Project Manager

Description

Heifer International is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) whose mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the earth. We work with farmers and their communities to identify opportunities that deliver living incomes, creating solutions to local challenges that are designed to build inclusive, resilient economies. With Increased productivity of livestock and crops, farmers provide for their families and improve the health of their communities. Heifer

Heifer International is partnering with Cargill Inc. and the International Poultry Council in the implementation of the Transformational Strategies for Farm Output Risk Mitigation or “TRANSFORM” in Kenya. TRANSFORM is a USAID-funded project and a critical part of the Health Security Program that seeks to advance market-driven animal health solutions to increase global health security and increase access to safe, affordable, animal-sourced nutrition while improving farm productivity and farmer incomes. TRANSFORM focuses on protecting human health by improving practices related to animal production through the mitigation of antimicrobial resistance and prevention of emerging infectious diseases (zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases-TADs) while improving farmer livelihoods in Kenya. Heifer is leading the deployment of biosecurity training to farmers and other value chain players through community agro-veterinary entrepreneurs (CAVEs) and farmer agrobusinesses; Social and Behavior Change awareness campaigns in biosecurity measures using different approaches; supporting farmer and value chain actors’ access to finance and market linkages to input suppliers, off-takers, and other actors in the market system.

FUNCTION

The Project Manager will be responsible for the successful implementation of the TRANSFORM project goal and objectives by providing leadership to the project team and partners to ensure high-quality programming in compliance with donor and Heifer regulations. S/he will ensure management of the project in line with the donor contract, scope, deliverables, and budget, and oversee coaching and performance management of project staff.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS

Heifer International Kenya is looking for a self-motivated, values and results-oriented leader of high integrity and accountability.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES

A. Project management and program effectiveness (40%): Day-to-day management and implementation to ensure achievement of project objectives and outputs & activities.

Provide overall leadership and management of the Project including technical, team, and operational. Collaborate with the project team and Signature Program Technical Lead and other function heads to develop annual workplans and budgets. Coach staff to assist them in carrying out their assignments to achieve individual and project targets and facilitate their performance management processes. Work closely with the Signature Program Technical Lead and other function heads in relevant departments to ensure timely review, submission, and dissemination of project information and reports.

B. Project planning, monitoring, and reporting

Ensure compliance with donor requirements and Heifer’s internal policies and procedures. Accountable for quality and timely reporting, project reviews and documentation, and sharing of learnings. Responsible for Project documentation, audits, and global indicator monitoring and evaluation reports. Oversee regular documentation and dissemination of Project Success stories and lessons learned.

 C. Stakeholder’s management (25 %)

Build and manage relationships and represent the organization and the Project at the county and national levels. Maintain regular communication and engagement with the donor. Collaborate with relevant local, international, and private sector partners or stakeholders. Facilitate knowledge sharing through establishing strategies and creating appropriate forums for multi-stakeholder engagement and learning. Develop strategies for capturing and sharing Project knowledge with the donor. Develop the project exit strategy.

 D. May perform other job-related duties as assigned (5%)

Any other job-related tasks assigned by the line manager or Country Director

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine, animal science or animal health, project planning and management, agriculture, agribusiness, business administration, enterprise development, and other relevant qualifications from a recognized Institution. Seven (7) years of relevant experience in the veterinary /animal health sector, animal health production, program management, extension, and community development work, with at least four (4) years of supervisory/managerial experience. Substantial experience in implementing animal health intervention and managing projects funded by USAID and or other donors. Substantial experience building public/private partnerships, preferably in the agriculture/ veterinary/animal health sector.

Preferred Requirements

Master’s Degree in relevant professional discipline. Thorough knowledge of programming processes, systems, and principles, and the ability to provide leadership and support to staff working at the community level. Strong poultry value chain and livestock sector experience. Strong background and experience in the capacity building of producer organizations including dairy cooperatives. Partnership management experience and working through partnership structures, consortiums, and private sector partners. Sound business knowledge especially in the agricultural and agribusiness sector. Solid knowledge and foundation in proposal development, financial and budget management, and the project management cycle. Sound knowledge of value chain development on various agricultural commodities including the Poultry and Livestock sectors.

 
Most Critical Proficiencies

Strong business skills, leadership, strategic, and innovation skills. Strong communication skills in both English, Swahili, and other local languages of the cluster area. Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in One Health, antimicrobial use stewardship principles, farm management/ animal production, and veterinary practice. Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in dairy value chain development. Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness, and ability to incorporate innovative solutions and design catalytic activities within the value chain (e.g., the concept of quality-based pricing). Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategies aimed at providing institutional capacity building’ to key partner institutions with a view to building a more efficient, competitive, and sustainable dairy industry. This requirement is in line with the need to have in-built ‘exit strategies’ within the project as a measure of ensuring that there are self-sustaining businesses by project end. Ability to manage training programs targeted at farmers in animal husbandry, feed, and health. Knowledge of and experience in setting up cottage industries for processing for onward supply to niche markets as well as implementing supply promotion/stimulation strategies in the context of the Poultry and Livestock sub-sector. Experience in building and managing strategic partnerships with the public and private sector including in extension and processing. Strong computer literacy, preferably with Microsoft Office Suite.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to individuals diplomatically and tactfully. Must be courteous, honest, and of high integrity, especially in high-pressure situations. Proven interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to relate to individuals and groups diplomatically and tactfully. Self-starter and self-motivator with the ability to work in a multicultural setting. Must be a team player and can execute and manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision. Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.

Heifer International is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

Deadline for Application: 25 September 2023