Program Assistant

Reports to: Program Manager and Program Director

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Grade: 5

Contract: 12 months

TECHNOSERVE BACKGROUND:

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of businesses and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics, and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing…when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

IIGS PROGRAM IIGS DESCRIPTION :

With an overarching mission to reduce poverty and increase resilience in the countries where we work, TechnoServe aims to achieve two long-term goals through this program: 1) Catalyze inclusive growth, both upstream and downstream, of gender-diverse SME food processors in Sub-Saharan Africa; and 2) Increase women-led business’ access to resources (finance and technical knowledge/skills) and profitability, in order to fuel women’s economic empowerment across Sub-Saharan Africa. Profitable, growing agribusinesses with farmer-based supply chains, gender-responsive policies and practices, and reach into base-of-the-pyramid (BoP) markets can be the linchpin of resilient African food systems, holding particular promise for creating commercial value while also stimulating employment, livelihoods, food security, access to nutritious foods, and women’s economic empowerment. Investing in women-owned and led businesses contributes significantly to economic growth, including job creation.

Through this 3-year program, TechnoServe will provide customized technical assistance and co-investment funding to more than 20 gender-diverse small- and medium-sized (SME) food processors in Tanzania and Kenya to catalyze inclusive growth. Specifically, TechnoServe will support clients to: 1) strengthen their smallholder farmer sourcing models to benefit both clients and their farmer suppliers by developing and implementing customized Inclusive Business Plans; and 2) reach BoP markets by developing and implementing Inclusive Marketing Plans, to benefit clients and consumers.

NUTRISAVE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

TechnoServe is embarking on an innovative, three-year program to validate, design, and rapidly pilot solutions that channel excess fruit & vegetables towards wholesalers and retailers serving low-income consumers; to reduce food loss and waste; and simultaneously increase access and affordability of F&V. Our primary focus will be in Kenya with a potential secondary focus on Ethiopia, starting in year two. Following an initial exploratory phase, including an in-depth Human-Centered Design (HCD) process with stakeholders across the horticultural market system, TechnoServe will facilitate the design, development, and deployment of a model (or models), with clearly identified stakeholders who are able and willing to continue this initiative long-term.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Program Assistant will oversee administrative support and program operations for the IIGS and NutriSave Programs. This role involves ensuring the smooth execution of program activities, delivering essential administrative assistance, and actively participating in strategic market expansion initiatives by engaging with stakeholders.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administrative Support (40%):

• Manage travel and accommodation arrangements, overseeing the booking of flights, hotels, and coordinating airport transfers for both local and international travel.
• Take the lead in the program’s procurement activities, ensuring meticulous adherence to the organization’s procurement procedures.
• Assist in the preparation of agendas for key meetings, shouldering the responsibility of taking minutes and maintaining accurate records.
• Efficiently oversee the management of the program’s supplies and equipment, ensuring proper documentation, insurance, and updating in the asset/inventory register.
• Spearhead the program’s procurement activities, encompassing tasks such as sourcing quotations, conducting bid analysis, preparing LPO, and ensuring timely payment of suppliers.
• Consolidate engagement documents for contractors in preparation for contract procurement and payment.
• Provide crucial administrative support to the project team by contributing to agenda preparation for key meetings, taking minutes, and maintaining precise records.
• Effectively manage program supplies, equipment, and assets, ensuring thorough documentation, proper insurance coverage, and regular updates in the asset/inventory register.
• Safeguard confidential documents, stationery, and office supplies while monitoring their usage.
• Collaborate closely with the finance department to ensure the effective coordination of payments.
• Undertake various tasks as assigned, making valuable contributions to the overall efficiency of program operations.

Client Support: 30%

• Take on the responsibility of tracking all key event invitations and attendance, ensuring meticulous coordination.
• Facilitate client business by coordinating key meetings, ensuring efficient scheduling, and providing essential support.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of program events, overseeing seamless logistics for optimal outcomes.
• Collaborate on the tracking and harmonization of key events, ensuring streamlined and efficient execution.
• Serve as the custodian of the key stakeholder database, maintaining and updating accurate information for strategic engagement.

Stakeholder Management and market expansion support-30%

• Support the program to organize platforms for market linkages where negotiations between suppliers and off-takers can potentially occur
• Coordinate with the MEL associate to regularly document results and impacts from the formed linkages, including new suppliers, volumes, and values of materials supplied.
• Document low-income market channels, behaviors, and preferences through both secondary and primary sources.
• Conduct research and leverage existing information on low-income market channels, behaviors and preferences
• Serve as the custodian of the key stakeholder’s database, maintaining accurate and up-to-date information.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business Management, Marketing, or related areas.
• At least two years of professional experience in a similar capacity, food systems and private sector experience will be an added advantage.
• Working Knowledge of MS Office Packages and standard office equipment (scanner, photocopier, printer, projector, etc.)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong communication skills (written & spoken) in English language is required;
• Ability to work independently and proactively.
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills and good computer skills in business software (Excel, MS Project and PowerPoint).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skill

The deadline for submitting applications is on 22nd January 2024

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe’s vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability, and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or call +1 202 785 4515.