An international nonprofit
organization that supports smallholder producers in collaboration with private
entities and other stakeholders is seeking to recruit a program manager for its
horticulture portfolio.
Based in Nairobi, with county offices within other Eastern Africa Countries,
the organization works with private companies, cooperative societies and other
NGOs to improve the livelihoods of small holder producers along various
agricultural commodity value chains.Program Manager, Horticulture
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Position Summary:
The Program Manager, Horticulture
will be responsible for the successful implementation of the
organization’s Horticulture Program
and lead the overall growth of the program initially in Kenya and to other
countries within the Eastern Africa Region. S/he will be responsible for
coordinating implementing partners’ activities and managing sub grants and/or
consultants.
S/he will maintain relationships with key stakeholders and partners, ensure that producers, producer groups and participating partners implement program activities in line with the organization’s annual and commodity plans and in tandem with the organization’s vision and mission. S/he will work closely with colleagues in the organization’s global network, especially the Head of Department for Fruits and vegetables.
Responsibilities
S/he will maintain relationships with key stakeholders and partners, ensure that producers, producer groups and participating partners implement program activities in line with the organization’s annual and commodity plans and in tandem with the organization’s vision and mission. S/he will work closely with colleagues in the organization’s global network, especially the Head of Department for Fruits and vegetables.
Responsibilities
Policy Development:
- Responsible for developing a long-term
strategic policy in the areas of Sustainable Chain Development in
Horticulture;
- Following developments (in the industry, both
scientific and political developments) on sustainable horticulture;
- Translating policy, in dialogue with partners
and other stakeholders in projects with specific objectives, activities
and outcomes;
- Coordinating the organization of proper and
timely delivery of information to donors (according to donor-specific
needs).
- Program Planning and Leadership:
- Implementing / coordinating the development of
strategic plans, annual plans, reports and program evaluations on
horticulture and food security;
- Monitoring and evaluating the effects of
policies, identify challenges and take initiatives leading to
improvements, and report to the Board of Directors accordingly
- Relationship and knowledge management:
- Sharing knowledge and experience with
colleagues, project partners and other organizations on sustainable
horticulture food security;
- Providing information and advice to internal
and external parties and stakeholders, through training or publications.
Internal management:
- Performing administrative tasks related to own
program;
- Being responsible for own program budget and
providing input for external funding applications in conjunction with the
department of institutional fundraising.
- Grants management:
- Responsible for selecting and appraising new
partners that include private companies, cooperative societies, NGOs and
consultants.
- Responsible for managing own program grantees
to ensure timely disbursement of funds, progress reporting and monitoring
- Any other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture,
Agribusiness, Agricultural Extension, Agronomy or related field; a
Master’s Degree will be an added advantage
- 5-10 years’ experience managing horticulture
projects in Eastern Africa Countries, especially in Kenya; must be
familiar with the horticultural industry supply chains and especially in
production and marketing
- Farmer training and/or extension experience,
especially in the design, organization and delivery of training events and
development of training materials
- Familiarity with Global GAP and Fairtrade
certification/verification issues and systems, ideally involving
agriculture and small-scale producers
- Excellent written and verbal communications
skills in English; Swahili and French/Spanish are an advantage
- Proven ability to work effectively in
cross-cultural situations
- Excellent computer skills (Microsoft office
and Internet)
- Experience in the development of work plans
and budgets; ability to work independently and in a team towards defined
objectives and goals; and
- Willingness and ability to travel extensively
in Kenya and other countries within Eastern and Central Africa up to 30%
of the time
Salary: Commensurate with experience
To apply:
Send cover letter and CV including
salary history to; consult@syn-solutions.com on or before Friday, 10 October
2014. Please use PROGRAM MANAGER – HORTICULTURE as your email subject
title.
Only those applications that fulfil
these requirements will be considered. Applications will be viewed as they come
in.