Project Manager at SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

Overall objective

The overall objective of the project is to enhance livelihoods of communities through improved forage production and livestock husbandry, building on commercialization of climate smart innovations and sustainable landscape management in Taita Taveta, Kajiado and Narok counties.

Strategic outcomes

1. Increased resilience of Agro-pastoralists and SMEs against climate shocks by the adoption of technology and upscaling of appropriate grazing and feeding innovations.
2. Improved capacity of county governments and other stakeholders in planning, implementation and coordination of integrated landscape and grazing management and drought resilient livestock feeding strategies.
3. Improved ability of county governments to domesticate national policies and develop local strategies/frameworks for drought resilient livestock sector development.

Job Description

The Project Manager will supervise and guide the project and will be based in Nairobi with extensive travel. S/he will have the following responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Organizing and managing the ICSIAPL project support processes.
• Coordinating, supervising ICSIAPL staff and facilitating smooth delivery of the project by consortium partners.
• Oversight for the project team including required performance management.
• Project finance management, regular monitoring and preparing accountability reports to the donor.
• Oversee the implementation of the communication, and marketing strategy.
• Identify local public and private knowledge and training providers to explore their potential contribution to the ICSIAPL project.
• Oversee development and implementation of systems for project monitoring and evaluation of impact.
• Oversee knowledge development agenda which will include – reviewing ICSIAPL Theory of Change, results framework and annual work plans, design and quality assurance of the M&E framework, and design/quality assurance of a framework for documentation of interventions around innovations facilitated by the project.

Partnership management

• Account manager for the strategic partnerships: consortium partnership and partnerships with three County Governments.
• Consolidating and managing identified portfolio of project partners in line with set agreements.
• Identifying partnership/ collaboration opportunities supporting ICSIAPL supply chains and market development and developing partnerships with relevant private sector and other organizations that are relevant stakeholders for implementation.
• Representing the project and its partners in engagement with relevant stakeholders at county and national level on fodder/forage value chain, landscape, and related policy engagement.

Oversee delivery of Project work packages:

Supported by County and Technical Advisors:

• Oversee county level implementation by the ICSIAPL consortium partners and assigned service providers, of   agreed workplans with value chain partners - livestock keepers, group ranches, conservancies, cooperatives - on the establishment of forage plots, feedlots, pastures, both on-farm and/or for commercial forage production.
• Oversee and guide operationalization of the business innovation mechanisms in conjunction with the Business Innovation Advisor.
• Facilitate and oversee inputs by KALRO and agreed partners; private sector etc. for successful dissemination of drought-resilient feeding innovations for adoption by farmer organizations and other value chain partners.
• Oversee capacity development of stakeholders to implement climate resilient integrated landscape management strategies.
• Oversee operationalization of policy engagement interventions on identified agenda by studies and validated with county stakeholders

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Agriculture, Governance and policy development, climate change, Project Management, Integrated Land resources management, or agribusiness or any other related fields.
• S/he should have at least 15 years’ experience, with working knowledge of the ASALs in Kenya.
• Experience and knowledge of the fodder forage value chain and integrated landscape management and working within the private sector would be an advantage.
• Experience of project development and management at sector/systemic level, including the management of projects with a climate change lens.
• Knowledge and experience on adoption and upscaling of climate resilient practices and innovations.
• Experience in partnership development, particularly at the county level.
• Excellent relationship management skills to manage the consortium.
• Proven ability in overseeing M&E and a knowledge development agenda
• Good networks in the ICSIAPL thematic and regional areas of operation

Other requirements

• Good leadership and management skills and experience in working in partnerships.
• The ideal candidate will have a background in fodder forage value chain, landscape management, Climate change and Project Management.
• Should be a team player and an excellent communicator