Project Officer /Value Chain Expert – Access to Finance for Western Kenya (RK- FINFA) Project at Cordaid International

Job Summary

• The position is to ensure effective Coordination of the Technical and Innovation Support Services to be offered under the Access to Finance for Western Kenya (RK- FINFA) Project for the IFAD funded Rural Kenya Financial Inclusion Facility. This should lead to the adoption of best practices and generation of Healthy credit pipelines from the small holder Farmers and their organisations including Producer and Marketing cooperatives and other Agri-MSMEs in Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, Siaya, Kisii and Nandi Counties. 

Job Specification

• Technical Focus – As Value chain Expert, the Position will serve as the technical lead for designing, implementing and monitoring all livelihoods diversification, value chain and marketing activities. Coordinate and collaborate with partners including private enterprises, Farmer Organisations and Agri - SMEs and NGOs working on livelihood diversification to leverage project resources, avoid duplication of efforts and ensure complementarities, guide and monitor implementation of value chain activities with a focus on improving the performance of the selected value chains, improving productivity processing and input-output market enhancement. Provide technical guidance and capacity building trainings for implementing partners and local institutions.

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Consortium and Coordination/ partnership management

• Initiate and Coordinate assessments and research to identify issues related to Value Chain Development and Access to Finance.  
• Identify and plan for capacity building support for the consortium, local partners, and communities. 
• Work with M&E (Monitoring & Evaluation) and Communication Officer to Review the M&E framework and report  accordingly 
• Write regular progress reports ensuring quality and timely submission.  Ensure that the Consortium and its key stakeholders including the community have   capacity for Lobby and Advocacy for Sustainable Agricultural practices   
• Support partners in capacity building of the community groups, youth and women groups, local partners, and local churches to undertake effective Lobby and Advocacy for Sustainable Agricultural practices and Access to Finance. 
• Facilitate linking and learning between all program stakeholders to enhance program quality.  
• Provide feedback and advice to partner organisations involved in the project, do follow-up of project implementation.  
• Identify bottlenecks and opportunities in the context of the Consortium on a regular basis and act including escalating to the management for necessary actions  
• Work closely with the finance and support services department to help prepare for monitoring of expenditure 

Programme Management 

• Closely monitor progress on plans and activities under his/her responsibilities both of programme  content and in terms of finances, analyses these results, formulates conclusions, and suggests improvement. 
• Ensures timely compilation of quality narrative and financial reports from implementing partners.

Coordination of own implementation activities 

• Develops and implements Cordaid’s own implementation plan in line with the country plan for Value Chain development approach in collaboration with the consortium members, Regional and global Team Experts. 
• Work closely with Local partners to actively link community Lobby and Advocacy Agenda from the grass root to the national, Regional, and international level. 

Linking, Networking, and fundraising 

• Build and maintain strategic alliances for evidence-based Lobby and Advocacy for Sustainable Agricultural practices  
• Establish and maintain the mutually reinforcing linkages between Lobby and Advocacy for Sustainable Agricultural practices at Local and National levels. 
• Develop/contribute to development of quality funding proposals on value chain development when required. 
• Contribute to the development of fundraising strategy for Cordaid in Kenya, and ESA (East and Southern Africa). 
• Establish a good network with like-minded organisations and potential donors. 
• Contribute to Cordaid’s learning, exchange, and knowledge-sharing 
• Contribute to Cordaid’s policy development and to the development of strategic planning. 
• Contribute to communication/visibility regarding activities and policies of Cordaid Kenya and beyond. 
• Represent Cordaid in relevant forums, networking events, meetings, etc. when necessary. 
• Perform additional relevant tasks assigned by the Programme  Manager.

Lobby and Advocacy

• Communicates the Access to Finance for Western Kenya (RK- FINFA) Project message convincingly. Adjusts this to the perception and goals of the stakeholders and accompanies them in our direction.  
• Coordinate the content and agreements with stakeholders continuously with the Project Leader and other staff.  
• Gives advice about policy processes to be influenced that are relevant in the National and International political agenda. 
•  Determines the most important stakeholders to engage in the Lobby and Advocacy Activities  
• Drafts and implements a   plan for lobby and advocacy activities together with the implementing partners. 

Capacity Building

• Assess the capacity of partners about programme content, Accountability, and compliance with reporting requirements of the donors.  
• If necessary, formulate and implement capacity building proposals to be implemented in the Framework of the partnership. 

Monitoring

• Maintains contact with partners focused on the effective and efficient implementation of the programme  and is responsible for the contribution of the consortium.  
• Is willing and able to travel regularly and at short notice to the field.

Any other duties assigned by the manager ​

REQUIREMENTS

Academic Qualifications

• Minimum qualification of a university degree or advanced certificate / professional qualification in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, International development, Social sciences, Project Management or any other relevant subject area. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Experiences 

• Good knowledge of the social, economic, and political situation in Kenya   
• Good Understanding of the Agricultural Sector and Rural Development in Kenya.  
• Proven track record of effective project/Programme Management particularly Market systems Development-based projects related to Agribusiness, Value Chain Development, Access to Finance and Livelihood Projects 
• Knowledge of   Access to Finance and Value chain development  
• Specific skills, knowledge, and experience in designing and implementing Value Chain Based Projects.  
• Other important skills include Partnership Management Skills, Negotiation skills ,Fundraising skills Networking and facilitation skills 
• Training and facilitation skills ,Effective communication skills, including intercultural sensitivity and communication. 
• Minimum of Two to Five years relevant progressive working experience in international development or a postgraduate qualification, 
• Minimum of Two to Five years relevant progressive working experience in international development or a postgraduate qualification.

Competencies  

• Open 
• Integrity  
• Innovative 
• Strategic thinking 
• Entrepreneurial and commercial thinking 
• Reliable 
• Result driven 
• Independent team worker  

Key Result Areas

• Consortium /partnership management  
• Coordination of own implementation activities 
• Linking, networking, and fundraising 
• Partner Capacity Building  
• Monitoring 

OTHERS/EXTRA DETAILS

Terms of employment 

• The Cordaid East and Southern Africa (ESA) Cluster office Human Resource Manual is applicable. 

Working conditions 

• 40 hours a week 
• Travel to partner offices and in the field as and when needed