STEP Project Manager - Field Implementation Lead

About the role

The STEP Project Manager acts as Field Implementation Lead, overseeing operational, technical and managerial work across field-based economic pathways and project outputs. Based in Nairobi and reporting to the STEP Project Director, the role bridges strategic directives with camp-level realities. It supervises Economic Inclusion and Livelihood Officers in Kakuma and Dadaab and Operation Officers in Nairobi, guiding local partners such as RLOs, WROs, OPDs and host community organizations while ensuring compliance with GAC Results-Based Management standards, fiduciary rules and GESI-ECC safeguarding frameworks.

Key responsibilities

• Field implementation leadership: turn the Annual Work Plan into quarterly plans for Kakuma, Kalobeyei and Dadaab; build commercial links with private firms, aggregators, off-takers and BPO agencies; enforce the rule that market demand comes before skills training or capital; oversee the Traction-Based Capital Sequencing Model.
• Staff supervision: supervise and coach Economic Inclusion and Livelihood Officers and the Nairobi Operations Officer; chair the monthly field Project Coordination Committee and support the Project Director.
• Partner management: guide SIR, TUPADO, the Dadaab Collective and ROAD, and strengthen the capacity of RLOs, HCOs and private actors so they can sustain market-support functions after the project ends.
• GESI, ECC and safeguarding: ensure activities meet Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy and WUSC's GESI framework, with at least 60% young women participants and meaningful inclusion of youth with disabilities and SOGIEC; integrate inclusion enablers into budgets and run environmental and OHS audits.
• Governance and finance: prepare agendas for the annual Project Steering Committee and bi-annual advisory committees; enforce GAC eligible cost guidelines, including dual signatures for spending above KES 100,000; track PMF indicators disaggregated by sex, age, disability and displacement status.
• Policy advocacy: help the Department of Refugee Services streamline IDs, KRA PINs and Class M work permits, and promote fair hiring and inclusive apprenticeships.

Required profile

• Master's degree in Business Administration, Economics, International Development, Commerce, Agribusiness or a related field (a Bachelor's with 12+ years of relevant experience is also considered).
• 7 to 10 years in corporate management, private enterprise development, supply-chain logistics, business incubation or commercial financial services.
• 5+ years designing and running Market Systems Development or AIMS programs, with a track record of economic inclusion, TVET or enterprise projects in refugee camps, ASAL regions or thin markets in Kenya.
• Experience supervising technical teams and managing subcontracts with grassroots partners.
• Full professional fluency in English and Kiswahili.

Required skills

• Deep knowledge of Kenya's Refugee Policy, the Refugees Act (2021), the Shirika Plan, KRA PIN/tax frameworks, Class M work permits and county integration plans.
• Familiarity with GAC policies, Results-Based Management, eligible cost guidelines and FIAP.
• Proficiency in KoboToolbox, Mural and financial tracking software.
• Strong commercial negotiation skills.