Training Associate

Education: Bachelor (BA, BS, etc.)
Location: Kilifi, Coast, Kenya
Posted by: KOMAZA
Type: Full time
Language(s): English
Job posted on: October 7, 2010
Area of Focus: Economic Development, Environment and Ecology, Farming and Agriculture, Poverty and Hunger, Social Enterprise and Economic Development
Sector: Nonprofit
Last day to apply: December 1, 2010
Last updated: October 17, 2010
KOMAZA is an award-winning non-profit social enterprise working to end rural poverty by developing economic opportunities for smallholder farmers living in Africa’s infertile and drought-prone regions.

Founded in 2006 and based in Kenya, our innovative grassroots model dramatically boosts household income for rural families by equipping them with resources, knowledge and market linkages to produce high-value climate-appropriate crops on their previously degraded land.

WE ARE HIRING: an early-career (2-3 years experience) business, development, agricultural or environmental professional with training experience to help aggressively scale field operations.

Industry: Social Business / International Development / Start-Up / Non-profit
Function: Crop Production
Commitment: 1 year minimum, 2 years strongly preferred
Location: Kilifi, Kenya
Compensation/Benefits: Associate level, see below
Application Deadline: 1 December 2010
Start Date: 1 February 2011

THE ROLE
The Training Associate will design and implement innovative and engaging learning programs for our field-based staff, which currently totals 80 but is projected double to triple within the next twelve months. You will:
• Assess gaps in existing training programs and training needs: understand field employee development needs and best training methods; incorporate findings into training materials
• Develop a robust field training program: design training objectives, strategies, policies, and programs using all collected knowledge – comprising both on-boarding and ongoing training components, learning comprehension testing, and both traditional office-based training and experiential activity-based training
o This program curriculum will improve the efficacy & efficiency of our Field Staff and comprise topics such as: content expertise, levels of initiative, how to hire staff, work & logistics planning, giving/taking positive/negative feedback, using operational tools and corporate procedures, note taking and report writing, leading meetings, etc
• Create training materials: research external training “best practices;” modify existing content and creating new content for comprehensive program, and ensure up-to-date training materials are captured for the rural cell Operations Manual currently under development
• Execute comprehensive learning and development program: plan, direct, and coordinate training activities – both in the office and in the field
• Systematize training program: Extensively document training program to ensure that it is replicable and transferrable to other rural cells as KOMAZA expands.
• Train the trainer: empower and enable staff to lead training sessions of various methods (E.g. individual training, group instruction, lectures, on-the-job training, demonstrations, conferences, meetings, and workshops)
• Conduct one-on-one training for ongoing performance improvement: develop technical and leadership skills and improve staff effectiveness and efficiency; provide immediate and tangible feedback and collaborate with HR to develop professional development plans
• Monitor and evaluate field training programs: monitor training effectiveness, deploy measurement and feedback tools that track outcomes

Field Component:
This role, while based in the Kilifi town office, will have a field component – which can be challenging but highly rewarding. This work will involve: long, dirty and uncomfortable bus/motorcycle rides, basic rustic facilities, work in areas far from any infrastructure (stores, electricity, paved roads), hours spent outside in the equatorial sun and heat. KOMAZA will soon commence construction on its first dedicated field operations office in Ganze, which will facilitate any fieldwork.

QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate will possess:
• Education:
A top performing academic background with a bachelors degree in human development, education, business management, agriculture, forestry or a related field.
• Relevant work experience:
2+ years experience in adult education, learning and development, HR, or in a managerial capacity. Experience training of trainers valued highly.
• Organizational whiz:
Demonstrated ability to manage the logistical coordination of a large (100+ employees) field-based training program in a remote location. Committed to institutionalizing methods and materials to create a training program that is scalable and replicable
• Independent manager:
Experience working effectively in a highly independent capacity – self-managing, taking ownership of goals, developing work plans and self-deadlines
• Highly skilled and proactive communicator and a commitment to:
Being personable yet persistent; have demonstrated flexibility in training module content, method, and delivery to maximize training effectiveness; adaptable to local cultural norms and communication styles; have the ability to develop detailed and high-quality written materials
• High-quality execution:
Dedication to producing and executing high quality projects/tasks and recommendations quickly, with a high level of accuracy and systematic attention to detail
• Patience and a sense of humor;
please see KOMAZA recruiting website for a more detailed description of important “fit” criteria
• Preferred but not required:
o Kiswahili
o Experience in a role that involved: developing training curricula and creating training materials, project management, staff management
o Work/volunteer experience in a developing country
o Experience or knowledge of agriculture, forestry, ecology or field/manual labor

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
In their first year, Associates receive a monthly stipend AND the following benefits:
• Food and housing
• Travel stipend covering arrival and departure flights and visa costs (or equivalent compensation for East Africans)
• Comprehensive international health insurance (or equivalent compensation for East Africans) including immunizations

The starting package provides for a comfortable standard of living in Kilifi, Kenya. For Associates who work for more than one year, compensation and benefits will increase significantly. This is a career-track role in international development and social business, offering significant opportunities for advancement as KOMAZA continues to grow.

Please apply directly through our website at www.komaza.org/recruiting.

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