Current Vacancies at TechnoServe Kenya

Position Description:

• The Enterprise Development Advisor will provide On-site / embedded support to strengthen the technical capabilities of partner organizations. He/ She will provide training, coaching, material adaptation, shadowing, etc to enhance their technical capacities and ensure effective program implementation. Reporting to the Partnerships Manager, the Enterprise Development Advisor will work closely with the partner organizations identified in the program to ensure the program achieves its objectives.

Key roles and responsibilities:

Capacity Building and Training

• Review and upskill relevant TechnoServe enterprise development philosophies, approaches, and materials, with a focus on the blue economy sector.
• Build the capacity of key implementation partners allocated to them in areas of program implementation, youth engagement, and delivery of enterprise development training specific to the blue economy.
• Provide technical training and coaching to partners adopting TechnoServe delivery approaches within the blue economy framework.
• Adapt TechnoServe training curriculum to align with the unique needs and challenges of the blue economy sector.
• Coordinate Training of Trainers (TOTs) and Training of Trainees (TTTs) sessions, ensuring that all training manuals are tailored to the requirements of the blue economy sector.

Diagnosis and Evaluation

• Ensure efficient and effective implementation of program activities, outputs, and outcomes within the blue economy sector.
• Build the capacity of implementing partners to conduct baseline, midline, and end-line surveys specific to the blue economy, delivery of digital training, one-on-one coaching to micro-enterprises, and formation of business groups.
• Collaborate closely with the TechnoServe Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) teams to ensure proper data collection and monitoring within the blue economy context.

Stakeholder engagement and collaboration

• Support stakeholder engagement within the blue economy sector.
• Backstop communications and outreach initiatives related to the blue economy.

Reporting and Knowledge Management

• Facilitate knowledge sharing and learning specifically related to the blue economy.
• Support partners in mapping out program regions and beneficiaries within the blue economy sector in preparation for mobilization and recruitment.
• Assist partners in adopting digital training methods, especially within the context of the blue economy, utilizing TechnoServe regenerative training modules.

Aftercare and continuous support

• Collaborate and communicate with the Partnership Manager and local partners to provide aftercare activities.
• Offer shadowing and on-site support to partners within the blue economy sector.
• Provide weekly updates on the progress of the program, highlighting any unique challenges and learnings, particularly related to the blue economy.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Partnerships Manager, with a focus on supporting the blue economy initiatives.

Required skills and experiences:

• Bachelor’s degree in business-related fields such as Marketing, Business Administration, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, or MIS. Holders of blue economy-related degrees have an added advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working with MSMEs, preferably within the blue economy sector; experience working with marginalized communities is an added advantage.
• Proven experience in Training of Trainers (TOT) specifically tailored to the needs of the blue economy sector.
• Familiarity with coastal communities and understanding of their unique economic challenges and opportunities.
• Experience in developing or adapting curriculum content related to the blue economy, and fluency in both English and Swahili is essential.
• Strong planning skills and the ability to generate innovative solutions in highly dynamic work situations within the context of the blue economy.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and present well-written, cohesive analyses and reports focusing on the blue economy sector.
• Strong interpersonal, collaborative, and cross-cultural skills, with a particular focus on building relationships within the blue economy ecosystem.
• Up-to-date knowledge of recent trends in the MSME sector, specifically within the blue economy context in the country.
• Proven track record of building strong client and stakeholder relationships with various entities such as government ministries, private sector companies, financial institutions, business associations, and academic institutions operating within the blue economy sector.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, especially Excel and PowerPoint, with the ability to effectively utilize digital tools for data analysis and presentation within the blue economy framework.

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Position Description: 

The Enterprise Finance Advisor will be responsible for five main tasks:

• Work with the Subawards and Enterprise Fund Manager in the selection, review and award process for potential local organisations (sub-awards) for funding including developing and improving the grants manual, selection criteria, reviewing business proposals and preparing grants budgets. 
• Monitoring performance of local organisations including reporting and compliance.
• Provide capacity building, training, mentorship and coaching to support local organisations including community-based organisations, self-help groups, associations specifically in compliance and financial management.
• Managing the relationships between TechnoServe and local partner organisations, and in culturing relationships with other key stakeholders in Kenya’s Coastal Blue Economy.
• Develop criteria, processes and manage program’s Enterprise Fund. The Enterprise Fund is designed to provide financial support to young men and women in the blue economy sector in the Coastal region. 

 Key Roles and Responsibilities

Subaward  Management

• Conduct thorough assessments of subgrantees' systems through walkthroughs and analysis identifying gaps in financial, operational, and administrative processes.
• Provide strategic advice based on assessment outcomes.
• Review support documentation and processes to ensure alignment with approved donor budget, reporting requirements and donor-specific regulations and reporting guidelines.
• Collaborate with Grants & Contracts Departments to develop and deliver training on donor-related requirements and develop continuous learning plans for subgrantees. 
• Conduct regular partner assessments to identify capacity gaps and system gaps within subgrantees' teams and provide capacity building through designing and facilitating coaching sessions, workshops, and training tailored to address identified gaps.
• Recommend improvements and assist in implementing changes to enhance partner financial processes.
• Guide subgrantees in adhering to donor policies, including Procurement, Vehicle Usage, and Conflict of Interest.
• Support subgrantees during audits and reviews by assisting in gathering required documents.
• Liaise with internal and external auditors to ensure smooth audit processes.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with project goals and reporting requirements.
• Prepare regular reports on capacity-building activities and outcomes.

Enterprise Fund Management

• Provide oversight throughout the Enterprise Fund from inception to conclusion.
• Assist in the development and refinement of the Enterprise Fund guidelines,criteria and Assessment toolkits, pitch decks, scoring templates and related material.
• Support entrepreneurs and enterprises in proposal development providing appropriate contracts for proposal narratives and budgeting. 
• Assess the suitability of grant proposals (fit-for-purpose) to ensure alignment with TechnoServe objectives and funding criteria.
• Participate in the selection and screening of entrepreneurs, utilising established and or improved scoring matrices to ensure objective evaluation and make recommendations for funding to the funding committee.
• Conduct due diligence activities including physical visits to existing or potential grantees,to verify information and assess feasibility.
• Maintain proactive communication with applicants offering guidance and support throughout the application process to enhance understanding and compliance.
• Oversee the pitching process and provide post-pitching support to entrepreneurs, collaborating with enterprise development advisors to address identified gaps and challenges.
• Support in the award and contracting process for selected entrepreneurs, ensuring transparency and fairness in the selection process.
• Monitor and track the progress of funded entrepreneurs following up to ensure milestones are met.
• Collect and analyze data to evaluate the success of the grant program, preparing comprehensive reports on grant performance for internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage documentation, records, and correspondence related to the enterprise fund maintaining accurate and up-to-date records for audit and reporting purposes.

Ad Hoc Responsibilities:

• Undertake any additional duties assigned to meet project needs.
• Proactively contribute to organizational improvement initiatives.

Required Skills & Experience 

• Master’s degree with 2 years’ experience or Bachelor’s degree in (Bcom/Finance) with 4 years’ experience in similar position and at least a finance management certification.
• Demonstrated abilities to provide business advisory services are desired.
• Experience in grant evaluation, oversight, and management preferably in a development or nonprofit setting.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess proposals and data objectively.
• Ability to examine business financial records and provide detailed recommendations for improvement or funding potential
• Demonstrated familiarity with not-for-profit reporting in addition to reporting for commercial enterprises is a must.
• Familiar with computerised accounting programs
• Detail-oriented approach with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Above-average proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Maintain high levels of confidentiality about sensitive and confidential financial information and decisions.
• Ability to travel for site visits and meetings as required.

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Position Description:

• The Senior HR Specialist will be responsible for providing human resource support for the LFS program funded by USAID. She / He will lead all aspects of HR which will include recruitment, onboarding, performance management, contract drafting and renewals and exit processes. He / She will be the primary HR focal point within the program.
• He/she will work with project management and leadership to create and maintain a productive work environment where all staff perform effectively and efficiently and will advise project management and staff on HR-related issues and conflicts. The incumbent must exhibit have experience with Kenyan local labor laws and employee relations.

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Recruitment 

• Manage the recruitment and selection process based on the project’s HR needs. This will include advertising positions, scheduling interviews, sourcing candidates, adapting interview questions, conducting reference checks and negotiating salary offers.
• Work with hiring managers to create job descriptions.
• Participate in job interviews and make hiring recommendations, communicate recruitment policies with the hiring manager to ensure the effectiveness of selection techniques and recruitment programs, ensure a transparent and bias-free recruitment process. 

Onboarding

• Lead the onboarding process with the hiring manager and operations team to ensure a smooth integration.
• Prepare the onboarding schedule and finale the first-day agenda.
• Conduct HR onboarding for all new staff.
• Work closely with the program assistant to ensure working tools and the necessary office equipment are available before the new staff joins.

Performance Management

• Coordinate the performance management cycle.
• Notify line manager when probations are due and ensure the forms are sent on time and completed.
• Train staff on how to do their performance evaluations and monitor compliance with the process.
• Notify the Senior HRM on any staff who haven’t passed probation and work to ensure poor performance is well managed.

Employee engagement and culture

• Collaborate with program leadership and SHM to address employee feedback and continuously improve the work environment.
• Organize employee engagement activities eg coordinate all staff monthly calls, wellness activities etc
• Establish and maintain effective work relationship with all staff at all levels.

Other duties

• Work with Finance, Admin and Operations staff in the development of the program field manual, and that relevant policies are communicated effectively and regularly the full LFS team; that LFS policies are aligned across sub-awardees as feasible in regards to HR functions
• Ensure all new employees are enrolled onto medical insurance, group life and pension.
• Maintain a tracker of project-wide staff contracts, extensions and terminations.
• Serve as a point of contact for employee inquiries and concerns related to HR policies, procedures, and benefits.
• Maintain accurate records related to employment, such as personnel files and HR databases.
• Manage all steps and paperwork involved in the exit process for departing staff
• Any other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree with 5 years’ experience or Master's degree with 3 years’ experience in human resource management preferably in an international development context.
• Solid experience in the employee’s life cycle (hire, onboard, performance management, employee relations and exits).
• Recent experience with USAID programming, and a strong understanding of USAID rules and regulations regarding human resources, compensation, and recruitment is required; this includes full understanding of pertinent USG governing policies and practices, (e.g. DSSR, ADS).
• Ability to identify time-sensitive demands & inquiries and respond effectively
• An articulate individual who possesses excellent communications and people skills, strong operational focus, ability to work in a fast-paced environment and who can relate to people at all levels of an organization.
• Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a cross cultural setting, negotiate diplomatically, and function well under pressure.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion

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Position Description:

• TechnoServe seeks a self-motivated leader passionate about leveraging finance to address social and environmental issues in the global food system. You have an analytical mind, and you want to leverage your creative problem solving skills to support clients in developing practical solutions. You have a successful track record as a high-performing investment professional (investment/commercial banker) or strategy consultant. You will lead workstream one to translate and deploy Year 1 concepts in the F&V value chains with identified stakeholders.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Evaluating business processes, anticipating requirements, uncovering areas for improvement, and advising companies on financial strategies.
• Prepare business cases and financial models, and connect businesses with investors or lenders who provide capital.
• Working with the team to assess and develop business cases for redirection of fruit and vegetables.
• Working closely with clients, local and international teams.
• Monitoring and reporting deliverables and ensuring timely completion of projects.
• Scoping the ecosystem to identify trends, partners and opportunities to leverage on.

 Required Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Abilities:

• A Bachelor’s degree with 7 years’ experience or Master's degree with 5 years’ experience in investment banking, project finance, private equity/venture capital, financial advisory, strategic consulting.
• Prior experience utilizing business models and frameworks to identify, assess, analyze and implement solutions that solve business/technical challenges across agricultural supply chains.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills applied towards understanding and interpreting business operations, management capabilities, and practices.
• Excellent writing and PowerPoint presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills a must
• Proven ability and experience working with teams will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated experience working in or engaging with the private sector in Kenya, particularly private sector companies in the agricultural sector

Travel:

• Within Kenya

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Job Summary

• The Inclusive Business Manager will play a critical role within the program, delivering IBPs and supervising delivery of Technical Assistance to partner agribusinesses. The Inclusive Business Manager will be responsible for recruiting and overseeing Technoserve Fellows and Consultants who will lead on day-to-day execution of IBPs. They will also be responsible for sourcing specialist Technical Assistance for both pre-investment and post-investment agribusinesses to help them implement specific business innovations or improvements.
• The Inclusive Business Manager will oversee and sometimes personally conduct primary field research, secondary data review, and conduct commercial and impact analysis using Excel models. They will also contribute towards program Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, and work with the Learning and Influencing Manager to package the lessons learned during program implementation and share this through publications and events.
• The role requires frequent local travel and meetings with agribusiness management to understand their business operations, challenges and opportunities. The Inclusive Business Manager will need to liaise with impact investors and understand their requirements to help pre-investment agribusinesses to position themselves for financing. Finally, they will need to connect with a wide range of other investor, business, government and NGO stakeholders.
• The role reports to the Senior Program Manager also based in Kenya. The successful candidate will benefit from access to knowledgeable and experienced program officers in the TechnoServe country platform as well as the global CASA TAF team which has a wealth of experience delivering IBPs and TA in Kenya and other markets.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

Inclusive Business Plan (IBP) development

• Lead the development of IBPs, by conducting research and analysis into agribusiness operating models, to identify existing challenges and opportunities, and design commercial models for greater support to smallholder farmers (e.g. training delivery, communications, credit finance etc)
• Identify potential capacity gaps within agribusiness management team and propose areas of training and support
• Present ideas and opportunities to agribusiness management and incorporate their feedback to develop commercially viable solutions
• Manage Technoserve fellows and third party consultants supporting delivery of IBPs (provide strategic direction, provide commercial and technical quality control of their output, and support in communicating the solution to key stakeholders)
• Manage IBP operations effectively (recruitment, timeline, budget, compliance)

Pipeline building

• With the Program Manager and with support of the global CASA team, scope out new businesses that are aligned with program Theory of Change and could be relevant for program support

Project design and TA implementation

• Manage the end-to-end process, including business/project scoping, designing, proposing, obtaining approval for, tendering, and supervising a selection of the technical assistance projects for agribusinesses
• Facilitate monitoring and assessment of TA project delivery, quality and impact on SHFs and agribusiness operations; advising on areas for improvement and identifying need/opportunity for new interventions. Provide technical guidance and support to implementing partners on increasing quality TA delivery and optimising SHF impact
• Provide direct technical assistance (if needed) to support implementation of inclusive business models. Provide technical advisory in specific areas such as smallholder extension, access to finance, smallholder aggregation, climate and nature positive interventions, digitisation and/or gender inclusion
• Prepare and submit relevant sections for donor progress reports and communications/learning products (e.g. bulletins); support facilitation of portfolio review meetings
• Quickly identify, assess, and manage risks related to execution. Proactively communicate risks with key stakeholders ahead of time
• Provide other support to the TA Provider, Fund Managers and investee companies as required to ensure quality and sustainability of interventions for portfolio projects

Stakeholder engagement

• Build strong relationships with key agribusiness and investor partners (targeting of key decision makers, building credibility)
• Support successful execution, stakeholder alignment and learning through facilitating project SteerCo meetings
• Connect agribusinesses within the program portfolio by arranging exchange visits, meetings and/or online networking groups
• Understand investor priorities and requirements and help to translate these to agribusinesses that could potentially be investible
• Represent the program as needed with mid-level personnel within Government, investors, industry bodies and donors

Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Influencing

• Help to drive thought leadership on inclusive business themes; disseminate methodologies and learnings with internal (TechnoServe) and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to written publications and the organization of events by providing key information and learnings from the program and suggesting relevant audiences
• Contribute to the design of the monitoring and reports measurement (MRM) process for all activities under responsibility, and to collecting of key data to enable this monitoring to take place

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 7  years of relevant work experience or Master’s Degree plus 5. Relevant work experience includes mid-level management role in a commercial agribusiness, agricultural development program, donor overseeing agricultural development portfolio, investor, or management consulting firm
• Experience designing and overseeing research / data collection activities
• Proven commercial analysis skillset, including basic modelling in Excel and “common sense” approach to commercial management
• Demonstrated leadership skills, teamwork and relationship-building
• Proven stakeholder management skillset
• Demonstrated passion for field work in a developing country
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong computer skills, including MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

Travel: This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and requires local travel only (c.50%)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior strategy consulting experience at a top-tier firm
• Advanced degree in business management or other relevant field
• Experience working with corporations around shared value initiatives
• Experience implementing field work in Kenya or developing economy

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work independently, flexibly, and responsively
• Ability to adapt to changing working conditions
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Has a strong sense of ownership, accountability and can-do attitude

Supervisory Responsibilities

• The role will involve a mix of own delivery of Inclusive Business Plans, as well as managing Technoserve Fellows and third-party consultants to deliver Inclusive Business Plans, with the mix evolving over time towards greater management as the candidate grows in experience and understanding of our approach to technical assistance
• The Inclusive Business Manager will also oversee delivery of technical support to agribusinesses by specialist consultants
• Some of these reports may be more senior than the Inclusive Business Manager; the role is intended to provide guidance on context, manage timelines and budgets, and support in translating technical advice into concrete, implementable innovations for the agribusiness partners.