If you are interested in pursuing a career in project management and become a project manager, below is a guide detailed with the education background, skills and other related information. Read through to learn about the requirements of this profession.

Who is a Project Manager?

A project manager is a person who us responsible for leading a project from the initiation stage, planning, design, execution, monitoring, controlling and closure of a project.

Project Manager Salary in Kenya

Project Managers in Kenya are paid Kenya Shillings 120,000 on average. The salary however differs depending on the kind of projects you handle and the size of your company.

Responsibilities of a Project Manager

Some of the responsibility project managers in include:

• Handling all aspects of communication with internal and external stakeholders, teams, and vendors

• Identifying potential risks, performing risk analyses, and preparing and communicating risk mitigation strategies
• Controlling project costs to avoid cost overruns
• Identifying, securing, and effectively managing all necessary procurement
• managing all stakeholder expectations to ensure there are no miscommunications or misunderstandings
• Taking responsibility for all activities relating to the development of a project charter
• Developing a comprehensive project management plan that stakeholders, teams, and sponsors can follow throughout each phase of the project
• developing project schedules
• Estimating all-in project costs, and determining the necessary budgets to complete the project
• Analyzing, validating, and controlling the scope of the project to ensure projects are not side-tracked

Steps of becoming a Project Manager

• Education

Project managers often hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management, Business or a related field, as well as professional certification and related experience. To secure an admission for these courses, you should have an average grade of C+ and above in KCSE and good grades in Mathematics, English, Business studies. Some people also go for Post-Bachelor’s certificate or a master’s degree in project management hence going for senior positions.

• Training

There are many courses of study devoted to the skill of managing a project, from getting a degree at an institution of higher learning to any number of certification programs. Other organizations in case you intern with them have programs that can help you transition into project management or get mentored. You can also volunteer and get the experience employers want.

• Get a certificate

You can get a certification from your graduate school or the institution you interned or volunteered with. This makes you more competitive in the job market.

• Job opportunities

Project managers whether fresh graduates or experienced professionals can look for job opportunities in construction and civil engineering projects, healthcare, financial services, law firms, government departments and state agencies among many others.

• Join a trade Association

Kenya Association of Project Managers (KAPM) is a professional body of Project Planning and Management professionals operating in Kenya. Once you become a member, you will enjoy these benefits; be able to network with other professionals, better position to lobby for favorable practices in the industry, be in position to undertake professional courses and certifications in an affordable manner,

 You will also have the opportunity to participate in professional seminars, fairs, opportunities, consultancy inquiries any other professional activities organized by the association.