NGO Jobs in Nairobi Kenya - IFDC

Job Description: Technical Agribusiness Cluster Assistant,2 SCALE East and South Africa Division 

(This position is open to Kenya Nationals only)

Background: The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization addressing critical issues such as international food security, the alleviation of global hunger and poverty, environmental protection and the promotion of economic development and self-sufficiency. 

It focuses on increasing productivity across the agricultural value chain in developing countries. 

This is achieved through creation and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise.

IFDC is presently implementing a Dutch-funded project entitled “Toward Sustainable Clusters in Agribusiness through Learning in Entrepreneurship” (2SCALE). 

The project aims at improving rural livelihoods and food security across several African countries.

Job Description and Essential Requirements for the Technical Agribusiness Cluster Assistant
 

The Technical Agribusiness Cluster Assistant will be based in Kenya and will have the responsibility for the implementation of 2SCALE activities. 

S/he will assist the National Agribusiness Cluster Advisor in identifying profitable agricultural market opportunities and facilitating the development of sustainable agribusiness clusters.

Tasks
 

The Technical Cluster Assistant will provide support to the Cluster Advisor in the following tasks:

1. Identifying agribusiness opportunities and champions through networking, communication and market analyses.
 

2. Supporting cluster stakeholders to develop multi-annual agribusiness plans that include an exit strategy, and update them yearly.
 

3. In close collaboration with other project staff he/she, will provide support in implementing activities, including but not limited to:
 

a) Facilitation of up or downstream linkages between agribusiness clusters and national, regional and multinational agro-companies. 

b) Facilitation of a pro-active networking among agribusiness cluster actors and other stakeholders.
 

c) Analysis of markets, cluster performance, and recommendations to improve this performance.
 

d) Training of targeted Business Support Service providers on relevant issues related to agribusiness cluster creation and commodity chain development.
 

e) Preparation and monitoring of contract agreements with Business Support Service providers and other partner institutions. 

f) Identification, promotion and dissemination of innovative technologies, practices and business models at all levels of the value chains.
 

g) Facilitation of learning among cluster stakeholders, implementation of demonstration plot activities (e.g. soil fertility management practices), and contribution to the development of learning networks.
 

4. Include gender and environmental considerations in all project activities.
 

5. Document lessons learned, share them in reports and integrate them into subsequent project activities.

In addition, the Technical Cluster Assistant will be accountable for the following tasks:

• Writing technical reports and notes as requested, respecting strict deadlines.
• Developing and ensuring good working relationship with agribusiness partners and local authorities.
• Acting as Cluster Advisor when necessary.
• Any other assignments that the Cluster Advisor or the project management deem necessary for the success of the project.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in agriculture, project management, or another relevant field with at least 12 years of relevant professional experience, including experience in agribusiness, rural/agricultural processing institution or private-sector agricultural production company(ies).
• Willingness to travel extensively (up to 50% of the time) in difficult conditions in Kenya, and with some occasional assignments in other project countries.

Required Skills

• Knowledge of main constraints and innovative technologies and practices in agricultural production, seed production, processing, storage, trade and marketing. Knowledge of agricultural value chains will be an added advantage.
• Ability to communicate effectively and in a participatory way with stakeholders of diverse interests, from both public and private sectors.
• Skills in organizing and facilitating training programs, workshops or field days.
• Team player, able to work in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment, preferably prior experience of having worked in Eastern Africa region.
• Ability to write reports in English and respect deadlines.
• Fluent in English and Kiswahili.

Qualified candidates should send their applications via e-mail only to: hrkenya@ifdc.org with copy to ifdckenya@ifdc.org. 

Write clearly in the subject line «TECHINICAL CLUSTER ASSISTANT – 2SCALE».

Job Description: Assistant Soil Fertility Expert
 

Position Summary: The Assistant Soil Fertility Expert will work under the supervision of the Soil Fertility Expert and will assist in training, preparation of training materials, evaluation of field trials, statistical analysis, literature reviews, and synthesis of information on soil fertility and plant nutrition. 

The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya. 

Regional travel will be necessary from time to time to visit IFDC projects in various countries in East and Southern Africa, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique, and possibly DRC, Tanzania, Zambia, and Ethiopia. 

This is a full-time position with an initial probationary period.

Duties
 

Specific duties will include but not be limited to:

• Evaluation of ongoing demonstrations and trials in various countries
• Reviewing literature and synthesis of essential information from the same, and preparing drafts for publications
• Performing basic statistical analyses, and writing up results for publication
• Training of agronomists in various countries
• Preparing drafts of experimental protocols
• Preparing PowerPoint presentation
• Representing IFDC at meeting with partners and stakeholder
• Any other duties falling within the professional purview of an agronomist as may be requested by the Soil Fertility Expert

Required Qualification and Experience

• BSc or equivalent degree in Agronomy or a related soil and plant sciences
• Good writing skills and ability to do literature reviews and synthesize essential information from the same.
• Good communication and presentation skills
• Computer literate in Windows-based versions of Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point.
• Competency in basic statistical analyses, with familiarity with statistical analysis software
• Training skills

Required Experience

• Over 5 years' experience and expertise in the areas of soil fertility and plant nutrition

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should send their applications via e-mail only to: hrkenya@ifdc.org with copy to ifdckenya@ifdc.org. 

Write clearly in the subject line “ASSISTANT FOIL FERTILILTY EXPERT”. 

Job Title:Administration & Finance Manager
 

Job Ref: IFDC-IPNI

Open to Kenyan Nationals Only

 
The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization addressing critical issues such as international food security, the alleviation of global hunger and poverty, environmental protection and the promotion of economic development and self-sufficiency. 

IFDC focuses on increasing productivity across the agricultural value chain in developing countries.

This is achieved by the creation and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise implemented in partnership with various Governments, private sector institutions and other stakeholders.

It is in this context that we are presently implementing Projects with IPNI and wish to recruit for an Admin & Finance Manager to support IPNI activities.
 

IPNI and Organizational set-up: The International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) is a global non-profit, science-based organization with focus on agronomic support to increase agricultural productivity.

IPNI has active programs in Africa, Australia/New Zealand, Brazil, China, Eastern Europe/Central Asia and Middle East, Latin America-Southern Cone, Northern Latin America, North America (Canada and U.S.A.), South Asia, and Southeast Asia. IPNI supports the global fertilizer industry and is recognized world-wide in providing leadership in agronomic research. 

The IPNI program in sub-Saharan Africa was started in 2010, and works with various institutions including the private sector, national agricultural research and extension systems, Universities, International Agricultural Research Systems and other stakeholders to implement research and training programs to enhance agricultural performance in Africa.

Objective: The overall purpose of this post is to support the IPNI Africa Region Director in the establishment and maintenance of a fully and efficiently functional office in terms of programme administration, financial and budgetary management, HRM and logistic support. 

The position will provide leadership and oversight to the administrative and financial operations of IPNI Africa and act as the Director’s principal resource person in the preparation of HQ and Donor reports. 

The ideal candidate should have strong leadership skills, and posses professional qualifications and experience to lead accounting and administrative duties of the IPNI office to ensures the correct and effective management of financial resources, in accordance with IPNI’s procedures, guidelines and policies.
 

IPNI aims to work towards acquiring independent institutional status and Accreditation with the Government of the Republic of Kenya in the shortest possible time.

In the meantime, the appointee will require the wit to juggle with and protect the delicate interests of all Project collaboration partners as IPNI progressively acquires legal status and rolls out of this arrangement. 

The position is tenable in Nairobi, Kenya.
 

Specific Responsibilities:
 

The immediate responsibility of the appointee will be to review IPNI’s finance and administration management systems, structure and operation environment in Africa and support the development of a new program management system for the institution.

The appointee will also need to:

• Carefully review all the IPNI and hosting institution policy tools including Governance policies and structures, current operational strategy (Strategic Plan), Financial management policy and accounts manuals, Account codes for nature of transaction and by project,
• Understand the concept on which IPNI Africa funds are managed within IPNI as a global institution. This includes budget/project envelopes, mechanisms for donor accounting and reporting etc.
• IPNI and hosting institutions human resource policies and standard documentation, Standard Operating and Administrative Procedures Manuals

Financial Management

• Develop and implement sound financial systems, policies and procedures that ensure adequate controls are in place in order to maintain proper books of accounts and to safe guard the assets of the IPNI Africa Program.
• Design and coordinate implementation and maintenance of financial operations and management information systems.
• Establish precise and complete expenditure controls, ensuring that all commitments are properly approved and that all expenditures are appropriately supported and are within budget allocations.
• Ensure compliance with organizational financial policies as well as statutory financial requirements
• Prepare monthly and annual financial reports for IPNI and donor agencies.
• Coordinate with relevant program and support staff on the management of issues that include but are not limited to: Preparing monthly, quarterly and annual expenditure plans.
• Any other tasks which are necessary to further the work of IPNI Africa’s financial management.

Administration

• Do situation analysis and stock-take the office environment and the hosting arrangements with the IFDC, ICIPE, and GoK with a view to ensuring that IPNI always gets value for its resources in the arrangements.
• Will represent the Director in Hosting agreement and office accommodation and facility negotiations and arrangements.
• Maintain oversight on procurements, design and print necessary stationery, and set up offices for basic functionality; telephone installations, computers, furniture etc. Also register IPNI Nairobi with UNDP-IAPSO for cheap procurements of project vehicles and equipment.
• Manage personnel matters dealing with staff issues such as, administering and management of contracts, working conditions, conflict resolution etc.
• Assist with the preparation of legal agreements for employees and outside contractors.
• Maintain effective working relationships with the IPNI’s hosting institutions.

Key Competencies and Qualifications:

• Minimum: a University Degree in Finance, Business Administration with HR related Discipline. Fully Qualified Accountant with an international accounting body qualification or MBA is an asset.
• At least 5 years of relevant working experience with international research and development organizations.
• Strong computer literacy with high competencies in excel and knowledge of accounting software.
• Ability to effectively manage a variety of internal and external relationships, including relationships with donors.
• Good knowledge of international donors procedures and security management.
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to details.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, under pressure and ability to respect deadlines.
• Strong analytical, communication, and team building skills.

Application Details:
 

Prospective candidates must submit a letter of motivation and detailed CV, together with the names of at least two referees by email to the Director, International Plant Nutrition Institute, Africa Program. Email: szingore@ipni.net; ssa@ipni.net.
 

Closing date for application is 15 February 2015.
 

Date for commencement of duties is 1 March 2015.
 

The remuneration package, including benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. 

The initial position is expected to be on a full time contract position for two years.

Closing Date for Application: 15 February, 2015