Project Lead (Agronomist) - Kajiado County at Light Up Hope

The Project Lead (Agronomist) will provide technical leadership and oversee the delivery of climate-smart agriculture interventions across schools and communities, ensuring high-quality implementation, adherence to agronomic standards, and effective resource utilization. The role involves coordinating field activities, supervising Project Assistants, and supporting the establishment and maintenance of school and community gardens using innovative and sustainable practices. The incumbent will also drive capacity building for teachers, students, and community groups—particularly women and vulnerable populations—while strengthening stakeholder engagement and promoting household-level adoption of best practices. (Based out of Kajiado County)

Project Implementation

• Lead the planning, scheduling, and coordination of all project activities across implementation sites in collaboration with the Program Lead.
• Supervise and provide day-to-day guidance to Project Assistants, ensuring quality and consistency in field implementation.
• Oversee establishment and maintenance of kitchen gardens, including vertical gardens, deep tillage, and crop production systems in schools and community groups.
• Ensure compliance with technical standards and protocols related to soil preparation, planting, pest management, irrigation, and crop care.
• Coordinate resource allocation and utilization (tools, inputs, seedlings, manure, feeds, medication, etc.) across project sites to ensure efficiency and accountability.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the program and key stakeholders, including school leadership, teachers, 4K Club patrons, and local authorities.
• Provide technical backstopping and resolve implementation challenges escalated by Project Assistants and stakeholders.

Supervision and Capacity Building

• Directly supervise, mentor, and build the capacity of Project Assistants to enhance performance and technical delivery.
• Design and coordinate training programs for teachers, 4K Club members, and community groups on climate-smart agriculture and sustainable garden management.
• Support knowledge transfer and promote adoption of best practices at school and household levels.
• Facilitate linkages with agricultural extension officers and technical experts to strengthen program delivery.

Community Engagement

• Lead community mobilization strategies to ensure inclusive and meaningful participation, with a strong focus on women and vulnerable groups.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with community leaders, local institutions, and partner organizations.
• Promote replication of project interventions at the household level to enhance sustainability and impact.
• Oversee the delivery of community trainings on agribusiness and sustainable agriculture practices.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Quality Assurance

• Monitor adherence to implementation plans, including garden maintenance schedules, water conservation practices, and harvest utilization.
• Oversee data collection processes across project sites to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Review and validate field data on poultry production, kitchen gardens, tree planting, deep tillage, and household-level adoption.
• Consolidate inputs from Project Assistants into high-quality quarterly and ad hoc reports.
• Track performance indicators, including participation of women-led initiatives, and recommend data-driven improvements.
• Ensure consistent documentation, including photographic evidence and field updates.
• Identify best practices, lessons learned, and innovations to inform program scale-up and replication.
• Contribute to the development of technical guidelines and standard operating procedures.

Accountability and code of conduct

• Adhering to the organization’s code of conduct
• Supporting and promoting the standards outlined in the code of conduct
• Promote meaningful community engagement and consultations
• Promote child safeguarding and child protection principles at all times

Education, Qualifications, Skills & Experience Required

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Community Development, Environmental Studies, Gender Studies, or related field.
• At least three years of experience in a related field with progressively responsible experience in similar roles.
• Experience working with rural communities, especially women and youth is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of sustainable agriculture practices such as kitchen gardening, deep tillage, and agroforestry is desirable.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to ride a motorcycle and possession of a valid license is an added advantage.
• Comfortable utilizing different data collection and reporting systems e.g. Kobo, ODK, Google Forms, Excel/Sheets, etc
• Ability to work independently and in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Willingness to travel frequently between schools and work in diverse, field-based environments.