Managing Principal KDI Kenya

Full Job Title:  Managing Principal and Executive Director - KDI Kenya
Organisation:  Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI), Inc. Kenya
Reporting to: Board of Directors, KDI Kenya
Location:  Nairobi, Kenya (with some regional and international travel)
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: 550-650k KES/month gross (depending on experience) + Benefits
Application Due:  June 9, 2025
Target Start Date:  August 18, 2025

Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) is a non-profit design and community development organization founded in Nairobi in 2006. We collaborate with under-resourced communities to advance equity and activate the unrealized potential in neighborhoods and cities. We accomplish this mission through design, advocacy, research, planning, and built works.

The job
KDI is looking for a unique individual to lead KDI Kenya. The Managing Principal will be responsible to our community partners, to the Board, and to colleagues and funding partners for delivering the vision and mission of the organisation. They will lead a brilliant and established team of Principals and Directors, with a strong Program and Operations staff and an incredible portfolio of work. They will be KDI Kenya’s lead voice in the world, maintaining visibility, connection, and a strong public advocacy role. They need to be mission driven, and at the same time commercially minded. 

What we are looking for
Lead with purpose. The ideal candidate will have deep experience in the built environment sector, have demonstrated success leading organisations, as well as having significant experience in delivery of built environment and community projects. They will be passionate about justice in the shaping of the built environment and related policy.

Lead with humility. The Managing Principal is responsible for leading a brilliant team who have been working across very different and challenging places for a long time. You'll support a transdisciplinary team of designers, social workers, anthropologists, and engineers to do their best work together, and in close concert with the people we serve, and whose knowledge and agency is central to shaping the outcomes.  Much of our work takes place in informal and low-income settlements with diverse civil society, private sector, and government stakeholders. Many of the projects you will be responsible for supporting and developing are new approaches, in places where the parameters change daily. 

Act local, think global. You’ll challenge and shape systems and policies, while simultaneously raising the belief and commitment from partners at all levels to help us deliver on the ground. You’ll represent the organisation in a wide range of settings: with community and government partners, at policy and academic conferences, and with allies and partners globally. Through communication of our continued excellence and the development of new partnerships you’ll lead the charge to meet and exceed our funding targets, and to build a sustainable platform for impact in years to come.  

Commit to change. This is unquestionably a full-on job. And yet, it will be the most exciting, invigorating, and rewarding position you will ever hold.You’ll be fighting the good fight alongside a team of intelligent, dedicated individuals that share your passion, and have been doing this work with real impact, and with a Board and sister KDI organisations. You will see tangible results of your hard work and you will make a difference to real people’s lives. 

Detailed Job Description
The Managing Principal of KDI Kenya is responsible to our community and funding partners, to the Board, and to colleagues for delivering the vision and mission of the organisation and ensuring the sound operations of the Kenya Organisation by the Senior Management Team, in compliance with Kenyan Law, and in accordance and coordination with the founding principals and working principles of the global body of KDI organisations. 


Project and Program Management and Delivery (20%) Shape and guide design, development, delivery, and profitability of KDI's projects and programs in Kenya and the Region in line with the mission. 

• Oversee the quality and contractual compliance of the KDI Kenya portfolio.
• Facilitate effective overall quarterly and annual work planning and resourcing.
• Engage and lead on special thematic projects.
• Support ongoing development,implementation, and adherence to operational standards. 
• Act as liaison for joint international projects and opportunities between sister KDI offices in the US and Sweden.

Human Resource Management (10%) Shape and guide HR strategy in line with the HR policies and Strategic Plan aims. 

• Line manager to Senior Management Team and oversee wider team development and culture. 
• Oversee hiring processes and lead interviews for senior level hires Represent the organisation in any internal or external legal and HR processes. 

Financial and Administration Management (20%) Oversee management of organization's and partners' resources according to mission, legal, commercial, and partner requirements. 

• Support Finance and Admin team in preparation and delivery of annual operational budgets and audits. 
• Facilitate smooth financial management between program and finance teams. 
• Represent the organisation to external regulatory and reporting bodies. Support coordination and flow of financial & administration between KDI sister organisations.

Fundraising and Business Development (25%) Oversee KDI fundraising and BD strategy for KDI Kenya in partnership with KDI sister organisations. 

• Proactively meet with partners and develop new relationships and business. 
• Secure KDI Kenya annual operating budget and reserve fund, with support from Principals and Global Team.
• Steer overall business development activities to enhance mission alignment and profitability.
• Coordinate and lead BD efforts with Global offices. 

Public Relations and Communications (15%) Oversee and advise on organizational PR and Communication strategies. 

• Be KDI’s number one champion in the world, maintaining visibility, voice and a public advocacy role. 
• Proactively attend and contribute to mission relevant conferences, events, and dialogues, nationally and internationally. 
• Be a leading advocate for community-engaged design, research, planning in Kenya and further afield. 

Board Relations and Strategic Planning (10%) Lead board engagement and development for active governance of KDI for the benefit of mission, staff, and partners. 

• Actively engage with the Board via regular general and special committee meetings and on separate initiatives.
• Invest in board growth, training, and expansion.
• Implement and monitor the organization’s current Kenya Strategic Plan and Annual Business Plans with Board oversight, and develop subsequent Planning phases. 
• Oversee and ensure development of board materials in advance of meetings. 
• Represent KDI Kenya in global advisory sessions with EDs of sister KDI organisations

Profile

• Proven advocate for KDI’s mission: You are passionate about justice in the public realm and have shown it through your work and advocacy. Critically, you are mission driven, and commercially minded.
• People-focused leader: Hands-on and strategic, you tackle challenges, strengthen programs, and ensure that resident needs and knowledge shape decisions through KDI’s programs and projects. You have thrived in the field, working alongside residents and designers to improve the built environment. 
• Shared leadership mindset: You foster a supportive and inclusive work environment, mentoring and empowering management and program teams to deliver high-quality results, and working closely and democratically with senior management peers.
• Champion of programmatic excellence: you have experience leading significant built environment and community initiatives, ensuring high-quality results and continuous improvement. 
• Fluent in operations and finance: You bring deep experience in working with finance professionals and supporting budgeting, financial management, HR administration, and compliance. Skilled communicator and relationship builder: you engage effectively with diverse audiences; local communities, government, high-level policymakers, board members, donors, and academics.
• Model of integrity: you lead with honesty, accountability, and transparency, setting the standard for ethical decision-making and reporting. You build trust with residents, partners, and program teams, ensuring that every action aligns with KDI’s mission and values.

Skills & Experience

• Minimum 7 years of experience in senior leadership roles designing and managing built environment interventions with a social impact lens. 
• Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience leading organisations or departments with a similar scale and mission as KDI Kenya.
• Minimum masters degree in built environment and/or development (more importantly that you have done something with it).
• Demonstrable track record raising investments or donations at a comparable or greater scale to KDI Kenya. 
• Fluent in both English and Swahili, with exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Significant experience in the East Africa region, and preferably Kenya. 
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly within Kenya, and internationally as needed.

Package

• 550-650k salary KES/month gross (depending on experience) 
• Annual budget for personal professional development
• 21 days annual leave
• 5 days study leave
• Sick leave as per Kenyan law
• Private Medical and Dental for individual and family
• Private Pension
• Business Airtime
• Relevant Professional Licenses and Charterships fee support
• Support for relocation if not based in Nairobi

How to Apply:

Interested and qualified applicants should submit their applications via this form (https://forms.gle/VigS28aaC5XpjR1f7) no later than the end of Monday 9th June, 2025. Please attach a motivational cover letter, detailed CV, three (3) references (we won’t contact them before asking you), and an example of your writing or work that you are proud of. In addition, a video clip/link of prior speaking engagements that you feel represent your presentation skills would be highly appreciated if available. 

KDI is committed to transparency, fairness, and equal opportunity in its recruitment processes. KDI is a multi-ethnic, inclusive, anti-racist organisation that reflects the countries and communities in which we work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, disability, marital status or medical condition.

KDI Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or offer stages. We strongly advise applicants to be vigilant and cautious of fraudulent job offers or solicitations of money claiming to be from KDI.

If you encounter any such incidents or suspect fraudulent activity, please report it immediately by emailing us at mailkenya@kounkuey.org.