Programme Manager, Sustainable Agriculture and improved Livelihoods, Job in Kenya

The Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi

Job Title: Programme Manager; Sustainable Agriculture and improved Livelihoods

Reporting To: Head of Development Cooperation

Department: Economic Affairs

Number of Positions: 1 Position

Gross Salary Range: Competitive

Job Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Type of Contract: A fulltime contract for 38 hours/week

Placement: Immediate

The Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi represents Sweden in Kenya, Somalia, Seychelles and Comoros.

The Embassy also represents Sweden in UNEP and UN-HABITAT.

The Embassy represents and advances Swedish policies, interests and values in political and economic relations, development cooperation, in trade and investment promotion and in cultural and information matters.

It provides consular services to Swedish nationals and migration services to non-nationals.

The Embassy of Sweden is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all relevant applicants to apply for the position regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, and personal background.

The Kenya Development Cooperation Section is part of the Embassy. It has 18 staff headed by the Head of Section). Sweden has been actively engaged in Kenya development for over 55 years.


Currently, Swedish development cooperation with Kenya is governed by the strategy for Sweden’s Development Cooperation in Kenya 2021-2025.

The objective of the cooperation strategy for Kenya is to contribute to strengthened respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and gender equality; reduced climate impact and increased resilience to climate change, sustainable management and use of natural resources, increased capacity to provide sustainable public services; improved conditions for productive employment and decent work, and for free and fair trade, and strengthened systems for better access to social security.

In addition, the Cooperation Strategy seeks to support a transition from development cooperation to broader relations.

The Development Cooperation section is looking for a Programme Manager; Sustainable Agriculture and improved Livelihoods to work within the Inclusive Economic Development Team under the supervision of the Head of Development Cooperation.

The chosen candidate will occupy a permanent and pensionable position.

The main objective of the position is to support the Embassy of Sweden in Kenya in the management of projects, programmes and policy dialogue in support of poverty alleviation within the theme of inclusive economic development as it applies to development of sustainable agriculture and improved livelihoods.

Main Duties:

·  Manage a portfolio of projects and programmes and follow up on Swedish funded projects by, inter alia: contribute to the programming, identification, formulation, appraisal, implementation and evaluation of projects and programmes in the areas of agriculture, trade, cooperatives, MSMEs within the theme of inclusive economic development;

·  Support policy dialogue with relevant Government of Kenya ministries, development agencies, donors and relevant stakeholders in the sector, including drafting briefings, participating in technical and sectoral meetings, and drafting reports;

·  Approving funding applications including budgets; preparing decisions/contracts and agreements; reviewing and approving narrative, financial and audit reports and proposing corrective actions when needed;

·  Contribute to relevant sector (agriculture, trade, cooperatives, MSMEs) analysis and active follow-up of policy and strategy developments;

·  Contribute to all aspects of the procurement process (drafting Terms of Reference, launching tenders, etc.);

·  Contribute to all aspects of communication and visibility including: summarize and disseminate programme results; sharing of best practices at conferences and events, contribute to the production of publications and social media posts, draft and deliver speeches, etc.

·  Represent the Embassy of Sweden and actively participate in co-ordination for a program reviews, technical discussions, and field visits;

·  Build relationships and develop networks through interaction and continuous dialogue with Government of Kenya, relevant bilateral, multilateral, and sectoral actors

Qualifications

·  A Master’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Economics, Agriculture Economics, Agriculture Extension, Food Security, Environment, or any other related Discipline;

·  Previous experience in Development arena working with, Agriculture development (policy, legal, regulatory, value chains, accelerator programmes, business development, advocacy), resilience and livelihoods building, agriculture and private sector development or related areas.

·  Knowledge of Kenyan institutional structures, policy, and legal framework, key actors, development strategies for agriculture sector and linkages to trade, food security, financial services, private sector and investments sectors.

·  Experience in programmes/projects design, implementation and performance monitoring.

·  A minimum of 10 Years Relevant Working Experience.

·  Good Knowledge of Sustainable Development Issues

·  Good command of both written and spoken English

Added Advantages

·  A strong understanding of Market Systems Development (MSD) and its application to climate smart agriculture value chains development, Agribusiness development and Green Growth;

·  Experience working with national and county agriculture development agencies and organizations and other business support organizations including enterprises and accelerators;

·  A thorough understanding of integration of gender, conflict, environment climate change and biodiversity issues in agriculture value chains and food systems development;

·  An understanding of innovative financing instruments, such as challenge funds, guarantees, catalytic funding or similar and their application to inclusive economic development;

·  A clear understanding of multidimensional poverty analysis principles as it relates to the Kenyan context;

·  A thorough understanding of a Right-based approach as it relates to inclusive economic development and poverty issues in Kenya;

·  Experience of working with Results-based Management.

Personal attributes

·  Dynamic team player able to work across relevant sectors and across different focus areas and take initiative as well as work independently.

·  Ability to adjust to changing priorities and undertake multiple tasks simultaneously.

·  Respect for cultural diversity, with the ability to fit into a diverse team and to establish networks.

·  Excellent organizational skills, strong oral and written communication skills with good command of English.

·  Self-motivated with ability to take initiatives and work unsupervised.

·  Ability to communicate, share knowledge and experiences, and cooperate easily with colleagues

How to Apply

Interested individuals are invited to submit a 1-page Cover Letter, a CV, and a minimum of 3 professional references to GAP Recruitment via THIS LINK, not later than 18th April 2023.

If you are not a citizen of Kenya, please attach a copy of your Kenyan work – and residence permit.

All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in Kenya with the correct visa/work permit status, or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.

The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to

1) Obtain the relevant permit,

2) Pay fees for the permit,

3) Make arrangements to relocate &

4) Meet the costs of relocation.

The Embassy of Sweden does not sponsor visas/work permits.

Work permits will not be arranged by the Embassy.

Should you experience challenges applying via link above, send your application via sourcing@gaprecruitment.co.ke

The email subject should be “PROGRAMME MANAGER; SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS’’

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The terms and conditions for locally employed staff apply.

The employment will start with a 6 months’ probation period.