Program Manager

I&M Bank Kenya Limited is a financial institution founded in 1974, operating in the banking and financial services sector.

The Program Manager at I&M Bank Foundation is tasked with the comprehensive coordination and daily oversight of its programs. This role involves close collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders to guarantee the timely execution of annual work plans, address implementation hurdles, ensure adherence to donor requirements, proactively manage programmatic risks, and contribute to strategic decisions for successful program delivery and impact.

1. Translate proposals and logical frameworks into detailed work plans and budgets.
2. Develop annual project work plans with realistic long-term goals and short-term objectives, overseeing weekly and monthly plans in line with the implementation schedule.
3. Monitor and report on objective achievement and deviations from the work plan and budget.
4. Oversee the overall implementation of program activities, focusing on meeting targets within the specified budget.
5. Promote accountability and transparency across all implementing activities and with relevant partners.
6. Monitor budget expenditure based on implementation plans, analyze Budget-versus-Actual reports for discrepancies, and ensure timely and appropriate fund usage.
7. Produce timely internal reports on ongoing programming status and contribute to donor reporting.
8. Work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure all aspects of programs are delivered.
9. Coordinate with procurement and logistics staff for program procurements and the identification and contracting of local suppliers.
10. Ensure that end-to-end program documentation is developed and maintained according to approved formats and internal standards.
11. Collaborate with the Measurement, Evidence and Learning (MEL) team, both internally and with partners, to ensure effective project monitoring and evaluation, including designing performance metrics, collecting data, evaluating impact, and using data for continuous improvement.
12. Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies, responding effectively to crises or emergencies.
13. Oversee implementation partners' activities, ensuring alignment with signed agreements.
14. Assess training needs within internal teams and develop an overall capacity-building plan.
15. Provide regular constructive feedback to direct reports, adhering to Performance Management procedures.
16. Participate in training staff (officers and assistants) to ensure a solid understanding of key program documents and tools, including MEL tools.
17. Support and stimulate teamwork within the I&M Foundation and the wider group where necessary.
18. Participate in program design with partners, establishing accountability measures and ensuring feedback from all relevant stakeholders is considered.
19. Work closely with partners on developing proposals and budgets, ensuring alignment with the Foundation Strategy.
20. Lead the process of identifying and managing implementation partners following procurement procedures and required approvals.
21. Follow up and monitor partners based on contractual agreements, conducting field visits, attending project activities, and producing timely internal reports on project status.
22. Provide continuous program management and facilitate technical support to partners to ensure timely and quality programming.
23. In close coordination with MEL teams, lead on partner capacity building and the development of training/awareness-raising materials and Monitoring and Evaluation Tools, and organize and conduct trainings for program partners, beneficiaries, and stakeholders.
24. Work with HR, Finance, and Procurement teams to ensure partners receive adequate support from support sections.
25. Monitor and support partner outputs.
26. Review partner narrative and financial reports.
27. Follow up on reporting requirements by partners.
28. Liaise regularly with strategic partners, implementation partners, and communities to ensure adequate participation in all steps of the program implementation cycle.
29. Continuously coordinate with all relevant stakeholders regarding the progress of activities.
30. Participate in member meetings as required and provide updates to the team.
31. Represent the foundation at working group meetings and other education forums under programs.
32. Participate in internal and external planning meetings as required and interact regularly with Foundation stakeholders to ensure coordinated and efficient programming.
33. Prepare reports and presentations for internal and external audiences.
34. Ensure adherence to funder requirements on reporting.

1. Bachelor’s or a relevant Master’s degree in business administration, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field.
2. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
3. Strong planning and organization skills.
4. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
5. Proficiency in digital tools for reporting and program management, such as Kobo toolkits, Power BI, and CRMs.
6. Ability to synthesize complex information and present reports in a clear format.
7. Qualifications in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2) or training in Agile Methodologies.
8. At least 7+ years of relevant work experience in program management, preferably within impact-driven organizations, with demonstrated experience in successfully delivering programs in development contexts.
9. Experience in coordination with local and international NGOs, representation with donors and impact-led actors, and working with donor-funded programs.
10. Demonstrated leadership and team-building capabilities, including the ability to inspire, empower, and lead diverse teams with a collaborative style that fosters ownership and accountability.
11. Strong strategic planning skills, from designing program logic models to aligning with organizational goals, ensuring coherent, targeted, and impactful efforts.
12. Proven budgeting and financial acumen, including the ability to create realistic budgets, monitor spending, and clearly communicate financial performance to funders and leadership.
13. Expertise in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), understanding how to define, track, and interpret metrics to measure impact (qualitative and quantitative), identify gaps, and inform strategy.
14. Ability to successfully co-create programs with the community, adept at listening, engaging, and building trust with the communities served.
15. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to write grant reports, present to a board, and facilitate workshops with clear and compelling communication.
16. Demonstrated cultural competency, including sensitivity, respect, and adaptability when working in diverse communities.
17. Strong tech literacy, with technical digital skills and the demonstrated ability to work with digital tools and leverage digital solutions to manage and improve program management.
18. Agility, demonstrating the ability to balance rigor with flexibility in a philanthropic environment.
19. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, coupled with effective risk management capabilities to anticipate program risks, implement timely mitigation measures, analyze situations, and propose solutions during implementation.