Project Associate, Business Development at Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)

About the role

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager, the Project Associate will be responsible for identification, selection and supporting business to increase the supply of vegetables within the project area.

Role specifics include;

• Supporting all aspects relevant to the contracts and procurement process, including the prequalification, preparation, assessment of applications and award of purchase orders/contracts including contracts administration
• Conducting pre-grant and post-grant due diligence to project’s shortlisted businesses
• Conducting regular visits to grantee working location to verify actual status
• Supporting the business in product development and market expansion
• Participating and contributing to development and implementation of project work plans
• Assisting project manager by monitoring the project progress against project workplan and budget
• Collecting, documenting, collating and analysing project data for monitoring and management information purposes.
• Responsible for maintaining crucial project documents which track project progress
• Identifying any potential issues or risks that could affect the progression of the project.

About you

• Applicants must have proven experience in the agri-food sector in Kenya, working on donor funded agribusiness projects or with an agribusiness and be able to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders to develop solutions within this space.
• You must have experience in business development, especially business planning, as well as development finance (particularly in the areas of SME finance and grant funding management) as well as first-hand experience in conducting auditing and due diligence checks. You will have working knowledge of the contract management process from requisition and tendering through to award and close out. In addition to this, you will possess strong communications skills and business acumen with the ability to work with internal and external stakeholders as well as agribusiness managers from a variety of backgrounds.
• Experience of public / private partnerships and private sector experience is desirable. Willingness to travel is essential to this role.