WORK WITH US

About us

We are a young and small organisation doing amazing things with young people and their families.  We believe that all children deserve a life of choice and opportunity, regardless of their circumstances. 

We provide a selection of programmes that support children and their families built on creating a place of safety and belonging.

The Programmes focus on:

1. Creating a safe, inclusive and secure space for children to come after school and during the holidays, for social, emotional and academic support.
2. Empowering families through workshops and mentoring
3. Providing opportunities that are otherwise not available to young people growing up in poverty.  From trips and cultural events  to careers fairs.  From support for secondary school to events celebrating their talents.

Our operations currently focus in Deep Sea informal settlement in Nairobi and we have grown from working with 12 children to 85 children and their families in the past four years. Our three year strategy focuses on increasing our reach, impact and sustainability.

Role Overview

The Country Director holds overall responsibility for strategic management, programme development, policy and advocacy leadership, fundraising and financial oversight. The role also ensures Fursa remains compliant with Kenyan and UK legislation and regulations.

This position demands a dynamic individual who is passionate about our vision and mission with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a challenging environment. With an annual budget of circa KES 12,000,000/- and growing,  it’s an exciting time to join the Fursa family.  Come join us to expand our unique offering which is changing young people’s lives!

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development of strategic plans, in collaboration with the UK and Kenya Boards.
• Identify opportunities for organisational growth.

Programme Development and Management

• Guide the programme team in designing initiatives that support Fursa’s strategic priorities. 
• Identify potential local partners and lead collaborations that deepen Fursa’s impact.
• Oversee the development and continuous implementation of Fursa’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning strategy.

Fundraising and Donor Engagement

• Lead and develop Fursa’s Kenya fundraising strategy, fostering strong relationships with donors and strategic partners across individual, corporate, governmental, and trust funding streams.
• Identify and secure new and diverse income streams that enable Fursa to grow and deliver innovative, high-impact programming in line with its mission.

Staff Management and Leadership

• Oversee line management of the Fursa Kenya team.
• Oversee implementation of human resource policies and procedures, including recruitment, talent development and performance management.
• Foster an organisational culture that values personal and professional learning and growth.

Communications, Representation and Advocacy

• Represent and nurture the Fursa brand.
• Manage relations with relevant government ministries and act as Fursa’s primary ambassador in Kenya.
• Oversee the implementation of an engaging and targeted communications strategy. 

Governance and Legal

• Support the UK and Kenya Boards in fulfilling their legal and regulatory responsibilities.

Finance and Operations

• Lead the development of Fursa’s annual plans and budgets in accordance with organisational guidelines.
• Ensure compliance of programme expenditure with Fursa’s policies, control procedures and funder requirements.
• Review and contribute to financial reporting, including monthly and quarterly management accounts submitted to the Kenya and UK Boards.
• Oversight of inventory and asset management, risk register, security management plans and safeguarding.
• Identify, prioritise and review policies and procedures for Board consideration.

Reporting Line

The Country Director will be employed by and report to the Board of Directors of The Fursa Trust, Kenya.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social sciences, development management or a related field or equivalent experience.  A master’s degree in a related field would be an advantage.
• Minimum of ten years’ professional experience in lead management roles implementing programmes, with at least five years at senior management level.
• Specific knowledge and experience in child development, education and community development.
• Competence in developing and implementing safeguarding policies and practices in challenging socio-economic environments, in line with relevant legislation.
• Knowledge of and engagement in youth work, community development programming and the charity sector across diverse cultural and socio-economic contexts is an advantage. 

Fundraising and External Relations

• Solid track record in fundraising with some of the following income streams :  foundations and trusts, philanthropic donations, Rotary and other Kenya based funding organisations.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with government and sector organisations to secure financial support or advocacy outcomes.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and public speaking skills.
• Strong ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and tasks efficiently.
• Demonstrable experience in strategic planning, programme development and management of complex, multi-stakeholder interventions.
• Numeracy and ability to prepare and monitor budgets and accounts.
• Excellent time management and attention to detail.
• Fluent written and spoken English and Swahili with the ability to produce clear reports for a wide range of audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, communicate, and negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders with tact, diplomacy and cultural sensitivity.