NGO Jobs in Kenya - ACDI / VOCA

Since 1963 and in 146 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy.

Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society.
ACDI/VOCA currently has approximately 49 projects in 30 countries and total revenues of $151 million

Overview: ACDI/VOCA is currently implementing a five-year program entitled “Feed the Future Livestock Market Systems (LMS)” development projects in Northern Kenya funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The aim of the USAID Kenya Feed the Future LMS program is to strengthen people’s resilience to shocks and stresses and reduce the prevalence and depth of poverty, household hunger, and chronic undernutrition.
The program aims to do so by taking collective action on economic opportunities, and by strengthening institutions, market systems, governance, and human capital.
Pursuant to its mission, ACDI/VOCA is seeking for experienced and talented professionals for the Business Development Specialist position to be based in Marsabit, Kenya.
The position is responsible for providing technical assistance and coaching to selected applicants under the business development grants program, which mainly consists of micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSME’s). Technical assistance to be provided will be in the preparation of business plans, marketing and business development strategies.
Responsibilities:
1.   Identify and screen commercially viable MSMEs within LMS livestock areas of intervention (e.g. cattle, camel, poultry, etc.), which will improve market access, productivity and overall competitiveness of livestock sector value chains in Marsabit County.
2.   Assist and build the capacity of selected businesses to develop and prepare their business plans, and make necessary recommendations. This will include providing technical support in the following areas.
Conducting feasibility assessments of investments to include: SWOT analysis; risk and competition analysis; discussing with the applicants on possible modalities of governing and managing the business/investments to optimize their efficiency, effectiveness, capacity and commercial potential as well as opportunities for creating employment opportunities in the Counties.
·         Identify potential markets and requirements for entrance to the market e.g. through market assessments, research and developing marketing strategies that will provide enterprise growth and profitability.
·         Develop enterprise operational strategies to include: Identification of infrastructure and other resources needed for the enterprise/investment to achieve profitability- to include actual costing, cashflows, realistic assumptions and benchmarks, requisite standards, and risk mitigation plans; highlighting concrete steps to be taken by the selected businesses to ensure effective and efficient operations.
·         Provide insights to the project about businesses to be supported to ensure risks are mitigated before funding commitments are made.
1.   Provide training, coaching and mentoring support to the grantees after the award to ensure sustainable and profitable operations.
2.   Facilitate grantees networking, business to business linkages and enhancements to input supply chains.
3.   Support grantees to obtain required licenses and certifications.
4.   Conduct monitoring and evaluation of the selected business activities and report on the same.
5.   Work with LMS partners to put in place and monitor financial management systems that will lead to business sustainability.
6.   Assess financial needs of businesses and link them to lenders to access working capital
7.   Perform any other duties as required by the Supervisor (County Program Manager).
Minimum Qualifications:
·         A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Entrepreneurship and/or Business Management. A Master’s Degree in a related field is highly preferred.
·         A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in developing business plans, conducting economic and/or financial analysis or other relevant areas is a must.
·         Experience in livestock value chain and MSME development or closely related field will be an added advantage.
·         Strong writing, analytical, presentation and reporting skills.
·         Ability to travel and work in Marsabit.

·         The position requires extensive field travel within and beyond designated counties.


Pursuant to its mission, ACDI/VOCA is seeking for experienced and talented professionals for the Program Officer position to be based in  Wajir  county in Kenya.
The Program Officer will be reporting to the Regional Program Manager and provide support to livelihoods and grants programming, support establishment and operation of business centers, organize grantees training and oversee internship/apprenticeship activities. They will also monitor partner organizations’ activities at the field level.
Responsibilities:
·         Identify and screen livelihood groups and individuals for engagement in income diversification initiatives.
·         Participate in dissemination of key program information, identification of program beneficiaries and in assessments and screening of applicants for LMS grants
·         Assist and build the capacity of selected livelihood groups and businesses through training, mentoring and couching. Some sessions will specifically target the need of women and youth.
·         Offer technical advice and customer tailored training to the program beneficiaries across the livestock value chain and seek expertise assistance/input from LMS partners, line county departments and other stakeholders.
·         Support the operation of resource centers at the Wajir LMS county office to provide LMS grantees and with business development skills.
·         Facilitate the formation of business networking among the entrepreneurs and livelihood groups.
·         Mobilize entrepreneurs and livelihood groups/individuals to attend learning visits, trade fairs and important annual agri-business events.
·         Supervise and oversee internship and apprenticeship activities.
·         Carry out monitoring of livelihood and grants activities and collate information that will contribute to human interesting stories, case studies as well to the program monthly and quarterly reports.
·         Identify risks and challenges in a timely manner and suggest appropriate remedial measures.
·         Participate in program surveys, field data collection, analyses and reporting.
·         Support the implementation of the LMS gender strategy and deliberately target women, youth and local community with program activities.
·         Represent ACDI/VOCA at the field and sub county level by collaborating with PREG partners, county government official and other stakeholders on sequencing layering and integration of activities.
·         Perform any other duty as may be directed by the County Program Manager.
Minimum Qualifications:
·         Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship, Business Management, Livestock Marketing, Agribusiness Management, International Relations, Development Studies, Pastoral Livestock Systems Development or a related field.
·         At least 3 years’ working experience in Livestock value chain or closely related field preferably with NGOs.
·         Experience in MSME development, and similar fields will be an added advantage.
·         Strong writing, analytical, presentation and reporting skills.
·         Ability to travel within the North-Eastern Kenya regions. Extensive field travel is expected.
To Apply:
Please submit a resume to HRKenya@acdivoca.org no later than June 08, 2018.
Please include the position title and location in the subject line.
Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone.
Only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.
ACDI/VOCA is an equal opportunity employer.
Women, minorities and people from diverse groups are encouraged to apply.
EOE