Manager/Senior Associate (Projects)

JOB TITLE: Manager/Senior Associate (Projects) COMPANY: Future Opportunities ABOUT THE ROLE Join Future Opportunities as a Manager or Senior Associate and become a driving force behind transformative development projects across Africa. In this pivotal position, you will be at the heart of our project delivery teams, working closely with Project Leads to shape outcomes that matter. Your expertise in results-based approaches will help us translate complex strategies into practical, impactful solutions for our clients. You will guide teams through challenging yet critical adaptations of their practices, mentor talented colleagues, and play an instrumental role in expanding our Nairobi presence through team building, stakeholder cultivation, and business development across East Africa's donor and government sectors. Managers join our leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy and direction alongside company-wide initiatives. YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Your day-to-day impact will span project oversight, technical development, client engagement, and team leadership. As a Senior Associate, you will manage 1-3 project workstreams under a Manager's supervision or lead standalone projects reporting directly to a Lead. Managers will typically oversee 3 or more standalone projects simultaneously. Core responsibilities include leading the technical development of Results-Based Financing instruments and data-driven performance management systems; crafting compelling proposals and client deliverables that make sophisticated concepts accessible; managing project budgets and vendor relationships while identifying and resolving potential issues early; planning and delegating team tasks strategically to maximize efficiency and quality; designing and overseeing data analyses that generate actionable insights; delivering persuasive presentations to government and private sector stakeholders; building cohesive, motivated teams through coaching and mentorship; and continuously enhancing our service offerings and delivery methodologies. WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR Senior Associate candidates should bring at least 6 years of professional experience, with a minimum of 4 years in international development, management or strategy consulting, or the public sector. Manager candidates require at least 8 years' experience, including 6 years in these relevant fields. Prior experience with Results-Based Financing and Performance Management is advantageous but not essential; however, demonstrated success working with government institutions is highly valued. Your educational background should include a Master's degree or equivalent qualification in Economics, Development Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, Business, or a related discipline. You must demonstrate exceptional written and oral communication skills in English. Professional fluency in French is a welcomed bonus. Beyond credentials, you are someone with proven success managing complex client engagements and navigating relationships with diverse stakeholder groups. You thrive in entrepreneurial team environments and have a track record of growing talent. You approach challenges with strategic thinking and structured problem-solving, excel at building sophisticated analytical frameworks, and possess deep knowledge of analytical methodologies. Your interpersonal strengths allow you to connect authentically with people from varied backgrounds, establish trust, and collaborate across differences. You communicate sophisticated ideas with clarity and elegance. YOUR GROWTH JOURNEY WITH US We invest in our team's development. You will receive mentorship from experienced leaders, structured bi-annual performance reviews, continuous real-time feedback, and personalized professional development plans designed to support your growth trajectory. WORKING ARRANGEMENTS AND BENEFITS This is a Nairobi-based position open to candidates with legal work rights in Kenya. We operate a hybrid model requiring a minimum of two days weekly in our office for in-person collaboration. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 7 personal days, 60 remote workdays annually, travel and health insurance, a company holiday break between Christmas and New Year (beyond statutory leave), and parental leave benefits. HOW TO APPLY Interested candidates should submit a CV and cover letter in English addressing two key questions: (1) Why are you an excellent fit for this position? (2) What motivates you to join Future Opportunities? We review applications on a rolling basis and will contact only those selected for further evaluation.