The Davis & Shirtliff Group is the leading supplier of water related equipment in the East African region. Founded in 1946, business activities are focused on six principal product sectors – Water Pumps, Boreholes, Swimming Pools, Water Treatment, Generators and Solar Equipment. The group is Kenyan based and operates through a network of Kenyan branches as well as regional subsidiaries in Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, South Sudan and a partnership in Ethiopia.

Overall Purpose

The Lead Project Manager will work closely with the management teams in D&S and its partners to plan and implement this new concept that is currently at prototype stage. The overall purpose is to help establish a new and scalable line of business taking a very hands-on approach in coming months which, if successful, will see this person growing and managing a high performing team as the market opportunity evolves.

Role Description

The Lead Project Manager is responsible for the planning, management and delivery of a number of tasks related to this new business opportunity. These include:
Testing the equipment prototypes and ready them for deployment to market, with a clearly defined set of performance metrics to achieve including technical performance, customer acceptance, field support etc.
Coordinate the gathering and synopsis of feedback from the market trials and prepare the equipment and business model for market launch.
Liaise with technology leads to extend the M2M application to key equipment suppliers, readying the venture for a commercial and technical introduction.
Refinement of the proposed business model to take account of early-stage feedback from the market as well as wider sector observations from other players in the space as well as potential funders.
Direct contributions to a human resource plan to find and grow a high performing team aligned to a five-year business plan.
The role is based at the Davis& Shirtliff offices in Nairobi with frequent field trips and potentially some international travel as the business becomes established.

Key Accountabilities

Work Planning & Monitoring

• Development of work plans relating to the testing and refinement of prototype technology and products currently in test and deployment from ‘lab’ stage into field usage.
• Planning for a scale up of pilot trials to a full market introduction.

Relationship Management

• Establish relationships with suppliers of key technologies / equipment and lead the development of longer term engagement plans, working with Executives from D&S and its partners.

Financial Management

• Ensuring projects are aligned and delivered in accordance with project budgets.

Risk Management

• Monitoring and management of project risks, and communicating potential impact to the colleagues, other stakeholders and internal reporting mechanisms.

HR Management

• Define and help plan a human resource strategy for future growth opportunities

Reporting

• Reporting to Technical Director.
• Plan, prepare and report to shareholders on a monthly basis the projects’ activities and financial results.
• Develop critical path or project flow diagrams to plan, set and evaluate progress on project tasks.

Candidate Requirements

Education:

• Holders of an Upper 2nd class honours degree in Engineering or closely related field from a recognized institution.
• PMP qualification or equivalent for project management

Experience & Skills:

• Background in digital equipment control with a good knowledge of IOT & M2M automation.
• Experience in relevant product applications, preferably in the water and energy sectors.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience of relevant project management experience together with proven ability to organize, schedule, prioritize and multi-task in a dynamic environment.
• Strong relational intelligence, interpersonal, communication and writing skills.
• Focused and self-motivated approach to work.
• Computer skills including MS Office packages and MS Project
• Capable of effectively managing a team of engineers and technicians.
• Possess high personal and professional integrity.
• Proactive, entrepreneurial and self-starter