Kenneth Simbaya

Through my freelancing my mission is to leave organizations and people better than I found them.

• Delivered outstanding service to Pathfinder International, Evidence for Action, One organization, African health Budget Network, White Ribbon Alliance.
• Collaborated closely with clients to better understand entire project scope.
• Advanced productivity KPIs by leading trainings on Key Performance Indicators.
• Reduced process bottlenecks by training and coaching employees on practices, procedures and performance strategies.

Develop Strategy and Provide Direction

As the YES TZ Executive Director I provide strategic leadership to the entire organization, with specific responsibilities including:

Effective Management Structures:

• Develop and Chair the YES TZ Management Committee.
• Directly line manage YES TZ management posts (including at least the Project Coordinators, Finances Coordinators, and MERL Coordinator).
• Ensure that performance management and line management systems are operating in line with organizational best practice and policies.

Strategic Direction: Working with the YES TZ Management Committee:

• Lead and facilitate the strategic and operational planning of YES TZ’s programs and operations based on national strategies, partner-objectives and the YES TZ Strategic Framework.
• Ensure that YES TZ has a staffing structure appropriate for implementing its Strategic Plan, and effective communication systems across the organization

Values-based Leadership:

• Serve as a role model at all times, personally embodying YES TZ’s mission and values for all YES TZ staff and volunteers, and external audiences.
• Create and maintain a values-based ethic across YES TZ which ensures that the YES TZ’s values, codes of conduct, policies and standards are understood clearly by all and adhered to in practice.

International Connection:

• Serve as the primary liaison between YES TZ and other like minded entities around the world, taking advantage of organizational best practice and tools.
• Contribute to YES TZ’s Strategy and Direction through participation in the Annual Directors Conference and active participation in Director-level decision-making processes.

Develop and Manage Relationships to Secure Investment and Sustainability of Programs

Working closely with the YES TZ Board of Directors, specific responsibilities include:

• Secure necessary funds to meet approved budgeted expenditure for each financial year as well as long-term funding to ensure the sustainability of multi-year programs.
• Develop the strategic relationship between YES TZ and the government of The United Republic of Tanzania, including the strategic partnership with relevant ministries.
• Develop partnerships with key decision-making and policy making individuals and institutions, including government, UN, bi-lateral, NGO, and private sector actors, to further the strategic objectives of YES TZ.
• Serve as the lead public spokesperson for YES TZ with national and local partners and stakeholders.
• Develop proposals, general literature, media links and PR tools to attract investment and to allow maximum coverage of YES TZ’s work.

Take Overall Responsibility for Financial Position and Management

Working closely with the Finances Manager, specific responsibilities include:

• Take ultimate responsibility for all financial management, accounting and auditing in accordance with the YES TZ Finance Procedures Manual.
• Develop and maintain clear policies and procedures to minimize risk of misappropriation or fraudulent use of organizational resources in line with YES TZ’s values
• Develop clear guidelines and lead all staff in the annual budget development and monitoring process
• Ensure that YES TZ’s expenditure is within agreed budget parameters.
• Report accurately, transparently and in a timely manner on expenditure to all investing partners.
• Oversee YES TZ’s cash management to ensure organizational liquidity at all times.

Lead and Facilitate a Continual Learning and Improvement Process to Ensure Impact

Working closely with the Program Coordinator and M&E unit, specific responsibilities include:

• Ensure that programs and operations reflect the operational standards, strategy and best practices.
• Develop, lead and maintain a Management for Impact system to ensure continual refinement and improvement of YES TZ’s programs and operations to produce maximum impact.
• Ensure that YES TZ’s Management for Impact system is implemented in line with the YES TZ’s values using consultative processes, rigorous evaluation, analysis and discussion at all levels.
• Ensure that Strategic Planning and annual operational planning processes incorporate lessons learned from past experience and best practice from across YES TZ

Ensure Positive Relationships and Communication with all Stakeholders and Partners

Work with members of YES TZ Management

• Ensure regular two-way communication and reporting with all investors, partners and stakeholders.
• Serve as Secretary to the YES TZ Board of Directors meetings, calling Board meetings, preparing agendas, reporting on relevant issues to the Board and reporting on meetings to YES TZ team.

• Carried out Board of Directors duties accurately and efficiently.
• Provided direction for Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC)
• Ensured policy based governance of Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition
• Ensured that Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition assets and Members interests are protected
• Actively participated in general oversight of Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition including ensuring that audit is done on time

As UTPC President ensured that UTPC Board of Directors is functioning effectively through

• Professionally chairing Board meetings;

• In collaboration with UTPC Executive Director establish the agenda for, and frequency of, Board meetings.

• Chairing UTPC members meetings.

• Ensured Board’s decisions are implemented;

• Linked the Board and the Executive Director.

• Reviewed matters of concern to the UTPC together with the Executive Director

• Developed a Performance Agreement with the Executive Director and reviewed his performance against this agreed Key Performance Indicators.

• Provided guidance and mentorship to the Executive Director; and

Facilitated oversight of the MCT. including

• Approving the strategic planning process and timetable, contributing to the MCT’s strategy and objectives, approving the MCT’s strategy, adoption of programme strategies, giving strategic direction to the MCT, appoint the Executive Secretary and ensure that succession is planned, retaining full and effective control over the MCT, and monitoring management in implementing the Council plans and strategies.

• Fundraising:

Contributed to and approving MCT strategy for fundraising, including liaising and communicating with potential sources of funding.

• Change management:

Contributed to overseeing the MCT’s capacity to identify and respond to changes in its political-socio-economic and operating environments.

• Stakeholder liaison:

Contributed to liaising and communication with key MCT stakeholders.

•Developing Mbeya Program strategy and planning, and take responsibility of sound implementation of Mbeya program
•Embrace SPW Tanzania managing for impact system to ensure continue refinement and improvement of Mbeya program to maximize impact
•Take responsibility for the human resource management and professional development of the staff at the Mbeya regional program office
•Take responsibility for the financial management of the Mbeya regional program office
•Develop and manage relationship with the government, Civil Society and the Rural community stakeholders in Mbeya region to ensure effective implementation of the program
•Ensure quality documentation and dissemination of the Mbeya program