NGO Jobs and Vacancies in Kenya - CIP

Africa Regional Director

Start date: January 2019
Protection International (PI) is recruiting an African Regional Director for its Regional Protection Hub in Nairobi, Kenya. The Regional Director will be thus based in Nairobi but work on the whole African continent.
PI is an international non-profit organization that supports human rights defenders in developing their security and protection management strategies. PI researches strategies and security management tools that protect human rights defenders, and shares its expertise in this area with people at risk due to their human rights work. PI tailors its approach to context and profile and always works in partnerships with defenders and local human rights movements.
Protection International has been working since 2004 with local partners in over thirty countries across the globe. Currently PI maintains presences in Thailand, Indonesia, Kenya, DR Congo, Colombia, Guatemala, and Belgium (Head Office).
The role
Under its 2019-23 Global Strategy PI will decentralize its decision making processes and transform in a networks of Regional Protection Hubs. Each regional presence will be led by a Regional Director who will represent PI in the region and work under the direct supervision of Protection International Kenya’s Board of Directors.
The Africa Regional Director will be responsible for expanding PI’s work in the region as well as overseeing the sound implementation of projects, campaigns, initiatives and services in Africa in line with PI’s Global Strategy and in close collaboration with PI’s Global Team.
Responsibilities
·         Analyze the political context in the region and its impact on the work of defenders, identifying new trends and areas of intervention.
·         Lead the development of PI Regional Hub in line with PI’s Global Strategy 2019-23 and in close collaboration with PI’s Executive Director;
·         Plan and coordinate PI’s Regional Hub by developing sound regional strategies for PI’s support to human rights defenders which take into account other desks, projects and initiatives implemented in the Region;
·         Ensure consistency between PI’s Global advocacy strategy and communication initiatives developed at the regional and national level;
·         Legal representation in the region and ensure legal and administrative compliance of the regional hub;
·         Activating legal representative in countries where there is no PI legal representative;
·         Develop and maintain sound working relations with partners and donors in the region;
·         In coordination with PI Global team ensure consistency and sustainability of funding streams and fundraising strategies across the organization;
·         Oversee the sound administration of PI’s presences in the region and manage human resources in close collaboration with the Regional Board;
·         Ensure sound financial management of the Regional Hub by contributing directly to PI’s annual global budget planning and its revisions;
·         Contribute to PI Global learning and knowledge sharing across the organization Represent PI in national and international fora, productively engaging with relevant stakeholders;
·         Coordinate with other PI Regional Directors;
·         Oversee sound information and security management for PI staff in the region.
Qualifications
·         Relevant academic background (international law, political sciences, sociology, among others);
·         Minimum 5 years of experience in a similar position or as an Executive Director of a national NGO;
·         Sound experience and a proven record of accomplishment in management at regional level;
·         Extensive experience working with human rights defenders and in close collaboration with civil society.
Skills and Knowledge
·         Commitment to PI’s mission and to the work of human rights defenders;
·         Excellent knowledge of the international human rights system as well as of international, regional and national mechanisms for the protection of human rights defenders;
·         A proven ability to plan strategically;
·         Entrepreneurship and ability to work in a flexible environment;
·         Management experience;
·         Alliance builder;
·         Strong negotiation skills and the ability to influence others;
·         Capacity to motivate colleagues and to assume leadership;
·         Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a multi-cultural team with respect for diversity;
·         Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and French are required.
·         Ability to travel in the Region and overseas.
The offer
One-year, renewable employment contract, governed by Kenyan law. Competitive benefits and gross annual salary in line with the sector, commensurate with skills and experience.
The position is full-time and based in Nairobi, Kenya. Candidates need to qualify for a work- permit in Kenya.

Senior Research Associate
Ref.: 2018/026/NRS/KE/SSA
The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a qualified and competent staff to provide support to the Food and Nutritional Evaluation Laboratory (FANEL) in delivering good quality work to CIP, RTB and partner projects.
The Position: The Senior Research Associate will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and report to the Regional Food Scientist.
Responsibilities
·         Review of technical and compliant cGLP analytical data;
·         Analysis of cGLP samples utilizing various analytical techniques-HPLC, GC/MS, LCMC, ICP, etc., including method validation, method transfer, and stability;
·         Review of cGLP equipment and software qualifications and repair;
·         Assist in developing new methods and keep current methods up to standards, assure quality assurance, contribute scientifically to the work;
·         Attend to visitors and train other labs on similar methods;
·         Develop and conduct acceptable studies with Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB) and Biofortified crops;
·         Provide nutritional inputs to other areas of CIP and RTB in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA);
·         Develop and conduct retention studies with biofortified crops;
·         Development of new food products and food recipes with RTB and biofortified crops;
·         Supervise students on thesis research topics of relevance to RTB and biofortified crops food science program;
·         Participate in nutrition and food science professional forums in SSA;
·         Contribute to Project reports and publish relevant findings on a timely basis
Qualifications
·         Master’s degree in Food Science and Technology, Nutrition, Biochemistry, Chemistry or related fields. PhD holders in any of the related fields will also be considered.
·         At least 8 years’ experience in Research Laboratory or Food industry;
·         Advanced level of MS Office;
·         Fluent verbal and written communication skills in English and Kiswahili.
Conditions
The position is Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position limited to Kenya nationals and permanent residents only. The employment contract will be for a one-year term (with a 3- month probation period) and the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

Project Management Officer – TAAT
Ref.: 2018/025/NRS/KE/SSA
The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking an experienced Project Management Officer to work directly under Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation Project (TAAT) and help ensure they deliver on-time, within the applicable scope and budget.
The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of TAAT project, set deadlines, assign responsibilities and monitor and summarize progress of project. If you enjoy working with other professionals dedicated to achieving food security, we encourage you to apply.
The Position: The PMO will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and report to the Head of Project Management Unit. This position will also assist in ensuring that project staff follow CIP policies and procedures while adhering to donor rules and regulations while acting as the liaison between project field offices and Kenya-based interdepartmental teams to ensure projects are successful. The job requires travel to field sites (up to 25% of time).
Responsibilities
·         Project implementation and compliance: Serve as primary point of contact for TAAT project operations during and after the life of the project; Deliver and maintain professional working relationships with internal clients and other project partners and ensure resource availability and allocation;
·         Monitoring and Reporting: Monitor progress against project output and provide feedback as needed; Measure project performance using appropriate tools and dispatched to donors’ representatives; Maintain comprehensive project documentation
·         Support on administrative processes inherent to Project implementation, following the AfDB Disbursement Handbook, AfDB Procurement Guidelines, other donor contractual requirements and CIP’s internal processes.
·         Administrative and logistics support on the project execution and organization of events.
·         Organize and manage reception and filing of project documents.
·         Review records, accounting and financial controls of the activities carried out in the project.
·         Obtain clearance from donor, whenever required.
·         Prepare donor reports, observing the contractual requirements. He / She will also be responsible for preparing the relevant documentation for audits.
·         Monitoring and budget implementation, follow-up of regulations established by donor and carry out capacity building activities for project team and partners.
·         Review the project monthly account closure and prepare the required reports for the project manager.
·         Other tasks assigned, related to the work area.
Qualifications
·         Bachelor’s degree in in Business Administration, Financial Management or related field. Master’s degree in Development, Administration and/or Project Management, will be desirable;
·         At least 6 years’ experience working with African development bank projects and familiarity with their guidelines;
·         Proficient in MS Office, especially in Excel;

·         Advanced Knowledge in software solutions (ERP);
·         Proficiency in project management software tools;
·         Fluent verbal and written communication skills in English and Kiswahili.
·         Working knowledge of French will be an added advantage.
What are the conditions
The position is Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position limited to Kenya nationals and permanent residents only. The employment contract will be for a one-year term (with a 3- month probation period) and the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

Associate Scientist – Molecular Biologist
Ref.: 18-92 ASMB/GRS/SSA
The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking a dynamic and innovative scientist with expertise in conducting research on genetic improvement of biotic resistance to design and implement biotechnology strategies to confer host resistance to multiple diseases of the potato.
About the role
This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, and will report to the Game Changing Solutions Leader. The successful candidate will partner with expert teams both within and outside CIP from disciplines such as molecular biology, pathology, genomics and bioinformatics. The Scientist will contribute to the development of regulatory and stewardship activities related to biotech products.
The Scientist will contribute to fund raising and lead a team of research scientists and technicians.
Responsibilities
·         Conduct research in potato to design and implement biotechnology strategies to confer host resistance to multiple diseases of the potato.
·         Remain current on molecular biology including genome editing approaches amenable to crop improvement by participating in professional meetings and career development activities.
·         Establish collaborative research initiatives to identify new genes contributing to disease resistance in potato.
·         Identify and exploit useful novel techniques to speed up the processes of development and characterization of transgenic potatoes.
·         Participate in field evaluations of the developed transgenic potatoes.
·         Design original research related to the institution program priorities to develop publications in peer-reviewed journals of international significance.
·         Contribute to fund raising initiative by jointly developing research ideas, concept notes, and proposals with the relevant teams within CIP and with external partners.
Qualifications
·         PhD in in molecular biology or related fields.
·         At least 4 years of international experience with genetically engineered plants, preferably potato, and lab techniques such as: PCR, RT-PCR, Southern blotting, sub-cloning, genome sequencing and bioinformatics
·         Good communication abilities to scientists and to the public.
·         Track record of relevant scientific publications.
·         Research experience in sub-Saharan Africa is an asset.
·         Good capabilities to supervise and mentor young staff.
·         Knowledge of project management.
·         Strong team player, self-motivated, goal-oriented and committed to shared goals.
·         Ability to work independently in a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional, and multi-cultural environment.
·         Commitment to work in a multi-partner, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
·         Excellent level in written and spoken English.
What We Offer
·         Good working environment
·         Great career opportunity in an international organization.
·         Salary will be internationally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with experience.
·         Comprehensive international insurance coverage.
·         Attractive retirement plan.
·         Three-year term contract with the possibility of renewal.
·         Work in an equal and diverse workplace.

International Coalition Coordinator
Ref: 18-90/ICC/GRS/SSA
The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking an International Coalition Coordinator to coordinate partners and interventions at the regional scale. The position will be based out of Nairobi and will report to the Global Potato Program Leader. The selected candidate is expected to have experience in agricultural development and partner management.
About the role
The Potato Coalition is an alliance to holistically support potato value chains from the lab to the consumer across Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda. The Coordinator will provide direction and support to the six country coordinators to realise the full potential of the Irish Potato Coalition.
The Coordinator will also be responsible to lead the anticipated project ‘Technical backstopping within the potato working group in seven One World – No Hunger partner countries (Kenya, Uganda, Cameroon, Tunisia, Mali, Nigeria and India). The objective of the advisory role is to foster a crosscountry learning and knowledge exchange within a community of practice. A working group on potato has been established with 23 active members from the partner countries.
Responsibilities
Irish Potato Coalition
·         To strengthen and engage new partnerships across public and private sectors to strengthen alliances and mobilize resources
·         Facilitate knowledge transfer within the Coalition
·         Actively collect, synthesize and share information within the Coalition
·         Support systems to develop evidenced based data and knowledge
·         Promote the role of potato in the development agenda
·         Produce annual report of member activities and impact
Partnership Building and Fundraising
·         Develop Innovative partnerships and approaches with public and private institutions
·         Support the efforts to create innovative alliances and partnerships with the private sector across the country to contribute with CIP’s mission
·         Represent CIP at the country level with donor, and partners to support program development and growth
Project Management
·         Provide management in all aspects of project implementation
·         Coordinate the technical staff and consultants to deliver on project assignments
·         Work with administrative and finance units at CIP
·         Ensure proper technical review of project assignments prior to submission to the donor
·         Provide meaningful project reports updating on implementational and financial status
·         Oversee the development of partner sub-agreements and works plans
·         Monitor adherence to consultancy contract and grant agreement, CIP policies and procedures and relevant external rules and regulations
Project Support Operations
·         Coordinate with finance and administration staff to ensure operational systems are in place to support field activities including logistics, procurement, security, administration and human resources.
Qualifications
·         PhD level degree in relevant discipline in agronomy, agricultural economics or a closely related discipline
·         Strong experience of at least 8 years in managing and delivering on agricultural-related projects in an international development context
·         Proven experience managing multi-partner development projects that engage several consultants
·         Experience working in sub-Saharan Africa essential
·         Experience engaging high level partnerships with international and national institutions, and the donor community
·         Ability to prioritize responsibilities
·         Demonstrate leadership, integrity and versatility
·         Strong communication and interpersonal skills
·         Fluency in written and spoken English
·         Spoken French required
·         Excellent writing skills – able to develop meaningful reports
·         Willingness to travel frequently and work under field conditions
How to apply
Visit the following link: https://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/ and submit your cover letter and a full C.V. with your references. Screening of applications will begin on December 15, 2018 and will continue until the post is filled. All applications will be acknowledged; however only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.