Jobs at Shamiri Institute

Grants & Finance Manager
Director of Research & Innovation
Hub Coordinator – Murang’a Hub – 2025

The Grants & Finance Manager will will ensure that the organization’s financial practices related to grants are in full compliance with donor requirements, internal policies, and regulatory standards. The role is important for our organization as we continue to grow and manage multiple pot of grant funding to implement our programming. The dedicated Grants and Finance Manager can mitigate these risks around non-compliance and enhance the organization’s financial health. The Manager will work closely with the COO and CEO to ensure that we are aligned with our grant objectives, deliverables and spending. This will also require them to work closely with teams across the org to ensure that teams are on track to meet deliverables set out across various grants.

Roles and responsibilities:

Grants Management (30%):
- Oversee the full lifecycle of grants, from pre-award to post-award, including submission of financial reports, grant renewals, and closeout procedures.
  - Work with Finance team members to develop and manage grant budgets.
  - Monitor grant expenditures to ensure they align with approved budgets and donor guidelines.
  - Identify financial risks related to grants and implement mitigation strategies.
  - Serve as the liaison between Service Delivery, Finance, and Research & Innovation teams to ensure that grant activities are aligned with organizational priorities and operational capacity.
  - Ensure compliance with all grant-related regulations, policies, and procedures.
  - Prepare and submit accurate financial reports to donors and funders.
Financial Management (70%):
- Lead the annual budgeting process, including coordinating input from Team Leads, forecasting revenues and expenditures, and monitoring financial performance against the budget.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to develop financial strategies and models that support the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability.
- Prepare and present financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. Analyze financial data to identify trends and variances.
- Oversee the day-to-day accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger management, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Manage the preparation and coordination of external audits and ensure compliance with tax regulations, including the timely filing of tax returns and other required financial documentation.
- Develop and maintain robust internal controls to safeguard the organization’s assets and ensure the integrity of financial data.

Who we’re looking for:

We are looking for a dynamic team player with strong skills in finance and analysis with a passion for mental health. Ideal candidates should have experience with financial software (such as QB etc), proficiency in regulatory requirements (local and international financial regulations, tax laws..), and high proficiency in Excel for financial modeling, budgeting, and data analysis. They would also benefit from a keen eye for detail.

Please apply through our online application portal. Please note that you will be requested to upload your resume and cover letter in addition to completing a skills assessment.

Director of Research & Innovation

We are seeking a full-time team member to join the Shamiri Institute as Head of Research and Innovation (i.e., the Director of the Shamiri Lab). This individual will lead our Research & Innovations Team, whose mission is to foster research excellence both in-house and through collaboration. This role is central to our mission and presents an exceptional opportunity for an applied social scientist aiming to make a significant impact on the world. Working directly with our CEO, Tom Osborn, and in partnership with the Shamiri leadership team, the scientific advisory board, academic institutions, and policy partners, you will spearhead the execution of Shamiri’s research agenda. This staff position is ideal for an accomplished early-career researcher who is committed to dedicating their career to policy and practice. The position is offered on a 2–3-year contract basis, with the expectation that the Director of Research and Innovation will raise funds for a sustainable model.

What you’ll do:

As the Director of the Research Lab at Shamiri Institute, you will be instrumental in guiding and executing a diverse range of tasks that are crucial to the advancement of our research objectives. Your responsibilities will include:

Drive Cutting-Edge, High-Impact Research: You will lead groundbreaking research in the fields of mental health, livelihoods, education, and social sustainability. By partnering with world-leading academics, you’ll develop a forward-thinking research agenda aimed at publishing in top-tier journals.
Shape Research Strategy: Develop and refine the research strategy to align with Shamiri Institute’s broader goals, setting clear objectives and defining the scope of research initiatives.
Lead and Mentor the Research Team: Oversee recruitment, training, and professional development, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and collaboration.
Secure Funding and Manage Resources: Actively pursue funding opportunities, write grant proposals, and ensure the judicious management of research budgets.
Ensure Research Integrity and Quality: Oversee all research processes to maintain high standards of scientific rigor and ethical compliance.
Foster Collaborations and Partnerships: Establish and nurture relationships with academic, clinical, and community partners to enhance the Institute’s research capacity and impact.
Communicate Research Findings: Effectively disseminate research outcomes to various stakeholders, including the academic community, policy makers, and the public.
Translate Research into Practice and Operational Insight: Integrate research insights into practical applications and policy recommendations, particularly focusing on mental health in the African context.
Incorporate Innovation and Technology: Stay abreast of and incorporate the latest technological advancements in research methodologies and practices.
Engage in Advocacy and Public Engagement: Advocate for mental health issues, raise awareness, and engage with the public to promote mental health initiatives.

This role is a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic team at the forefront of mental health research, significantly contributing to the well-being of Africa’s youth and beyond.

What We’re Looking For

PhD in Behavioral Science, Economics, Public Health, Public Policy, Social / Cognitive / Clinical Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, or other relevant field.
Deep expertise in the psychology of human wellbeing, as relates to information processing and belief revision; meaning-making and construal; mental models and representations; identity (e.g., stereotype, stigma); motivation (e.g., self-efficacy, executive function); social cognition (e.g., cultural learning, narratives); and psychological well-being (e.g., happiness, mental health).
Demonstrated track record in the design and evaluation of psychological interventions through randomized controlled trials and A/B tests.
Strong commitment to open science.
Self-starter with strong program management skills; able to thrive in a start-up environment with minimal hierarchy.
Team player with an abundance mindset.
Preferably, significant work experience in the nonprofit sector and/or public policy.
Preferably, significant life experience in low- and middle-income countries.

Job Description:

Shamiri Supervisors will be part of our Shamiri program—a youth-led, youth-oriented mental health care program and delivery system that integrates two essential elements: 1) a rigorously tested evidence-based mental health intervention (the Shamiri intervention) that includes simple, empirically supported psychological elements, uses stigma-free, culturally appropriate content, and 2) dissemination in secondary schools by youths trained as lay-providers and integration into a three-tier mental health care model that brings together youth lay-providers and expert clinicians and psychiatrists. Shamiri Supervisors will supervise our Shamiri Fellows. The project will be implemented in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Muranga, Kisumu, Homabay, Machakos, Migori, and Kakamega Counties.

Roles and responsibilities:

Supervising Fellows throughout their tenure (training through program wrap-up)
Completing a supervisor training program and attending and assisting with Shamiri Fellow training.
Undertaking necessary continuous professional development as provided by Shamiri.
Attending all program sessions, you are assigned and always arrive on time.
Assisting with logistical aspects of program delivery, particularly in preparation for and during program delivery at schools.
Acting as a line of communication between Shamiri Fellows and Shamiri staff.
Acting, with supervision, to help ensure participation and Shamiri Fellows’ health, confidentiality, and safety.
Attending meetings with fellow Shamiri supervisors and relaying information promptly outside meetings as and when necessary.
Develop and submit weekly reports highlighting the following: special cases reported, challenges reported during the week, positive highlights of the week, etc.
Work with Hub Coordinators to resolve basic-level issues and disputes among fellows.
Help with orientation, onboarding, and training of the Shamiri Fellows as and when needed.
Working, with supervision, to provide clinical support to the in-need students in schools during and after the program implementation.
Consistently update relevant digital hub channels.

Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree in psychology, counselling, or clinical psychology. Some past practice experience in clinical practice, wellness, psychology, or mental health work (e.g., having worked as a Fellow or a group leader) would be an added advantage.
Demonstrate the ability to recognize and reflect on one’s values, attitudes, beliefs, biases, emotions, and past experiences.
Use mistakes as opportunities for growth.
Demonstrate interest in helping others and ensuring their confidentiality, fair treatment, safety, and well-being.
Demonstrate commitment to the broad scope of values, ethics, and goals at the height of the Shamiri mission.
Possess strong organizational and problem-solving skills; show that you are highly responsible.
Possess strong time management skills and a strong sense of punctuality.
Possess strong communication skills both with supervisors and supervisees.
Possess a strong desire to learn.
Possess some basic writing skills.

Application Information:

Successful candidates will be engaged on a 6-month contract from 18th October 2024 with possibility of 3 month extension.
All Supervisors will be paid KES 40,000 per month during this duration.
All Supervisors will receive a logistical stipend during training.
Interested candidates should apply through the Shamiri Institute Careers portal.
NO EMAIL APPLICATIONS. If you have any questions, please email Okoth (okoth@shamiri.institute).
Applications should be submitted by 22nd September 2024. No late applications will be allowed past this date.

Hub Coordinator – Murang’a Hub – 2025

Hubs are Shamiri Institute’s devolved centers of program operation. The Hub Coordinator position involves daily management of these core operations, before, during, and after the active Shamiri program implementation period. The position involves constantly liaising with Shamiri HQ departments such as Core Operations, Shamiri Train, Service Delivery, Research & Innovations—to ensure the program implementation runs effectively and efficiently. The Hub Coordinator is expected to support the Shamiri program implementation by ensuring that all the devolved hub functions—as defined in the roles section—run according to Shamiri Institute’s standards of operations. The Hub Coordinator will work with appropriate stakeholders within and without the hub to ensure the young people they are working with have an opportunity to thrive!

Roles and responsibilities:

Stakeholder Engagement and Management  

Oversee contact management and delivery of program information to key project stakeholders such as the school administration, teachers and students.
Management of relationships with the school administration and teachers after school recruitment to ensure that project expectations and outcomes are achieved through continuous monitoring.
Onboard school contact teachers before the start of the Shamiri program.

Monitoring and Evaluation 

Spearhead and monitor the utilization of the Shamiri digital hub, including the monitoring of fellow and student attendance and school session updates.
Keep track of fellows, supervisors and schools within your hub’s radius through the digital hub and update the relevant teams.
Update the list of fellows for payments on the digital platform and follow up on late payments with the core operations team.
Troubleshoot any daily hub-related challenges during the program and promptly update relevant teams.Prepare program implementation reports on project progress and financial expenditure.

Program Management  

Ensure the availability of program-related materials (HW sheets, booklets, questionnaires, recorders, incentives, brochures etc.) during school engagements.
Lead program-related check-in meetings with the Supervisors at the hub.
Provide continuous and consistent program implementation updates to the Director of Service Delivery and other HQ team leads through weekly check-in meetings.
Lead the scheduling of supervisors and fellows to the onboarded schools across the program implementation cycle.

Operations Management  

Coordinate with the Shamiri HQ to ensure timely payment of supervisors, fellows, and service providers.
Aid in logistical support (transportation, training venues, refreshments etc.) during training and program implementation at the hub level.
Lead the continuous monitoring of all the core functions as per the Shamiri model, ensuring that a high level of quality standards is adhered to.
Oversee adherence and utilization of Shamiri systems and processes by all hub personnel, i.e., Shamiri Digital Hub, Operations, Recruiting, Payments, M&E and Follow-Up.
Follow procurement procedures in acquiring materials and supplies when called upon by the core operations team.
Provide expense reports on all project expenditures as requested by the operations team.
Maintain consistent communication and troubleshooting with the Shamiri HQ team.

Recruitment  

Overseeing the process of recruiting Shamiri fellows at the hub level. This includes working with the Service Delivery (recruitment) team to ensure that the target number of fellows are recruited.
Spearhead the development of the fellows’ call for applications.
Oversee supervisors as they execute the fellows’ recruitment process – i.e. conducting screening and interview processes.

Training  

Lead weekly cohort discussions and roleplays during supervisors’ training.
Checking the weekly progress of supervisors during their training. This includes grading their assignments and assessments and tracking their performance throughout the training period.
Oversee the training of fellows by supervisors at the hub level, in collaboration with the training team, ensuring high fidelity and availability of all materials for effective training.
Provide training updates to the training team and report any challenges related to the training process promptly.

The above roles and responsibilities act as a guide for the hub coordinator. The hub coordinator will take part in any other duties considered and allocated to them besides the above-stated when the need arises. Requirements:

Have a bachelor’s degree in psychology, project management or a related field.
Have a minimum of 6 months experience in project management and leadership.
Possess basic procurement and financial management skills.
Possess project management skills. (Experience in Managing mental health-related projects in high schools is a plus).
Be available and willing to work in Murang’a for one year. If the candidate does not presently reside in Murang’a and its environs, they should be willing to relocate for the duration of the contract at their own expense.
Proficiency in report writing.
Demonstrate the ability to recognize and reflect on one’s own values, attitudes, beliefs, biases, emotions, and past experiences.
Demonstrate interest in helping others and ensuring confidentiality, fair treatment, safety, and well-being.
Demonstrate commitment to the broad scope of values, ethics, and goals at the height of the Shamiri mission.

Application Information:

The application window closes on September 13th, 2024, at 5 pm. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Successful candidates will be engaged on an initial 6-month contract with the possibility of renewal for a further 6 months, starting October 2024.
Hub Coordinators will be paid KES 50,000 per month during this duration.
Interested candidates should apply through the provided link.
NO EMAIL APPLICATIONS. If you have any questions, please email Anthony Waweru (waweru@shamiri.institute).