SKILLS AND COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK
FOR AI KENYA BOARD MEMBERS
The candidates who file their nominations following the call for nominations need to be assessed against the criteria set by the Board based on the required skills and competencies. The following list of skills and competencies may inform the development of the criteria for selection.
REQUIRED SKILLS:
Additional technical expertise is needed in the following areas:
- Demonstrated experience of governance/leadership: vision, strategy and change management
- Finance governance: audit/controls, fiscal oversight
- Human resources and organizational development
- Risk oversight and risk oversight which should include reputational risk
- Legal expertise
The following skills could complement existing skills in the board:
-
- Human rights, including AI policies, strategic framework, and advocacy
- Fundraising
- Growth (membership/supporter journeys)
- Activism (organising and mobilizing),
- Youth engagement and empowerment
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment
ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE THE REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
- Emotional Intelligence
- A realistic understanding of personal ability and the time commitment required to contribute effectively and be able to do the job
- Able to create a welcoming, open, and inclusive environment by role modelling and promoting equity, diversity, inclusion and conflict competence
- Commitment to being always as objective as possible.
- Strategic Thinking
- Set the direction for strategic thinking and planning, promote a positive public image, set mission and vision, establish organizational values, approve operational and annual plans
- Knows their stewardship role in the strategic/operational planning process of the organization, and how the AI entity operates, its structure, and its interactions
- Has a thorough knowledge of the human rights situation in the country and the global context and knows the priorities set in the plan and in the international plans and policies of the international movement.
- Knows the distinctions and boundaries between governance and management and is able to apply that in practice.
- Stewardship and oversight
- Ensure effective and efficient use of association resources: hire capable executive leadership, provide fiduciary responsibility, provide governance oversight, minimize exposure to risk, measure progress on the strategic plan, monitor programs and services, provide legal and moral oversight, evaluate the CEO, and perform self-evaluation.
- Influencing
- Is aware of changes in the internal and external environment and is able to promote adaptive strategies to respond to these changes
- Can influence others and be flexible when appropriate
- Can ask for and evaluate information to make informed judgments
- Relationship building
- Ability to relate to a wide variety of people and establish good relationships, and understand the value of investing in intrapersonal relationships
- Able and willing to interact with, and learn from, activists in order to understand the voluntary nature of AI activism and be attentive to their needs.
- Ability to involve others in decision-making and delegate when necessary
- Communication
- Demonstrates independence of thought and can articulate thoughts, opinions, and points of view clearly, concisely and logically, both orally and in writing
- Ability to listen, process and understand different points of view
- Understanding of conflict management methods and approaches
- Technical skills/ knowledge
- Understanding of the importance and relevance of internal and external accountability and the ability to integrate accountability practices into the job
- Understands the legal, human resources and financial requirements that affect the organization
- Has a sound knowledge of budgetary and financial control matters and can read and interpret financial reports