CARE International Project Officer Job in Karatina, Nyeri County, Kenya

CARE International Project Officer Job in Karatina, Nyeri County, Kenya

CARE International in Kenya is looking for a well organized and highly motivated individual who is result oriented to fill the following position: Job Title: Project Officer
Ref: PO/01/2015
Department / Project: Kilimo Biashara Project
Supervisor: Project Manager
Location / Duty Station: Karatina in Nyeri County
Grade: F
Job Summary & Purpose:
Responsible and accountable for the technical and human resources management of Kilimo Biashara Project and ensure efficient and effective attainment of project goals and objectives.
He/she will oversee production and marketing activities by the farmers in the two project regions.
He/she will be responsible for the formulations of farmer associations and trainings on governance.
The Project Officer, in collaboration with other project partners, will be responsible for the development of a scorecard rating system and therein training of the farmer groups on the same.
As the project will be transitioning to fee for service for the Community Based Trainers (CBTs), the Project Officer will work closely with the Financial Inclusion Sector to oversee the group savings and loans component.
The officer will form the communication link between the Project Manager, key partners, relevant County Government departments and other collaborators in this project.
Tasks and Responsibilities
R1: Designing, Planning & implementation of Kilimo Biashara Project activities

Task 1.1 Coordinate relevant stakeholders and service providers to deliver trainings to project beneficiaries such as trainings towards GAP compliance, scorecard rating system, group governance, agro-ecological/conservation agriculture techniques.

Task 1.2 Facilitate the formation of farmer associations in the two project implementation sites of Karatina and Kinangop and undertake trainings on governance

Task 1.3 Provide input to the review and development of training materials and design a scorecard rating system for the project

Task 1.4 Ensure compliance with CARE performance management system for self and supervises

Task 1.5 Assist the Project Manager in budget development, reviews, and review of project expenditure, as may be required from time to time. R2: Project Monitoring & Evaluation

Task 3.1 Compile and submit monthly updates and quarterly project reports to the project Manager within the set deadlines

Task 3.2 Monitor groups and individual application of knowledge and skills transfer from trainings for attitude and behaviour transformation, changes in production levels and compliance with quality standards

Task 3.3 Document learning’s on the innovations in a continuous basis

Task 3.4 Verify accuracy of data collected for tracking of indicators in the project

Task 3.5 Assist in baseline, midterm or end of project evaluations for the project R3: Maintenance of Resources
Task 3.1 Undertake the proper maintenance of the project assets and ensure proper use of other project resources assigned to him/her.
R4: Representation and Coordination
Task 4.1 Represent project in the stakeholders meetings related to project or as may be assigned by the project Manager
Authority:
1. Spending Authority: None
2. Decision Making: Moderate authority - works under the supervision of the Project Manager.
Contacts / Key Relationships (Internal & External):
Internal: Project Manager, Financial Inclusion Field officers based in Embu other Sector officers
External: Project partners and stakeholders, relevant County government departments, Horticulture Corporation Directorate (HCDA)
Working Conditions: The position will be based in Karatina, Nyeri County with 50% travel to the other project site in Kinangop, Nyandarua County for support of the farmer groups and liaison with other implementing partners and collaborators at the local level.
Qualifications:
1. Education: Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Natural Resource Management or related field with 5 years of relevant working experience.
2. Experience: Experience in smallholder farmer agribusiness capacity development, Relevance and diversity of experience in agricultural enterprise and value chain development, Experience in participatory training methodologies.
3. Abilities and Skills: Strong IT, facilitation and communication skills (both oral and written), good inter-personal skills, demonstrable ability to innovate, be creative and solution focused in your approach to work, Ability to work effectively as part of a team and with minimum supervision.
4. Competencies: Have a good and well-rounded knowledge and understanding of the range of smallholder farming activities, knowledgeable in field crop and horticulture agronomy, Knowledge of the agribusiness sector in Kenya.
Applications
Qualified candidates are invited to send their application letters indicating the reference number, title of the position along with an updated CV and email & telephone contacts of three professional referees to;
The Human Resources & Development Manager,
CARE International in Kenya,
Email: Vacancies@care.or.ke
so as to be received not later than 13th January, 2015.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
CARE is an equal opportunity employer and promotes gender equity.
Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
CARE International in Kenya does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
(Application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees).