Roles and responsibilities:

Team Leadership: Whilst START comprises experts and the Head will be expected to understand the functions of the team and how to ensure it is effective – this is primarily a leadership role. You will lead a motivated team by setting a culture of inclusion, learning and high performance and maintain an open and transparent leadership style where it is safe to challenge, and feedback is encouraged from the team. You will line manage three direct reportees and oversee a total team of eight. You will ensure staff are clear on delivery expectations and supported in doing so. You will support staff to develop their skills, confidence, capability and career development.

You will also represent the team in high level meetings, including the team leader meetings and the Kenya Country Board, ensuring that key issues, activities and achievements on START’s work are raised.

Strategic oversight and planning: You will oversee and promote key process and products from the team, such as finance reports, compliance dashboards, and risk and results products, to provide assurance to senior managers on the programme delivery and compliance. You will support the implementation of the Country Plan and the Strategic Partnership, supporting the monitoring and risk conversations and advising on changes required. You will support teams during key pressure points and commissions, and may be required to deputise for senior leaders. You will support discussions on ODA finance and spend Furthermore, you will share best practice and lessons across the mission and with wider FCDO regional and HQ teams, working to ensure strategy interfaces with programmes to build a cohesive narrative and showcase a strong collective offer.

You will also manage the Programme Board. The Programme Board meets monthly and functions as a critical part of our programme assurance and learning. It covers FCDO programmes, as well as the programmes of Partners Across Government. Tasks will include proposing a standing agenda and a forward look, ensuring the membership is inclusive and that representatives are able to attend, supporting the Development Director on chairing the meeting, managing minutes and follow-up actions. The Programme Board has been recently revised, and the TL will be expected assess the relevance and usefulness of the new agenda and format, especially in relation to the inclusion of Partners Across Government and adapt accordingly.

You will also manage central assurance processes and commissions, especially those linked to management assurance processes and audits as well as more strategic aspects, such as the Country Business Plan.

Programme support: You will ensure excellence in programme management, commercial performance, risk and programme financial management, resulting in higher impact influencing and programme portfolios. This includes ensuring clarity on programme roles and responsibilities, advising teams on PRoF guidelines, engaging teams on compliance/non-compliance, ensuring teams have the right support for field visits, and leading a quality assurance function for programme design and reviews. You will keep teams updated with key information from the centre, as well as providing a link back to the Centre for Delivery. You will ensure that FCDO accurately plans, forecasts and monitors programme budgets and meets targets. You will identify opportunities for learning across tea