Enterprise Development Coordinator - Heifer International
Published On:
2nd, August 2023
Closes on:
16th, August 2023
Job closed
Job Description
FUNCTION
- The Enterprise Development Coordinator will share his or her operational experience with a start-up or a small and growing business with other departments toward the common goal of ensuring that project participants, self-help groups, cooperatives, and unions have the knowledge and skills to develop and run successful enterprises and cooperatives. The Enterprise Development Coordinator 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 energetic, positive, team player, result-orientated, quality-orientated, collaborative, pragmatic, and inspirational leader.
Responsibilities:
Enterprise Development (50%)
- Design and manage the implementation of the enterprise development strategy, along with reviewing and updating it as appropriate.
- Work closely with the field coordinators and technical experts to design and update training packages/modules, business plans, and sustainability models, and training materials for different levels.
- Conduct capacity assessment and develop capacity development plans for the producer organizations.
- Mentor and coach producer organizations on business and entrepreneurship development.
- Offer technical support in exploring business opportunities along the value chain of the selected commodity and in preparing business plans for cooperatives, self-help groups, common interest groups, and farm families.
- Build innovation in business development for smallholder farmers, cooperatives, etc., to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
- Coordinate value chain studies of selected commodities as required.
- Coordinate economic analysis of proposed enterprises along the relevant value chain.
- Offer technical support in establishing and operating market structures (e.g., collection centers, market centers, processing facilities, chilling centers, etc.)
- Provide support in establishing marketing information systems among value chain actors.
- Prepare periodic reports and document best practices and lessons learned.
Stakeholder Management (15%)
- Actively facilitate and monitor pre-cooperative/producer association orientation activities in the self-help groups and clusters as they develop into Farmer Owned Agribusinesses (FOABs) and Cooperatives.
- Facilitate farmer groups in the formation of cooperatives and FOABS.
- Design, develop, and deliver training packages/modules.
- Provide technical support in formalizing FOABs.
- Develop an institutional framework for FOABs with clear linkages to the self-help groups.
- Develop guidelines for the formation, management and governance of FOABs.
- Facilitate the capacity building of the FOABs and management in effective and efficient decision-making, financial management, human resource management, operation, strategic planning and implementation, conflict management and democratic governance.
- Facilitate the partnership between the producer organizations and other partners/stakeholders.
Cooperative Values and Principles (15%)
- Actively facilitate the development of a producer association values and principles orientation kit that incorporates Heifer’s Cornerstones and cooperatives act and by-laws.
- Facilitate the producer/cooperative associations in the orientation of new non-Heifer members to fully understand principles and values.
- Guide cooperatives in establishing a system for the fair distribution of benefits.
- Guide cooperatives to be competitive in the ecosystem.
- Guide cooperatives in conducting periodic PSRP and reinforcing values
Planning, Reporting, and Documentation (10%)
- Develop and share monthly, quarterly, and annual Business performance and progress reports with the Project Manager for submission to the Country office.
- Participate in all project team and national business meetings, to help plan, and deliver on the project objectives as appropriate.
- Participate in learning forums at the county and regional level, and best practices are documented and shared.
.Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor (10%)
This will be dependent on the specific duties assigned
Requirements:
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in the fields of Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Rural Development, Enterprise Development, or another related field.
- Five (5) years of field and technical experience with the commercial sector, agribusiness development in a mix of economic growth/trade, value chain competitiveness, investment promotion, or agriculture development. Experience in the implementation of development projects using market systems approach is desired.
Preferred Requirements
- Significant experience in identifying and building public/private partnerships, preferably in the agricultural sector.
- Strong consumer marketing, financial analysis, and management skills.
- Strong hands-on experience in managing or providing technical support to producer organizations.
- Experience in supporting and monitoring field-based projects.
- Excellent command of report writing, analysis, and presentation skills using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Track record of building strong client and stakeholder relationships.
- Ability to generate innovative solutions in work situations.
Most Critical Proficiencies
- Clear understanding of the Poultry and Livestock value chain.
- Innovative, analytical, and solutions oriented.
- Knowledge of enterprise development, market systems approach, and linkages to poverty alleviation.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Proficient knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, electronic mail (Microsoft Office preferred) and the Internet.
- Demonstrated proficiency in English and other local languages, both oral and written.
Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands
- Preparing and presenting documents in a well-designed and attractive format with great attention to detail.
- Ability to understand, appreciate, and implement Heifer’s Value-Based Holistic Community Development.
- Demonstrated creativity with the ability to incorporate innovative solutions and systems thinking.
- Understanding of quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluation and ability to communicate MLE concepts clearly with leadership, partners, and staff at all levels.
- Willingness and ability to assign and review the work of direct reports and to use participatory management skills with junior and senior staff.
- Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout project area.
- May require constant sitting and moving, working at a computer for extended periods.
- Working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.
- Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks with little supervision while meeting inflexible deadlines sometimes.