Technology Assistant Coordinator at iDE Kenya

Position Summary

• The Technology Assistant Coordinator supports the Technology Coordinator in strengthening and developing the technology pillar for iDE in Kenya. This role involves assisting with the assessment of technology quality, creation of training materials, management of operators and technicians, and field testing.
• This position reports directly to the Technology Coordinator and receives guidance and support from iDE headquarters staff, iDE Canada, and other Country Directors and their technical staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Assist in identifying, assessing, and selecting suitable technologies and local suppliers or manufacturers.
•  Support procurement, placement, and post-sales support for selected technologies.
•  Assist with research on new technologies entering the Kenyan market relevant to iDE Kenya’s programming.
•  Help develop and maintain a network of trained artisans, operators, and technicians to provide technical support.
•  Support in testing equipment for baseline and monitoring performance.
•  Help develop protocols for equipment utilization and best practices.
•  Assist in recommending repair solutions to entrepreneurs.
•  Help coordinate technical partnerships to deliver assigned project activities.
•  Support training and refresher sessions on machine operation and care.
•  Complete reports, including machinery assessments, visit forms, machine performance records, and progress reports.
•  Assist in preparing reports on available technologies in the local market for identified value chains.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

•  Minimum 1-2 years of experience as an engineer or technician working with food and farming equipment.
•  Basic knowledge of the Kenya country context, including landscape, regions/provinces/counties/villages, social economic activities, and local suppliers and manufacturers.
•  Basic knowledge of agricultural activities in major agricultural regions of Kenya
•  Good rapport with farmers, entrepreneurs, operators, and suppliers.
•  Experience with mechanization projects in Kenya is preferred.
•  Results-oriented and a problem solver, with experience working in dynamic teams.
•  Ability to manage competing priorities and tasks; proven ability to meet deadlines.
•  Strong written and verbal communication skills; cross-cultural communication skills are required.
•  Ability to work collaboratively with Kenyan colleagues, senior iDE program and HQ staff, consultants, donors, local governmental agencies, and other experts in a multicultural, multilingual environment.
•  Computer proficiency in MS Office Suite and/or Google’s G-Suite is required.
•  Ability to exercise good decision-making judgment while working in a fluid and fast-paced environment.
•  Diploma or B.A/B.S in a related discipline preferred (mechanical engineering, agricultural engineering, postharvest management and handling, food technology development).
•  Business proficiency in Business Development
•  Fluent communicating and writing in English and Swahili.

LANGUAGE/MATHEMATICAL AND REASONING SKILLS

•  Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
•  Ability to write reports that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to management and public groups.
•  Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
•  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

•  Frequently required to perform work outside normal work hours.
•  Frequently required to travel domestically, sometimes in difficult environments; occasional international travel.
•  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.