International Potato Center - Research Assistant

International Potato Center (CIP)

Research Assistant – Specialist in Rapid Multiplication Technologies of Potatoes - National Scientist Position

The International Potato Center (CIP) is seeking to recruit a Research Assistant for conducting applied research and backstopping of rapid multiplication technologies of potatoes, to be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Center: CIP is a not-for-profit international agricultural research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers.

The Position: The research assistant will be in-charge of implementing research on in-vitro and minituber multiplication technologies, organize the production of in-vitro and minitubers as requested by public and private partner institutions.

The RA should be committed to using research for development in a complex cooperative environment of research and development partners. The work will require frequent travel within Sub-Saharan Africa.

Duties and responsibilities

• The research assistant will be responsible for the technical backstopping in construction and management of different Rapid Multiplication Technologies for potatoes.
• The candidate will be responsible for the data management related to the establishment of a regional potato genebank
• Documentation of germplasm evaluation
• Regular documentation and publication of research findings.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in Agronomy, Phytopathology, Agricultural-Engineering or Agro-Biotechnology;
• At least two years experience with clonally propagated crops, preferably potatoes
• Experience or good knowledge of, tissue-culture laboratories, aeroponics or hydroponics in terms of construction, technical maintenance and crop management
• Experience with data management and scientific publications;
• Excellent knowledge of data management and statistical software programs;
• Demonstrated success in working with multi-disciplinary teams and partnerships in research or project implementation;
• Excellent social skills, collaborative style, and ability to multi-task effectively;
• Proactive, innovative and creative attitudes;
• Willingness to travel within the region (estimated 30% of time);
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required.
• Knowledge of Kiswahili preferred
• Must be a Kenyan citizen or permanent resident of Kenya

Conditions: The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya. Employment contract will be for a one-year term with a three month probation period. The position is renewable subject to availability of funds.

Applications: Applicants should apply by email, sending a cover letter summarizing their relevance to this position, a full C.V. and the names and contact information of three referees knowledgeable about the candidate’s professional qualifications and work experience to cip-nbo@cgiar.org copied to Elmar Schulte-Geldermann (e.schultegeldermann@cgiar.org).

The reference name of the position should be clearly marked on the subject line of the email message.

Screening of applications will begin on 16 January 2012 and will continue until the post is filled.

CIP seeks diversity and gender balance in its staff.

Women and particularly urged to apply.

To learn more about CIP please visit www.cipotato.org

Bridge International Academies - Construction Project Assistant – Payments, Budgeting & Reporting -

Construction Project Assistant – Payments, Budgeting & Reporting

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Position: 1

About Bridge International Academies

Bridge International Academies is a for-profit startup company revolutionizing education across Africa with a unique business model. The company runs a large-scale network of low-cost primary schools in Kenya that significantly outperforms other primary schools in the same areas because of our "school in a box" systems.

Our schools profitably deliver this high-quality education for less than $4 per child per month, which enable the schools to cover all their costs and create a profitable central organization at scale. We have launched 37 schools in Kenya, will double in size in the next 6 months, and plan to rapidly scale the company to serve more than 1 million students across continent

About this position

Bridge International Academies is looking for a Construction Project Assistant who will be responsible for providing efficient services in monitoring payment requirements and facilitating timely and coherent payments processing for multiple construction projects.

Ability to deal with hands on issues as well as participate in helpful discussions that would lead to significant improvement of payment processes will be key to success in this position. This is a key position within the construction department with regular consultation with staff in the finance department.

Responsibilities of the Construction Project Assistant- Payments, Budgets and reporting

1. Collate payments documentation from all construction site supervisors, review these with supervisors and ensure all required steps and attachments are complied with
2. Prepare weekly payments projections for approval by head of construction and head of finance
3. Generate and keep track of payment certificates to ensure only completed work, delivered and certified materials and approved documents are submitted for payment.
4. Work closely with construction supervisors and head of department to improve day to day management of payments documentation and procedures
5. Follow up with finance to ensure payments for materials and labour contractors are made in a timely manner and records update promptly in the financial system
6. Reconcile payments to project budgets and supplier accounts and make notes for corrective actions and process improvement
7. Make occasional field visits together with construction teams to observe processes, ascertain work done and gain knowledge to enhance the entire finance value chain around construction processes in the company
8. Assist construction department to come up with construction and cash flow budgets and monitor actual performance against the agreed budgets and cash flows
9. Prepare weekly reports on work flow versus payments to ensure visibility and quick resolution of payment delays or problems that could compromise timely construction completion
10. Prepare monthly financial reports for review with head of construction and head of finance
11. Initiate process improvement initiatives for review with head of construction and head of finance especially around filing, process clarity, feedback and financial analysis
12. Assist in external and internal audit of construction payment cycles and routines
13. Assist in departmental budgeting and analysis
14. Any other duties that may be delegated to you by the head of construction

About You

• 2-3 years experience in a busy accounting environment with extensive experience in payment processing for multiple suppliers and contractors
• Exposure within a construction/project environment is essential
• Hands on skills in preparation of cashflows, budgets and financial reports for senior management
• Energetic and confident person with ability to work consistently with minimal supervision while producing high quality work and resolving payment issues effectively and in a timely manner
• Good skills with computer applications especially excel and word applications
• Basic to good working knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics (Navision ERP) or any other accounting software will be helpful
• Ability to work with construction and project staff and guiding them on payment issues
• Must possess good secondary education and intermediate accounting qualifications-CPA 2 or equivalent
• Must be an honest and ethical person with good references from previous employers
• Good written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency in spoken Swahili will be an advantage
• Good time management and planning skills
• Ability to meet deadlines consistently.

Reporting structure

The position reports to the head of construction with a dotted line to Head of Finance.

You can apply and view detailed job requisitions on the Careers page at

www.bridgeinternationalacademies.com 

Bridge International Academies - Senior Construction Supervisor

Sr. Construction Supervisor

About Bridge International Academies

Bridge International Academies is a for-profit startup company revolutionizing education across Africa with a unique business model. The company runs a large-scale network of low-cost primary schools in Kenya that significantly outperforms other primary schools in the same areas because of our “school in a box” systems.

Our schools profitably deliver this high-quality education for less than $4 per child per month, which enable the schools to cover all their costs and create a profitable central organization at scale. We have launched 37 schools in Kenya, we will double in size in the next 6 months, and plan to rapidly scale the company to serve more than 1 million students across the continent.

The CSC is responsible for the construction work activities for the allocated school site. This begins with appraisal of proposed new sites and includes ensuring that prior arrangements are made for effective project start up, smooth work progress, effective decision making and finalised project close-out.

Planning, implementation and monitoring of the construction site activities including ensuring that work is planned for as they are carried out on each site specifically.

For existing schools, s/he shall be in charge of school Support Officer (SO) communications to receive and detail school facilities conditions concerns, their documentation, possible solutions and timelines, including work approvals and implementation.

S/he is also responsible for the liaison between the school sites and the headquarters in terms of
Information flows and record keeping.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Site Appraisal

• Carry out initial site visit, document the site characteristics, evaluate the implications of site conditions to construction and prepare a report.
• Manage information flows with the Land Department and site takeover.

Project Start-up

• Carry out all tasks that are necessary for the construction to commence effectively and complete the start-up checklist for approval.

Contract management

• Prepare or modify the standard contract for site specific issues, discuss it with the Site Foreman and manage it throughout the construction period.

Materials management

• Prepare or modify the standard schedule of materials, prepare materials requisitions, confirm orders and deliveries, ensure proper materials acceptance procedures are duly applied, retrieve from site and forward to headquarters the delivery notes and invoices, request payments and file away the payment acknowledgement.

Labour management

• Source qualified Site Foremen, skilled and unskilled labourers, manage labour records, manage labour payments, retrieve from site and forward to headquarters the invoices and time sheets, request payments and file away the payment acknowledgement.

Programme Management

• Carry out day-to-day monitoring of progress of work on site, tracking to ensure programme targets are met, planning and implementing remedial measures in case of programme slippage, including feedback information for programme improvement.
• Carry out early morning daily calls, prepare daily email reports and prepare weekly work programmes.

Workmanship and Quality Control

• Communicate the quality standards, implement procedures to ensure that work meets them, monitor and provide feedback information for improved quality.

Payments

• Compute or modify budget estimates for approval, prepare payment requests for approval, confirm and record payments completed and balances and file away the payment acknowledgement.

Records Management

• Implement the proper entering and updating of site records including the site book, invoices, time sheets and prepare summary reports as required.

Labour Relations

• Ensure the employment of only desirable workers on the school sites, maintain smooth labour relations and provide feedback information for improved quality.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years experience in site supervision on busy sites preferably in labour intensive projects
• Should have good knowledge of basic construction technology and practices.
• Should be a good planner, well organized and able to carry out simple analysis tasks.
• Should be able to source skilled labour locally and handle labour-related issues arising on site from time to time.
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills are required
• Good people management skills that result in timely meeting of deadlines
• Ability and willingness to accept instructions, accept criticism and positive feedback, while being very adaptable and flexible

You can apply and view detailed job requisitions on the Careers page at

www.bridgeinternationalacademies.com 

Territorial Sales Manager

Position: Territorial Sales Manager

Location: Nairobi

Our client is the leading animal health company in East and Central Africa.

Main Purpose of the position:

To sell all products, coordinate and monitor Strategic Business Partners to ensure the company achieves set sales objectives within a given territory

Main Responsibilities:

• Sell all products as per territory budget
• Operate within budget
• Ensure good route coverage, sufficient SBP stock holding, adherence to SBP contract
• Ensure merchandising standards
• Coordinate work plan with SDA
• Develop annual farmer training field day plan
• Organise and carry out farmer training field days
• Lead, direct, control, train and develop distributor staff.
• Assist in development of sales strategy and budget
• Ensure all stockists sell the company’s products.
• Retain and acquire new farm/ customer
• Visit existing farms, stockists, professionals and prospects
• Collaborate with other animal health stakeholders
• Generate weekly and monthly report and expense claims
• Work with RSM to recruit new SBPs to fill any vacancies.
• Work with marketing dept in implementation of product launches and PR activities
• Implementation of brand activity plans within the territory.
• Handle customer complaints.
• Recommend activities or strategy to respond to competitors.
• Provide market intelligence to Head of Sales

Education and/or Experience:

• Degree/Higher Diploma in Business/Sales/Animal Production, Vet medicine or other Agricultural Sciences related discipline
• Valid driving licence; riding licence an added advantage
• 5yrs experience in Sales as a senior manager and experience in Animal Health sales will be an added advantage

Skill/Knowledge

• Product knowledge
• Communication skills
• Selling skills
• Animal health knowledge
• Trade knowledge
• Management skills
• Computer literacy

To apply for this position send your CV to mycv@myjobseye.com quoting the position in the subject line and preferred location.

Kindly also mention your current/ last salary and benefits.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted