Programs and Advocacy Manager

Moving The Goalposts (MTG) is a sport for development organization established in 2002 in Kilifi. The organization uses football to empower girls in rural and urban areas of the Coast region. MTG envisions a more inclusive, just, and peaceful world where the human rights of girls and women are realized and protected. It adopts a rights-based approach, focusing primarily on sexual and reproductive health, rights, and choice. More than 9,000 girls aged 9 to 25 years participate in tournaments and ongoing leagues across Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, and Tana River counties. The MTG leagues are youth-led and managed, incorporating girl advocates who promote healthy sexual choices, financial independence, and female leadership. Girls are also encouraged to take up leadership roles in their communities.

1. Programs and Advocacy Manager

• The Programs and Advocacy Manager will manage and oversee all program and advocacy activities at MTG Kilifi. The position is part of the Senior Management Team and carries supervisory responsibilities.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Program Management

• Oversee, plan, coordinate, and monitor day-to-day program activities.
• Liaise with the Executive Director on strategy and policy development.
• Prepare concise and accurate reports and ensure timely submission of narrative reports to donors.
• Allocate program budgets to appropriate donor budget lines and approve monthly budgets for authorization by the Executive Director.
• Support the Executive Director in fundraising, networking, and partnership development.
• Support annual organizational reviews and planning exercises.

2. Advocacy

• Develop evidence-based advocacy messages through the collection and analysis of relevant data to inform MTG advocacy on girls and women empowerment, gender equality, and access to health, education, and equal opportunities in sports.
• Develop and publish advocacy and communication materials promoting the rights and empowerment of girls and women.
• Engage policymakers to influence the development, review, and implementation of policies that advance the rights, inclusion, and participation of girls and women, particularly in health, education, and sports.
• Develop and review the MTG Inclusion Policy.
• Ensure compliance with and implementation of the Inclusion Policy.
• Lead the development and review of advocacy briefs and tools.

3. Child Safeguarding

• Develop and oversee the continuous review and updating of a comprehensive Child Safeguarding Policy applicable to all employee cadres at MTG.
• Ensure the policy is incorporated into the Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual.

4. Strategic and Organizational Management

• Ensure delivery of the strategic objectives outlined in the organizational strategic plan.
• Keep policies up to date to guide program management.
• Support national and international engagement on football policy and education.

5. Staff Management and Development

• Supervise Coordinators, the Safeguarding Officer, and the Community Liaison/Football Officer.
• In collaboration with the HR Manager, develop and implement a system for assessing the skills, experience, and professional development needs of program staff.
• Implement professional development programs to address staff experience and skills gaps.
• Work with staff to establish objective performance measures that support consistent, high-quality performance evaluation and goal setting.
• Promote accountability among team members and maintain high standards of individual and organizational performance.
• In collaboration with the HR Manager, recruit, hire, train, and oversee the orientation of program staff.

6. Resource Mobilization

• Develop concept notes and proposals to secure funding for the organization.
• Supervise the development of concept notes and proposals by Project Coordinators and Officers.
• Support the Executive Director in identifying and engaging new partners.

7. Financial Management

• Develop, review, and monitor team budgets in consultation with the Finance Manager and Project Accountant, as appropriate.
• Review and approve budgets and requests.
• Oversee grant financial reports and ensure timely submission to donors.

8. Grants Management

• Liaise with the Finance Manager to ensure project staff understand grant conditions.
• Work with the Finance Manager to ensure expenditure aligns with approved donor budgets.
• Monitor donor reporting by project staff to ensure timely preparation and submission.

9. Stakeholder and Donor Relations

• Manage communication with donors.
• Represent MTG in relevant forums, meetings, and conferences.
• Maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and partners.

10. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ensure quality assurance of donor reports.
• Oversee the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual organizational reports in line with the strategic plan.

11. Board Engagement

• Serve as Secretary to the Board Program Committee, take minutes, and follow up on key action points.
• Participate in meetings of the Board Resource Mobilization Committee.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• A degree in Public Policy, Project Management, Sociology, or a related field.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience, including three years in a similar or relevant senior management position.
• Understanding of policymaking at national, regional, and global levels, particularly in youth, women, sports, and/or livelihoods.
• Interest in sports for development.
• Appreciation of gender and development practices and tools.
• Strong strategic planning and work planning skills.
• Knowledge of rights-based and results-based planning and management approaches will be an added advantage.
• Excellent English communication and writing skills. Knowledge of Kiswahili will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated integrity, commitment, and professionalism.
• Ability to provide leadership and supervisory support to multidisciplinary, high-performing teams.
• Strong networking and partnership-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Interested candidates should submit an application accompanied by a detailed CV to humanresource@mtgk.org.
• Applications should be addressed to the Human Resource and Administration Manager.
• Ensure that the email subject line clearly indicates the position being applied for.
• Application Deadline: 6 November 2026
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

SAFEGUARDING

• Moving The Goalposts is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and young adults. Candidates will therefore be subject to pre-employment checks.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

• Moving The Goalposts does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, age, colour, religion, sex, including pregnancy and gender identity, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability.