Project Director, Project Nurture TechnoServe

Project Director, Project Nurture

Reports to: East Africa Deputy Regional Director

Location: Nairobi, Kenya or Kampala, Uganda

Travel: Up to 30% domestically and internationally

BACKGROUND

TechnoServe is currently implementing an exciting pilot program that aims to demonstrate the ability of African smallholder fruit farmers to double their fruit incomes by becoming sustainable suppliers of mango and passion fruit. Project Nurture is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and The Coca Cola Company, and is implemented in Kenya and Uganda. We are working with 54,000 farmers, enhancing productivity and product quality, supporting farmer organization, and facilitating market linkages. While domestic and regional fresh markets are core to our success, Project Nurture has also been successfully working with fresh fruit exporters and with local processors to increase sourcing from local farmers. The project is currently in the third year of its current phase, with a strong implementation team in place, trust-based relationships established with all partners, and impressive interim results.

Reporting to the East Africa Deputy Regional Director and working closely with the Kenya and Uganda Country Directors and TechnoServe’s East Africa regional team, you will be responsible for timely and effective implementation of the program activities and achievement of the project’s goal to double the income of 54,000 smallholder fruit farmers. You will be responsible for project planning, overall implementation of the project, including budget management and workplan monitoring, M&E and delivery of results as per the project logframe and agreed-upon milestones.

You will also be responsible for all partner/donor relations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Coca-Cola Company, government representatives, as well as local stakeholders in both Kenya and Uganda. In collaboration with these partners, you will contribute to the design of a second phase and development of a proposal for their potential funding.

You will oversee a large team across Kenya and Uganda, including 10-15 business advisors as well as three regional staff based in Nairobi.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

• Ensure the project is implemented with sound managerial, technical, financial, human resources and overall programmatic practices and that the processes and activities adhere to corporate policy, legal and contractual obligations and corporate and donor standards
• Provide coaching, direction and leadership to team members in order to achieve results. Direct reports include 2 Senior Business Managers (one in each country), the Regional M&E Manager, Budget Analyst, and Project Assistant.
• Manage regional budget and monitor country budgets to ensure responsible stewardship of donor funds and effective and efficient implementation
• Produce consolidated financial and narrative reports for TechnoServe management and donors, as required by the contract and requested on an ad hoc basis.
• Report internally and externally on progress and status of project activities
• Ensure project targets are achieved, in relation to farmer mobilization and capacity-building, fruit volumes sold, and beneficiary income increases
• Ensure that both country teams and project stakeholders are abreast of project and industry developments across the region, are aware of their own performance against project milestones, sharing lessons-learned and benefiting from each other’s work
• Additional line management, budgetary authority and operational responsibilities may be assigned.

REPRESENTATION

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with donor program officers / liaisons, Coca-Cola business unit executives involved in the project, government representatives, other private sector players in the value chain, as well as local partners/contractors in both countries
• Establish TechnoServe as a leader in the horticulture sector, and in particular build our standing as the go-to organization for innovative corporate partnerships that deliver impact
• Represent the project and organization, at internal and external functions, as assigned.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

• Actively engage in discussions with donors and partners around the potential next phase of Project Nurture, creatively brainstorming with the team on interventions most likely to increase impact and sustainability as well as likely sources of funding
• Contribute to program design and proposal development in support of a broader proposal development team that will submit a high quality document to the Gates Foundation and Coca-Cola for Phase II of Project Nurture

IMPACT

• Ensures impact in Project Nurture; specifically, ensures that project goal achieved of doubling fruit income of 54,000 smallholder fruit farmers; ensures that agreed-upon project milestones are achieved in a timely, effective and efficient manner; uses evidence from project M&E to adapt the project strategy and tactics as needed to reach the project goal and revise milestones accordingly; assures adequate support to implementation team; establishes strong and collaborative working relationships with partners and other key stakeholders

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• At least 5 years relevant project management experience (e.g., international SME or value chain development programs, private sector management role, management consulting), including budget management
• Experience leading and managing high caliber, multi-cultural teams, preferably some experience with managing remotely;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and roll out project management systems to facilitate timeliness of delivery, cost effectiveness and compliance
• Strong track record of building trust-based client and stakeholder relationships
• Graduate degree in business related studies required, and a degree qualification in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business Management or a related field preferred
• At least 5 years of post graduate experience in analytical and strategic roles within the private sector and/or development spheres; experience with farmer co-operatives and/or agribusiness development in East Africa is preferred, especially horticultural experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, kiSwahili language skills preferred
• Willingness to travel regionally and internationally when necessary

Job Contact Information:

Qualified and interested applicants should submit a Word formatted resume and cover letter with salary history to Jobs@tns.org with “Project Nurture” in the subject line. Only applicants meeting minimum qualifications for the position will be considered or contacted. No phone calls please.

TechnoServe is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women are encouraged to apply.