Land O’Lakes Kenya Engagement Manager

Land O’Lakes - International Development is implementing the Kenya Feed the Future Innovation Engine program on behalf of USAID/Kenya. 

The Innovation Engine serves as a mechanism through which innovative private sector-oriented strategies that support food security and nutrition are proactively identified, incubated and scaled up for widespread impact. 

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the position of:

Engagement Manager

The Engagement Manager interacts with agricultural and nutrition innovation stakeholders to develop a pipeline of innovation prospects that match the Innovation Engine’s selection criteria, and is responsible for appraising applicants for funding support from the Innovation Engine and determining the nature of short-term technical assistance required for each selected innovation.

The Engagement Manager will also work with the Innovation Engine’s implementation partners and identified technical assistance providers to ensure appropriate competencies and methodologies as well as the suitability of associated budgets and delivery timelines.

The Engagement Manager will initiate the required technical assistance procurement and subsequently follow up with the Innovation Engine’s award recipients and service providers to monitor the progress and quality of technical assistance provision and completion.

This position is based in Nairobi and shall report directly to the program’s Chief of Party.

Requirements:

• At least 7 years’ experience in financial or management consulting, venture capital investment, enterprise development or other relevant field.
• Master’s in Business Administration or relevant field, or Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of additional work experience.
• Excellent verbal, written communication skills in English and Kiswahili.
• Competency in use of Microsoft Office software - particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated proficiency with financial analysis and reporting.
• Demonstrated track record in initiating new and innovative approaches.
• Strong inter-personal skills, self-motivated and result-driven, with ability to effectively build and manage networks and relationships for program promotion and issues resolution.
• Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative problem-solving ability.
• Demonstrated awareness and knowledge of the local and regional economic and business climate as well as the Kenyan agricultural innovation and agribusiness landscape will be distinctly advantageous.

To apply:

Applications for this position should be sent to recruit.kenya@idd.landolakes.com no later than Friday 16th November 2012. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.