Senior Account Manager

Senior Account Manager

Permanent employee contract, full time

Based: Nairobi, Kenya

Closing date: 10th March 2024

Estimated start date: September. This job offer is contingent upon the successful awarding of the associated project.

About Albany

Established in 2004, Albany Associates International Ltd (“Albany”) advises and leads projects on strategic communications, media regulation and development, policy-making, and public diplomacy. Albany has also worked with defectors and disengaged fighters, peace processes and political transitions, and stabilization efforts. Our expertise covers areas including countering-state sponsored propaganda, countering mis- and disinformation, preventing and countering violence extremism (PCVE) in support of political, peace and security objectives for the US Department of State, USAID, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United Nations, among others. We focus on local solutions based on understanding the politics, culture, and traditions of societies with which we work. It is essential for us to first understand the information environment – the adversaries, target groups and audiences, as well as the human terrain they all navigate – before designing an insights-driven intervention approach. Albany draws on a broad range of experience in carrying out monitoring, evaluation and learning activities as well as large-scale research. Using a wide array of methods, including outcome harvesting and mapping, online and offline quantitative and qualitative polling, focus group discussions, community-wide surveys and in-depth interviews, Albany enables project teams and donors to focus on their main objectives and provide clearly measurable and adaptable outcomes. Our philosophy centers on the principle that robust two-way communications provide the primary mechanism for solving complex problems and building resilience to social, economic, security and political shocks. Animating civil society, or the public space between the state, military, markets, community and family, is central to our method of work. We call this Comprehensive Communications.

Position summary

Albany is seeking a Senior Account Manager with experience managing international development programmes in Fragile and Conflict Affected States (FCAS). The Senior Account Manager will be responsible for all aspects of project, technical, financial and personnel management on their assigned projects. The ideal candidate will oversee the completion of all deliverables required under their projects/programmes as well as overall compliance with the contracts. This work will involve team management, technical guidance, administrative coordination, operations oversight, and client relations. The Senior Account Manager must have excellent oral and written communication skills, analytic skills, interpersonal skills, and team management skills. The Senior Account Manager will report directly to Albany’s Director of Programmes.

Responsibilities

Project Management

• Manage two FCDO-funded programmes in Somalia and ensure deliverables meet high quality standards
• Manage complex budgets, compliance, risks, workplan, reporting, and project teams including consortium partners and consultants. Lead on project responses to strategic risks and opportunities
• Lead on client relationship management, ensuring clients are fully briefed on the status of their programmes. Proactively and confidently communicate with senior stakeholders and peers, ensuring clear communication around project progression and escalating concerns or learnings as appropriate
• Perform technical advisory roles on contracted projects depending on candidate’s skills and interests

Possible Line Management (to be confirmed)

• Would line manage one-two staff, focusing on performance and career development

Requirements

• At least 5-7 years of experience in programme management
• Previous experience implementing programmes funded by the UK and U.S. government is desirable
• Previous experience delivering donor-funded programmes in Somalia is highly desirable
• Previous experience delivering stabilisation programmes is desirable
• Versed in financial management related to programme delivery
• Experience and good understanding with programme reporting and Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)
• An understanding/interest in stabilisation, development and conflict prevention, especially in FCAS countries
• Previous experience managing project staff (employees and consultants)
• Ability to multi-task across several projects and project-related matters
• Strong analytical, writing and communications skills
• Experience of working under very tight deadlines for demanding clients
• Ability to work flexibly and adaptively to respond to clients’ changing needs
• Strong problem solving skills, independently and within a group
• Personal attention to detail, and providing oversight and quality assurance of others' work
• A team player, open to feedback with a strong work ethic
• Fluent in English
• Candidates must have the right to work in Kenya. We encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Benefits

Albany is an inclusive, innovative business, with offices in Nairobi and London. When you join our team, you can expect the following:

• 25 days annual leave, plus your birthday
• Hybrid working
• Career development and promotional opportunities
• An annual personal training budget to allow for ongoing development and growth
• Team events and socials

How to apply

If you think you would be a great fit for us, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV and a cover letter to Laurie Brownett, Head of Operations: Laurie@albanyassociates.com. The closing date for applications is 10th March 2024. However, we will review candidates on a rolling basis and the vacancy may be filled before this deadline. We encourage early applications. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Albany is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute, including religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis protected under applicable law.  Albany is dedicated to hiring an inclusive workforce. If you would like to request reasonable accommodations during the application process, please let us know.