Description

**CONFIDENTIAL - INTERNAL VACANCY ONLY**

What we are looking for

Hivos is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals. We are currently seeking suitably qualified, highly competent, and motivated internal candidates to serve as Project Manager - THRIVE and lead effective implementation, coordination, and delivery of the program upon project commencement. The job listed below is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

1. Project Manager - THRIVE

Scope: Global

Hours: Full Time (40 Hours Per Week)

Reports to: Global Head of Programs

Supervises: Country focal points, consultants, grants and support functions as required

Team: Programs

Contract Type: Fixed - Term

Term: This appointment is for an initial term of one year, with possibility of annual renewal for the life of the project, subject to donor funding availability, performance and organizational needs.

Office: Nairobi, Kenya

Provisional grade: KEN: 13,14

Deadline: 15 May 2026

NB: This recruitment is being initiated in anticipation of project approval and contract signature. Any appointment will remain subject to final donor approval, signed funding agreement, and internal authorization to proceed.

JOB CONTEXT

Hivos has submitted the THRIVE Program (Promoting an Enabling Environment for Civil Society) under the Swedish Strategy for Support to Civil Society 2025-2029. The proposed program aims to strengthen civil society resilience, sustainability, and effectiveness across Kenya, Zimbabwe, Colombia, and Lebanon.

THRIVE seeks to empower civil society actors to counter shrinking civic space and promote enabling environments through three interlinked outcomes:

• Safe and inclusive spaces for collaboration
• Strengthened operational and strategic capacities
• Increased access to knowledge, networks, tools, and resources

ROLE PURPOSE

The Project Manager will be responsible for the strategic and operational management of THRIVE, ensuring timely, high-quality, compliant, and adaptive implementation across all program countries once funding is confirmed and the project is launched.

The role ensures alignment between program strategy and country implementation, strong partner relationships, effective grant portfolio management, quality reporting, budget oversight, and donor compliance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The key responsibilities of the role include:

A. Program Management and Coordination

• Lead day-to-day implementation of THRIVE across all countries.
• Develop annual plans, operational workplans, and delivery schedules.
• Coordinate country teams, regional colleagues, and technical staff.
• Ensure coherence between country interventions and program objectives.
• Monitor progress and adapt implementation as needed.

B. Partnership Management

• Manage relationships with strategic partners and implementing organizations.
• Maintain strong communication with country offices, regional teams, and internal stakeholders.
• Represent the program internally and externally when delegated.

C. Grants Management Oversight

• Oversee grant processes including calls, selection, contracting, monitoring, and closure.
• Ensure due diligence, compliance, transparency, and accountability standards.
• Monitor grant portfolio performance and risks.

D. Budget and Compliance Management

• Track expenditure, forecasts, burn rates, and budget reallocations.
• Work closely with finance teams on donor compliance and financial reporting.
• Ensure adherence to donor requirements and Hivos internal policies.

E. Reporting, MEL, and Learning

• Coordinate narrative reports, internal updates, and donor submissions.
• Ensure progress against indicators, milestones, and expected results.
• Support learning, knowledge capture, and cross-country exchange.

F. Risk Management

• Maintain program risk register.
• Identify operational, contextual, financial, and safeguarding risks.
• Propose mitigation measures and escalate issues when needed.

G. Team Leadership

• Provide leadership to matrixed teams across multiple countries.
• Foster collaboration, accountability, and strong performance.
• Support staff development and teamwork

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Development Studies, International Relations, Political Science, Business Administration, or related field.

Knowledge / Experience

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience managing complex donor-funded programs.
• Proven experience managing multi-country projects.
• Experience with institutional donors such as Sida, EU, MFA, or similar.
• Strong grants management and partnership management experience.
• Experience in civil society, governance, human rights, or inclusion programming.
• Experience leading multicultural and geographically dispersed teams.

Key Skills /Attributes

• Strong project and budget management skills.
• Excellent coordination and stakeholder management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong presentation, communication, reporting writing and facilitation skills.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal
• Additional languages such as Arabic, Spanish, or French are an asset.

Important Note

This vacancy is conditional upon successful funding approval and signature of the donor agreement. Hivos reserves the right to pause, amend, or withdraw the recruitment process should funding not be confirmed.

Want to apply?

Please submit a cover letter (maximum 1 page) and CV (maximum 2 pages) as soon as possible by clicking the 'Apply here' button. Applications are being received until May 15th, 2026, midnight EAT