Country Director at Africa Youth Growth Foundation

Job Summary

• The Country Director (CD) will be responsible for establishing and leading the AYGF Kenya office, providing strategic leadership and oversight of all programs and operations in the country.
• The CD will represent AYGF to stakeholders, including government, donors, partners,and the community. S/he will ensure the quality, growth, impact, and sustainability of AYGF’s interventions in Kenya in line with organizational priorities and donor expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall vision and strategic direction for AYGF’s work in Kenya.
• Represent AYGF in country-level partnerships, donor engagements, government relations, and high-level events.
• Lead the development and implementation of the country strategy aligned with AYGF’s regional goals.
• Lead expansion and new programming opportunities in Kenya and the East African region.
• Program Management and Quality Assurance
• Oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of projects to ensure timely delivery and impact.
• Ensure adherence to technical standards, donor requirements, and internal policies.
• Champion innovation, research, and adaptive learning within country programming.
• Business Development and Fundraising
• Identify new funding opportunities and lead proposal development efforts.
• Build strong relationships with donors and funding partners to secure resources.
• Ensure effective donor reporting and compliance.
• Oversee budgeting, financial management, procurement, and human resources
• Ensure compliance with national laws and internal policies on finance, procurement, and HR.
• Develop and manage country budgets in collaboration with the Finance and HQ team.
• Team Management and Capacity Building
• Recruit, lead, and mentor a high-performing country team.
• Promote a culture of accountability, learning, and staff development.
• Ensure staff well-being, safety, and security in line with duty of care standards.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Qualification should be minimum of MSc. International Development, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Management, or related field.
• Minimum of 12 years’ experience in a senior management role in the NGO/INGO sector,with at least 5 years in a Country Director or equivalent position.
• Strong experience in program strategy, design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated success in business development and donor engagement.
• Solid understanding of the political, economic, and social context in Kenya and East Africa.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in English; knowledge of Swahili is an asset.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and visioning
• Excellent stakeholder management
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Financial acumen and risk management
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability
• Results-oriented and ethical leadership.