Job Title:

Programme Manager - Cassava Value Chain Programme

Organisation:

Self Help Africa

Department:

Programmes

Location:

Nairobi

Reports to:

Head of Programmes

Salary:

Gross Annual Salary; Kshs. 3,481,936

Benefits:

21 days annual leave, Medical Insurance and 10% Employer pension contribution

Expected Travel:

Significant nation-wide travel and minimum international travel required

Restrictions:

6 Months’ Probation period; 2 years contract renewable and 2 Months’ Notice Period

Job Code:

HR 1/5/2017

Job Purpose:

The overall objective of the European Union-funded Cassava Value Chain Programme is to increase food and nutrition security, employment and income among 28,000 smallholder-farming households (at least 60% women) in seven Counties (Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Siaya, Busia, Kitui 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 Programme Manager will be responsible for ensuring successful implementation of the European Union-funded Cassava Value Chain Programme through managing effective partnerships with the implementing organisations. The Programme Manager will be responsible for providing leadership, technical oversight and ensuring direct management of all activities related to the programme. This is a challenging role within Self Help Africa-Kenya for a highly committed and results-orientated person with excellent organisational and communication skills, as well as enthusiasm and initiative.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and management of all aspects of the programme cycle: design, planning, implementation, quality and accountability, monitoring and evaluation.
• Work in close liaison with implementing partners and other stakeholders including SHA programme staff to coordinate coherent and consistent delivery of the programme objectives;
• Manage the programme budget in close collaboration with the Head of Programmes and Head of Finance
• Compile periodic  programme reports as required by the donor and SHA;
• Ensure effective integration of core technical areas – Nutrition, Social Inclusion, Enterprise Development, Agriculture and Natural Resource Management
• Strengthen the capacity of partner’s/farmers’ associations/cooperatives/MSMEs to identify sustainable economic opportunities;
• Ensure compliance by SHA and partners with contract requirements in planning, financial management, procurement, monitoring and reporting, and facilitate further training where necessary.
• Advise on technical aspects of market/value chain development in the programme as required;
• Assess the partners for technical training and capacity building needs and carry out in-house training, as well as arranging external training where required;
• Represent SHA at government, donor, NGO and other relevant events in the field in close coordination with the Head of Programmes and ensure that the Cassava Value Chain Programme collaborates and networks stakeholders;
• Provide technical input for the implementation of the programme including in the preparation of work plans, strategies, training materials, guides and manuals;
• Facilitate effective communication between SHA and stakeholders for effective programme management;
• Act as the focal point with SHA country office to ensure all programming, financial and administrative matters related to the programme are transparently, expediently and effectively managed, in line with established processes, rules and regulations;
• In conjunction with the M&E Coordinator, facilitate monitoring and learning by ensuring that effective mechanisms are in place to monitor activities and outputs and assessments for programme quality and impact and ensure programme implementation is on time, target and budget;
• Create and maintain systems ensuring effective and transparent use of financial resources for timely reporting in line with EU and SHA policies and procedures.
• Ensure the programme has sufficient systems in place to meet programme management standards and comply with donor regulations and good practice;
• Monitor external context and carry out adjustments to project plans, where necessary;
• Ensure all SHA safety and security guidelines are followed and that all safety or security incidents (fires, accidents, theft, etc.) are recorded and reported;
• Ensure efficient use and management of project resources including transport;
• Facilitate effective teamwork, coordination and work planning among development partners;
• Any other tasks as assigned by the Head of Programmes.

Key Relationships:

Internal

• Head of Programmes and Programme Coordinators, Finance and Administration Team
• Cassava Value Chain Programme staff
• Self Help Africa Kenya Country Management Team 

External

• Project implementation partners
• Stakeholders including government, research institutes, financial institutions, external auditors, donors, academic institutions and private companies

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least five years’ experience in the implementation of agri-business projects, seed multiplication, value chains or related projects, at a similar level
• Experience in managing multi-year donor-funded programmes
• A thorough understanding of project cycle management approaches and tools – including participatory vulnerability and capacity assessment and planning, project appraisal, monitoring and evaluation and partners’ capacity building,
• Experience with community-based programming
• Experience in working with micro, small to medium enterprises and financial institutions
• Experience in designing strategies and approaches for enhancing agricultural production and rural livelihoods among small holder farmers
• Familiarity and experience with EU regulations preferred
• Experience in networking among development partners and government departments
• Ability to work in partnership with local NGOs: diplomatic, supportive (including coaching), capable of ensuring best practice and dealing with performance issues
• High level of initiative, motivation, commitment and professionalism
• Ability and resilience to cope with multiple internal and external demands
• Strong training and facilitation skills.
• High level skills and experience in capacity building and report writing
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and team building skills

Qualifications/Other Requirements:

Essential:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Agriculture, Agri-business or a related field.
• Strong computer skills especially with MS Word and Excel and other related packages

Role Competencies:

• Excellent verbal, analytical, organisational and written skills
• People management skills
• Proactive and motivated with a strong commitment to Self Help Africa’s vision, mission and values
• Strong computer skills especially with MS Word and Excel and other related packages
• Attention to detail and the ability to produce timely and accurate reports
• Ability to work as part of team across different cultures
• Ability to work with minimum supervision
• Ability to work under pressure and on own initiative 

• Ability to contribute to a small team environment