Job Opportunities at Rainforest Alliance - 3 Positions

The Project Associate, Kenya, will coordinate the day-to-day activities under the Rainforest Alliance project entitled “Empowering Rural Communities and Households in Kenya with Renewable Energy”, in close coordination with Rainforest Alliance’s partners in the project, the Kenya Tea Development Agency and Living Earth. This project aims to promote the use of biomass briquettes in tea factories, as well as alternative and efficient biomass fuels and cookstoves across a section of the tea growing landscape.

It will also promote the distribution of energy access products such as solar lanterns through community-run energy enterprises. The Project Associate will provide training and support to Rainforest Alliance Certified™ tea factories and their associated farmers on alternative biomass fuels and technologies to be used in tea factories and in domestic settings, and provide support to Living Earth in setting up Household Energy Centres to manufacture and retail clean cooking fuels, as well as efficient cookstove and solar lighting technology.

S/he will also be responsible for coordinating and attending meetings with key stakeholders as well as field visits by other Rainforest Alliance member of the Landscapes & Livelihoods, Communications and Monitoring & Evaluation teams and partners.

Project Associate Job Responsibilities

• Facilitate an initial project needs assessment by a specialist consultant, including providing logistical support and introductions to key stakeholders;
• Provide support to Living Earth on the setting up and smooth operation of ten community energy enterprises, or Household Energy Centres, including providing technical and business training support as needed;
• Arrange and facilitate monthly project technical committee meetings with key stakeholders;
• Liaise with the relevant Kenya Tea Development Agency and biomass briquette central processing facility staff on technical issues related to biomass sourcing and correct use in factories;
• Support the development of training modules and materials on the correct use of biomass in factories and in domestic cookstoves, in collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance training manager;
• Organize, support and provide follow-up on project workshops and exchange visits with local stakeholders;
• Support the Rainforest Alliance technical specialists on M&E, project KPI and climate-related data collection and processing, including the use of portable electronic devices;
• Provide on-farm and centralized training in energy efficiency and energy access measures as contained within the 2017 SAN Standard to certificate holders, trainers and other local stakeholders;
• Provide the Programme Manager data and content for project reports on a quarterly basis;
• Support the Programme Manager to generate stories and case studies from the field for use in project reporting, Rainforest Alliance Communication and Fundraising; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications for the Project Associate Job

• BA or BS degree in agriculture, engineering, rural development, natural resource management, or related field;
• 4+ years of relevant field experience, with a minimum of two years’ work experience in providing training in energy access and/or energy efficiency technologies;
• First-hand knowledge of energy efficient cooking and/or solar lighting technology, its main market players and related distribution models;
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook with a demonstrated and working knowledge of PowerPoint;
• Written and verbal proficiency in English;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interact culturally, linguistically, and diplomatically with diverse internal and external individuals;
• Resourceful, detail-oriented, dependability, strong attention to detail;
• Driving License valid for Kenya; and
• Ability to travel a minimum of 40% per year in Kenya.

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The Programme Manager, Kenya, will lead the Rainforest Alliance project entitled “Empowering Rural Communities and Households in Kenya with Renewable Energy”, in close coordination with Rainforest Alliance’s partners in the project: the Kenya Tea Development Agency and Living Earth.

This project will promote the use of biomass briquettes in tea factories, as well as alternative and efficient biomass fuels and cookstoves across a section of the tea growing landscape. It will also promote the distribution of energy access products such as solar lanterns through community-run energy enterprises.

The Programme Manager will ensure the project progresses smoothly and successfully, on time and on budget. S/he will be responsible for managing implementing partnerships, sub grants and/or consulting agreements and lead meetings with key stakeholders.

S/he will also develop other external relations to build Rainforest Alliance’s work in Kenya and organise occasional visits by members of Rainforest Alliance’s internatioal teams.

Programme Manager Job Responsibilities

• Lead the successful implementation of the “Empowering Rural Communities and Households in Kenya with Renewable Energy” project:
• Recruit and manage an initial project needs assessment by a specialist consultant, in collaboration with Living Earth and key stakeholders;
• Ensure a successful project implementation by meticulously planning and overseeing all project phases and stewarding positive and productive working relationships with key project partners and stakeholders;
• Initiate and oversee training events and meetings regarding alternative and efficient biomass fuels and technologies, in collaboration with the Kenya Tea Development Agency and Living Earth;
• Ensure adequate support to Living Earth on the setting up and smooth operation of ten community energy enterprises, or Household Energy Centres, including providing technical and business training support as needed;
• Maintain timely project management procedures: arrange and facilitate quarterly project steering committee meetings with key stakeholders and complete narrative and financial project reports on a quarterly basis;
• Lead the relationship with key Kenya Tea Development Agency and biomass briquette central processing facility senior staff on agreements and policies related to biomass sourcing and correct use in factories;
• Oversee the development of training modules and materials on the correct use of biomass in factories and in domestic cookstoves, in collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance training manager;
• Lead project workshops and exchange visits with local stakeholders, ensuring that they and certificate holders understand the link between the project and energy efficiency and energy access measures as contained within the 2017 SAN Standard;
• Oversee an effective and timely contribution to the project by the Rainforest Alliance technical specialists on M&E, Livelihoods and Climate, and provide quality control on relevant data generated under the project; and
• Support the Africa Director in exploring and proposing further projects to scale-up an alternative energy programme to other regions in Kenya.

Qualifications for the Programme Manager Job

• BA or BS degree in agriculture, engineering, rural development, natural resource management, or related field;
• Masters’ degree preferred;
• 7-10 years of relevant field experience, with demonstrable skills in project planning and tracking, troubleshooting, budget management, team leadership and report-writing;
• A minimum of four years’ work experience in the energy access and/or energy efficiency sector;
• Knowledge of energy efficient cooking and/or solar lighting technology, its main market players and related distribution models;
• Good understanding of value chain and experience working with farming and/or forestry businesses;
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook with a demonstrated and working knowledge of PowerPoint;
• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills;
• Written and verbal proficiency in English required;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interact culturally, linguistically, and diplomatically with diverse internal and external individuals;
• Initiative, self-motivated, resourceful, detail-oriented, dependability, strong attention to detail;
• Knowledge of, and commitment to environmental issues and sustainability practices;
• Full, clean driving license valid for Kenya; and
• Ability to travel a minimum of 40% per year in Kenya.

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The Coordinator will undertake the finance and administration tasks for the Rainforest Alliance project entitled “Empowering Rural Communities and Households in Kenya with Renewable Energy”, in close coordination with Rainforest Alliance’s partners in the project, the Kenya Tea Development Agency and Living Earth.

The Coordinator will be responsible for preparing the project budgets and financial reports and for providing administrative support to the project team and the Global Administration unit in the running of the project office. S/he will have the support of international colleagues in accounting, finance and global administration.

Project Administration Coordinator Job Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Programme Manager, Project Associate and project partners, Living Earth and Kenya Tea Development Agency, to provide support in administration, logistics and finance for project activities;
• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial project reports, including liaising with sub-grantees to generate accurate and timely quarterly financial reports;
• In coordination with Manager, Global Administration, oversee general facilities management and contract administration, including office and office lease, equipment setup and maintenance, procurement and smooth running of services such as internet, telephone, security, etc.;
  Administer inventory and equipment management;
• Coordinate with Accounting for the timely processing of lease payments, taxes, insurance policies, vendor invoices, and travel expense reports, in line with Finance and Administration policies and procedures;
• Arrange travel for the field office staff and visitors, as required; and ensure compliance with office(s) security and emergency plans; Ensure an organized, neat office space;
• Maintain, update, and communicate office(s) security and emergency plans; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications for the Project Administration Coordinator Job

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field;
• 2+ years of experience in project finance administration, operations, or related;
• Professional experience with finance and accounting, forecasting, budgeting, and contractual management;
• Solid knowledge of procurement processes and regulations;
• Advanced user of Microsoft Excel;
• Written and verbal proficiency in English;
• Ability to handle sensitive information confidentially;
• Experience in a global work environment and/or international nonprofit organization preferred;
• Ability to work within a team structure as well as independently, be creative, take initiative, and possess excellent interpersonal communication skills; and
• Ability to work in a multicultural, diverse, and highly performance-driven environment.