NGO Jobs in Nairobi, Kenya - Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. 

Driven by local needs, our programs provide communities in the world’s toughest places with the tools and support they need to turn the crises they confront into the opportunities they deserve.

Mercy Corps is looking for committed and dynamic individuals to take up the following position.

Technology Product Manager – Nairobi, Kenya (Re-Advertisement)
 
Program Summary: The AgriFin Accelerate program will operate in three African countries (Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia) utilizing a market ecosystem approach, working with carefully selected partners to build sustainable models, where farm
and crop management tools and financial services are "bundled" in affordable, unified platforms on mobile phone channels to promote mass uptake commercially.

The program involves three interrelated components that seek to address low farmer productivity and capability, and improve institutional ability to deliver appropriate products and build ecosystems to drive scale. 

We work with farmers, banks, mobile network operators, MFIs, financial service providers, research institutes and other ecosystem players in well-defined partnerships to sustainably bundle services, leveraging the offer and outreach of all partners, while increasing the range of services, access points and value for farmers. 

The program works with partners to identify, prototype, test and scale successful mobile-enabled
services for smallholders, with a key focus on expanding access to financial services, using a rapid iteration approach to product development and client-centric design techniques.
 
General Position Summary: The Technology Product Manager (TPM) will provide technical support and direction related to technology on all technical assistance and partner engagement with AgriFin Accelerate program partners across all three countries, including banks, MFIs, insurance companies, mobile-network operators, and agribusinesses. 

The TPM will assist with new digitally-enabled product development and delivery designed to enhance the financial inclusion of small-holder farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia. 

These products can include both information and technical services, with a major focus on financial services including payment systems, digitally-enabled insurance, savings and lending. 

Working under the direct supervision of the Deputy Program Director and closely with the Program Director, Country Managers, and Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Manager, the TPM will tailor program assistance to the needs of each AgriFin Accelerate partner engagement with a strong focus on technology-based partners. 

The TPM will identify innovative technology companies providing services in the SHF arena and work to understand their models, incorporate them into program work as feasible and to provide leading technology partners with specialized support to foster their growth and expansion. 

The TPM will engage with partners to develop program strategies and partner roadmaps, ensuring their specific needs are met; identify and support external consultants as needed; and work with the Digital Farmer Capability Hub manager to support the development of applicable capacity building plans across the program partners.

Essential Job Functions:
 
Program Implementation:
  • Lead program learning in best practices and innovation in technology to ensure that the full program teams across all countries are informed and working optimally.
  • Support the external learning and communications agendas around innovations for partners and ecosystem players.
  • Conduct ongoing desk review of global best practice as well as ongoing learning meetings with program stakeholders related to the use of technology, working in coordination with country managers.
  • Prepare field reports, social media postings and blogs for mass communication regarding the technological aspects of the program.
  • Take the lead in identifying potential partners in the technology arena, working with strategic partner Dalberg to complete due diligence on partners to identify institutional strengths, weaknesses and capacity for program implementation and ultimate scale.
  • Lead in identifying technology partners to qualify for additional technical support, including sponsored cohorts at relevant accelerator facilities, designed to increase technology partner internal capacity, institutional development and access to resources to support growth.
Support for Financial Products, Services and Channel Development:
  • Engage in the development of all partner relationships and product roadmaps related to technology.
  • Provide technical support to these engagements across all program countries, liaising directly with the Deputy Program and Country directors.
  • Lead design sessions which drawing on rapid product iteration approaches and support Country Managers to identify technical consultants as needed in this area and provide support and oversight for consultants as required.
  • Provide direct capacity building for partners as feasible.
  • Assist in the development of technology partner business and work plans as needed, reviewing research, operational manuals, product and technology specifications and financial statements to do so.
  • Work with program partners to design interface of systems and design pilot project to test usability, value proposition and business cases and identify additional areas where partners require support, assisting in finding solutions when possible.
  • Engage with program technology partners to ensure that adequate marketing strategies and resources are in place, including go to market plan, market entry & scaling, customer acquisition branding, incentive & commission structures, advertising and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Support the initiative to identify alternative data sources to drive the development and expansion of products and services, including conducting research, identifying and selecting prospective data partners and framing and implementing pilot tests of alternative data with partners maintaining integrity and confidentiality of all information.
Technical Support for Market Assessments, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning:
  • Work with country managers to structure and implement market assessments to drive meaningful financial product and service development, with a special focus on incorporating supporting technologies and relevant companies such as payment platforms, MNOs and messaging services.
  • Ensure that market assessments focus on the “pain points” of small holder farmers related to technology adoption to guide product and service development to overcome the barriers for the small holder farmers so they can increase their access, usage and utility of services.
  • Ensure that research targets leading and alternative technology companies to provide services to smallholder farmers.
  • Support the work of the Digital Farmer Capability Lab Manager in all efforts to develop capability building materials for SHF related to the delivery and adoption of digitally enabled financial services and channels, ensuring the highest standards of technical information are incorporated.
Program Representation and Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Serve as a representative for the program in matters related to technology-related services for SHF.
  • Proactively engage with program stakeholders to inform coordination and collaboration, including payment platforms, specialized data processors, technology hubs, accelerator programs, technical messaging platforms, mobile network operators and others. 
  • Actively support program planning and reporting efforts related to technology-related service delivery for SHF.
  • Provide partnership recommendations with existing technology companies.
  • Ensure that programming works within Mercy Corps’ M4P rubric.
  • Assist the program in developing and supporting partner inception and subsequent design workshops related to technology, supporting around mapping design processes and defining roles, responsibilities and budgets related to technology.
  • Provide technical leadership within the team in the technology sector, including regular trips to the radial offices to support Country Managers and Program Officers to build their capacity in the sector.
Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility:
  • Direct supervision of: N/A
  • Reports Directly To: Deputy Program Director
  • Works Directly With: Technical teams, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Manager, Digital Farmer Capability Lab Manager, Communications Manager, Finance staff.
Knowledge and Experience:
  • BA/S or equivalent in information technology, engineering or related field of study preferred
  • 5 years’ experience in relevant technology implementation, including 2 years in a senior management position
  • Minimum 2 years’ experience in digitally-enabled financial services
  • Strong understanding of the technology and mobile-for-development sectors in emerging markets, with understanding of and experience with improving technology-enabled services for smallholder farmers a plus
  • Evaluating and building partnerships
  • Product Management or Business Analyst experience
  • Experience with product and service design preferred
  • Strong written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing and editing
  • Experience in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia preferred
Success Factors:
  • The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the three diverse countries which AgriFin Accelerate operates.
  • S/he will be an excellent communicator, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations.
  • S/he will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures demonstrating cultural sensitivity with diverse stakeholders.
  • S/he will be a team-player with a positive attitude toward problem solving and conflict resolution.
  • Commitment to learning, open communications, impeccable professional standards of ethics and ability to manage successful partner relationships are essential.
  • The successful candidate will be focused on team-building and open collaboration; be a strategic thinker and maintain a sense of humor.
  • The TPM must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.
  • The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
Candidates who had previously applied for this position need not reapply

Financial Services Manager – Nairobi, Kenya
(Re-Advertisement)
 
Program Summary: The AgriFin Accelerate program will operate in three African countries (Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia) utilizing a market ecosystem approach, working with carefully selected partners to build sustainable models, where farm and crop management tools and financial services are "bundled" in affordable, unified platforms on mobile phone channels to promote mass uptake commercially. 

The program involves three interrelated components that seek to address low farmer productivity and capability, and improve institutional ability to deliver appropriate products and build ecosystems to drive scale. 

We work with farmers, banks, mobile network operators, MFIs, financial service providers, research institutes and other ecosystem players in well-defined partnerships to sustainably bundle services, leveraging the offer and outreach of all partners, while increasing the range of services, access points and value for farmers. 

The program works with partners to identify, prototype, test and scale successful mobile-enabled services for smallholders, with a key focus on expanding access to financial services, using a rapid iteration approach to product development and client-centric design techniques.

General Position Summary:
 The Financial Services Manager (FSM) will provide technical support and direction on all technical assistance and partner engagement with AgriFin Accelerate program partners across all three countries, including banks, MFIs, insurance companies, mobile-network operators, and agribusinesses. 

The FSM will assist with new mobile-enabled product development and delivery designed to enhance the financial inclusion of small-holder farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia. 

These products can include payment systems, mobile-enabled insurance, savings and lending. 

Working under the direct supervision of the Deputy Program Director and closely with the Program Director, Country Managers, and Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Manager, the FSM will tailor technical assistance to the needs of each Agrifin Accelerate partner engagement based on program strategies and partner roadmaps, ensuring their specific needs are met; identify and support external consultants as needed; and work specifically with the Digital Farmer Capability Hub manager to  support the development of applicable capacity building plans across the program partners.

Essential Job Functions:

Program Implementation:
  • Lead program learning in best practices and innovation in financial services to ensure that the full program teams across all countries are informed and working optimally.
  • Support the external learning and communications agendas around financial services best practice and innovations for partners and ecosystem players.
  • Conduct ongoing desk review of global best practice as well as ongoing learning meetings with program stakeholders related to financial services, working in coordination with country managers.
  • Prepare field reports and blogs for mass communication regarding the financial services aspects of the program.
  • Engage in the development of all partner relationships and product roadmaps related to financial services and channel development.
  • Provide technical support to these engagements across all program countries, liaising directly with the Deputy Program and Country directors.
  • Draw on rapid product iteration approaches and support Country Managers to identify technical consultants as needed in this area and provide support and oversight for consultants as required.
  • Assist in development of partner business and work plans related to financial services, reviewing research, operational manuals, product and technology specifications and financial statements to do so.
Support for Marketing of New Financial Services
  • Engage with program partners to ensure that adequate marketing strategies and resources are in place, including go to market plan, market entry & scaling, customer acquisition branding, incentive & commission structures, advertising and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Lead the initiative to identify alternative data sources to drive the development and expansion of products and services, including conducting research, identifying and selecting prospective data partners and framing and implementing pilot tests of alternative data with partners.
  • Work with country managers to structure and implement market assessments to drive meaningful financial product and service development, including agricultural value chain payments.
  • Ensure that market assessments focus on the “pain points” of small holder farmers to guide product and service development to overcome the barriers for the small holder farmers so they can increase their access, usage and utility of services.
  • Ensure that research targets leading and alternative financial institutions to provide services to smallholder farmers;
  • Support the work of the Training Manager in all efforts to develop financial capability building materials for SHF related to the delivery of financial services and channels.
  • Support the work of the MEL Manager around implementation of the MEL agenda related to the delivery of financial services and channels, including development of relevant business modeling and planning, taking in to consideration research findings, market assessments and strategy documentation.
Program Representation and Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Serve as a representative for the program in matters related to financial services for SHF.
  • Proactively engage with program stakeholders to inform coordination and collaboration.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with financial services providers and link relationship management to country management.
  • Actively support program planning and reporting efforts related to financial services delivery for SHF.
  • Provide partnership recommendations with existing financial services programming both within and outside Mercy Corps programming.
  • Ensure that programming works within Mercy Corps’ M4P rubric for financial services programming.
  • Provide technical leadership within the team in the financial service sector, including regular trips to the radial offices to support Country Managers and Program Officers to build their capacity in the sector.
Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility:
  • Direct supervision of: N/A
  • Reports Directly To: Deputy Program Director
  • Works Directly With: Technical teams, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Manager, Digital Farmer Capability Lab Manager, Communications Manager, Finance staff.
Knowledge and Experience:
  • MA/S or equivalent in finance, business, international development or related field of study
  • 8 years’ experience in relevant financial services implementation including three years in a senior management position
  • Strong understanding of the financial services sectors in Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia including commercial banks, MFIs, insurance companies, and others.
  • Demonstrated experience in mobile-enabled financial services
  • Demonstrated experience in financial capability building activities
  • Demonstrated experience in financial product design and implementation
  • Understanding of and experience with improving financial inclusion for smallholder farmers
  • Strong written and oral communication skills in English, including report development, writing and editing
  • Experience in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia preferred
Success Factors:
  • The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the three diverse countries which Agrifin Accelerate operates.
  • S/he will be an excellent communicator, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations.
  • S/he will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures.
  • S/he will be a team-player with a positive attitude toward problem solving and conflict resolution.
  • Commitment to learning, open communications, impeccable professional standards of ethics and ability to manage successful partner relationships are essential.
  • The successful candidate will be focused on team-building and open collaboration; be a strategic thinker and maintain a sense of humor.
  • The FSM must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.
  • The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
Candidates who had previously applied for this position need not reapply

Communications Manager – Nairobi, Kenya 
(Re-Advertisement)
 
Program Summary: The AgriFin Accelerate program will operate in three African countries (Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia) utilizing a market ecosystem approach, working with carefully selected partners to build sustainable models, where farm and crop management tools and financial services are "bundled" in affordable, unified platforms on mobile phone channels to promote mass uptake commercially. 

The program involves three interrelated components that seek to address low farmer productivity and capability, and improve institutional ability to deliver appropriate products and build ecosystems to drive scale. 

We work with farmers, banks, mobile network operators, MFIs, financial service providers, research institutes and other ecosystem players in well-defined partnerships to sustainably bundle services, leveraging the offer and outreach of all partners, while increasing the range of services, access points and value for farmers. 

The program works with partners to identify, prototype, test and scale successful mobile-enabled services for smallholders, with a key focus on expanding access to financial services, using a rapid iteration approach to product development and client-centric design techniques.
 
General Position Summary: The Communications Manager (CM) will have an in-depth experience in communications, including written, online and social media, along with a working knowledge graphic design, video editing, proposal development preferably in the context of economic development, technology and/or agriculture. 

The CM will report to the Director for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and will be principally responsible for:
  1. Leading on the development and implementation of a communications strategy and work plan for the program;
  2. Leading program work related to all publications including research, blogs, case studies and newsletters;
  3. Coordinating with monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) of the program to ensure broad communication of program learning,
  4. Managing program database, and
  5. Supporting program planning activities. The CM will work internally to create communications strategies to promote productivity and effective teamwork, as well as excellent coordination and relationships with program partners. 
Externally, the CM will communicate with the media and other interested parties to announce initiatives and results to build market awareness and use of program learnings and maintain a positive image of Mercy Corps and the program.

Essential Job Functions
 
Communications and Public Relations:
  • Lead development of the program communications strategy to capture lessons learned and to effectively engage with program donor and stakeholders to share access to program learning externally through multiple channels.
  • Continuously liaise with program managers to ensure even communications across initiatives.
  • Coordinate delivery of high quality, consistent and relevant content that is both engaging and stimulating for the program's online community.
  • Lead graphic design for publications.
  • Work with the Program Team to write, edit, assemble, and ensure timely submission of internal and external reports.
Documentation and Reporting:
  • Lead development and ongoing maintenance of the program website.
  • Take photos and videos of field activities for publishing online.
  • Write and coordinate development of blog posts about the program and publish online.
  • Establish and maintain traffic of our Facebook, Twitter & YouTube accounts developing and maintaining a "voice" for the program's online community.
  • Maintain overall program library, as well as global publications and best practices for reference of the program, donors, stakeholders, and Mercy Corps staff.
  • Oversee the preparation, printing and dissemination of documents, including liaising with authors, printers and graphic designers.
  • Support preparation of reports on M&E findings, as required, working closely with RMEL Director.
Liaison with External Parties:
  • Respond to the wide variety of information requests from stakeholders in the project area, including the media.
  • Assist with the work of short-term consultants and research firms, facilitating their access to the information they require.
  • Identify and document the core information needs of central project, management, the advisory committee, donors and partners;
  • Participate in external and internal missions and facilitate team members’ and donor’s access to program learnings.
  • Understand donor and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, rules and regulations to assist in monitoring and ensuring compliance.
Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability:
 Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility:
 None
 
Accountability
  • Reports Directly To: Research Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Director
  • Works Directly With: Technical teams, Country Managers, Digital Farmer Capability Lab Manager
Knowledge and Experience:
  • Minimum MBA/MA/Sc or equivalent in journalism, public relations, communications, marketing, international development, social sciences;
  • Minimum five years’ relevant working experience required; preference for experience in private sector in marketing, advertising, or public relations firm.
  • Excellent writing and presentation skills with relevant experience writing formal reports, case studies, blogs, newsletters, and articles;
  • Strong experience in basic graphic design and video editing;
  • Working knowledge of mobile technology, international development and agriculture;
  • Willing to undertake regular field visits and interact with different stakeholders;
  • Well organized and detail oriented;
  • A self-starter, with demonstrated ability to work successfully in a team, ideally in an international context;
  • Strong written, oral communication and presentation skills;
  • Full proficiency with MS Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) required, and publishing software (MS Publisher, Adobe InDesign, etc.) preferred;
  • Fluency in English required
Success Factors:
  • The successful candidate will have an ability to interact effectively across international and national program and finance teams successfully, both in a managerial as well as training capacity.
  • S/he will be able to support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful financial information, have a demonstrated ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and process information in support of changing program activities.
  • An impeccable professional standard of finance and procurement ethics and the willingness and ability to enforce compliance with Mercy Corps and donor policies and procedures is essential.
  • The Finance Manager must be willing to travel regularly to Mercy Corps field offices and project sites.
  • The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.
Candidates who had previously applied for this position need not reapply

Digital Farmer Capability Lab Manager – Nairobi, Kenya
(Re-Advertisement)

 
Program Summary: The AgriFin Accelerate program will operate in three African countries (Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia) utilizing a market ecosystem approach,
working with carefully selected partners to build sustainable models, where farm and crop management tools and financial services are "bundled" in affordable, unified platforms on mobile phone channels to promote mass uptake commercially.

The program involves three interrelated components that seek to address low farmer productivity and capability, and improve institutional ability to deliver appropriate products and build ecosystems to drive scale. 

We work with farmers, banks, mobile network operators, MFIs, financial service providers, research institutes and other ecosystem players in well-defined partnerships to sustainably bundle services, leveraging the offer and outreach of all partners, while increasing the range of services, access points and value for farmers. 

The program works with partners to identify, prototype, test and scale successful mobile-enabled services for smallholders, with a key focus on expanding access to financial services, using a rapid iteration approach to product development and client-centric design techniques.
 
General Position Summary: The Digital Farmer Capability Lab Manager (DLM) will provide strategic management and direction for the AgriFin Accelerate Digital Farmer Capability Lab (DL) implementation across in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia, working directly with program partners including banks, MFIs, insurance companies, mobile-network operators, farmer unions, Ministries of Agriculture and agribusinesses. 

The purpose of the DL facility is design, test, and roll-out capability building tools throughout the product life cycles, leveraging both digital and traditional delivery mechanisms, that assist smallholder farmers (SHF) in accessing and utilizing program services with maximum impact. 

The DLM will engage with program teams during mobile-enabled product development exercises to identify farmer capacity building needs through farmer-centric research and work to adapt or develop tools (marketing, products, services, partner staff orientation, and materials) to enhance the financial inclusion of small-holder farmers by program partners. 

In addition to the development of these capability-building tools, viable business models and value-add services must be developed for their delivery in order to ensure long term implementation at scale with a focus on embedded services within program partners. 

Significant attention will be placed in learning and best practice, testing and iterating new methods and supporting expansion of models which have proven impact and viability. 

The DLM works under the direct supervision of the Program Director and coordinates closely with technical teams, Country Managers, and Research Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (RMEL) Manager. The DLM will identify and manage external consultants as needed. 

The DLM will also engage with RMEL and Communications team members to ensure learning is collected, distilled and communicated as planned.

Essential Job Functions:
 
Program Implementation:
  • Lead program learning in best practices and innovation in farmer capability building to ensure that the full program teams across all countries are informed and working optimally.
  • Support the external learning and communications agendas around innovations for partners and ecosystem players.
  • Regular desk review of global best practice as well as ongoing learning meetings with program stakeholders related to capability building, working in coordination with country managers.
  • Prepare field reports, social media postings and blogs for mass communication regarding the farmer capability building aspects of the program.
  • Take the lead in identifying potential capability-building partners and user-interface experts.
  • Work with strategic partner Dalberg to complete due diligence on partners to identify institutional strengths, weaknesses and capacity for program implementation and ultimate scale.
Lead Capacity Building Tool and Channel Development:
  • Engage in the development of all partner relationships and product roadmaps related to farmer capacity building tool development and delivery, liaising directly with the Deputy Program and Country Directors.
  • Lead design sessions which drawing on rapid product iteration and testing approaches, identifying and utilizing technical consultants as needed, as well as providing direct capacity building for partners as feasible.
  • Ensure a focus on adapting existing and/or identifying and testing impactful tools and methods of delivery that leverage technology to the fullest extent.
  • Ensure that tools are incorporated into overall program impact evaluations, with successful tools being shared to the fullest extent with program partners and the market at large.
  • Ensure that tried and tested tools and models will be packaged into capability building toolkits for public use.
Technical Support for Market Assessments:
  • Work with RMEL and country managers to structure and implement market assessments to drive meaningful farmer capability building.
  • Ensure that there is a special focus on understanding farmer needs related to financial inclusion and productivity gains, as well as trusted channels and embedded models for delivery of training for farmers, such as cooperatives and farmer extension services.
  • Ensure that market assessments focus on the “pain points” of small holder farmers to guide product and service development and overcome the barriers for the small holder farmers so they can increase their access, usage and utility of services.
  • Ensure that research targets leading and alternative technology companies to provide services to smallholder farmers.
  • Support the work of the RMEL Manager around implementation of the RMEL agenda related to the delivery of capability-building services, including tools, methodologies and delivery channels viably reaching SHF with impact.
  • Oversee, review and report on relevant deployed product and tools results using established metrics and key performance indicators at a client, institution, and systems level.
Program Representation and Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Proactively outreach and market capability-building services for SHF.
  • Proactively engage with program stakeholders to inform coordination and collaboration, including agricultural extension networks, research institutes with content, farmer cooperative groups and other sources of training, training content and training delivery.
  • Logically and simply visualize complex systems orally and in presentations.
  • Actively support program planning and reporting efforts related to capability building for SHF.
  • Ensure that programming works within Mercy Corps’ market systems rubric and international best practice.
  • Provide technical leadership within the team in capability-building, including regular trips to the radial offices to support Country Managers and Program Officers to build their capacity in the sector.
Organizational Learning: As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Supervisory Responsibility:
  • Direct Supervision of: N/A
  • Reports Directly To: Program Director
  • Works Directly With: Technical teams, Country Managers, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Manager, Communications Manager, Finance staff.
Knowledge and Experience:
  • MA/S or equivalent in finance, business, user-design, international development or related field of study
  • 8 years’ experience in relevant training and capability building implementation including 3 years in a senior management position in a financial institution, consulting firm, or related-entity.
  • Strong understanding of financial capability tools and best practice in emerging markets for low literacy populations
  • Demonstrated experience in mobile-enabled financial services. Strong preference for candidates with experience in financial product design, testing, and deployment for adult and youth clients.
  • Demonstrated experience in financial capability building activities using embedded and digital delivery channels. Background in consumer education a plus.
  • Understanding of and experience with improving financial inclusion for smallholder farmers a plus
  • Strong written and oral communication skills in English (Swahili a plus), including report development, writing and editing. Client-facing or farmer-level interviewing experiences a plus.
  • Proven experience demonstrating the value of client-centered design through verbal and visual presentations.
  • Formal experience in human-centered design a plus.
  • Experience in East Africa preferred, especially in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia preferred
Success Factors:
  • The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the three diverse countries which AgriFin Accelerate operates.
  • S/he will be an excellent communicator, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations. S/he will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures.
  • S/he will be a team-player with a positive attitude toward problem solving and conflict resolution.
  • The successful candidate will be focused on team-building and capacity-building of national staff; be a strategic thinker, have strong skills in design monitoring and evaluation of development programs and maintain a sense of humor.
Candidates who had previously applied for this position need not reapply

Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit applications on or before 27th February 2015, by 4.00pm, containing a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent supervisor) to hr@ke.mercycorps.org. 

The email subject line must clearly show the job title and location they are applying for. 

Applications without the right subject heading will be automatically disqualified. 

Please do not attach any certificates.

(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We will only get in touch with shortlisted
candidates.) 


NB: Mercy Corps does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.