Tdh policies on PSEAH, safeguarding and good practice.

·       Monitors and is accountable for quality standards of programs and produce analysis and reports for SMT for decision making purposes.

·       Acts as an intermediatory and focal point between regional technical advisors and field teams and work closely with support services departments on prioritization for effective program delivery.

·       Lead on the program quality framework and ensure log-frames are quality and relevant and Ensure high quality reports for donors.

·       Maintains detailed context, needs, and gaps analyses with recommendations for interventions needs to support vulnerable children.

Strategy and Analysis

·       Identify needs and propose responses based on Tdh’s strengths and added value to contribute to Tdh Kenya strategy

·       Identify complementary partners and build relationships toward collaboration for amplified impact and ensure implementation of programme elements of Tdh’s annual action plan.

·       Liaise with regional and HQ technical teams to ensure compliance with Tdh good practice.

Representation

·       Identify and build partnerships for amplifying our impact and lead on identifying funding partners and building the relationships.

·       Hold regular meetings with relevant regional and headquarters technical teams and represent Tdh at key technical working groups.

·       Stand in for the Country Director as requested.

Human Resources

·       Support organizational structure design based on funding changes – expansion and contraction.

·       Lead of recruitment of programme staff and supervise and coordinate Project Managers, Grants, MEAL, and technical staff.

·       Strengthen team capacity through training, coaching, monitoring and supervision.

·       Ensure an empathic and compassionate approach to management, balanced with a delivery and results mentality.

·       Foster a culture of togetherness and lead a culture focused on well-being and impact.

Finance and logistics

·       Participate in fundraising and donor negotiations – ready to take the lead with some donors.

·       Lead on monthly financial analysis and planning of programmes and monitor programme budgets and reprioritize as needs.

·       Work with the logistics team on procurement plans for programmes and monitor implementation of the plans monthly to ensure programme delivery.

·       Sign and track programme procurements within the HoP threshold and ensure policy compliance

Skills

This function requires possession of fundamental personal, social and leadership skills (CPSLs), technical and methodological skills (CTMs) and Managerial and strategic skills (CMSs)

You should be a creative, visionary and organized leader with strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail. Empathy, calmness and prioritization during busy periods are essential.

Critical experience:

·       5+ years in senior program leadership in humanitarian/development contexts

·       Proven success in fundraising and proposal development

·       Proven experience managing complex, multi-sector program portfolios and all aspects of project cycle management.

·       Experience representing an organisation at external fora, including public speaking and partnership development.

·       Ability to develop sound logical frameworks based on international and organisation standards.

·       Budget development and financial planning experience, and expertise in MEAL and data-driven program management.

·       Experience in procurement planning to support project delivery.

Skills and knowledge we’re looking for:

·       Strategic thinking and strong analytical capacity, including experience in strategy implementation and development of programmatic approaches.

·       Excellent proposal writing and communication skills, including High-level writing skills for proposals, log-frames and budgets.

·       Track record in building partnership and proven experience in donor, authority, and partner representation, including proven success in project design, proposal development.

·       Strong knowledge of child rights, protection, health & nutrition or migration. Interest for Child Right in Business approach.

·       Strong leadership and people management skills, including Ethical leadership and experience managing large teams and programmes

·       A capacity to identify challenges, foresee risks and inform the management with substantive recommendations.

·       Results-driven approach and analytical and creative mindset focused on continuous learning.

·       Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities, including Financial and operational management expertise.

·       Interpersonal skills: integrity, a capacity to judge, diplomacy and very good communication.

Required conditions

Training/Qualifications

Master’s Degree in relevant social science

Experience

•    5 years in senior programme role.

•    10 years in social impact work

•    Knowledge of refugee affairs, child rights, protection.

•    Experience with donor grants and budget control

•    Experience in Tdh sectors: Health/Nutrition, Access to Justice, Migration

•    Experience in proposal development and resource mobilization

•    Experience with government and academic stakeholders

•    Experience in monitoring, evaluation and learning systems

Languages                                  

English, Kiswahili

IT know-how

Masterful command of Microsoft 365 and interest/knowledge of using AI.

General Code of of Conduct and Tdh’s Risk Management Policies

Commits to complying with the General Code of Conduct and systematically reports any breach of the Code through the Tdh warning procedure: raises the awareness within the Foundation on violence and abuse and the rights that derive from them regarding children, community members and our own employees.

Commits to complying with the Risk Management Policies, including: Safeguard policies (the policy of Safeguarding Children, the Policy of Protecting against Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, the Guideline on Abusive Behavior at Work), the Safety/Security Policy and Anti-Fraud/Corruption Policies and the Prevention of Funding Criminal Activities.

Commits to reducing the risk of abuse by developing an open and informed culture of management within the organization and in our work with children and the communities where we work.

Tdh’s organizational values

Our organizational values guide us in our operational and strategic choices and are the foundation of all decisions made by us. Those five values are incorporated into each process connected to the staff. All collaborators are assessed according to the organization’s values.

PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT

• 
  
• We promote and enhance participation and empowerment.
  
• We create the space for active participation and embrace inputs from others.
  
• We are sensitive about others’ needs to influence.
  
• We share and delegate power and responsibilities.
  

PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION

• 
  
• We trust the capacities of our key actors as primary responders and agents of change. We build on their strengths and on their needs.
  
• We champion co-creation and value complementarity.
  
• We appreciate other points of view and seek collectively for pragmatic and innovative solutions.
  
• We manifest humility, respect, fairness and see others as equal partners.
  

INNOVATION AND LEARNING

• 
  
• We promote a culture of innovation.
  
• We value curiosity, welcome new initiatives, and foster creativity.
  
• We embrace voluntary learning and are ready for trial and error.
  
• We foster knowledge sharing, learning and strive for sustainability.
  

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

• 
  
• We celebrate Diversity and Inclusion of people.
  
• We genuinely commit to diversity and inclusion and see it as a wealth in all our activities.
  
• We understand the cultural contexts and value differences.
  
• We are truly committed to an equal treatment.
  

LEADERSHIP AND EXCELLENCE

• 
  
• We thrive to offer our best, we think ahead, and are ready and willing to go the extra mile for the well-being of children.
  
• We provide quality programming and support. We are accountable and transparent. We use power responsibly.
  
• We position ourselves through our expertise and savoir-faire.
  
• We advocate for the rights of children whenever possible and seek actively opportunities to do so.
  

Application modalities:

Interested candidates who meet the criteria above are encouraged to send their applications letter and detailed CVs to KEN.recruitment@tdh.ch Candidates are required to indicate the position title and location on the subject line of the email when applying.

Kindly note only applications sent to this email address will be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

This position will close on 14th May 2026. 

Tdh’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protect children’s rights, which includes the prevention of all forms of child abuse.

Tdh is an equal opportunity employer