Job Openings at SNV Netherlands Development Organisation | SNV Kenya - 2 Positions

Background

The Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Programme is a 5-year, € 39 million project being implemented in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The project uses an inclusive Business Development approach to support the international and Dutch efforts on climate change and sustainable production in arable farming. The programme will work with and through the private sector and supports public sector partners in creating an institutional environment for wide-scale adoption of CSA-practices. It is driven by 3 pillars: i) adoption of CSA practices & technologies in arable crop production farming systems; ii) acceleration of investments and business growth in selected value chains; iii) improved enabling environment for scaling out of CSA. Interventions are centered on business cases which are derived from a thorough climate risk assessment and financial analysis of value chains in pulses, oilseeds, potatoes and grains. A climate smart business case matching grant facility aims to further improve access to finance and facilitate scaling. The programme is implemented by a consortium consisting of SNV, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the CGIAR research programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), Agriterra and Rabobank, and is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS).

The Agribusiness Expert / Country Programme Manager has the responsibility of the development and implementation of business cases whereby climate smart agriculture interventions are integrated into the value chain from an agronomic, financial and inclusion perspective. Prioritised value chain commodities are pulses, oilseed and grains. The Agribusiness expert will identify and support business cases for the co-investment fund and broker access to finance and investment of the businesses. S/he will coordinate and work with financial institutional partners to scale climate smart investments. The agribusiness expert / country programme manager will take on delegated responsibility of in-country programme management from the overall programme manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and contribute to value chains and climate risk assessments of prioritised commodities (pulses, oilseed, potatoes and grains);
• Identify business cases for the co-investment fund;
• Support agribusinesses to develop the business cases;
• Establish appraisal criteria for the co-investment fund, design milestone based payment scheme and contribute to the assessment of the business cases;
• Coordinate with the fund manager the planning and disbursement of grant funds;
• Support the implementation and roll-out of business cases;
• Broker access to finance and investments between SME’s and financial institutions;
• Monitor and report the performance of the business cases as per the set milestones;
• Advise financial institutions on climate smart business investments to leverage climate finance money;
• Set-up of coaching programs on agribusiness management for female entrepreneurs and youth;
• Support agribusiness platforms to promote, advise and jointly agree on climate proofing value chains, policy recommendations and climate smart investments;
• Manage the in-country programme in all aspects of project management: budgets, human resource, activities and reporting;
• Oversee and support country programme implementation and report to the programme manager.

• A relevant academic qualification: Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics or Business Administration;
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience of working with or in Agribusiness, preferably in the prioritised commodities (pulses, oilseed, potatoes and grains);
• Knowledge of the prioritized commodities preferably at global level and in East Africa;
• Experience in value chain development and agribusiness finance, preferable experience with climate finance;
• Ability and demonstrated experience of designing  and appraising business cases;
• Experience in female and youth entrepreneurship programs;
• Strong agribusiness relationship management experience and focus with the ability to stimulate trust and confidence with clients and investors including managing various stakeholders;
• Understanding of climate change risk management and inclusion of smallholder producers into the supply chain;
• Excellent communication (written and oral), reporting and presentation skills;
• Proven experience in managing projects: Financial, Personnel and Operations;
• Flexible approach to take on additional responsibilities as assigned/delegated;
• Willingness to travel to all project locations;
• Excellent organising, negotiation, influencing and advisory/coaching skills.

This is a full-time national role with the successful candidate being contracted on a 3-year basis with the possibility of renewal. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a competitive secondary benefit package.

Background

The Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) Programme is a 5-year, € 39 million project being implemented in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The project uses an inclusive Business Development approach to support the international and Dutch efforts on climate change and sustainable production in arable farming. The programme will work with and through the private sector and supports public sector partners in creating an institutional environment for wide-scale adoption of CSA-practices. It is driven by 3 pillars: i) adoption of CSA practices & technologies in arable crop production farming systems; ii) acceleration of investments and business growth in selected value chains; iii) improved enabling environment for scaling out of CSA. Interventions are centered on business cases which are derived from a thorough climate risk assessment and financial analysis of value chains in pulses, oilseeds, potatoes and grains. A climate smart business case matching grant facility aims to further improve access to finance and facilitate scaling. The programme is implemented by a consortium consisting of SNV, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the CGIAR research programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), Agriterra and Rabobank, and is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS).

The Programme Finance Manager has the responsibility to support and strengthen the project team in managing financial and non-financial data for the Climate Smart Agriculture Programme. S/he will ensure   accounting and reporting regulations using data and input from colleagues aimed at a complete and up to date insight on the financial performance of the programme. The position holder will also perform administrative work and maintain appropriate internal controls and financial records of the programme. S/he will collect, record (financial) data into systems, analyze, take appropriate actions in case of deviations, prepare the financial reports including HR and/or project related data to the donor and to SNV according the donor- and SNV project management, accounting- and control framework policies and procedures and under guidance and directions of the Programme Manager in order to ensure full administrative compliance, data accessibility and accurate insights at any time for the Programme. The Programme Finance Manager will work in close collaboration with the project and finance officers in the countries as well as with the Country Finance Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensures monitoring and execution of financial and related activities in the 3 target countries e.g. annual budgeting, administration, procurement and logistics in line with all applicable legislations and regulations and applicable guidelines;
• Collects, reviews, analyses and interprets (trends in) financial and non-financial data, drafts financial and administrative reports on project/fund/donor financial and non-financial indicators, using the corporate reporting formats and within donor guidelines;
• Prepares and communicates on budgets, communicates and monitors procedures, guidelines and work instructions for financial administration for the programme;
• Checks and consolidates financial data for the programme/fund, ensures processing of accounts payable and accounts receivable, tax related requirements, carries out reconciliation of administrations, manages the ledger accounts as well as manages and maintains cash and liquidity levels, aligned to financial regulations, SNV financial standards and donor requirements;
• Provides financial data and analyses to relevant internal and external parties as input for further decision-making and handling as well as answers questions regarding financial administration and data, based on requests and procedures;
• Conducts internal compliance, identifies and addresses risk areas and implements measures to minimise the risk of irregularities in consultation with the Programme Manager;
• Monitoring of all financial transactions according to donor and SNV authorisations and procedures, especially the procurement regulations;
• Ensures accurate and timely financial reports to donor;
• Prepare, check and communicate forecasts and project depletion of the programme.

• Seasoned level of financial professional, with strong experience in Finance and audit and full understanding of the core financial and accountancy processes and can acts as discussion partner on project level for financial matters;
• Advanced financial degree and professional accounting qualifications. Masters’ in Business Administration (Accounting or Finance)
• At least 5-7 years at senior level in finance responsibilities for an international organisations or private institutions;
• Conceptual working and thinking level with several years of experience in finance and administration;
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of donor regulations and compliance issues related to management of donor funds;
• Experience in Grant accounting/management;
• Proven experience in risk management;
• Attention to details, preciseness in the execution of tasks, solution-oriented working approach and negotiation;
• Excellent communication and organisation skills, including the ability to articulate financial data to non-financial audience;
• Ability to establish and maintain working relations in a multi-cultural environment;
• Proficiency /Knowledge of Microsoft Office and skill in the use of Excel, including complex/compound spreadsheets and other accounting package is essential;
• Experience in SAP/SAP by Design system is a clear advantage;
• Excellent command of English language both written and spoken.

This is a full-time national role with the successful candidate being contracted on a 3-year basis with the possibility of renewal. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a competitive secondary benefit package.