Project Coordinator (Livestock Production) at Heifer International

FUNCTION

• The Project Coordinator (Livestock Production) is responsible for providing technical input and coordinating functions for performance improvement of poultry and beef enterprises. This will be done by establishing functional extension systems at producer organizations that offer quality and reliable services that ease member access to inputs and services resulting in increased production and productivity. The Project Coordinator- Livestock Production will report to the Project Manager.   
• This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS

• Heifer International Kenya is looking for an individual who is accountable, flexible, and a critical thinker with excellent problem-solving ability. The person will be able to work under pressure, have a keen eye for detail, be creative, and be a team player.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES

Project management and Effectiveness (50%)

• Develop detailed project work plan to drive changes and improvements, for approval and ongoing monitoring to ensure project activities are on schedule.
• Provide coordination of project implementation including technical, administrative, operational, and logistical direction of the KLMP project.
• Develop and provide an ongoing project management dashboard.
• Monitor and review progress on project tasks within the context of agreed project deliverables and timelines.
• Provide support to project teams through planning and reviews as well as implementation.
• Collaborate with relevant teams and departments and ensure timely dissemination of project information and reports.
• Carry out operations on the KLMP project.
• Weekly, monthly, and quarterly work plans for implementation in line with the project operational plans developed and submitted for approval in time.
• Functional extension coordination structures in the 15 producer organizations by the end of the first year.
• Production monitoring indicators were developed including a database for all production and productivity parameters.
• Progress reports generated and submitted within the expected timelines.
• Regular product quality assurance.
• Production and productivity indicators are identified by relevant teams and a database for the same is developed to ensure timely capture and dissemination of the information.
• Adoption of good animal management practices (breeding, nutrition, housing, feeding, fodder production, animal waste management)

Quality and Risk (25%)

• Carry out all necessary activities for the review, documentation, and optimization of processes that will enable seamless project execution.
• Provide project performance highlights and communicate major issues, and slippage, and suggest remedies and escalations as required.
• Track and assess the effectiveness of projects.
• Provide project status reporting and updates on progress, dependencies, issues, and risks.
• Compile and present research findings and recommendations beneficial to the project.
• Production and productivity indicators identified, and a database developed.
• Database for all the producers that the project reaches out to with different interventions developed and updated quarterly.
• Quarterly monitoring of the production and productivity outcomes undertaken, and information used to inform the corresponding reports.

Stakeholder Management (20%)

• Collaborate with the Project Manager in achieving successful execution of the project.
• Manage the day-to-day activities and logistics, and the corresponding communication for each.
• Establish plans for multi-stakeholder engagement and learning.
• Develop strategies for capturing and sharing knowledge from the project.
• Participate in periodic stakeholder meetings.
• Follow up and backstop trained farmers, partners, and Heifer staff in coordination with the project manager.
• Each producer organization develops functional and efficient systems as service centers for 38,000 poultry and beef-producing households.
• Establish functional group management committees for multi-stakeholders’ engagement and experience sharing.
• Conduct field visits for learning and generate at least 4 success stories per quarter.
• Organize and participate in quarterly stakeholders’ review meetings.

Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor

• This will be dependent on the specific duties assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine, animal science, or its equivalent plus five (5) years of job-related experience is required. Other relevant qualifications or job-related education and /or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements.  

Preferred Requirements

• Master’s Degree in relevant professional discipline.
• Thorough knowledge of programming processes, systems, and principles, and the ability to provide leadership and support to staff working at the community level.
• Knowledge and experience of livestock programs particularly poultry and beef value chains.
• Knowledge and experience working with community organizations such as cooperatives to build their capacity.
• Partnership management experience and working through partnership structures, consortiums, and private sector partners.
• Sound business knowledge especially in the agricultural and agribusiness sector.
• Sound knowledge of value chain development in the livestock sector particularly in the poultry and beef sectors.

Most Critical Proficiencies

• Strong business, leadership, strategic and innovation skills.
• Strong communication skills in both English and national language/s.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in poultry and beef value chain development.
• Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness, and ability to incorporate innovative solutions and foster and maintain a spirit of unity, teamwork, and cooperation.
• Ability to manage training programs targeted at farmers in livestock farming, feed, and health.
• Experience in facilitating the establishment of strategic alliances and partnerships with the private sector including in extension and processing.
• Strong computer literacy, preferably with Microsoft Office Suite.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to relate to individuals and groups diplomatically and tactfully.
• Must be courteous and of high integrity, especially in high-pressure situations.
• Self-starter and self-motivator with the ability to work in a multicultural setting.
• Must be a team player and can execute and manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively, both locally and internationally