Description

Heifer International is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) whose mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. We work with farmers and their communities to identify opportunities that deliver living incomes, creating solutions to local challenges that are designed to build inclusive, resilient economies. With Increased productivity of livestock and crops, farmers provide for their families and improve the health of their communities.

The Kenya Livestock Marketing and Resilience Project (KLMP) is part of the Heifer Project International Kenya (HPIK) Signature Program, Practice for Change (P4C), targeting the Kenya Livestock Sector. The overall goal of KLMP is to strengthen the production and marketing systems for improved livelihoods and resilience among 38,000 poultry and beef-producing households, moving them towards achieving a living income.

The project strengthens production and productivity, leverages digital technology, promotes blended financing, and mobilizes strategic partnerships for catalytic investments in favor of behavior and social norms change for increased resilience, income, and improved practices within the beef and poultry ecosystem. The project activities will be implemented in nine counties in Kenya, with an operational hub in Nairobi and Eldoret, and satellite offices in Kajiado and Isiolo.

FUNCTION

The Enterprise Development Coordinator will share his or her operational experience with a start-up or a small and growing business with other departments toward the common goal of ensuring that project participants, self-help groups, cooperatives, and unions have the knowledge and skills to develop and run successful enterprises and cooperatives. The Enterprise Development Coordinator will report to the Project Manager.

This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS

Heifer International Kenya is looking for an energetic, positive, team player, result-orientated, quality-orientated, collaborative, pragmatic, and inspirational leader.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES

A. Enterprise Development (50%)

• Design and manage the implementation of the enterprise development strategy, along with reviewing and updating it as appropriate.
• Work closely with the field coordinators and technical experts to design and update training packages/modules, business plans, and sustainability models, and training materials for different levels.
• Conduct capacity assessment and develop capacity development plans for the producer organizations.
• Mentor and coach producer organizations on business and entrepreneurship development.
• Offer technical support in exploring business opportunities along the value chain of the selected commodity and in preparing business plans for cooperatives, self-help groups, common interest groups, and farm families.
• Build innovation in business development for smallholder farmers, cooperatives, etc., to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Coordinate value chain studies of selected commodities as required.
• Coordinate economic analysis of proposed enterprises along the relevant value chain.
• Offer technical support in establishing and operating market structures (e.g., collection centers, market centers, processing facilities, chilling centers, etc.)
• Provide support in establishing marketing information systems among value chain actors.
• Prepare periodic reports and document best practices and lessons learned.

B. Stakeholder Management (15%)

• Actively facilitate and monitor pre-cooperative/producer association orientation activities in the self-help groups and clusters as they develop into Farmer Owned Agribusinesses (FOABs) and Cooperatives.
• Facilitate farmer groups in the formation of cooperatives and FOABS.
• Design, develop, and deliver training packages/modules.
• Provide technical support in formalizing FOABs.
• Develop an institutional framework for FOABs with clear linkages to the self-help groups.
• Develop guidelines for the formation, management and governance of FOABs.
• Facilitate the capacity building of the FOABs and management in effective and efficient decision-making, financial management, human resource management, operation, strategic planning and implementation, conflict management and democratic governance.
• Facilitate the partnership between the producer organizations and other partners/stakeholders.

C. Cooperative Values and Principles (15%)

• Actively facilitate the development of a producer association values and principles orientation kit that incorporates Heifer’s Cornerstones and cooperatives act and by-laws.
• Facilitate the producer/cooperative associations in the orientation of new non-Heifer members to fully understand principles and values.
• Guide cooperatives in establishing a system for the fair distribution of benefits.
• Guide cooperatives to be competitive in the ecosystem.
• Guide cooperatives in conducting periodic PSRP and reinforcing values

D. Planning, Reporting, and Documentation (10%)

• Develop and share monthly, quarterly, and annual Business performance and progress reports with the Project Manager for submission to the Country office.
• Participate in all project team and national business meetings, to help plan, and deliver on the project objectives as appropriate.
• Participate in learning forums at the county and regional level, and best practices are documented and shared.

E. Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor (10%)

• This will be dependent on the specific duties assigned

Minimum Requirements

1. Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in the fields of Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Rural Development, Enterprise Development, or another related field.
2. Five (5) years of field and technical experience with the commercial sector, agribusiness development in a mix of economic growth/trade, value chain competitiveness, investment promotion, or agriculture development. Experience in the implementation of development projects using market systems approach is desired.

Preferred Requirements

1. Significant experience in identifying and building public/private partnerships, preferably in the agricultural sector.
2. Strong consumer marketing, financial analysis, and management skills.
3. Strong hands-on experience in managing or providing technical support to producer organizations.
4. Experience in supporting and monitoring field-based projects.
5. Excellent command of report writing, analysis, and presentation skills using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
6. Track record of building strong client and stakeholder relationships.
7. Ability to generate innovative solutions in work situations.

Most Critical Proficiencies

1. Clear understanding of the Poultry and Livestock value chain.
2. Innovative, analytical, and solutions oriented.
3. Knowledge of enterprise development, market systems approach, and linkages to poverty alleviation.
4. Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills
6. Proficient knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, electronic mail (Microsoft Office preferred) and the Internet.
7. Demonstrated proficiency in English and other local languages, both oral and written.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands

1. Preparing and presenting documents in a well-designed and attractive format with great attention to detail.
2. Ability to understand, appreciate, and implement Heifer’s Value-Based Holistic Community Development.
3. Demonstrated creativity with the ability to incorporate innovative solutions and systems thinking.
4. Understanding of quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluation and ability to communicate MLE concepts clearly with leadership, partners, and staff at all levels.
5. Willingness and ability to assign and review the work of direct reports and to use participatory management skills with junior and senior staff.
6. Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout project area.
7. May require constant sitting and moving, working at a computer for extended periods.
8. Working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.
9. Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks with little supervision while meeting inflexible deadlines sometimes.

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 a disability.

Deadline for Application: 16 August 2023