NGO Jobs in Kenya - ACDI/VOCA

Since 1963 and in 146 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. 

Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society.

ACDI/VOCA currently has 80 projects in 36 countries and revenues of approximately $168 million.
 
We currently seek a Chief of Party, Value Chain Investment Advisor, and Communications Manager for a USAID-funded a project in Kenya that aims to reduce poverty by improving the inclusiveness and competitiveness of the livestock value chains in the arid lands of Kenya. 

The home office is located in Nairobi; however, positions require significant travel/presence in Isiolo County and Marsabit County. 

Kenyan nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

Chief of Party tasks:

Provide overall leadership and technical direction for the program, including leading the strategic planning, implementation and reporting. 

Design, develop and implement strategies and project work plans to improve livestock productivity, strengthen market linkages, and expand access to markets for pastoralists. 

Serve as principal liaison with USAID, government partners, and private sector value chain actors ensuring open dialogue that benefits the program goals. 

Lead efforts to collect, synthesize and disseminate clear information, develop professional relationships, and further program goals and objectives. 

Manage the technical input of all staff, consultants, subcontractors, and project partners and synthesize information for effective reporting. 

Ensure sound and inclusive community-driven implementation of the large “Community Contracting” grants fund, and project contract compliance with USAID and ACDI/VOCA policies and procedures. 

Oversee program administration, human resources management, budget pipeline, and finances. 

Communicate effectively with other USAID project managers, donors, and other indigenous and international NGOs to ensure positive visibility of project activities.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum Master’s Degree in related field. 
  • At least 10 years’ professional experience working on livestock or agricultural development programs in the Horn of Africa, especially in the pastoral areas. 
  • Demonstrated strong written and verbal communications and interpersonal skills; with experience liaising with a wide range of actors, including government, private sector, NGOs, research institutions. 
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate across projects, to be flexible and creative. 
  • Demonstrated skill in strategic thinking and policy analysis and ability to coordinate with host country government. 
  • Strong English language skills, written and spoken.
Value Chain Investment Advisor tasks:

In collaboration with the team, project partners and local communities, design and implement a market-driven strategy that creates incentives for commercial investment in the livestock sector and results in market-led solutions to myriad constraints. 

Lead ongoing community-level market research and in-depth value chain (VC) analyses of the livestock market system (including hides and skins, meat, dairy); analysis will guide project external and internal communications, annual work planning and strategy formulation. 

Identify and implement activities to expand markets into rural areas, including through the rehabilitation of market structures through community-driven grants based on community consultations and constraints analyses. 

Identify, vet and broker innovative business plans, models and concepts that support project goals. 
Assist community groups to identify, design and monitor market infrastructure that alleviates value chain constraints and improves access to markets. 

Identify capacity building needs of community groups, small enterprises and other value chain actors and facilitate access to relevant training and support services.

Qualifications:
  • Minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline or a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with an additional 7 years’ applicable experience. 
  • Minimum 8 years’ regional/international experience in economic growth, trade, value chain competitiveness, livestock development. 
  • Considerable working experience in pastoral areas preferred. 
  • Demonstrated success implementing VC-focused programs using facilitation approaches. 
  • Demonstrated knowledge of USAID’s best practice VC development and facilitation approach that aims to reach women, youth, the poor and very poor. 
  • Demonstrated creativity, willingness to innovate, think systemically and design catalytic interventions. Effective communication skills in English, written and verbal. 
  • Strong background in gender integration and women empowerment.
Communications Manager tasks:

In coordination with Chief of Party and technical team, design, manage and implement the project’s communication strategy that utilizes various media including online platforms, a monitoring and evaluation portal for USAID, social media, and mobile apps, as appropriate.

Compile market and project information from project staff, partners and beneficiaries to communicate activities, success stories and results for USAID and stakeholders through project newsletters, technical briefs and media outlets. 

Supervise the M&E and Learning Advisor and work in close cooperation with project staff and partners.

Qualifications:
  • Master’s degree and at least 8 years of relevant experience, or a BA/BS in related technical field with 10 years of experience. 
  • Experience providing leadership and managing multiple highly complex project components. 
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively work in a team. 
  • Superior demonstrated writing and oral presentation skills (ability to provide an original writing sample required). 
  • Excellent English is mandatory, local languages highly desirable.
To be considered for this recruitment, submit a resume to REGALAG@joinav.org including Position Title in the Subject Line. All resumes must be submitted in English. No phone calls please. 

Only finalists contacted. Women and minorities encouraged to apply. EOE. 


All applications must be received by July 10, 2013.