Enterprise Development Coordinator – Kenya

Enterprise Development Coordinator – Kenya

• Position: Enterprise Development Coordinator
• Company: Heifer International
• Location: Kenya (Operational hubs in Nairobi and Eldoret)
• Job Type: Full-time
• Reporting To: Project Manager
• Application Deadline: November 11, 2024

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Introduction

Heifer International, a globally recognized Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), is renowned for its commitment to ending hunger and poverty through sustainable development practices. Our organization focuses on empowering communities by creating pathways to living incomes and resilient economies. We work with farmers, agribusinesses, and local communities to foster livestock and crop productivity and support sustainable growth. Through the Kenya Livestock Marketing and Resilience Project (KLMP), funded by SIDA, we are supporting approximately 38,000 households engaged in poultry and red meat production across nine counties in Kenya.

Job Summary

The Enterprise Development Coordinator will play a pivotal role in the successful implementation of KLMP’s objectives by working directly with farmer-owned businesses and cooperatives, facilitating capacity-building programs, and fostering partnerships across the livestock and poultry sectors. This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within the Kenya Livestock Sector, strengthening the country’s economy and agricultural industry.

Essential Character Traits

Our ideal candidate is an energetic, positive, and collaborative leader with a strong orientation towards quality and results. As an inspirational team player with an innate problem-solving ability, the Enterprise Development Coordinator will embody Heifer’s values, fostering an environment of mutual respect and progress.

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Key Responsibilities

A. Enterprise Development (40%)

• Lead the design and manage the ongoing implementation of the project’s enterprise development strategy, continuously updating it based on project needs and outcomes.
• Collaborate with project coordinators and technical experts to design and update business capacity-building materials, ensuring these resources meet the varied needs of value chain actors.
• Facilitate capacity assessment and build tailored development plans for farmer-owned agribusinesses (FOABs) to ensure their sustained growth and resilience.
• Provide mentorship and technical backstopping for FOABs, adopting a model that ensures sustainability and promotes growth in key business areas.
• Support FOABs in prioritizing enterprises through economic analysis, coordinating detailed assessments as required along relevant value chains.
• Facilitate the establishment of marketing structures, including processing facilities, aggregation centers, and market information systems to enhance accessibility for value chain actors.
• Promote innovative business models focused on sustainable resource management, emphasizing pasture, fodder, water, and natural resource management within ASALs for the red meat sector.

B. Stakeholder Management (30%)

• Identify and recruit clients within the poultry and red meat sectors, ensuring adherence to KLMP’s eligibility criteria to maintain consistency in project goals.
• Build and manage relationships with FOABs, developing business partnerships that are both sustainable and mutually beneficial.
• Facilitate the formation of cooperatives by organizing farmer groups and providing essential technical support.
• Design and deliver training packages to equip FOABs with tools for efficient financial and human resource management, strategic planning, and conflict resolution.
• Liaise with external stakeholders in policy dialogues to address relevant policies impacting KLMP’s mission, ensuring a cohesive approach to achieving project goals.

C. Cooperative Values and Principles (10%)

• Develop a producer association orientation kit that integrates Heifer’s principles, the Cooperatives Act, and relevant by-laws.
• Guide cooperative associations in adopting fair and transparent benefit distribution systems.
• Facilitate Participatory Self Review and Planning (PSRP) to reinforce cooperative values, ensuring alignment with Heifer’s core mission.

D. Planning, Reporting, and Documentation (15%)

• Conduct research on value chain trends, including market and competitor analysis, to guide project implementation.
• Document best practices and lessons learned, creating comprehensive reports for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinate with market actors to compile, assess, and report business performance data, ensuring accurate record-keeping.
• Participate in county and regional forums to share project successes, promoting KLMP objectives and expanding stakeholder awareness.

E. Additional Duties as Assigned by Supervisor (5%)

• Support business development and resource mobilization efforts, contributing to the ongoing success and funding of the project.

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Qualifications and Skills

Minimum Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Rural Development, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of seven years in agribusiness development, particularly within the livestock or poultry sectors, or similar economic growth fields.

Preferred Requirements

• Demonstrated success in enterprise capacity building, particularly within agribusiness and cooperative sectors.
• Extensive experience in financial analysis, management, and consumer marketing.
• Proficiency in managing producer organizations and market system development to enhance poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

Most Critical Proficiencies

• A robust understanding of poultry and livestock value chains.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with excellent report writing and presentation skills.

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Company Culture and Values

At Heifer International, we foster a culture that values diversity, mutual respect, and professional growth. Our commitment to inclusivity and collaboration is evident in our global initiatives aimed at empowering communities. Our team thrives on innovative solutions and sustainable development practices, creating a supportive and dynamic work environment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Heifer International is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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• TELEGRAM CHANNEL

Expert Tips for a Successful Application for the Enterprise Development Coordinator Role

1. Research Heifer International’s Projects and Values
   Emphasize your understanding of Heifer’s mission and KLMP’s goals, highlighting specific values you align with.
2. Tailor Your Experience with Value Chains and Market Systems
   Provide concrete examples of previous roles where you contributed to enterprise development, particularly in the livestock or poultry sectors.
3. Showcase Expertise in Stakeholder Management
   Describe situations where you successfully managed partnerships with farmer organizations or agribusinesses, as this is key to the role.
4. Demonstrate Analytical and Problem-Solving Abilities
   Highlight a complex project you managed that required strategic planning and solution development.
5. Emphasize Technical Proficiency
   List your experience with data management and reporting tools, such as Excel and IPMS, which are essential for tracking project outcomes.
6. Detail Your Knowledge of Cooperative Principles
   Discuss any experience working with cooperatives, and demonstrate your understanding of the cooperative framework and governance.
7. Share Insights on Capacity-Building Strategies
   Outline methods you’ve used to build sustainable business models or develop enterprise solutions in prior roles.
8. Illustrate Familiarity with Policy Dialogues
   If you’ve engaged in policy-making or stakeholder discussions, describe your role and impact in these forums.
9. Proof of Strong Writing Skills
   Share examples of reports or proposals you’ve created that were well-received by stakeholders.
10. Prepare for Behavioral Interview Questions
    Be ready with answers that display your resilience, adaptability, and teamwork skills, using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method.

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