Latest Jobs at Heifer International

Description

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

Function:

The Business Development Officer under the guidance of the Project Manager, will provide overall leadership in designing and implementing appropriate interventions within the project with the objective of developing the 25-farmer owned agri-business (FOAB), in the Hatching Hope Kenya project (HHK) into strong and profitable farmer business organizations and entities. This will be achieved through capacity building of the organizations in business planning and financial management, development of management structures and systems, the provision of business advisory services and the development of key marketing and financial linkages in financial services, input services and strong partnerships with both public and private organizations. The officer will identify impact investment opportunities and scaling up of Business Models. The interventions to be led by the Business Development Officer seek to increase the overall level of competitiveness of the poultry production business within the farmer owned agri-business (FOAB).

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS:

Intellectually curious, sound professional judgement, effective communicator, accountable, values-committed, pragmatic, inspirational, team player

RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES
Business Development (30%)

• Undertake capacity assessment and due diligence for FOABs.
• Support producer organizations to develop business plans, strategic plans and financial and human resource management systems.
• Capacity building of FOABs, through training in business, financial management and governance.
• Analysis and conducting of feasibility to assess and develop new business, investment and financing options.
• Provide advice and assistance in the establishment and maintenance of business and financial record keeping systems.
• Develop business models clearly showing the value proposition of FOAB to members and how it will leverage opportunities in the production and market environment.
• 25 FOABs assessed within the first year of project implementation and 25 capacity assessment reports developed.
• Technical assistance and mentorship provided to the 25 FOABs on a quarterly basis through research, visits and training sessions.
• Facilitate the development of business planning guidelines and business plans, strategic plans and financial management systems for 25 FOABs by the end of the first year of the project.
• Capacity building plans developed for all 25 FOABs by the end of the first year and their implementation updated and reviewed on a quarterly basis.
• Analysis conducted to identify business and investment opportunities for 25 FOABs and at least three new opportunities explored per year per organization.
• 25 FOABs with established financial and business records systems that provide management with the key information to govern business operations by the end of the second year of project implementation.
• 25 FOABs with established and documented business models with clear value proposition within the first 18 months of the project.
• 25 FOABs achieve the targeted growth in member mobilization numbers-based project and hub membership targets by the end of the second year of the project implementation.
• Collect and collate information on Catalytic Leverage Fund (CaLF) and share with the manager on a monthly basis.

Cooperative Governance and Management (30%)

• Provide support in establishing and operating market structures (e.g., collection centers, market centers, processing facilities, chilling centers, etc.)
• Facilitate the transformation of 25 FOABs into formal dairy collective enterprises that will stimulate poultry production.
• Assist to develop guidelines for the formation, management and governance of cooperatives/FOABs/ producer groups
• Coordinate and build up linkages and networks with the appropriate government Cooperative Office and other organizations, as required.
• 25 FOABs with functional market structures for milk aggregation are in place by the second year of project implementation.
• All the producer organizations are operating as dairy collective producer organizations and cooperatives by the end of the project.
• The project has string linkages with the government cooperative offices in all the targeted counties and all the 25 FOABs are compliant with cooperative guidelines and formal requirements by the end of the second year of project implementation.

Capacity Development (30%)

• Design, develop and deliver business management training packages/modules, in coordination with other relevant project staff.
• Identify and carry out a comprehensive capacity assessment of the potential farmer producer organizations for the project to partner with and thereafter develop and deliver a capacity building program.
• Develop capacity building and operationalization of the business and marketing plans of the producer organizations/hubs through joint planning and monitoring.
• Facilitate the capacity building of the cooperative/FOAB/union governing board and management in effective and efficient decision making, financial management, human resource management, operation and strategic planning and implementation, conflict management and democratic governance.
• Support the producer organizations to put in place and implement efficient financial management systems and build their capacity in all aspects of financial management. i. An operational and module-based business training package that integrates the experience of Cargill is developed and in use within the first three months of the project implementation.
• Capacity assessment is completed and continuously reviewed using the Scope Insight methodology and LINK methodologies in the project.
• Annual capacity development plans are developed for the project every year and their implementation are reviewed and monitored on a quarterly basis.
• 25 FOABs have effective governing boards with the capacity to provide strategic management and vision for the organizations in financial management, human resource management, operations, strategic implementation and conflict management.
• 25 FOABs have efficient and effective financial management systems by the end of the first year of project implementation.

Collaboration towards a Common Goal (10%)

• With the Enterprise Development Manager, develop the business FOAB of the cooperatives with backward and forward linkages into the total value chain.
• Incorporate within the framework of the project potential ‘win-win’ business opportunities which can attract different value chain actors to engage in transactional relationships with the farmer producer organizations and develop a platform for achieving these partnerships.
• Work in close coordination with the relevant project staff on quality assurance and control for all livestock-based products for processing, packaging, marketing and distribution.
• 25 FOABs develop a strong platform for engaging with the value chain actors in transactional relationships.
• Close coordination and collaboration with the country office Enterprise Development Manager, Training Manager and Animal Wellbeing Manager to deliver quality trainings through the annual capacity building plans.
• 25 FOABs achieve and maintain high quality standards for their produce including milk and have effective systems for daily quality monitoring.

Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor This will be dependent on the specific duties assigned

Minimum Requirements:

• Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business Management, Rural Development or Animal Production with post graduate diploma or experience in business management or a related field is required
• Experience implementing activities in large, complex projects in challenging environments
• Minimum of five (5) years of field and technical experience working on agribusiness development projects
• Significant experience in building public/private partnerships, preferably in the dairy sector

Most Critical Proficiencies:

• Strong business skills, leadership, strategic and innovation skills.
• Strong communication skills in English, Swahili and other local languages of the cluster area.
• Strong business skills in development, strategic planning and planning for farmer business organizations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in value chain development that reach women, youth, the poor and the underprivileged.
• Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness and ability to incorporate innovative solutions and design catalytic activities within the value chain (e.g. the concept of quality-based pricing).
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategies aimed at providing institutional capacity building to key partner institutions with a view to build a more efficient, competitive and sustainable livestock industry. This requirement is in line with the need to have in-built ‘exit strategies’ within the project as a measure of ensuring that there are self-sustaining businesses by project end.
• Knowledge of and experience in setting up cottage industries for processing locally branded poultry products (eggs and meat) for onward supply to niche and markets as well as implementing supply promotion/stimulation strategies in the context of the sub-sectors.
• Experience in facilitating the establishment of strategic alliances and joint ventures with local and foreign processors.
• Knowledge and experience in strategic business planning and business analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to undertake market assessments and use the information generated to support producer organizations to leverage these opportunities to remain competitive.
• Knowledge of equity financing (e.g. venture capital and/or private equity investing).
• Strong computer literacy, preferably with Microsoft Office Suite.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to relate to groups and individuals diplomatically and tactfully.
• Ability to integrate financial services within the value chains with the view to foster trust and build strong relationship between chain actors and financial service providers.
• Must be courteous, honest and of high integrity, especially in high-pressure situations.
• Self-starter and self-motivator with the ability to work in a multicultural and multisector setting.
• Must be a team player and have the ability to execute and manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to follow directions and independently complete assigned tasks (written or verbal).
• Ability to work a varied schedule to include early mornings, weekends and some evenings.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds (14 kilograms) floor to waist.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

go to method of application »

Description

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

FUNCTION

The Business Development Officer under the overall guidance of the Project Manager, will provide overall leadership in designing and implementing appropriate interventions within the project with the objective of improving the business capacity of 6,000 Poultry producers in Nakuru, Nairobi and Uasin Gishu Counties. This will be achieved through capacity building of distributor and supporting their marketing, extension and promotion work to increase their reach and improve the quality of input services, advisory, marketing and financial services they provide to poultry producers.
The Business Development Officer will work in identifying and recruiting Cargill aligned feed distributors and other key feed retail actors in the target counties and establish string partnerships with poultry producer and Heifer Kenya’s dairy cooperatives.
The interventions to be led by the Business Development Officer seek to increase the overall level of competitiveness of the poultry production business at farm and producer organization level.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS:
Intellectual curious, professional judgement, effective communicator, accountable, values-committed pragmatic, inspirational and Team player.
RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES

Business Development (50%)

• Undertake the identification and capacity assessment of feed distributors in target counties.
• Support distributors to establish partnerships with dairy cooperatives and other retail actors to strengthen their outreach to 6,000 farmers.
• Capacity Building of distributors and their extension staff in extension approaches, social capital , marketing and promotions.
• Develop and implement ad annual calendar of joint promotions , field days and events to market and support uptake of feeds and other products in the target areas.
• Analysis and conducting of feasibility to assess and develop new business, investment and financing options.
• Distributors identified and their capacity assessed within the first year of the project implementation and capacity assessment reports developed.
• 30 key distributor partnerships developed with the project and 10 dairy producer cooperatives within the first year of project implementation.
• Business and strategic plans developed for 30 distributors integrating activities in extension , marketing, social capital and promotions.
• 30 distributors and their core staff trained and mentored on extension, social capital and promotions.
• An annual calendar of promotions , fields days and marketing events implemented reaching at least 20,000 farmers annually.
• Collect and Collate Catalytic Leverage Fund (CalF) and shared with the manager on Monthly basis

Capacity development (40%)

• Design, develop and deliver business management training packages/modules, in liaison with Cargill and other relevant project staff
• Identify and carry out a comprehensive capacity assessment of the distributors, dairy cooperatives and poultry farmers and thereafter develop and deliver a capacity building programme
• Develop capacity building and operationalization of the business and marketing plans for the distributors, dairy cooperatives and poultry farmers through joint planning, monitoring.
• Support distributors, dairy cooperatives and poultry producers to put in place and implement efficient financial management systems and build their capacity in all aspects of financial management. • An operational and module-based business, technical and social capital training package that integrates the experience of Cargill is developed and in use within the first 3 months of the project implementation.
• Capacity assessment is completed and continuously reviewed using the Scope Insight methodology and LINK methodologies in the project.
• Annual capacity development plans are developed overall for the project every year and their implementation reviewed and monitored on a quarterly basis.
• 30 distributors, 10 cooperatives and over 6,000 poultry farmers with efficient and effective financial management, poultry production and business and strategic plans by the end of the first year of project implementation.

Collaboration towards a common goal (10%)

• With the Enterprise Development manager, develop the business of the Poultry producers with backward and forward linkages into the total value chain
• Incorporate within the framework of the project, potential ‘win-win’ business opportunities which can attract different value chain actors to engage in transactional relationships with the farmer producer organizations and develop a platform for the achieving these partnerships.
• Work in close coordination with the relevant project staff on quality assurance and control for all livestock-based product for processing, packaging, marketing, and distribution
• The 30 distributors, 10 cooperatives and 6,000 farmers develop a strong platform for engaging with the value chain actors in transactional relationships.
• Close coordination and collaboration with Country Office Enterprise Development Manager, Training Manager and Animal Wellbeing Manager to deliver quality trainings through the annual capacity building plans.
• The 30 distributors, 10 cooperatives and 6,000 farmers achieve and maintain high quality standards for their produce and have effective systems for daily quality monitoring.

Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor

• This will be dependent on the specific duties assigned

Minimum Requirements

• Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business management, Rural Development, Animal production with post graduate diploma or experience in Business management or a related field is required
• Experience implementing activities in large, complex projects in challenging environments.
• Minimum 5 years field and technical experience working on agribusiness development projects.
• Significant experience in building public/private partnerships, preferably in the Livestock sector.

Most Critical Proficiencies:

• Strong business skills, leadership, strategic and innovation skills.
• Strong communication skills in both English, Swahili, and other local languages of the cluster area.
• String business skills development, strategic planning and planning for farmer business organizations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in value chain development that reaches women, youth, the poor, and underprivileged.
• Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness and ability to incorporate innovative solutions and design catalytic activities within the value chain (e.g. the concept of quality-based pricing).
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategies aimed at providing institutional capacity building to key partner institutions with a view to build a more efficient, competitive and sustainable livestock industry. This requirement is in line with the need to have in-built ‘exit strategies’ within the project as a measure of ensuring that there are self-sustaining businesses by project end.
• Knowledge of and experience in setting up cottage industries for processing locally branded poultry products (eggs and meat) for onward supply to niche and markets as well as implementing supply promotion/stimulation strategies in the context of the sub-sectors.
• Experience in facilitating establishment of strategic alliances and joint ventures with local and foreign processors.
• Knowledge and experience in strategic business planning and business analysis.
• Demonstrate ability to undertake market assessments and use the information generated to support the producer organizations to leverage these opportunities to remain competitive.
• Knowledge of equity financing (e.g. venture capital and/or private equity investing).
• Strong computer literacy, preferably with Microsoft Office Suite.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to individuals diplomatically and tactfully.
• Ability to integrate financial services within the value chains with the view to foster trust and build strong relationship between chain actors and financial service providers.
• Must be courteous, honest and of high integrity, especially in high-pressure situations.
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills with ability to relate to individuals and groups diplomatically and tactfully.
• Self-starter and self-motivator with the ability to work in a multicultural and multisector setting.
• Must be a team player and have the ability to execute and manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to follow directions and independently complete assigned tasks (written or verbal).
• Ability to work a varied schedule to include early mornings, weekends and some evenings.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds (14 kilograms) floor to waist.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

go to method of application »

Description

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

FUNCTION

The Project Coordinator, under the management of the Director for Programmes, will assume overall responsibility for the management and coordination of the Food for All Project Kenya, which is implemented in partnership with Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa Expertise Center, Meru Greens Horticulture, Soil Cares Foundation, and Horticultural Crop Directorate. This is a five-year € 5,352,986 project funded by Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Food Security Facility (FDOV) in which Heifer International Kenya is responsible for the establishment and strengthening 5 farmer-owned milk marketing organizations through which 10,000 smallholder farmers will be able to sell their milk. This position is expected to contribute to the development and replication of the hub model in the Heifer Kenya Country Program.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS:
Heifer International Kenya is looking for a self-motivated and result-oriented person to fil in the position of the Food for All Project Coordinator.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES

Project Management (30%)

• Assume overall responsibility for the management of the Food for All Project including project resources ensuring adherence to the compliance and accountability policies.
• Ensure that all employees and partners engaged to work for the project are effectively managed to achieve their targets.
• Oversea the performance of any temporary employees and partners engaged in the implementation of the project.
• Manage the implementation of the project to achieve the planned milestones
• Facilitate the establishment of project management structures at the project, Hub and collection center levels
• Profile and develop a database of all the potential resource persons in the project area that the project can utilize to provide specialized training once need arise
• Develop and implement sustainability plans for the project
• Over 80 % of the planned milestones achieved
• Project resources for food for ll Project maintained.
• Project Management structures operational and meetings documented which will include the Project Management Committee, Group Coordination Committee, and Group Management Committees.
• Project sustainability and exit plans developed and implemented.
• A database developed and used to guide in the engagement of external resources persons to support in the implementation of certain training.

Producer Organizations Capacity Building (30%).

• Facilitate the transformation of producer organizations (POs) into formal collective enterprises that stimulate rural dairy business hubs
• Facilitate the development of business planning guidelines and conduct strategic business planning sessions for member organizations
• Facilitate the capacity building of the Producer Organizations on business skills, financial management, leadership, and governance
• Facilitate market linkages for the producer organizations to implement the appropriate business model for each of the hubs
• Conduct monthly business review meetings with each of the hubs and advise on actions to top address any gaps noted.
• 5 Producer organizations supported to become functional dairy hubs.
• Business plans developed for each of the hubs and regularly reviewed to monitor the performance against targets.
• Comprehensive capacity building of 5 Producer organizations (hubs) developed on business skills, entrepreneurship, record keeping, Financial Management, Governance, and Leadership undertaken.
• 5 producer Organizations linked to sustainable markets.

 Project reporting (10%).

• Compile the monthly, quarterly and annual project progress reports and submit them on a timely manner.
• Compile the donor reports as requested by the donor through Solidaridad and submit them on schedule and in the recommended formats.
• Compile and submit a monthly business analysis report for each of the hubs supported by the project, making recommendations to address any issues noted.
• Monthly, Quarterly and annual project progress reports submitted on schedule using the right format s
• Donor reports are submitted as requested.
• Monthly Business Analysis reports for each of the hubs supported by the project submitted on schedule

Manage the delivery of farmer training by the technical resource persons (10%)

• With Support from the Animal Wellbeing Manager and the Training Manager, develop and manage the implementation of an extension system to ensure the target farmers are adequately trained according to the project plan.
• With support from the Training Manager, oversee the formation and strengthening of Dairy Interest Groups in the 5 hubs being supported by the project through Value-Based Community Development Approaches
• With support from the Animal Wellbeing Specialist and the Training Manager, oversee the capacity building Dairy Interest Groups on dairy husbandry, savings, and credit mobilization and group dynamics as planned in the project document.
• Extension systems developed and made operational in each of the Producer Organization being supported by the project.
• Dairy Interest Groups are formed and strengthened to become active in dairy-based activities with increased application of Value-Based Holistic Community Development approaches.
• Dairy Interest Groups are trained on Group dynamics, Savings and Credit Mobilization and technical aspects of dairy husbandry as planned in the project document.

Annual planning and budgeting (5%).

• Develop an overall project operational plan aligned to the project log frame that will guide in project implementation.
• Development and implementation of project workplans (monthly, quarterly) that are aligned to the project log frame
• Develop monthly and quarterly budgets aligned to the project workplan, and manage the spending as per the budgets
• Review Monthly and Quarterly Budget Monitoring reports and provide reports on status of the project spending
• On a quarterly basis, develop project procurement plans and submit to the procurement committee
• Overall project operational plan developed and implemented
• Project Workplans (monthly, quarterly) developed and implemented.
• Budgets (monthly, quarterly, annual projections) developed and managed ensuring spending variance is within +/- 10%
• Reports on status of monthly and quarterly project spending.
• Project procurement plans developed and shared with the procurement committee on a quarterly basis.

Private sector linkages, partnerships, and Collaboration (5%)

• Provide overall leadership in designing and implementing partnerships that will entail the provision of specialized business advisory services and training to address the commercial needs of various value chain actors within the Food for All project.
• Identify MFIs/Banks and other financial service providers ready to engage with producer organizations and agro entrepreneurs and assist in developing financing options with a view to increasing net returns to producer organizations
• Identify and facilitate the engagement of producer organizations and service providers in agro-inputs products, animal health, and AI services.
• Establish and maintain and close collaboration with the county government and other NGOs that will support the sustainability of the project interventions.
• Be the key contact and relationship manager between Heifer International and project partners at the field level and maintain a relationship management framework to cover joint planning, reporting, financial management, training, and all other relevant project field level outputs. • Partnerships developed and implemented to address different needs of producers in all the Producer Organizations being supported by the project
• Partnerships with other stakeholders such as County Government, NGOs, and other public and private sector actors developed and used to leverage the project initiatives while also supporting project sustainability.
• Producer Organizations and agro entrepreneurs providing services to farmers are linked to appropriated financing opportunities
• Producer Organizations being supported by the project are implementing checkoff systems to facilitate farmers to access agro-inputs, animal health, AI and other essential services to enhanced field-level relationships with the project partners.

Monitoring and Evaluation (5%).

• Develop and implement a system for monitoring the delivery and effectiveness of farmer training
• Tracking of the achievement of project outcomes
• Undertake quarterly technical reviews for project
• Collaborate with Project partners during the project evaluation activities
• Monitoring the project risks and issues and making recommendations of actions to address them • A system for monitoring the hub extension system developed and implemented.
• Project outcomes tracked and reported on a quarterly basis.
• Technical Reviews of the project, based on the M&E framework developed.
• Project issues and risks monitored and reported.

Program Development and Scaling Up of Hub Models (5%).

• Participate in the development of new initiatives including the scaling up of the Heifer Hub model in Kenya
• Support the documentation of the project model for its replication in other Heifer International Kenya Program areas.
• Regular document case studies and success stories for dissemination • Project model documented for future scale up and replication.
• Opportunities for future growth of the program in the County identified and shared with the country office.
• At least 3 case studies or success stories developed and submitted for dissemination.

Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor

• This will be dependent on the specific duties assigned

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in the fields of Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Development or other related fields, plus five (5) years in a mix of economic growth/trade, value chain competitiveness, investment promotion, or agriculture development.

Preferred Requirements:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in the fields of Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Development or other related fields, plus five (5) years in a mix of economic growth/trade, value chain competitiveness, investment promotion, or agriculture development.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ management level work experience.
• Significant experience in building public/private partnerships, preferably in the dairy sector.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting business, investment analyses, and capital budgeting and sufficient evidence on how the results were used to develop potentially viable business ideas and subsequently tangible businesses.
• Proven experience in building the capacity of partner institutions, manage knowledge, measure progress and plan and innovate within the dairy industry.
• Demonstrated experience in project management including in donor project budgets management, proposal development, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrated project reporting and donor reporting experience.

Most Critical Proficiencies:

• Strong project cycle management skills and financial management skills including planning, management of project budgets and reporting
• Strong business skills, leadership, strategic and innovation skills.
• Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness and ability to incorporate innovative solutions and design catalytic activities within the value chain (e.g. the concept of quality-based pricing, designing appropriate business models that link hubs to the markets directly etc.).
• Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in value chain development.
• Strong communication skills both in English, Swahili, and other local languages of the cluster area.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategies aimed at providing institutional capacity building’ to Producer Organizations with a view to building a more efficient, competitive, and sustainable dairy value chain. This requirement is in line with the need to have in-built ‘exit strategies’ within the project as a measure of ensuring that there are self-sustaining businesses by project end.
• Ability to manage training programs targeted at farmers in animal husbandry, feed, and health.
• Knowledge of and experience in setting up cottage industries for processing locally branded dairy products (e.g. cheese, butter, fortified milk and yogurt among others) for onward supply to niche and markets as well as implementing supply promotion/stimulation strategies in the context of dairy sub-sector.
• Experience in facilitating the establishment of strategic alliances and joint ventures with local and foreign processors.
• Knowledge of equity financing (e.g. venture capital and/or private equity investing).
• Strong computer literacy, preferably with Microsoft Office Suite.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to individuals diplomatically and tactfully.
• Ability to integrate financial services within a value chain with the view to foster trust and build a strong relationship between chain actors and financial service providers.
• Must be courteous, honest and of high integrity, especially in high-pressure situations.
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to relate to individuals and groups diplomatically and tactfully.
• Self-starter and self-motivator with the ability to work in a multicultural setting.
• Must be a team player and have the ability to execute and manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

go to method of application »

Description

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

FUNCTION
Accountable to provide substantive support for financial aspects of grant funded programs/projects. Accountable for the maintenance grant compliance and financial management, budgeting, and related systems. Accountable to implement best-practices in grant management and compliance and perform guided assessments of controls related to project financial activities, reporting and compliance. Accountable to monitor and facilitate control of project budgets, provide critical analysis of burn-rates to facilitate project management and change, and maintain clear communication with Programs and key implementing and/or funding partners. Accountable to apply and reinforce application of standards, policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS:
Financial Acumen; Manages Complexity; Action Oriented; Plans and aligns; Optimizes work processes; Ensures accountability; Drives results; Collaborates; Communicates effectively; Persuades; Courage; Situational adaptability

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES
Support the Programs in pre-award grant proposal development, review and negotiation. Provide support on post-award financial and accounting management to ensure compliance with donor agreements. Partner closely with the Department Head to chart the teams response to an ever-increasing demand for financial support and services.

• Proposal budget review and/or preparation
• Coordinate and monitor project burn-rates
• Monitor compliance with grant agreements.
• Monitor and/or prepare accurate and timely donor reporting, dashboards and other key donor deliverables
• Provide Programs with input on key financial aspects of programs/projects
• Complement ongoing documentation and implementation of industry standard grant management and compliance procedures
• Preparation and maintenance of accurate and timely periodic reporting, dashboards and other key deliverables to senior management
• Coordinate project budgeting and reforecasting among the Country program teams; manage cashflows efficiently; Regular and timely expenditure review
• Monitor donor agreement reporting dates and respond to compliance inquiries related to donor request.

Monitor regulatory and organizational compliance of project financial activities within the country program offices and support consolidation of financial statements.

• Continuously monitor and assess adequacy of country systems and procedures for transparent accounting, financial management and reporting.
• Coordinate and/or perform internal reviews to eliminate or reduce fraud opportunities, performing assurance and monitoring procedures.
• Facilitate independent external audits and other agreed-upon procedures as assigned, including auditor scheduling and communications, financial information requests, internal control questionnaires and follow-up
• Support implementation and institutionalization of Heifer’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, including capturing and sharing of best practices for cross-area replication and support.

May perform other job-related duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Management Accounting, Business Administration, or related field, plus seven (7) years of related experience or master's degree plus five (5) years of related experience.

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience in a donor-funded international development environment with compliance requirements of the U.S. government and institutional funders for international development, such USAID, EU, IFAD, DFID, mega-foundations and others.
• Project management experience, with project management certification a plus.
• Supervisory experience a plus.

Most Critical Proficiencies:

• Knowledge of the NGO business sector, including compliance requirements of the government; Knowledge of institutional funders for international development, a plus.
• Ability to navigate financial and non-financial data gathering and analytics; technically adept with ability to quickly learn and maximize usage of technology and software; effective user of Microsoft Office Suite with good skill in MS Excel.
• Effective communicator and influencer with ability to clearly convey complex financial issues in a clear format for non-finance professions, motivating continuous and collaborative improvement.
• Proficient in the local country generally accepted accounting principles and fiscal statutes.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

• Ability to work under pressure, perform multiple tasks and manage consistently competing priorities; comfortable in rapidly changing environment. Must be flexible and able to improvise to handle a variety of situations.
• Ability to effectively mentor and train individuals and teams using participatory methodologies. Strong facilitation skills preferred.
• Ability to work with delicate personnel situations and to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to maintain close relationships and work with team members from a distance and with limited opportunity for personal interaction.
• Constant sitting and working at a computer for extended periods of time.
• Constant face-to-face, electronic and telephone communication with colleagues and the general public.
• Ability to prepare documents and other materials in a well-designed and attractive format, with attention to detail
• Willingness and ability to work outside of normal business hours.
• Ability and willingness to travel both domestically and internationally.
• Adequate physical condition necessary to travel to project sites in rural areas.