PROJECT MANAGER - LONGTERM NONPROFIT IMPACT

PROJECT MANAGER - Joshua Orbit International (JOI)/ Orbit Village Project

Location: Kenya (on-site)

Organization Type: Nonprofit 501(c)(3), Faith-Based

Reports To: Executive Director, Board of Directors

ABOUT ORBIT

Orbit Village Project is a Christian, donation-supported nonprofit operating outside Nairobi, Kenya. It was founded in 1995 in response to widespread poverty, need, and loss in the local community. The project addresses holistic community needs through education, care, housing, health, employment, and community support — walking alongside children and families as they work toward stability and hope.

Today, Orbit serves hundreds of children and families through a network of interconnected programs, including a primary and secondary school, children’s homes, daily nutrition programs, a medical clinic, church and community outreach initiatives, and income-generating projects.

The organization also employs 50+ Kenyan staff and partners closely with community leaders, government agencies, and international supporters. As Orbit continues to grow and strengthen its programs, we are seeking an experienced, mission-driven Project Manager to provide strong onsite leadership to ensure operational excellence, and support the long-term sustainability of the organization’s work.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Manager plays a central leadership role in ensuring the success, and growth of the Orbit Village Project. This hands-on position requires an experienced, highly organized leader who can manage multiple programs, projects and people simultaneously, respond effectively to challenges, and deliver results across operations, finance, staff management, and community engagement.

Reporting to the Executive Director and Board of Directors—often across time zones—the Project Manager serves as the primary on-site operational leader. They are responsible for translating organizational priorities into effective daily operations, ensuring staff accountability, maintaining financial and operational systems, and supporting program quality across all areas of work, including the school, children’s homes, nutrition programs, medical clinic, and community initiatives.

This high-responsibility role requires daily presence, close supervision, strong follow-through, and clear communication. The ideal candidate is resilient, organized, and deeply aligned with Orbit’s Christian mission and values, committed to serving children, families, and staff in a complex, low-resource environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & EXPECTATIONS

The Orbit Village Project operates in low-income communities within Embakasi East Constituency and surrounding neighborhoods, with limited access to professionally trained staff and services. Many team members are capable and committed but require ongoing training and support. While the role is demanding, it offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on children, families, and the broader community.

Success in the role requires:

• Daily hands-on management and close supervision of staff.
• Ability to provide structure, accountability, and frequent follow-up.
• Emotional resilience, patience, and maturity in making difficult decisions.
• Clear communication with U.S.-based leadership and the Board across time zones.

WHO THIS ROLE IS FOR

This role is ideal for a leader who:

• Is passionate about building a long-term career as a project manager and committed to growing within this role.
• Thrives in hands-on, high-oversight environments.
• Values structure, accountability, and clear standards.
• Feels called to long-term service in a low-resource setting.

WHO THIS ROLE IS NOT FOR

This role is not suited for individuals who:

• Are students or pursuing other commitments that would prevent them from dedicating themselves fully to this role.
• Prefer primarily desk-based or low-oversight management roles.
• Are uncomfortable with frequent follow-up, hands-on involvement, or difficult decision-making.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Management & Administration

• Oversee multiple projects and programs concurrently, including construction, special initiatives, daily operations, school events, community programs, Monitor progress daily to ensure tasks are completed on time, to quality standards, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance, adjusting plans as needed.
• Delegate responsibilities effectively while maintaining accountability and performance standards.
• Conduct daily walk-throughs of the grounds to assess staff productivity, safety, and organization.
• Follow through on commitments, projects, and initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Staff Leadership & Accountability

• Provide structured guidance, coaching, and support to staff, balancing accountability with empathy and building trust.
• Training and guiding graduates from the children’s home to work within the project as interns and potential full-time employees.
• Track staff attendance, leave, and performance, and address performance issues proactively.
• Lead the management team through weekly meetings and mid-year/end-of-year performance reviews. Reporting on these meeting to the Executive Director.
• Maintain an approachable presence for staff and children, fostering a positive, supportive, and disciplined work environment.

Operational Systems & Administration

• Ensure security and safety protocols are consistently followed.
• Maintain operational systems and standard operating procedures across programs.
• Serve as primary point of contact for operational issues and escalations.
• Prepare and present regular reports on project status, operations, and staff performance.

Communication & Partnerships

• Communicate clearly and promptly with the Executive Director, Board Members, staff, and stakeholders.
• Liaise with government agencies, partner organizations (e.g., USAID, SHAMAS Rugby, HAART Kenya), and other community stakeholders.
• Oversee CCI registration and collaborate with the social worker and relevant stakeholders as needed.
• Host sponsors, donors, and visiting partners.

Partnership with Senior Leadership & Board

• Collaborate closely with the Executive Director and Board to align projects with organizational goals.
• Submit concise weekly reports to the Executive Director on project progress, challenges, and outcomes.
• Research and identify new grant opportunities on a monthly basis, collaborating with leadership on strategic pursuit.
• Lead the preparation of grant proposals, and oversee grant budgets, reporting, and compliance.

Financial Oversight

• Ensure proper budget management across all JOI activities, including schools, children’s homes, churches, food programs, greenhouses, basket weaving projects, and construction.
• Ensure budgets are submitted to leadership on time and provide clarification as needed.
• Obtain Director approval for major procurements and construction payments.
• Oversee school fee collection and record-keeping.
• Monitor construction expenses and petty cash management.
• Conduct physical verification of assets at least twice per year.
• Establish standard operating procedures for finance-related activities.
• Support initiatives to make greenhouse operations profitable.

School & Community Engagement

• Support onboarding of new staff in coordination with the school principal.
• Report concerns or challenges at the school to senior leadership.
• Attend teacher meetings as needed and maintain open communication with school leadership.
• Maintain an approachable presence for children, providing support during emergencies or crises.
• Work closely with the social worker regarding student well-being, sponsorships, and special needs.
• Ensure school clubs are consistent and contextually relevant.
• Support policy implementation and hiring of school personnel.
• Uphold and communicate the school’s mission and maintain a respectful, high-quality learning environment.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• • Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Nonprofit Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience managing multiple projects and teams, preferably in nonprofit or resource-limited settings.
  • High integrity, trustworthiness, and commitment to results.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead teams with accountability, follow-through, and compassion, including coaching staff and improving performance.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines under pressure, and maintain operational oversight.
  • Hands-on supervisory skills with structured follow-up and attention to detail.
  • Emotional resilience, adaptability, and perseverance in challenging work environments.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to engage diverse stakeholders including staff, students, families, donors, and community partners.
  • Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
  • Experience handling staff performance issues and driving improvement.
  • Proficiency with project management tools and systems.

CHRISTIAN FAITH COMMITMENT

JOI/OVP is a Christian, faith-based organization. Alignment with our Christian values and mission is essential for this role. We welcome applications from foreign nationals who share these values and feel called to serve in this capacity.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: This is a full-time, paid leadership role. While the salary is modest compared to similar positions in Kenya, the role offers meaningful impact and responsibility.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply through Idealist and submit your resume/CV AND Coverer letter.

In your cover letter, please describe:

1. Why you are drawn to Orbit’s mission and faith-based work.
2. Your relevant experience managing complex projects, teams, or operations, especially in resource-constrained environments.
3. Your approach to hands-on leadership and problem-solving in challenging contexts.

English – Fluent (required for communication with leadership, staff, and international partners)

Swahili – Helpful but not required (useful for day-to-day engagement with local staff and community)- We welcome applications from foreign nationals who might not speak Swahili fluently.

Other foreign languages – an advantage but not required