Job Opportunities at Heifer International

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 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 fill in the position of the Food for All Project Coordinator.

Responsibilities for the Project Coordinator Jobs:

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
• Manage 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 establishment of project management structures at the project, Hub and collection center levels
• Profile and develop a data base of all the potential resource persons in the project area that the project can utilize to provide specialized trainings once need arises
• 
Develop and implement sustainability plans for the project

Deliverables:

• All the temporary employees and partners engaged to work for the project are effectively managed to achieve their targets
 Over 80 % of the planned milestones achieved by end each quarter 
Project resources for Food
• All Project maintained in good condition throughout the project period
• Project Management structures operational and meetings documented which will include the Project Management Committee, Group Coordination Committee and Group Management Committees at least 6 months after the project start up
• Project Sustainability and exit plans developed and implemented by the fourth year of the project implementation
• A data base of local resources developed and used to guide in engagement of external resources persons to support in implementation of certain trainings by the first quarter after the start of project implementation

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 work plans (monthly, quarterly) that are aligned to the project log frame
• Develop monthly and quarterly budgets aligned to the project work plan, and manage the spending as per the budgets
Review the 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

Deliverables:

• Overall project operational plan developed and implemented by the first month after start of project implementation
• Project Work plans (monthly, quarterly) developed and implemented as per the schedule
 Budgets (monthly, quarterly, annual projections) developed and managed ensuring spending variance is within +/- 10%
• 
Reports on status of monthly and quarterly project spending developed every month
• Project procurement plans developed and shared with the procurement committee on a quarterly basis

Project reporting ( 10%)

• Compile the monthly, Quarterly and annual project progress reports and submit them on schedule
• 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

Deliverables:

• Monthly, Quarterly and annual project progress reports submitted on schedule using the right formats
• Donor reports submitted whenever requested using the specified formats
• Monthly Business Analysis reports for each of the hubs supported by the project submitted on schedule

Private sector linkages, partnerships and Collaboration ( 5%)

• Provide overall leadership in designing and implementing partnerships that will entail 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 increase 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.

Deliverables:

• At least 3 Partnerships developed and implemented to address different needs of producers in all the Producer Organizations by June 2020
• 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.
• 
5 Producer Organizations and agro entrepreneurs providing services to farmers are linked to appropriated financing opportunities by end of the first year of project implementation.
• 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 by end of the second year of project implementation. 
Enhanced field level relationship with the project partners

Producer Organizations Capacity Building ( 30%)

• Facilitate the transformation of producer organizations (POs) into formal collective enterprises that stimulate rural dairy business hubs
• Producer Organizations supported to install and utilize milk equipment, ensuring their utilization is above 75%
• A total of 10,000 farmers mobilized to join 5 producer organizations by end of the project
• Facilitate development of business planning guidelines and conduct strategic business planning sessions for member organizations
• Facilitate the capacity building of the 5 Producer Organizations on business skills, financial management, leadership and governance
• Facilitate market linkages for the 5 producer organizations in order 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 address any gaps noted.

Deliverables:

• 
 5 Producer organizations supported to become functional dairy hubs by June 2020
 By June 2020 at least 5 producer organizations supported with milk cooling equipment and other infrastructural support according to the project proposal, ensuring utilization of these facilities is over 75%.
 10,000 farmers mobilized to join 5 producer organizations by June 2020
Business
• Plans developed for each of the hubs and regularly reviewed to monitor the performance against targets by the first 4 months after the start of project implementation
Comprehensive capacity building of
• 5 Producer organizations (hubs) developed on business skills, entrepreneurship, record keeping, Financial Management, Governance and Leadership undertaken by end of the first 6 months of project implementation.
• 5 producer Organizations linked to sustainable markets by end of the first year of project implementation
• One monthly business review meeting held with each of the hubs and actions to address any gaps noted identified
• Manage the delivery of farmer trainings by the technical resource persons (10%)

Manage the delivery of farmer trainings 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

Deliverables:

• 10,000 farmers trained on dairy production by June 2020
 By June 2020, at least 500 TOTs trained and mobilized to train 45,000 farmers on group dynamics
Extension systems developed and made operational in each of the
• Producer Organization being supported by the project by end of the second year of project implementation
 Dairy Interest Groups are formed and strengthened to become active in dairy based activities with increased application of Value Based Holistic Community
• Development approaches by end of the first year of project implementation
All Dairy Interest Groups are trained on Group dynamics, Savings and Credit Mobilization and technical aspects of dairy husbandry as planned in the project document.

Monitoring and Evaluation ( 5%).Work closely with the M&E officer to:

• Develop and implement a system for monitoring the delivery and effectiveness of farmer trainings
 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

Deliverables:

• 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%)

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

Deliverables:

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

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,
• Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in value chain designing appropriate business models that link hubs to the markets directly etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategies aimed at providing institutional capacity building’ to Producer Organizations with a view to build 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.
• Knowledge of and experience in setting up cottage industries for processing locally branded dairy products (e.g. cheese, butter, fortified milk and yoghurt 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 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 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 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.

Requirements for the Project Coordinator Jobs:

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

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Function:

• The Enterprise Development Manager position contributes to the Heifers strategic priority of scaling up the impact of our work through the development of strong and sustainable farmer business organizations.
• Reporting to the Director of Programs the Enterprise Development Manager will be responsible for ensuring that project participants, self-help groups, cooperatives, and associations have the knowledge and skills to develop and run successful enterprises and cooperatives.
• In close collaboration and coordination with the Project Coordinators, He/she will ensure successful, innovative, efficient, and effective functioning of all enterprise hubs and cooperatives in the Kenya Country Program through effective business planning, business training and developing private sector linkages in collaboration with other departments towards achieving the common goal.

Essential character traits:

 Self-starter, innovative and entrepreneurial with strong self-management skills.

Responsibilities for the Enterprise Development Manager Jobs:

•  To be responsible for providing thee strategic inputs into all the Country Programme Business Development Work ( 40%)
• Review the Kenya Country Programme Business Development work and within the first 6 months develop the strategic goals and outputs for the Programme in Business Development.
• Annually update and track the progress towards the business goals and plans for Kenya in Dairy, Poultry and Beef programme areas.
• Coordinate and document all the economic analysis and value chain studies for the country projects for the all new and proposed projects including K-MAP, Food for All and DANIDA.
• Develop an appropriate training package for business training for the Country Programme that includes 4 modules in business planning, business skills, strategic planning and entrepreneurship training modules for use by the Country Program in training producer organizations, farmer groups and farmers.
• Undertake with the support of the Training Manager a biannual review of the training materials and delivery processes to ensure the effectiveness of Heifer Kenya Business training Programmes.
  Develop and annually update a list of partnerships with business organizations, academic institutions and experts and trainers to be employed in the capacity building of partners, cooperatives and farmers.
• 

 Design and develop for each of Heifer Kenya current (5) and proposed (2) projects the models for business implementation and contribute to the establishment of functional market structures for all projects (Collection Centers, Processing Units, Chilling and Bulking Centers) as appropriate to the commodities the projects promote.
• Support the operationalization and tracking of business and marketing plans for all the 5 current projects producer organizations through joint planning, monitoring, and collaboration with the Training Manager, Animal Wellbeing Manager and Project Coordinators.
• To contribute to improved governance and management of farmer producer organizations and cooperatives(30%).
• 
Facilitate and develop a coherent country programme and process for engaging with self- help groups, clusters and pre-cooperative associations to develop strong farmer producer organizations.
• Design, operationalize and annually review the capacity assessment process to be employed by the Country Programme in engaging groups, associations and cooperatives.
• Develop an institutional framework for cooperatives and cooperative associations and other apex entities with clear linkages with the individual cooperatives and SHGs
• Design Country programme guidelines for the formation, management and governance of self-help groups, cooperatives and associations.
• Design and develop a Capacity Building Programme to deliver governance, strategic planning, financial management, conflict management and human resource management training to boards, management and staff for groups, associations and cooperatives in the Heifer Kenya Country Programmes.
• Monitor and provide a semi-annual tracking report of the growth and development in governance, management and overall development of all self-help groups, cooperatives and associations in the Kenya Country Projects.
• Develop amongst groups, association and cooperatives strong cooperative Values and Principles ( 20%).
• 
Facilitate the development of a cooperative/producer association values and principles orientation kit that incorporates Heifer’s Cornerstones.
Develop linkages with the relevant national and county governments to support the registration, training and compliance with cooperative and groups operation guideline for all Heifer Kenya producer groups, cooperatives and associations.
Support and guide all the cooperatives under the current 5 projects to conduct quarterly PSRPs reinforcing values and tracking overall cooperative growth and development.
• Collaboration towards a common goal( 10%)
• Work as an integral part of the Heifer Kenya team in close coordination with the Project
• Coordinators, Training Manager and Animal Wellbeing Manager and the Programme Director to contribute to the achievement of Heifer Kenya’s business goals.
• Participate in the new project design and in the implementation of all Heifer Kenya enterprise development related Training of Trainers activities.
• Work in close coordination with the Project Coordinators and Animal Well-Being Manager on quality assurance and control for all livestock-based products for processing, packaging, marketing, and distribution.
 Develop increased knowledge and understanding of Heifer International programs through participation in cross learning and biannual co-mentoring activities to exchange experiences with other countries and programs on the issues of hunger and poverty
  Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor
• This will be dependent on the specific duties assigned

Most Critical Proficiencies:

• Knowledge of and experience in agro-enterprise, commodity value-chain and cooperative development
• Knowledge of and experience with or within community organizations
• Knowledge of the non-profit sector and the context in which non-profit organizations operate
• Fluent in national language/s and English, both spoken and written
• Good leadership qualities
• Good communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills including strong attention to detail
• Skills with Microsoft Office Suite, internet browser, and other appropriate technology.

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 strong relationship between chain actors and financial service providers.
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills with ability to relate to individuals and groups
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality
• Motivated to work responsibly with little supervision
• Ability to meet and deal with others in a courteous and tactful manner, especially in high-pressure situations.
• Demonstrate a high degree of honesty and integrity
• Constant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues and the general public
• Constant sitting, standing and walking, with occasional bending and lifting; may work at a computer for extended periods of time
• Ability and willingness to work with a flexible schedule
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively, both locally and internationally
• Ability to foster and maintain a spirit of unity, teamwork and cooperation
• Sensitivity in working with multiple cultures and beliefs, and to gender equity

Requirements for the Development Manager Jobs:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Agribusiness or Agricultural Economics with at least (5) years proven experience in setting up and running an Agribusiness Enterprise(s), specifically, livestock enterprises and cooperative developments.
• At least five (5) years’ experience in fields related to agro-enterprise development (specifically livestock enterprises) and cooperative development.

Preferred Requirements:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in the fields of Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Enterprise Development or other related field, 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.

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The Role:

• The Finance & Administrative Assistant is the first contact point to visitors, consultants, and partners. S/he is primarily responsible for the day to day operations providing support to the senior management team, Nairobi office and the project by maintaining systems of accountability, establishing and maintaining communications between program offices as well as partners and performing basic administrative tasks as assigned.
• S/he will develop procedures which promote financial discipline to meet organizational goals as well as maintaining an efficient document retrieval systems/he will also assist with financial and accounting aspects of the country program office and processing of routine financial transactions in accordance with Heifer’s policies and procedures.
  Intellectually Curious, Professional judgement, Effective communicator, pragmatic, inspirational and Team player.

Responsibilities fro the The Finance & Admin Jobs:

• 
Act as initial point of contact for the main office by responding to both internal and external inquiries/requests.(30%)
  Handling and making follow up on all incoming and outgoing correspondences.
Receiving and directing visitors.
Receiving calls at the reception
• Working closely with the Administrator and travel agents to ensure that visits to the projects are managed smoothly, professionally and efficiently. (15%)
• Making hotel reservations for staff and visitors.
 Organizing for airport transfers
 Assist with permit for staff attending workshops and conferences abroad.
• 
Manage a functional and organized office filing system to ensure that the project documents and records are appropriately filed and secured for easy retrieval. (20%)
• 
Files are created for each project
All relevant documentation for each project is filed immediately its received.
• All Finance documents are filed in the relevant month.
• Scanning and uploading vouchers into Agresso when they are posted. These vouchers include suppliers invoices, receipts, LPOs, field trip reports and travel authorizations (15%)
• Scanning all vouchers that are approved in finance and labeling as per the transaction number.
Uploading the same into Agresso.
• Submitting weekly report to the supervisor on the status of document archiving in Agresso.
• Preparation of cheques, photocopying them and filing as per Africa Area program procedures. (20%)
• Preparing cheques for suppliers
 Photocopying the same and filing in the payment voucher files.
 Recording cheques in the cheque book register.
• Any other task as assigned by the supervisor.

Most Critical Proficiencies:

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Knowledge of the non-profit sector and the context to which non-profit organizations operate.
• Exemplary customer care and administrative skills
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Strong English language skills – oral and written.
• Knowledge and experience with word processing, spreadsheets, database, newsletter, and electronic mail software (Microsoft Office preferred).
• Excellent keyboarding skills.

Job Functions:

• May require constant sitting; working at a computer for extended periods of time.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work cooperatively, tactfully and diplomatically with culturally diverse group of people.
• Ability to produce accurate documents in a well-designed and attractive format with superior attention to detail.
• May require occasional bending and lifting of up to 20 pounds (9 kilograms) floor to waist.
• Ability to operate all standard office equipment including copiers, scanners, fax machines and printers.
• Ability to establish priorities, achieve deadlines and make sound judgments.
• Ability to perform as an effective team member and work cooperatively with a diverse staff.
• Ability to work independently and perform multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Constant telephone, face-to-face and electronic communication with colleagues and the general public.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to work with minimal supervision.

 Requirements for the Finance & Admin Jobs:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent Diploma with three (3) years of hands-on related experience.
• Practical experience in various aspects of accounting principles and practices with a good understanding of Generally Accepted
• Accounting Principles(GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).