EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION: ON-SITE DIRECTOR
LOCATION: MATHARE VALLEY, NAIROBI, KENYA
TERM: FULL-TIME, 1-YEAR COMMITMENT REQUIRED
START DATE: IMMEDIATELY
COMPENSATION: COMPETITIVE SALARY, COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE. FULL HEALTH BENEFITS INCLUDED.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED IMMEDIATELY; ALL APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY APRIL 3, 2009

To apply, please send CV or equivalent, cover letter, and compensation history to info@dignitasproject.org. If you wish to hand-deliver your application to the Dignitas Project office on Juja Road, opposite Kiboro Primary School, Nairobi, Kenya, please call Steve at +254 735 108 722. Incomplete applications will not be considered though the recruitment board may request some or all applicants who have made incomplete applications to complete their applications.


About Dignitas Project
The Dignitas Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving education outcomes for impoverished children through the empowerment of community and school leaders, parents, and youth. Launched in early 2008, Dignitas Project strives to engage all community stakeholders in support of high-quality education, believing that strong governance, leadership, and a mobilized constituency are the key mechanisms for positive change.

Dignitas Project’s first initiative is based in the Mathare Valley informal settlement, located in the heart of Nairobi, Kenya. After initiating community organizing activities and a participatory needs assessment aimed at building consensus for change and identifying key barriers and challenges hindering quality education, Dignitas launched its program work in January 2009. Currently, Dignitas Project has several community-based programs. One, called Teachers For Mathare, is aimed at developing teacher leadership and professional skills, encouraging collaboration across schools, and providing infrastructural and learning material needs. Dignitas Project also provides technical assistance and coaching to community-based organizations (CBOs) that are youth-led, driven by empowerment values, and have a felt presence in the community in order to support their growth, impact, and sustainability.

Position Description
Dignitas Project seeks an On-Site Director to lead and implement an education development strategy that requires the full participation of school, community, civil society, and government stakeholders, and other external partners. The On-Site Director will oversee the day-to-day activities and operations of the Dignitas Project initiative in Mathare. He/She will be responsible for delivering results in accordance with the strategic plan, accelerating Dignitas Project’s impact and reach in Mathare as well as the greater Nairobi context, and developing the organization’s resource streams (human, financial, social, etc.).

The ideal candidate will be driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, a passion for the work of the organization, and the ability to adapt and engage to stakeholders in diverse settings. He/She will have experience setting goals, delivering results, and building productive partnerships. A strong value for humanity and empowerment principles is necessary to succeed in this position, and the candidate will possess a relentless focus on achieving goals and overcoming challenges in a dynamic and exciting context.

Desired Qualifications
· Two years of professional experience, or the equivalent in the education, international development, or community development environment
· Passion and commitment to Dignitas Project’s mission and vision
· Strategic, analytical approach combined with collaborative and humble nature
· Excellent communicator with the ability to mobilize people and resources in pursuit of a cause or mission and engage and inspire a wide range of stakeholders
· Ability to cultivate new relationships and manage existing partnerships to strengthen community networks and linkages to NGOs/civil society, government structures, and other external resources (human, social, and financial capital)
· Strong organization and project management skills, superb attention to detail
· Flexible and creative thinker, with the capacity to work both independently and collaboratively
· Excellent facilitation skills: ability to read into discussions, listen and elicit feedback to cultivate values of learning and continuous improvement

Dignitas Project is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, age, gender, physical ability, and evaluate all candidates based on merit.