CEO – Kenya
About the Aga Khan Foundation
The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the quality of life and sustainable development of communities across the globe, with a focus on Education, Health and Nutrition, Agriculture, Climate Resilience, Civil Society, and Work and Enterprise. AKF implements inclusive and innovative programmes to empower individuals and communities to realise their full potential. AKF currently implements programmes in 13 countries: Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Portugal, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, and Uganda. AKF’s Head Office is in Switzerland, and there are Resource Mobilisation Offices in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
About the Role
The CEO will steer the unit’s strategic initiatives, ensuring they are aligned with the global programme framework and the priorities of the AKF Board, working closely with the Geneva office. They will oversee marginalised communities’ immediate and long-term needs while managing internal operations. The CEO will ensure effective programme delivery by managing human resources, financial operations, compliance, and safety. Additionally, they will cultivate strong relationships with key Aga Khan Development Network stakeholders and external partners, including government entities, to further the unit’s objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities
In order to carry out effective activities, the CEO’s key functions encompass:
- Strategic direction
- Work closely with AKF’s Geneva office to ensure the unit’s efforts are thoughtfully prioritised and balanced per direction from AKF’s Board concerning its geographic and thematic focus area(s);
- Align activities to the global programme framework so they respond to current and long-term needs and aspirations of marginalised communities;
- Mobilising resources
- Ensure sufficient resources for the strategic priorities through the unit’s partnerships and activities;
- Work with the donor units in Canada, the US, the UK and the Geneva office where needed;
- Develop a clear business-minded trajectory to underwrite the sustainability of programmes and operations, including innovative diversification of resources;
- Implementing programmes
- Based on resources mobilised, effectively implement activities, including tangible, measured results for beneficiary communities;
- Make sure activities and their results meet the donor(s)’s and AKF’s key objectives and country programme frameworks;
- Management and operations
- Oversee daily operations to ensure efficient programme delivery;
- Manage human resources, finances, and administration while ensuring compliance with policies and regulations;
- Develop operational strategies aligned with the NGO’s mission, manage budgets, and optimise resources;
- Stakeholder relationships
- Effectively manage relationships with key AKDN and external stakeholders, including national and sub-national governments, to ensure the objectives of AKF’s Kenya office are achieved.
Skills and Experience
- Ten years or more of professional experience in social and human international development, with a focus on leading complex projects and initiatives that have a tangible impact on communities.
- Experience in diverse cultural and geographic settings, demonstrating a deep understanding of global development challenges and strategies for addressing them.
- Five years in management positions, overseeing teams, budgets, and operations, with a proven ability to drive organisational goals.
- Experience leading in both strategic planning and day-to-day management, including the capacity to build and mentor high-performing teams.
- Excellent strategic, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data and insights into actionable plans.
- Proficiency in crafting and articulating clear, compelling narratives that resonate with a wide range of stakeholders, including donors, partners, and community members.
- Ability to respond to short-term demands with long-term strategic objectives while managing diverse and sometimes conflicting interests.
- Ability to foster a culture of learning within teams, staying updated with sector trends, and being flexible in response to shifting circumstances or new information.
- Capacity to inspire, motivate, and empower people, creating a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
- Understanding and appreciation for AKDN’s goals and values: a commitment to ethical leadership, respect for diverse perspectives, and dedication to sustainable, impactful development.