National Coordinator – Kenya (Nourishing Prosperity Alliance)

Background:

Land O’Lakes Venture37: is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening local agriculture, helping agribusinesses create jobs and linking farmers to markets. Since 1981, it has implemented over 315 integrated dairy, livestock and crops development programs in nearly 80 countries — creating lasting impact by linking farmers, businesses, and the public and private sector in local and global contexts. Land O’Lakes Venture37’s long-standing affiliation with Land O’Lakes, Inc. sets it apart. Land O’Lakes, Inc. is one of America’s largest farmer-owned cooperatives. It supports Land O’Lakes Venture37 project implementation with nearly 100 years of expertise in dairy, animal nutrition, crop inputs and agricultural insights and technologies. This gives Land O’Lakes Venture37 development projects a unique global view of agriculture, food, and the power of well-functioning market systems. Land O’Lakes, Inc. supports these efforts as part of its enterprise purpose of Feeding Human Progress at home and around the world.

Project Summary:

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is the lead project implementer for the Nourishing Prosperity Alliance (NPA) project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The purpose of the NPA project is to establish commercially viable and sustainable forage markets that equitably strengthen the regional competitiveness of the dairy industries in Kenya and Ethiopia. Forage markets will be developed through the implementation of integrated activities in partnership with the private sector to reach the following objectives over the life of the project, from June 2023 to July 2028:

• Increase demand for and use of climate-smart forage varieties among small-scale dairy producers by conducting feeding trials with optimized rations, training dairy producers on animal nutrition practices, and linking producers to forage suppliers.
• Improve the supply of climate-smart forage rations that are marketed to small-scale producers by managing demonstration and research sites with a variety of forage types, training producers on forage production and conservation, and training small businesses in the forage value chain and linking them to producers.
• Strengthen the enabling environment for forage market development, including improved implementation of relevant policies and regulations, improved ability of women producers and businesses to compete in the forage market, and greater access to data. .

Position Summary:

The National Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the effective management and quality implementation of the NPA project in Kenya. NPA will manage demonstration plots and other field activities to promote the production and use of forage across the Rift Valley and Central regions, which show the highest potential for forage market growth and are in close proximity to areas suitable for long-term dairy production, with a few additional sites in Western and Eastern regions. The National Coordinator will also establish or maintain positive working relationships with partner organizations in-country, including the private sector, farmer organizations, women’s groups and cooperatives, and government bodies. This position will coordinate closely with the Program Director and other technical staff that are based in Ethiopia.

Reporting & Supervision:

• The National Coordinator reports to the Program Director, NPA, Ethiopia
• This position will have three direct reports: a Dairy Nutrition Specialist, Forage Services Development Specialist, and Forage Agronomy Specialist.

Primary Responsibilities:

• In coordination with the Project Director, oversee project implementation in Kenya, ensuring the effective delivery of project deliverables within agreed budgets, deadlines, and quality standards.
• Contribute to the development of the life-of-project workplan in Kenya and develop and regularly review annual workplans for NPA in Kenya.
• Prepare monthly updates on field activities for the Project Director and present in project monthly meetings.
• Contribute to the preparation of donor reports, case studies, and other publications.
• Ensure compliance with donor rules and regulations in the project agreement as well as policies of Land O’Lakes Venture37.
• Contribute to the preparation of the annual budget for the project’s activities in country and ensure proper and effective utilization of project resources, regularly reviewing the budget.
• Coordinate to ensure that reports from project staff are submitted and received in a timely manner.
• Coordinate and provide technical inputs into internal monitoring and evaluation reporting systems.
• Conduct regular field visits to supervise and coordinate field activities.
• Manage project technical specialists under direct supervision, providing support and any necessary training of project staff to build their capacity to perform their assigned responsibilities.
• Prepare and review staff performance and career development plans for direct reports.
• Coordinate with project partners and government institutions to ensure smooth implementation of activities and communicate with stakeholders on project performance and learnings.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Program Director for the achievement of project objectives in Kenya.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• A Bachelor of Sciences (BSc) degree in agronomy, animal production, agricultural extension, or other relevant field with six years (6) of relevant experience in the agriculture sector.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including fostering teamwork, developing and motivating others, managing change, conflict resolution, and flexibility.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge and practical experience in agricultural sciences, preferably within dairy, livestock or adjacent value chains, agriculture market systems development, and extension and technology transfer.
• Experience in project management coordination and people management skills.
• Private sector experience preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to collect and analyze data and information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Ability to coach, lead, stimulate, and inspire professionals in a development context.
• This position is open to Kenyan nationals only and is compensated according to Venture37’s local compensation plan in Kenya. This position is not eligible for international compensation, allowances, or international benefits.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No phone calls will be accepted. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Land O’Lakes Venture37 will never ask you for personable identifiable information, and we will never request money or payment during the recruitment or employment process.

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is an equal opportunity employer and an organization striving to help global communities thrive through agriculture. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status, among other factors. Our culture values a diversity of voices. So, bring us your unique experiences, your workstyle, and your dreams — they’ll only make us stronger.