Job Title: Project Officer
Organisation: Self Help Africa
Department: Programmes
Location: Kilifi County, Kenya
Salary: Gross annual salary Kshs. 1,056,000/-
Benefits: 22 days annual leave, Medical Insurance (self + spouse and up to 4 children), 10% Employer pension contribution and 25% leave allowance
Reports to: Programme Manager – Strengthening the Competitiveness of the Cassava Value Chain in Kenya
Expected Travel: 70% Country-level travel
The purpose of the job is to support the local implementing Partner-USTADI Foundation, to manage a Cassava Value Chain Programme funded by the European Union, whose overall objective is to increase food and nutrition security, employment and income among 20,000 smallholder-farming households (at least 60% women) in Six Counties (Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Siaya, Busia and Kilifi).
Specifically, the programme intends to increase income levels amongst target households through increased cassava production for both subsistence and trade; it will reduce the hunger gap amongst target households by promoting cassava, a drought-tolerant crop; Create 5,600 net equivalent jobs amongst the Farmer Business Groups supported by the programme; increase the decision-making power of female farmers through an integrated gender sensitive approach and improve on the dietary diversity of cassava-producing households through the promotion of intercropping with legumes and pulses, cassava products and nutrition education.
The Project Officer will be based in Kilifi County supporting the Implementing partner. Specifically, he/she will be responsible for supporting the partner field implementing staff in monthly/quarterly activity planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of all the project activities, while supporting the Project M&E officer undertake some M&E activities within the county. This position requires a highly committed, self-starter and results-orientated person with good coordination and communication skills.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide guidance to the partner field staff in the implementation of all aspects of the programme in Kilifi, including detailed work planning and implementation and monitoring.
- Work with the partner organization to ensure that the monthly plans are implemented as per the approved budgets and activity lines.
- Prepare monthly and quarterly monitoring reports on the project implementation activities.
- Provide appropriate and timely updates to key stakeholders including the Head of Programmes, and Programme Manager on project implementation.
- Maintain project files and related documentation
- Work closely with Government institutions at the County level as Self Help Africa’s representative in collaboration with the Partner staff
- In liaison with the M&E officer and Program Manager, document and share lessons learnt and best practices with partners, stakeholders, and SHA.
- Support the Partner in coordination and organization of workshops and public events at the county level.
- Work with Programme Coordinators to ensure that Nutrition, Gender and social inclusion, enterprise development and Agriculture and Financial Inclusion issues are effectively mainstreamed in the program.
- Ensure adherence to all relevant SHA and EU policies (gender and social inclusion policy) during implementation of project activities.
- Follow all SHA safety and security guidelines and ensure that all safety or security incidents (fires, accidents, theft, etc.) are recorded and reported.
- Ensure efficient use and management of project resources including transport.
- Any other duties as assigned by the Programme Manager.
Key Relationships:
Internal
- Head of Programmes
- Programme Coordinators
- M&E Coordinator
- M&E Officer
External
- External stakeholders, government departments, banks.
- Implementing partner organizations.
- Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade.
- County Government of Kilifi
Knowledge & Experience:
- Good understanding of project cycle management approaches, project appraisal, monitoring, evaluation, and partners’ capacity building.
- Good report writing skills.
- At least 3 years’ experience with community-based programming
- Skills in training/facilitation of development processes, including organization and mobilization of communities
- Experience in networking among different development partners such as community-based organizations, government officers and other NGOs.
- Commitment to international and humanitarian NGO codes, standards and practices and donor reporting mechanisms.
- High level of integrity and high standards of personal conduct.
- Proficiency in computer packages especially with Ms Word, Outlook and Excel and other related packages.
Qualifications and Other Requirements.
- At least degree in Agriculture, Agronomy and agribusiness, rural development or related disciplines.
- Experience working with agriculture, agribusiness and value chain projects/ resilience and food security and livelihoods and community development projects at a similar level.
- Experience in M&E related activities, an added advantage.
Role Competencies and Values:
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to work as part of team across different cultures.
- Ability to work with minimum supervision and take initiative.
- Ability to solve problems and take appropriate corrective action.
- Ability to spend up to 70% of time in field travels.
- Valid motorcycle license mandatory.
How to Apply.
If you are interested in the position and have the right skills and attributes, please download the Application Form and fill it in. Upload this, along with your CV and covering letter to our Online Recruitment Platform.
Please note incomplete applications will not be considered for shortlisting.
Closing date is Friday 3rd September at 5pm.
Please note that Self Help Africa Kenya advocates for equal opportunity and does not require applicants to pay any fee at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
Self Help Africa is committed to the highest possible standards of openness, transparency, and accountability in all its affairs and is completely against fraud, bribery, and corruption. All employees are bound by code of conduct, child protection and conflict of interest policies.
Any candidate offered a job with Self Help Africa will be expected to sign Self Help Africa’s Safeguarding Policies and Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.
Police vetting is required.
All applicants are encouraged to read through the following safeguarding policies as you make your applications:
- Code of Conduct
- Conflict of Interest
- Child Protection
Women applicants are highly encouraged; Self Help Africa is an Equal Opportunities Employer