Kenya Project (Program) Manager

Assignment Purpose: Development of a decarbonization roadmap for Kenya
Duration: 15 months
Location: Nairobi, Kenya.

Job Description and Project Background

The Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN) is a globally and regionally focused non-government not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to provide policy expertise and technical assistance to advance building energy performance and realise sustainable built environments for all. With staff members located around the World in Indonesia, India, Australia, Africa, and Europe, GBPN brings over 10 years of knowledge and innovation to sustainable building policy reform. With every project, governments leverage our intellectual capital, our experience, analysis, evidence, and our network.

GBPN goal is to contribute to the building sector achieving its full energy savings and CO2 mitigation potential of more than 2.1 Gt by 2030. To do that, GBPN assists governments and industry to implement climate change actions in their building sectors that help achieve their commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

In Africa, GBPN is pioneering its activities with an initial focus on fast-growing areas, including Kenya. The emissions abatement opportunity in Kenya for the construction sector is about 25.66 mega tonnes; roughly around 30% of total country emissions. This would align with Kenya’s updated and more ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 2020, a commitment to reduce emissions by 32% by 2030.

GBPN is looking for a Project Manager who will be responsible for delivery of a decarbonization roadmap for the Kenyan building and construction industry. The Project Manager should work collaboratively with stakeholders, in a locally led initiative to accelerate Kenya’s ambition to achieve zero-emissions buildings and access to sustainable housing for all.

Scope of Assignment and Deliverables

The Project Manager shall contribute to the successful delivery of the Kenya Built Environment Decarbonization Roadmap and the following are the expected deliverables (but not limited to):

Project Management

1. Assume operational management of the project according to the strategic and programmatic objectives of GBPN in Kenya. 
2. Lead the design stage of the projects, using GBPN design templates and following standardised processes to ensure all team members and defined partners are involved. Confirm activity planning, project work plans, M&E,  budget, and submit these for clearance
3. Ensure harmonisation on project design and timely delivery
4. Communicate and coordinate with GBPN Africa Team and other team members in resolving pending questions and issues
5. Update information in the shared folders in the Google Drive regularly.
6. Ensure that the projects are being managed and tracked using GBPN’s project management system, ClickUp – the work plan status, monitoring, and evaluation indicators are kept up to date to provide accurate reporting data.
7. Engaging with the communications team to develop a communications plan and communicate project milestones and outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement

1. Supervise and manage the project team members (if applicable), and experts including to ensure they deliver their outputs and outcomes on schedule, on budget and with good quality 
2. Build partnerships and manage good relationships with clients, partners, and other key stakeholders including donors and other international agencies. 
3. Facilitate stakeholders’ discussions and support stakeholders/partner organisations engagement.

Roadmap Development

1. Support the documentation of monitoring and evaluation and learning activities of the assigned project:
   • To design the monitoring and evaluation report with indicators, targets, and timelines
   • To fill in the monitoring and evaluation periodic report with latest data
   • To collect and tabulate results from the event feedback forms
   • To collect and document lessons learned from the project team
2. Produce reports regularly, including oversee, review, and approve monthly update reports
3. Maintain a database of contacts of the projects
4. Assist in programmatic planning, country strategy, grant proposal writing and design of grant programs and assist in design of new projects
5. Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing
6. Assume direct responsibility for managing the project operations, ensuring that: Projects, plans and operations are executed smoothly and are aligned with the GBPN’s and stakeholders’ priorities and policies Alignment is sought with Donors’ expected high standard of technical quality and in compliance with donor requirements as shared by the GBPN Africa Team

Qualifications / Experience

Education: 

• Minimum of an advanced Degree in fields related to the built environment or from an accredited institution.

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum 7 years experience in sustainable building understanding and green building policy developments and engagements.
• Past experience in green building processes. 
• Experience in engaging with government agencies (previous engagement with any one of the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Environment and/or county level governments is preferred).
• Knowledge of the local market and the ability to identify and reach out to appropriate stakeholders.
• Strong networking and influencing skills are required
• Ability to analyse complex data from multiple sources is required
• Ability to render consulting services in the most professional, effective and efficient manner
• Experience using MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and/or Google Suite
• Understand well how to operate Zoom and other online meeting applications
• Experience using ClickUp or other online project management applications is desirable.

Language:

• Be fluent in spoken and written English (GBPN´s working language is English). 
• Fluency in spoken Swahili is an added advantage

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrated excellent skills in written and oral communication 
• Strong negotiating and managerial skills
• Excellent networking with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships 
• Planning, organisational and time management skills, including flexibility, attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet changing deadlines
• Analytical and problem solving skills, including the ability to formulate recommendations 
• Experience in managing project budgets, ensuring proper disbursement of funds, and maintaining financial documentation.

How to Apply:

Email below information by November 30th, 2024  to: careers@gbpn.org (include: ‘Project Manager-Kenya’ in the email subject line) and cc mugure.njendu@gbpn.org. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Please provide below information in your email:

1. Your CV and a cover letter detailing qualifications to perform the role, including relevant experience, and description and/or links to similar. The preferred start date for this work is on or after January 1st, 2025.
2. A proposal detailing your approach for the services and work described, including your proposed daily rate at an estimated working input of 10 working days a month over a 15 month contract period. 

Conditions

This position is available for immediate commencement and is offered as a fixed-term fee for a service consulting contract for 10 days a month over a 15-month period for a total of 150 working days.

The selected applicant should be available for immediate commencement and should be flexible. 

This position will report directly to the Africa Programs Lead with guidance from the GBPN Global Management team. GBPN offers competitive remuneration to a successful candidate.