Bridge International Head of Lands Job in Nairobi

About Bridge International 

Bridge International Academies was conceived in 2007 out of the belief that giving every child access to a high quality education would have the greatest impact on reducing poverty worldwide.

With that guiding insight, Bridge International developed a strategy that would enable it to launch a large-scale network of high-quality, ultra low-cost, for-profit primary schools. 

Operating a network of schools supported by a strong central headquarters gives Bridge International the scale, experience, and capacity to invest in systems of management, support, training, and innovation that allows individual schools to dramatically increase their effectiveness. 

Using this model, Bridge International is able to profitably deliver high-quality education for $4 per child per month. This ensures that its academies will continue to successfully serve its communities as long as parents value the educational service provided. 

The first Bridge International Academy launched successfully in Kenya in 2009 and 60 academies will be operating in Kenya in January 2012. Through rapid and strategic expansion, Bridge International will provide a quality education to over a million students in the coming years.

About this position

Head of Lands

We are seeking an individual who will be a vital member of the land team in their push to find plots of land suitable for schools inside slums and in low income areas all over the country.

A central part of our operations includes the identification, verification, negotiation and purchase of plots of land for our schools – this might be inside a slum or in a low-income community on the edge of a city. 

These plots sometimes have clouded title histories, but through our land identification and procurement process we must establish a certain amount of security -- understanding the previous ownership, other potential competing claims, titling possibility, issues with city / municipal council, lands office, etc.

To make these determinations and the actual purchase, the process may involve negotiations with local village elders, local government administration, and local landlords, and ultimately a sales or lease contract written with some or all of these participants.

The Head of Lands will focus on certain elements of the land acquisition and linkage to the Finance Department. These include:

Land:

• Meeting and dealing with land agents and vendors
• Managing a team of land specialists (people who go to the Ministry of Lands of the Local
• Council to undertake title searches, file documents, collect documents from vendors, etc)
• Recognising potential conflict surrounding land and land purchases, and ensuring documentation exists to fill any gaps in the plot purchase process
• Writing briefing notes and site specific reports
• Investigating conflicting land ownership claims
• Establishing and utilizing contacts at local and central government to find clear information on land ownership

Planning

• Prepare and present annual Land audit plans for review with COO and senior management teams
• Implement the audit plans on weekly/monthly/quarterly basis

Process and Tools

Assist in design and implementation of structures, processes, documentation and procedures for improvement of land procurement and financial controls on the same

Analysis

• Maintain up to date records of each piece of land with all pieces of information that would be required in the finance cycle e.g. tenure, documentation, minutes, notes and minutes of procurement discussions
• Prepare weekly analysis of progress on ongoing land procurement to highlight and indicate the completion state and financial/legal/contractual requirements remaining to be done for that piece of land

Field Audit

• Visit the sites with land officers and verify facts as presented by land scouts and land officers.
• Follow up any issues that are not clear and ensure they are clarified upfront before the next stage of the plot procurement
• Meet the potential sellers and ensure they are aware of the steps to expect in completing the land sale.
• Ensure to clarify that no money should be paid to land scouts/officers and any agents purporting to work for Bridge International.
• Assess suitability of land locations and seller credentials as guided by the risk analysis requirements of the Lands department
• Make any other pertinent observations that would assist the company in making the most optimal land procurement decisions

Reporting

• Prepare and circulate weekly land updates to the COO
• Prepare monthly land transaction reports and audit commentaries for review with head of lands and head of finance
• Prepare quarterly land procurement cash flow projections with monthly reviews and revisions
• Prepare land cost analysis for evaluation of agreed review issues e.g. cost per square foot comparatives etc

Inspection

• Inspect commencement of construction in new schools to provide the bridging support between lands and construction at the transition point
• Review land records with respective agents to ascertain accuracy, authenticity and any encumbrances
• Inspect land reports and records in the company’s Navision system and assure proper and consistent application of internal policy and standard land accounting policies

Approval/Payment support 

• Initiate land payment processes at each level of land procurement for approval by heads of lands and finance
• Provide feedback of process completion before next level of payment can be made
• Participate in the payment supervision and collation of evidence of payment in every aspect of Land procurement

Compliance/Liaison

• Monitor city/municipal/county council fees and other payments requirements and liaise with finance for prompt payment to the right agencies
• Ensure compliance with all other internal and external rules, regulations and processes affecting land procurement and payments

Oversight

• Regular visit to the Legal advisers on land to review our land files for completeness and other required actions
• Market value reviews and feedback
• This is a very hands-on job, with the individual in the field for almost about 20% of the time (although reducing once the correct processes are tools are in place leading to greater efficiency)

About You 

• You are knowledgeable of land transactions and the procedures involved
• You have project management and supervisory skills
• Operational and finance audit experience for 5-7 years preferably in a reputable property company or leading audit firms in Kenya
• Ability to plan and consistently deliver on agreed activities throughout the year
• Understanding of legal/property/financial processes will be essential- qualifications in accounting, finance, land economics or law will be required.
• Cross departmental communication skills are essential
• Highly ethical professional with proven integrity
• Well organised and process minded person
• Experience in working in very poor communities is a real plus
• Experience in dealing with sensitive issues regarding land
• You are not afraid of getting your hands dirty
• You have experience managing and working with teams of people
• You function well in a fast-paced informal environment where constant change is the norm and the bar for quality is set high
• You are comfortable with numbers and maps
• Advanced computer skills (Excel, Project Management) and web literacy

Our team has a passionate belief that basic primary education is critical to the development of every child, family, community and nation.

We believe that it is possible to address this critical need for poor families through new and innovative approaches leveraging the private sector, and that by providing low-cost but high-quality primary education, we will give millions of children the opportunity to accomplish their dreams.

We are looking for someone who wants to join us in this rewarding task.

You can apply and view detailed job requisitions on the Careers page at www.bridgeinternationalacademies.com

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.