Since
1963 and in 146 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and
transitional nations to succeed in the global economy.
ACDI/VOCA currently has 80 projects in 36 countries and revenues of approximately $168 million.
We
currently seek a Chief of Party, Value Chain Investment Advisor, and
Communications Manager for a USAID-funded a project in Kenya that aims to
reduce poverty by improving the inclusiveness and competitiveness of the
livestock value chains in the arid lands of Kenya.
The
home office is located in Nairobi; however, positions require significant
travel/presence in Isiolo County and Marsabit County.
Kenyan
nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.
Chief of Party tasks:
Provide overall leadership and technical direction for the program, including leading the strategic planning, implementation and reporting.
Chief of Party tasks:
Provide overall leadership and technical direction for the program, including leading the strategic planning, implementation and reporting.
Design,
develop and implement strategies and project work plans to improve livestock
productivity, strengthen market linkages, and expand access to markets for
pastoralists.
Serve
as principal liaison with USAID, government partners, and private sector value
chain actors ensuring open dialogue that benefits the program goals.
Lead
efforts to collect, synthesize and disseminate clear information, develop
professional relationships, and further program goals and objectives.
Manage
the technical input of all staff, consultants, subcontractors, and project
partners and synthesize information for effective reporting.
Ensure
sound and inclusive community-driven implementation of the large “Community
Contracting” grants fund, and project contract compliance with USAID and
ACDI/VOCA policies and procedures.
Oversee
program administration, human resources management, budget pipeline, and finances.
Communicate
effectively with other USAID project managers, donors, and other indigenous and
international NGOs to ensure positive visibility of project activities.
Qualifications:
- Minimum Master’s
Degree in related field.
- At least 10
years’ professional experience working on livestock or agricultural
development programs in the Horn of Africa, especially in the pastoral
areas.
- Demonstrated
strong written and verbal communications and interpersonal skills; with
experience liaising with a wide range of actors, including government,
private sector, NGOs, research institutions.
- Demonstrated
ability to collaborate across projects, to be flexible and creative.
- Demonstrated
skill in strategic thinking and policy analysis and ability to coordinate
with host country government.
- Strong English
language skills, written and spoken.
Value Chain Investment Advisor tasks:
In collaboration with the team, project partners and local communities, design and implement a market-driven strategy that creates incentives for commercial investment in the livestock sector and results in market-led solutions to myriad constraints.
Lead
ongoing community-level market research and in-depth value chain (VC) analyses
of the livestock market system (including hides and skins, meat, dairy);
analysis will guide project external and internal communications, annual work
planning and strategy formulation.
Identify
and implement activities to expand markets into rural areas, including through
the rehabilitation of market structures through community-driven grants based
on community consultations and constraints analyses.
Identify,
vet and broker innovative business plans, models and concepts that support
project goals.
Assist
community groups to identify, design and monitor market infrastructure that
alleviates value chain constraints and improves access to markets.
Identify
capacity building needs of community groups, small enterprises and other value
chain actors and facilitate access to relevant training and support services.
Qualifications:
- Minimum of a
Master’s degree in a relevant discipline or a Bachelor’s degree in a
relevant field with an additional 7 years’ applicable experience.
- Minimum 8 years’
regional/international experience in economic growth, trade, value chain
competitiveness, livestock development.
- Considerable
working experience in pastoral areas preferred.
- Demonstrated
success implementing VC-focused programs using facilitation
approaches.
- Demonstrated
knowledge of USAID’s best practice VC development and facilitation
approach that aims to reach women, youth, the poor and very poor.
- Demonstrated
creativity, willingness to innovate, think systemically and design
catalytic interventions. Effective communication skills in English,
written and verbal.
- Strong
background in gender integration and women empowerment.
Communications Manager tasks:
In coordination with Chief of Party and technical team, design, manage and implement the project’s communication strategy that utilizes various media including online platforms, a monitoring and evaluation portal for USAID, social media, and mobile apps, as appropriate.
Compile market and project information from project staff, partners and beneficiaries to communicate activities, success stories and results for USAID and stakeholders through project newsletters, technical briefs and media outlets.
Supervise
the M&E and Learning Advisor and work in close cooperation with project
staff and partners.
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree
and at least 8 years of relevant experience, or a BA/BS in related
technical field with 10 years of experience.
- Experience
providing leadership and managing multiple highly complex project
components.
- Demonstrated
ability to effectively work in a team.
- Superior
demonstrated writing and oral presentation skills (ability to provide an
original writing sample required).
- Excellent
English is mandatory, local languages highly desirable.
To
be considered for this recruitment, submit a resume to REGALAG@joinav.org
including Position Title in the Subject Line. All resumes must be submitted in
English. No phone calls please.
Only
finalists contacted. Women and minorities encouraged to apply. EOE.
All
applications must be received by July 10, 2013.