MESPT Regional Manager (Coast & Eastern) and Knowledge Management Officer (Nairobi) Job Vacancies in Kenya

Founders: The Government of Kenya and the European Union

Lead Partner: The Royal Danish Embassy, Nairobi

The Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT), is a Kenyan Organization whose Founders are the Government of Kenya and The European Union partnering with Royal Danish Embassy in Nairobi (DANIDA).

MESPT provides wholesale loans to Microfinance Institutions, Saccos and FSAs (village banks).

MESPT also provides capacity building support to the loan and non-loan clients.

In addition, MESPT has a fully fledged Business Development Services (BDS), Department involved in the implementation of donor funded and other programmes.

MESPT has also taken over the operations of the Danida funded Agriculture Business Development (ABD), Programme that operates in the Coast province and lower parts of Eastern province. In order to effectively implement programmes and share the knowledge with other donor funded Programmes in Kenya, MESPT wishes to recruit the following two professionals.

Regional Manager - Coast and Eastern Region 

Mombasa based

Re-Advertised

Reporting to the CEO, the Regional Manager is expected to carry out the following duties and responsibilities:-

• Oversee and facilitate the implementation of activities under Output 3 and 4 of the Competitiveness of MSMEs component of the BSPS 2 Programme
• Facilitate the integration of previous ABD project activities into the MESPT organizational and conceptual set-up
• Organize the transfer of ABD assets, facilities and projects into MESPT structure
• Supervise the work of the County offices in Machakos, Kwale, Malindi and Taita Taveta, and the field offices in Matuu and Kwale
• Develop relevant capacities of the staff in the Regional Office, the County Offices and field offices
• Collect relevant monitoring data for outputs 3 and 4 and submit these to MESPT Head Office
• Compile and submit financial and progress reports to MESPT Head Office in accordance with standard formats, schedules and procedures
• Liaise on a regular basis with the Business Services and Credit Managers and relevant staff to ensure a synergetic implementation of all activities under the Competitiveness of MSMEs Component.
• Oversee the implementation of other MESPT activities to be implemented through the Regional Office
• Develop a sustainability strategy for the new Regional Office
• Undertake all other activities assigned by the CEO

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• A Masters degree in agricultural development, NRM, Agriculture Economics, business administration, or similar relevant field of study
• At least 6 years experience
• Previous work experience in donor-supported agricultural, business sector or other enterprise development programmes
• Good knowledge of (and preferable working experience in the field of), value chain and BDS development
• Exceptionally high inter-personal and communication skills, team leading experience
• Comprehensive computer literacy

Behavioral Competencies

• Ability to plan, work and finalize assignments with minimum supervision and within the required deadlines.
• Demonstrated excellent analytical skills
• Demonstrated high levels of initiative, autonomy, adaptability, maturity and sound judgment
• Demonstrated strong team management skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of management and staff

Knowledge Management Officer 

- Nairobi based 

Re-Advertised

MESPT also wishes to recruit a Knowledge Management Officer who will work under the supervision of the Business Services (BDS), Manager, and carry out the following duties and responsibilities:-

• Act as the Secretary to and facilitator of the BDS Donor Coordination group in Kenya
• Maintain and develop the BDS resource website
• Facilitate the annual BDS donor conferences and other information-sharing events
• Maintain close contact with all BDS/M4P programmes in Kenya, and work towards joint implementation and programming
• Serve as a focal point for donors seeking to engage in market development support in Kenya
• Identify research needs, and facilitate necessary research and impact assessments, preferably joint assessments between different programmes
• Develop and implement dissemination strategies for research results and lessons learnt
• Develop, in conjunction with members of the BDS Donor Coordination Group, concepts for systematic and sustainable market development training programmes in Kenya
• Plan and facilitate training and information sharing events for MESPT staff and board members
• Assist the BS Manager in the reporting and monitoring functions
• Conduct any other activities to foster information-sharing, cooperation among programmes and capacity development

Required Skills and Experience:

• Degree in business administration, development economics, communication or similar field of study
• At least 5 years working experience
• Previous work experience with donor-supported development Programmes, preferably in business sector
• Good knowledge of (and preferable working experience in the field of), value chains and BDS development
• Good overview of stakeholder and donor environment in Kenya
• High communication and writing skills
• Exceptionally high inter-personal communication skills
• Comprehensive computer literacy, in particular expertise in webpage and database maintenance

Those who applied for these posts earlier need not re-apply.

The detailed job descriptions for both posts are available on the MESPT websites indicated below.

Qualified Candidates interested in any of the two vacancies should send their applications by Post, hand delivery or Courier to be received by close of business on Friday, 14th October
2011. Email applications will not be accepted.

The applications should include: Detailed CV, email address, daytime telephone contacts, current and expected remuneration package, names and email contacts of three referees and the academic certificates and other testimonials to the following address:

The Chief Executive Officer
Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT)
2nd Floor, Vision Tower, Muthithi Road, Westlands
P. O. Box 187, Sarit Centre 00606, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel.3746354, 3746764, 3749942 Fax 3746764
Cell phones: 0722 207905 and 0735 333154

Websites: www.microfinancetrust.org and www.mespt.org

Applications that do not provide the requested information will be rejected.

Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

Those who do not hear from us by 31/10/11 should consider their applications unsuccessful

Plan Program Coordinators (Health, Livelihood & Governance) and Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator Job Vacancies

Plan is an international humanitarian child centered community development organization, without religious, political or government affiliation.

Plan started its operations in Kenya in 1982 and is committed to protecting and promoting child rights, and to improving the lives and futures of poor children, their families and communities through a child-centered community development approach.

Plan Kenya has the following vacancies:

1. Program Coordinator (Health) 

- Based in Kisumu and Bondo Program Units

2 Positions

The incumbent will report to the Program Unit Manager and is responsible for designing and managing implementation of Program Unit health programs.

Key Responsibilities 

• Ensure well managed budget
• Ensure well managed corporate systems e.g. PPM
• Ensure sufficient resources/grants raised in line with Program Unit Long Term Plans (PULTPs)
• Ensure effectively managed grants
• Produce quality, accurate and timely program documents
• Ensure well managed Program Outlines (POs)
• Produce timely and accurate grant-related reports
• Conduct interim and annual team performance evaluations for Project Officers
• Ensure well managed and high performing team
• Plan’s active participation in sector specific forums to engage with partners and other stakeholders for effective program implementation

Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

• Degree in Social Sciences or Public Health
• Experience in Public Health will be an added advantage
• 3 years hands on experience in similar position in an NGO set-up
• Experience in rights based programming
• Experience in partnership building, advocacy and networking
• Understanding of RBA to development and participatory approaches
• Good facilitation and negotiation
• Demonstrated supervisory skills
• Demonstrated experience in gender integration in projects
• Strong planning and organisational skills
• Excellent grasp of programming concepts
• Strong management skills
• Good Administrative and communication skills
• Strong budget management, monitoring and reporting

2. Program Coordinator (Livelihood)

- Based in Kilifi Program Unit

This job holder reports to the Program Unit Manager and is responsible for designing and managing implementation of Program Unit livelihood programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure well managed budget
• Ensure well managed corporate systems e.g. PPM
• Ensure sufficient resources/grants raised in line with Program Unit Long Term Plans (PULTPs)
• Ensure effectively managed grants
• Produce quality, accurate and timely program documents
• Ensure well managed Program Outlines (POs)
• Produce timely and accurate grant-related reports
• Conduct interim and annual team performance evaluations for Project Officers
• Ensure well managed and high performing team
• Plan’s active participation in sector specific forums to engage with partners and other stakeholders for effective program implementation

Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences
• 3 years hands on experience in similar position in an NGO set-up
• Experience in rights based programming
• Experience in partnership building, advocacy and networking
• Understanding of RBA to development and participatory approaches
• Good understanding of livelihood issues in Kenya
• Good facilitation and negotiation
• Demonstrated supervisory skills
• Demonstrated experience in gender integration in projects
• Strong planning and organisational skills
• Excellent grasp of programming concepts
• Strong management skills
• Good Administrative and communication skills
• Strong budget management, monitoring and reporting

3. Program Coordinator (Governance)

– Based in Homabay Program Unit

This job reports to the Program Unit Manager.

The job holder will be responsible for designing and managing implementation of Program Unit governance programs on a five year contract basis.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure well managed budget
• Ensure well managed corporate systems e.g. PPM
• Ensure sufficient resources/grants raised in line with Program Unit Long Term Plans (PULTPs)
• Ensure effectively managed grants
• Produce quality, accurate and timely program documents
• Ensure well managed Program Outlines (POs)
• Produce timely and accurate grant-related reports
• Conduct interim and annual team performance evaluations for Project Officers
• Ensure well managed and high performing team
• Plan’s active participation in sector specific forums to engage with partners and other stakeholders for effective program implementation

Qualifications, Experience and Skills:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in social sciences
• 3 years hands on experience in similar position in an NGO set-up
• Experience in rights based programming
• Good understanding of development and governance issues in Kenya
• Experience in partnership building, advocacy and networking
• Understanding of rights based approach to development and participatory approaches
• Good facilitation and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated supervisory skills
• Demonstrated experience in gender integration in projects
• Strong planning and organisational skills
• Excellent grasp of programming concepts
• Strong management skills
• Good Administrative and communication skills
• Strong budget management, monitoring and reporting

4. Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator 

– Based in Bondo Program Unit

The position reports to the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager.

The job holder will be responsible for supporting the Program Unit (PU) in program/project planning, information gathering and synthesis, reflection and reporting processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate development of PU’s participatory monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Support operationalisation of programs / projects at PU level.
• Train staff and communities in basic M&E processes (gathering data analyse and decision making).
• Institutionalisation of corporate monitoring and evaluation tools at PU level.
• Provide measurement and assessment of performance in order to effectively manage outcomes and outputs of results.
• Enhance organizational and development learning through participatory processes.
• Documentation/sharing of successes (best practices) and failures on a regular basis.
• Participate in development of yearly program budgets and project operational plans.
• Facilitate the establishment, maintenance and usage of resource databank at Community Based Organization level.
• Facilitate community based information sharing and dissemination systems for evaluation and other special studies.
• Facilitate CBO capacity enhancement.
• Enhance children participation in planning, program design, monitoring and evaluation.
• Participate in program development

Qualifications, Experience and Skills

• A Bachelors Degree in Development Studies or equivalent from a recognized university
• At least 3 years practical work experience in monitoring & evaluation
• Experience in Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation processes
• Proven understanding of programming concepts and Human Rights Approaches to Development
• Demonstrated skills computer skills and use of statistical packages(SPSS, EPI info)
• Analytical, negotiation, facilitation and influencing skills
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multicultural environment and communities at all levels.
• Innovative and independent thinker.

Plan Kenya is committed to the rights and well-being of children including their protection.

Accordingly, employment is subject to our child protection standards including appropriate background checks and adherence to our Child Protection Policy.

If you meet the requirements for any of the above positions and would like to be a part of it in our commitment to children, please send a detailed and updated curriculum vitae, current remuneration and contacts of three professional references, including you current/latest line manager to jobs.plankenya@plan–international.org, to be received by latest 12th October 2011.

Your email (Or Envelope) should bear the job title of the position you are applying for as the subject.

You are invited to read more about Plan in our website www.plan-international.org.

We regret that only short listed candidates will be contacted

Oxfam Regional Campaigns and Policy Manager Job - Nairobi, Kenya

Regional Campaigns and Policy Manager

Nairobi Based, Global Post, Open Ended Contract

The 9 countries that make up the Horn, East and Central Africa region face some of the most challenging humanitarian situations in the world. Nowhere is real and lasting change more urgent. Nowhere are your campaigning and advocacy skills more pertinent. This is why we need you to help us make a sustainable difference to the lives of millions in the region.

The role
Your challenge will be to deliver powerful communications that drive our regional strategy forward. Providing leadership and strategic direction on campaigns and policy advocacy, you will identify priority issues and develop media, campaign and advocacy work that inspire, compel and motivate decision makers to take action.

You will manage a team of campaigns and communications whilst developing approaches to impact assessment.

You will ensure that gender takes a high profile in all campaigns and communications and represent Oxfam GB as the senior spokesperson for our lobbying and media work in the region.

The person
You’re a highly motivated leader with an impressive history of policy and campaigns work that spans media management and global campaigning and policy work, including Pan-African campaigns.

You are comfortable dealing with the media, government officials and key stakeholders at country, regional and international levels and possess the skills and experience to develop effective influencing strategies against a complex political background.

What’s more, you have the charisma and communication skills needed to make people sit up and listen.

Be Oxfam
More than 8,000 people already commit their time and talents to our campaigning, humanitarian and longterm development projects. Now we’re looking for yours.

To find out more about this role and to apply, visit www.oxfam.org.uk/jobs and quote Ref: INT 4911.

Closing date is 14 October 2011.

The first round of interviews will be conducted on 1 November 2011 and the second and final interviews on 3 November 2011.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization

Agricultural Sector Coordination Unit (ASCU) Information and Communication Officer Job Vacancies

Information and Communication Officer

The Agricultural Sector Coordination Unit (ASCU) is an inter-ministerial Secretariat to the Agricultural and Rural Development Sector Ministries.

It spearheads and facilitates the implementation and coordination of the Agricultural Sector strategies. ASCU seeks to recruit a dynamic, well exposed and competent candidate to fill the above position.

Key Responsibilities

The Information and Communication Officer will carry out the following tasks, in close collaboration with the all players in the Agricultural Sector.

1. Communications Strategy and Activities

• Spearhead the implementation of the Agricultural Sector Communications Strategy and Implementation Plan;
• Develop and implement the agricultural sector communications tools, systems and products, including website(s), IT platforms, blogs, printed materials, video, photos etc. in liaison with other ASCU staff;
• Co-ordinate the production of brochures, hand-outs, promotional videos, photographs, films and multimedia material in liaison with other ASCU staff.

2. Media strategy and Networking

• Develop and lead the implementation of a media strategy for the Agricultural Sector;
• Coordinate all Agricultural Sector media aspects of all major events;
• Compile an address book and maintain press relations for the development of an extensive and effective network of media contacts;
• Oversee the production of press briefs, press releases, articles, background briefs for the preparation of press conferences, press events and briefings, interviews, etc., in close liaison with the other staff;
• Closely monitor and assess the Agricultural Sector’s image in the media and provide monthly reports;

3. Public Relations

• Support the image of the Agricultural Sector through Public Relations efforts and campaigns;
• Co-ordinate the Agricultural Sector’s engagement with stakeholders at major relevant local and international events.

4. Administration and Management Support

• Carry out administrative duties required to function within the ASCU Secretariat;
• Develop and use annual and quarterly work plans to guide work and deliver results;
• Ensure translations of Agricultural Sector documentation.

Qualifications

• Relevant Masters Degree or higher qualification (in information and communication, social or political sciences or humanities);
• At least 7 years experience and strong understanding and working with media at all levels;
• Experience in developing synthetic background papers in a short period of time;
• Excellent presentation and communications skills and the ability to write clear and concise issue briefs and reports in English; Knowledge of other languages is an added advantage.
• Experience in working as part of a team to deliver key outputs on time and within budget.
• Demonstrated understanding of major policy issues surrounding the Agricultural sector;

Applications

Interested candidates should send their applications, including detailed CV, academic certificates and daytime telephone number, by hand, courier or post so as to reach the undersigned by close of business on Wednesday, 19th October, 2011.

Applications can also be sent by Email to: info@ascu.go.ke

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

The ASCU Coordinator,
Upper Floor,
Kilimo House,
Cathedral Road, off Ngong Road,
P.O. Box 30028-00100
Nairobi