Country Director – Kenya

Duty station: Based in Nairobi, Kenya. Full time with some limited flexibility around hours worked. Candidates must have the right to work in Kenya. | Contract: Two-year fixed-term contract | Travel: Up to 10 weeks of in-country travel per year | Closing date: [date and time zone] | Salary and benefits: Local terms and conditions apply.

Sightsavers is seeking a Country Director to lead its Kenya portfolio and ensure programmes are strategically aligned, evidence-informed, financially responsible and responsive to national priorities. The role covers disability inclusion, eye health and social inclusion, working through partnerships with government institutions, civil society organisations, donors, academic institutions, private-sector actors, communities and organisations of persons with disabilities.

The post-holder will lead country strategy and annual planning; oversee complex, multi-sector programme delivery, monitoring, evaluation, impact and learning; direct financial stewardship, governance, audit and risk; and develop institutional funding and strategic partnerships. As Sightsavers’ principal representative in Kenya, the Country Director will lead high-level advocacy and maintain accountability to partners, communities, donors and internal stakeholders. They will also ensure safeguarding, anti-fraud, data protection, ethics, gender equity and disability rights are integrated across programmes and operations.

Essential profile

• Significant senior leadership experience in an international non-governmental organisation, development agency, donor-funded programme or comparable organisation.
• Demonstrated leadership of complex, multi-sector programmes, substantial budgets and multidisciplinary teams. Experience leading a country programme or substantial portfolio, with accountability for strategy, budgets and delivery across several functions; authority to prioritise resources, address delivery risks and agree corrective action; and accountability to a Regional Director, executive team or board for overall results.
• Strong programme, financial, resource, governance and risk management capability.
• Successful partnership development, senior stakeholder engagement, advocacy and institutional donor grant management.
• Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment and learning.
• Excellent strategic, analytical, problem-solving and English communication skills.
• A relevant Master’s degree or equivalent relevant experience, and understanding of safeguarding, risk management and compliance frameworks.

Desirable profile

Experience in disability inclusion, eye health, public health, education, social protection or economic empowerment; knowledge of Kenyan government and policy processes; and experience working across multiple sectors and with diverse stakeholders.

This is a highly varied and involved role and the above is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. Please see the Job Description for full details.