Project Associate, Business Development

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) is recruiting for Project Associate, Business Development to provide technical expertise to develop SME businesses in Kenya as part of the Vegetables for All project under the GAIN Kenya programme. This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

About GAIN

GAIN is a Swiss-based foundation launched at the UN in 2002 to tackle the human suffering caused by malnutrition. Working with both governments and businesses, we aim to transform food systems so that they deliver more nutritious food for all people. In particular, we aim to make healthier food choices more desirable, more available, and more affordable. GAIN’s mission is to advance nutrition outcomes by improving consumption of nutritious and safe food for all people, especially those most vulnerable to malnutrition.

About the role

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager, the Project Associate will be responsible for identification, selection and supporting business to increase the supply of vegetables within the project area.

Role specifics include;

• Supporting all aspects relevant to the contracts and procurement process, including the prequalification, preparation, assessment of applications and award of purchase orders/contracts including contracts administration
• Conducting pre-grant and post-grant due diligence to project’s shortlisted businesses
• Conducting regular visits to grantee working location to verify actual status
• Supporting the business in product development and market expansion
• Participating and contributing to development and implementation of project work plans
• Assisting project manager by monitoring the project progress against project workplan and budget
• Collecting, documenting, collating and analysing project data for monitoring and management information purposes.
• Responsible for maintaining crucial project documents which track project progress
• Identifying any potential issues or risks that could affect the progression of the project.

About you

Applicants must have proven experience in the agri-food sector in Kenya, working on donor funded agribusiness projects or with an agribusiness and be able to effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders to develop solutions within this space.

You must have experience in business development, especially business planning, as well as development finance (particularly in the areas of SME finance and grant funding management) as well as first-hand experience in conducting auditing and due diligence checks. You will have working knowledge of the contract management process from requisition and tendering through to award and close out. In addition to this, you will possess strong communications skills and business acumen with the ability to work with internal and external stakeholders as well as agribusiness managers from a variety of backgrounds.

Experience of public / private partnerships and private sector experience is desirable. Willingness to travel is essential to this role.

About our offer

The starting salary on offer for this role is from KES 2,083,128 – KES 2,377,296 per annum, depending on experience.

GAIN has a fair and competitive salary structure that allows for annual progression subject to good performance. In addition, GAIN offers a total of 37 days holiday per year (including annual leave, public holidays and additional office closure days), an attractive pension scheme and competitive insurance cover including health, travel and life assurance.

We are committed to the health of our staff, especially in these challenging times, and have developed a programme of wellbeing that includes flexible working, additional leave allowances, wellbeing days, mindfulness coaching and access to independent and confidential counselling.

GAIN also has a strong commitment to professional development. We will support you to grow in your career through both formal and informal training, and are committed to providing opportunities through internal recruitment, secondments and promotion. All of this is delivered in a supportive and collaborative environment.

This advert closes on 16th June 2022. Early applications are encouraged. GAIN reserves the right to close this advert early should we receive suitable candidates ahead of the closing date.

Applicants must have the existing right to live and work in Kenya. Please note that GAIN is currently unable to sponsor working visas or relocations.

The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition is committed to equality of opportunity and creating an inclusive environment where diversity is valued. We are keen to reflect the diversity of our society at every level within our organisation and therefore welcome applications from talented and committed people from all backgrounds, representing the diverse societies we operate in.