Farm Africa
Vacancy Announcement
Vacancy Announcement
Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (M, E & L) Officer
Reports To: Senior Project
Officer
Staff Reporting to Post
Holder: None
Location: Kisumu, with
regular travel to project sites
Duration & Hours: May 2019 –
February 2020, full-time, renewable based on performance and availability of
funds.
Purpose of the
Role: The M&EL officer, based in Kisumu, will form an integral
part of Farm Africa’s Piloting Market-led Solutions to Aquaculture Development
in Kenya. This is an 11 month project focusing on to test market-led solutions
for production and market access constraints faced by pond farmers.
The project will increase the level and quality of fish
production, markets and linkages within the aquaculture value chain. This
innovative project builds on Farm Africa’s experience in developing the
aquaculture industry to create a sustainable and accessible market for farmers
to sell high quality produce. The area of intervention is Kisii, Vihiga,
Kakamega and Nyamira.
Reporting to the Senior Project Officer, the M, E & L
Officer is responsible for ensuring the consistent and high quality collection,
use and reporting of project results data, throughout the project cycle.
The post holder will ensure that the project implements the
appropriate M&E plans, based on the logical framework that is suitably
updated to reflect changing situations and support the project team to use
robust evidence of project results as a vital input to management decision
making.
This position requires a monitoring, evaluation and learning
practitioner with at least 2 years experience of field level data collection,
ideally within the agricultural sector working with stakeholders across the
agricultural value chain.
The candidate will have demonstrable understanding of the
monitoring systems and standards adopted by both international non-governmental
organisations and private sector companies. High competency in monitoring work
planning, data collection, analysis, reporting and communication is essential
to this role.
Key Tasks and
Responsibilities
The M, E & L Officer will plan and implement the KMAP
monitoring activities and will be responsible for the following:
1. Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Planning
·
Support the project team and Senior Project Officer in reviewing
data collection tools to ensure accurate and consistent data is collected
·
Work with the team to integrate M&E activities into project
work plans for all relevant staff and stakeholders (including external
partners)
2. Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Implementation
·
Conduct data collecting, entry and cleaning of project data
·
Training of data collection personnel on the data collection
instruments, such as ODK, and data collection techniques
3. Project Quality Assurance
·
Support the M&EL officer in reviewing monitoring reports to
assess interim impacts and identify causes of potential bottlenecks in
implementation
·
Prepare and maintain the project database
·
Liaise with the project team staff on reporting and data sharing
4. Reporting
·
Support the Senior Project Officer to use Farm Africa’s
templates to compile monthly, quarterly and annual reports and work plans for
submission to the Programmes Manager.
·
Provide evidence and data for project donor progress reports as
stipulated in the donor contracts
·
Produce reports/articles and other information as requested by
the SPO and Farm Africa management team
5. Others
·
To play an active role as a member of the Farm Africa team
·
Any other duties as may be assigned by the SPO/ Farm Africa
management team
Person Specification
Education,
qualifications & other knowledge
Essential
·
University degree in project monitoring and evaluation,
Aquaculture, agribusiness management, agricultural Economics, or any related
field.
·
Knowledge & practical experience of farmer participatory
research
Desirable
·
Training in Aquaculture
Experience
Essential
·
At least 2 years of experience in M&E role
·
Experience in analyzing data using Excel
·
Familiarity with the Log frame approach to results based
monitoring
·
Experience carrying out focus group discussions and using other
qualitative tools for data collection
Desirable
·
Experience in designing tools and protocols for data collection,
analysis and production of reports
·
Experience in analyzing data using any statistical software
·
Knowledge of ODK and/or GIS software packages
·
Experience in the aquaculture and fisheries industry
Skills & abilities
Essential
·
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and computer
literacy (including MS Office, Internet and email usage)
Desirable
·
Training skills and experience
·
Good interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively as
part of a team
Our Values
Investing in smallholder farming is the number one way to combat
poverty in rural Africa. Farm Africa is a leading NGO specialising in growing
agriculture, protecting the environment and developing businesses in rural
Africa.
EXPERT. Deep expertise and insightful evidence-based solutions
are at the heart of everything Farm Africa does.
GROUNDED. Positive change starts with Africa’s people, so our
experts work closely with local communities, engaging them in every level of
decision-making.
IMPACTFUL. We take a long-term view so we can deliver lasting
changes for farmers and their families.
BOLD. We model innovative new approaches and are not afraid to
challenge strategies that are failing.
Job Title: Senior Project Officer (SPO)
Reports To: Progammes
Manager
Staff Reporting To Post Holder: Monitoring,
Evaluation and Learning officer
Location: Kisumu
with regular travel to project sites in Kisii, Vihiga, Kakamega and Nyamira.
Duration & Hours: May
2019 – February 2020, full-time, renewable based on performance and
availability of funds.
Purpose of the Role: The
Senior Project Officer (SPO) based in Kisumu, will form an integral part of
Farm Africa’s Piloting Market-led Solutions to Aquaculture Development in
Kenya. This is an 11 month project focusing on to test market-led solutions for
production and market access constraints faced by pond farmers.
The
project will increase the level and quality of fish production, markets and
linkages within the aquaculture value chain. This innovative project builds on
Farm Africa’s experience in developing the aquaculture industry to create a
sustainable and accessible market for farmers to sell high quality produce.
The
area of intervention is Kisii, Vihiga, Kakamega and Nyamira.
Reporting
to the Programmes Manager, the SPO is responsible for timely and high quality
project delivery, liaison with private sector, farmers and other actors. Budget
management and reporting on progress, throughout the project cycle.
The
post holder will ensure that the project implements the appropriate activities,
based on the work plan and budget for the project and reflect on how to improve
the delivery of the project based on data and field observations gathered
during the project.
This
position requires an experienced officer with strong agri-business background
and management skills and experience working with the private sector. S/he will
have a track record of value chain development including production, marketing,
linkages and developing business plans. High competence in budgeting, reporting,
work planning, line management and ensuring project deliverables are met, are
essential.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
The
Senior Project Officer will oversee project implementation by Farm Africa and
will be responsible for the following:
1.
Project Implementation
·
Ensure all project outputs, as listed in the project documents,
are effectively achieved.
·
To provide overall technical and operations leadership in
development of business groups while networking with farmers and actors from
the private sector.
·
To manage and nurture mutually beneficial partnerships with
other stakeholders, including various service providers, Government
departments, Local NGO’s and private sector companies.
·
To oversee the formation of farmer business groups and
facilitates their integration within the aquaculture market system.
·
Ensure high quality training delivery and appropriate
participatory didactical methods for training and hands on support to diverse
stakeholders for aquaculture farmers, agents and relevant stakeholders.
·
To facilitate the formation of aggregation and marketing
organisations, and support the development of business management competency
for market orientation of producers, input providers and marketers.
·
Organise networking events in collaboration with other actors in
the aquaculture sector.
·
Collate all activity progress and monitoring & evaluation
activity into monthly reporting templates for feedback to Farm Africa.
2.
Business development
·
Improve entrepreneurial skills and business thinking of actors
along the value chain
·
Improve market orientation of the actors
·
Foster business linkages horizontally and vertically in the
value chain
·
Provide capacity building on all elements of the project’s
clients business enterprises, organizational development
3.
Project Management
·
Take responsibility for effective management of the project’s
field activities.
·
To lead in project work planning and ensure relevant Farm Africa
support staff and consultants are notified in due time to support high quality
deliverables.
·
To prepare monthly project budgets and work plans in line with
Farm Africa’s planning process and schedules on timely basis
·
To manage the project in accordance with project documents, work
plans and budgets and ensure that work is consistent with Farm Africa’s
strategies and the conditions of donor contracts.
·
In collaboration with the M&EL officer, develop and
implement a project monitoring and evaluation process, capturing project
outcomes/impact and lessons learned and use this information to improve project
implementation.
·
To line manage the M&EL Officer staff in Kisumu office.
·
To ensure the smooth implementation, management and
sustainability of all project activities completed by Farm Africa and project
partners.
·
Prepare field visits for visitors and networking events
4.
Staff Management
·
Providing leadership and motivation to the project team.
·
To provide expert guidance and support for staff in development
of business focused initiatives to support sustainable private sector uptake of
interventions.
·
Supervise staff and ensure they provide the required inputs for
successful project implementation.
·
Evaluate staff development needs for the project and ensure they
have the right skills necessary for the successful implementation of the
project.
·
To carry out Mid-term reviews and annual appraisals with all
line-managed staff in line with Farm Africa staff appraisal system.
·
To chair the weekly project management meetings and ensure
adherence to work plans of all personnel.
·
Ensure that all project staff have developed individual
operations plan for tracking of implementation of activities.
5.
Project Development
·
Assist in identifying new areas of intervention and partners for
project implementation and scaling up.
·
To support in identifying new funding opportunities for the
project (both public and private).
·
To co-ordinate in the design of new phases for project
implementation and ensure that evidence based lessons learned are documented
and built into future project designs.
·
To keep abreast of relevant policy matters and to ensure that
the project is actively engaged with all relevant agriculture sector
developments.
6.
Finance management
·
To monitor and ensure the spending for the projects is in line
with the annual work plan and budget and donor contractual obligations.
·
To ensure compliance with and support production of up to date
financial reporting to Farm Africa Country Office and HQ monthly reconciliation
band statements, and ensure accuracy and timeliness in submissions.
7.
Networking
·
Ensure strong partnership and liaison with project partners and
work effectively to maintain and develop dialogues on policy with the Ministry
of Agriculture, livestock and fisheries, county governments, private sector
interest associations, etc.
·
In consultation with the Farm Africa Country Director (or
representative) / Programmes Manager, represent Farm Africa’s interests in
relevant forums.
·
Convene a monthly reflection meeting and ensure effective
participation of all stakeholders.
8.
Reporting
·
Using Farm Africa’s templates, compile monthly, quarterly and
annual reports and work plans for submission to the Programmes Manager.
·
Responsible for the production of training and workshop reports
of a high standard Compiling project donor progress reports as stipulated in
the donor contracts
·
To participate in regional programme meetings with other project
coordinators, as requested by the programmes Manager.
·
Produce reports/articles and other information as requested by
the Farm Africa management team.
9.
Others
·
To play an active role as a member of the Farm Africa Kenya
team.
·
Any other duties as may be assigned by the Programmes Manager /
Farm Africa management team.
Person Specification
Education, qualifications &
other knowledge
Essential
·
Bachelor degree or higher in Agribusiness, Business Management
or any other related field.
·
Knowledge of the development and policy environment in Kenya
·
Demonstrable understanding of private sector agriculture value
chains and rural development in Kenya
·
Good understanding of how small scale producers can be linked to
the private sector or markets for their produce
Desirable
·
Knowledge in Aquaculture; Masters degree in agribusiness,
Agricultural economic
·
Knowledge & practical experience of farmer participatory
research
·
Knowledge & practical experience of the farmer business
group model
Experience
Essential
·
At least 5 years management experience with a private sector
Agricultural actor and a strong value chains and market engagement focus
·
At least 3 years’ experience of line management and project
planning with staff members.
·
Experience in monitoring and evaluation practice.
·
Work experience with an international NGO with experience of
report writing for large-scale donors.
Desirable
·
At least 3 years field based experience implementing private
sector and small holder projects in agriculture
·
At least 3 years field based experience implementing private
sector and small holder projects in agriculture
·
Experience in the aquaculture and fisheries industry
Skills & abilities
Desirable
·
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and computer
literacy (including MS Office, Internet and email usage)
·
Training skills and experience
Essential
·
Negotiating & managing partner relationships
·
Driving licence category B
·
Experience in off-road driving in rural project sites
Our Values
EXPERT.
Deep expertise and insightful evidence-based solutions are at the heart of
everything Farm Africa does.
GROUNDED.
Positive change starts with Africa’s people, so our experts work closely with
local communities, engaging them in every level of decision-making.
IMPACTFUL.
We take a long-term view so we can deliver lasting changes for farmers and
their families.
BOLD.
We model innovative new approaches and are not afraid to challenge strategies
that are failing.
How to Apply:
If
you meet the above requirements for this position, send your cover letter
indicating the title of the position and the expected salary along with an
updated CV with email and telephone contacts of three professional referees to:
The Corporate Services Manager, mail: kenyarecruitment@farmafrica.org and copy
KMAP@farmafrica.org before 5.00pm on 19th April 2019.
Only
short listed candidates will be contacted.
Farm
Africa is an equal opportunity employer and promotes gender equity.
Canvassing
will lead to automatic disqualification.
Farm
Africa does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. (E.g.
Application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
Please
note this position is subject to donor approval.
