Short Term Productivity Coordinator at RTI International

Essential Duties

• Support the development of the Activity’s strategy for Priority Area 2 – Diverse agricultural production and improved productivity.
• Participate in a review of innovative extension and input supply models in the area of responsibility, identify strengths and weaknesses and identify potential private sector partners for collaboration on project activity, and handover for continuity closeout.
• Identify private sector embedded extension systems; Review business models and viability of the implemented models, drawing lessons, opportunities and limitations for cross learning purposes.
• Build and maintain relationships with county-level public agricultural extension systems; Work with counties to develop extension strengthening plans; Design technical assistance to support sustainable, county-led training programs and information systems.
• Lead the Activity’s support for agro dealers strengthening, including associations-building or platform development and identify and coordinate technology demonstration opportunities.
• Liaise with Priority Area 1 team to co-design support for “lead firms” that are in the inputs sector (may include business planning, management, accounting, inventory, recordkeeping, capacity building, or investment facilitation.)
• Coordinate the development, implementation and reporting on detailed management plans that may include implementation plans, deliverable tracking, etc., for activities in Nyanza, Western Kenya.
• Collaborate with Access to Finance Specialist to design innovative financial products that support the needs of input suppliers, agro processors and farmers.
• Facilitate and support market development and business-to-business linkages (especially Producer group to processor).
• Contribute to grants management with particular attention to the Productivity component.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation, learning, and reporting and provide technical oversight and support all data tracking by the in M&E staff of the sub-grantees with attention to Productivity.
• Contribute to Social Inclusion activities in line with Productivity.
• Ensure project activities meet USAID (SUAP) and NEMA environmental compliance requirements
• Collaborate with staff and partners across all priority areas to ensure cross-fertilization of ideas and coordination of activities.
• Identify and document technical best practices and lessons learned and compile weekly/monthly/quarterly reports on project activities accomplished during those periods.
• Report directly to the Director for Productivity Component 2 on all aspects that pertains to the achievement of results.
• Any other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in agricultural economics, agronomy, agribusiness management or related field and 5years of experience.

Skills & Abilities

• Excellent oral and written skills in English. Fluency in Kiswahili preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to be collaborative across projects, flexible and creative.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel
• Ability to multi-task
• Ability to work well with others
• Ability to listen and communicate well both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work independently
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to obtain proper security clearances as noted by contracts

Essential Competencies/Behaviors

• Critical Thinking: Obtains information, identifies key issues and relationships, and breaks down problems into simple tasks or activities.
• Integrity/Trust: Demonstrates honesty, is widely trusted, keeps commitments, treats people with dignity and respect, admits mistakes; doesn’t misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.
• Interpersonal Effectiveness/Teamwork: Ability to develop positive working relationships and work effectively with others.
• Initiative/Results Oriented: Takes action to achieve goals beyond what is required, is pro-active, and is a self-starter.
• Motivational Fit: Is motivated to work, would fit in well with organization.
• Technical/Professional Knowledge: Performs complex tasks in area of expertise.