Openings at TechnoServe Kenya

Key roles and responsibilities;
Technical Duties

• Support the execution of stakeholder engagement and operational plan for program node
• Coordinate stakeholder convenings and sector-wide training, in collaboration with the Program Manager and in alignment with strategic objectives
• Work with selected food processors to identify their challenges to adequate fortification compliance, support assisted companies with solutions to address these challenges and coordinate with Strategic Fortification Partners (SFPs) to execute Techincal Assistance (TA)
• Identify common fortification challenges and work with the TAAP team to support the design and delivery of sector-wide training workshops to strengthen these gaps
• Review, monitor, and report on all programmatic activities including periodic progress, and financial reports, ensuring strict compliance with Techno’s objectives, strategies, policies and procedures. Make appropriate recommendations on the implementation plan

Key Organizational Relationships

• The Food Technologist will report directly to the Program Manager on strategic issues related to work planning, targets, budgets, staff and program delivery
• The Food Technologist will receive technical oversight and support from the Program Manager and the Strategic Fortification Partners (SFP) with respect to training and technology transfer to assisted companies

Skills & Attributes

• Food processing experience, preferably in staple foods, with an understanding of quality management, food regulatory compliance and fortification technology
• Strong project management and strategic thinking abilities
• Analytical mind and commitment to quality; rigorous approach with a high level of attention to detail.

Core competencies

• Proven ability to work in an environment requiring collaboration with the private sector, government, and national and international organizations
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, both written and verbal
• Flexible, proactive, goal-oriented and with a willingness to travel in challenging environments.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
• Ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates good judgment, problem-solving, and creativity
• Organizing, planning and time management
• Teamwork/relationship – works cooperatively and flexibly with other members of the team with the full understanding of the role to be played as a team member or leader

Required skills and experiences:

• At least 3 years of experience working in the food industry for either the private sector or implementing on behalf of a development program, with strong quality management experience a must
• Managerial experience, including supervision of staff, budget management and use of project management systems
• Bachelor’s in Food Technology, Nutrition, or food industry related fields; Master’s preferred
• Computer literacy with excellent Excel, MS Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint skills
• Excellent command of spoken and written English is essential
• Working knowledge of Swahili is highly desirable
• Ability and willingness to travel both locally and abroad

go to method of application »

Key roles and responsibilities:
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

• Coordinate and manage portfolio of TAAP companies
• Liaise with, communicate, and coordinate with TAAP processors/clients for scoping/diagnostic meetings in production facilities.
• Strategically maintain and develop relationships between the global private sector partners and TAAP processors in Kenya
• Develop strategies for effective tracking and monitoring of B2B matches between the TAAP processors and global partners in achieving set goals.
• Effectively capture mutually beneficial scope of work between the global partners and TAAP processors in Kenya.
• Prepare high-quality, rigorous reports and other materials to communicate the performance of TAAP Kenya
• When necessary, represent TAAP Kenya at meetings and conferences and all stakeholders
• Support the preparation of materials on TAAP Kenya for donors and public
• Provide technical and operational assistance to TAAP Kenya Manager (SFPM) and TAAP processors
• Contribute to concept development and fundraising proposals
• Support the Senior Food Processing/Fortification Manager and others to ensure that all TAAP program activities are completed according to the implementation timeframe and budget
• Implement innovative project management solutions to ensure constant communication and smooth and timely budget disbursements
• Support the exploration and building of new partnerships to reach program targets while demonstrating innovation and creative thinking in the face of complex situations.

Event Planning and Coordination

• Support stakeholder coordination efforts related to stakeholder convenings in form of Sector Wide Trainings-SWT, Validation workshops, CEO forum and other program learning events.
• Prepare concept notes, budgets, venue, and RSVP for planned events
• Prepare meeting notes and follows up on action items as discussed in preparation for scheduled events service providers/ consultants.
• Contribute to the development of relevant marketing materials to be presented for scheduled events with support from TechnoServe staff in the Home Office.
• Work with SFPM to identify and confirm attendees of these events, providing additional adequate briefs to participants when necessary. This should also include active tracking of RSVPs and follow up as required for the events.
• Ensures that s/he contributes the analysis of various platform options and IT support plan, by working with internal TechnoServe departments and external resources
• Prepare a run of show for the events as required
• Support program team to send follow-up emails and secure time to meet/ brief key representatives
• Most importantly, the selected applicant will be responsible for the following:
• Strategy – contribute to the development of the overall planning approach for the events, including goals, structure, theme, logistics, budget, and timeline.
• Logistics – Meeting platform and date selection; run-of-show development and support; working with vendors including IT consultants if needed
• Operation Support- Identifying and contracting appropriate vendors capable of providing necessary support for quality execution.
• Any other duties as assigned from time to time.

Competencies (Skills And Attributes):

• Excellent project management and strategic thinking abilities
• Strong analytical and technical abilities
• Negotiation and advocacy skills
• Ability to use initiative, prioritize, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines
• Ability to operate within the corporate and public sectors to effectively liaise with private companies, development agencies, and governments in multiple cultures
• Ability to manage contractors to deliver high quality results
• Clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates good judgment, expert problem solving, and creativity
• Strong communication skills in multicultural, multi-lingual environment
• Flexible, goal oriented and willingness to travel in challenging environments
• IT literate with exposure and experience in using basic office packages ((Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint)
• Ability to use other program management technology packages is an added advantage.

Required skills and experiences:

• Bachelors or Master’s degree in Nutrition, Food Science, Business Administration, Economics or a suitable equivalent.
• At least 3 years’ experience delivering:
• Project Management: Developing an effective strategy related to the overall planning approach for the event, including goals, structure, theme, logistics, budget, and timeline. This also includes the identification appropriate vendors capable of providing necessary support for quality execution.
• Conference Production and Logistics: Venue and date selection; run-of-show development and support; working with vendors including caterers and audio visual
• Branding and Communications Strategy: of technical concepts in a clear, compelling, and concise manner and constructing messages that are accessible to a range of audiences. This will also include development of solutions to support a variety of business needs including brand awareness, promotion, lead generation as well as user relationship building.
• Content Development and Editing: Taking full responsibility for the development of content for timely dissemination and ensuring the development of communications products meeting project standards on structure, clarity, and persuasiveness.
• Media Relations: Demonstrates comprehensive understanding of current media channels and tools, including social media. This entails conducting research for target audience and strategic goal setting.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication is also vital in this role, evidence of a role managing and communicating with senior managers and personnel on a range of project subjects, as is a role in dealing with potential clients, vendors and third parties.
• Stakeholder Management: Demonstrable evidence of applying and understanding general principles around outreach to various stakeholder groups such as private sector companies, government institutions, and development partners.