East Africa Program Lead Job in Nairobi, Kenya

USAID Building Capacity for African Agricultural Transformation (Africa Lead II) Project
 

Job Title: East Africa Program Lead
 

Location: Nairobi, Kenya (with frequent regional travel)
 

Period of Performance: September 15, 2015 – September 30, 2018 (funding dependent)
 

Background: The USAID Building Capacity for African Agricultural Transformation (Africa Lead II) Project is a five-year program to support and advance the agricultural transformation in Africa as proposed by the African Union Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Program (CAADP). 

 

Africa Lead contributes to Feed the Future goals of reduced hunger and poverty by building the capacity of men and women African leaders and institutions to develop, lead, and manage the transformation process.
 

The Opportunity: Africa Lead II requires a senior program manager to oversee the design, planning, implementation and monitoring of the East Africa program. 

Because of the broad nature and complexity of issues and institutions addressed by Africa Lead, the position requires outstanding conceptual, technical design and management skills.
 

The East Africa Program Lead will have primary responsibility for leading and overseeing regional program activities. 

This will entail:

• establishing strong lines of regular communication with key USAID/EA and USAID bilateral Mission representatives; 


• building strong relationships with regional partners; 


• developing and managing budgets; managing multiple work streams simultaneously; and 


• overseeing the timely and effective implementation of technical activities. 

Specific responsibilities of the East Africa Program Lead include:
 

Program Development and Management:

• Work with USAID, regional economic communities, non-state actors including the private sector and other counterparts to identify constraints and opportunities, and to conceptualize approaches and activities in support of Africa Lead objectives;


• Support and facilitate inclusive, evidence based agriculture policy processes through existing (e.g. Joint Sector Review) and new mechanisms, including strengthening the participation of non-state actors and the private sector;


• Lead and participate in the design of new activity concepts and descriptions together with Africa Lead activity teams;


• Provide technical management of the implementation of the East Africa program portfolio of activities;


• Develop and track updated activity implementation trackers with detailed information on the status of activities;


• In coordination with Regional Director and the Technical Programs Director, hold regular meetings with USAID/East Africa to collaboratively design and create interventions as well as take the lead on reporting and reviewing program progress.

Capacity Building:

• Develop systemic approaches and solutions to capacity building of agriculture policy related institutions and frameworks;


• Support the development of mechanisms for learning, coordination and knowledge management in general, not only within Africa Lead, but more importantly in collaboration of partner institutions and leaders;


• Engage directly in training, mentoring and provision of technical assistance as appropriate;


• Participate in (and in some cases support organization of) national, regional and international policy related events and workshops.

Internal Working Relationships and Reporting:

• The East Africa Program Lead will report to the Regional Director and will collaborate closely with the Finance and Administration function on operations matters;


• Work collaboratively in inter-disciplinary Africa Lead activity teams to design, plan, implement and monitor annual work planning development for the East Africa program;


• Provide to Regional Director and Technical Programs Director weekly short bulleted list of priorities for upcoming week and accomplishments from previous week;


• In coordination with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, provide quarterly and annual Performance Management Plan (PMP) and other quantitative and qualitative information and other required reports to USAID;


• Actively work with Knowledge, Learning and Communications (KLC) team to source, identify, create and produce communications products based on the East Africa program portfolio.

Qualifications, Background and Experience:
 

Successful candidates will have strong interpersonal, leadership and management skills as well as relevant experience implementing programs to increase local capacity to improve food security. Proven outstanding project management skills stand above all other requirements for this position. 

Specific qualifications include:

• Minimum Master’s degree required in agricultural or development economics, management, economics, social sciences, or other related field of study;


• Applicants must have a minimum of 10 years of demonstrated senior level leadership experience in the field of international development;


• Knowledge of regional agriculture policy, and institutional frameworks and ability to carry out critical analysis of policy issues; experience working with regional economic communities and non-state actors preferable;


• Proven experience in agricultural public and private sector capacity building activities;


• Experience working with the private sector, civil society, media, and government sectors on communication strategies;


• Strong skills in monitoring and evaluation program activities as the candidate will be expected to actively ensure progress against indicators and objectives;


• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills with the ability to tailor communication for donors, stakeholders and partners (including public, private and government counterparts) at a high level;


• Ability to manage teams of professionals to produce key results;


• Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills, creative problem solving, conflict and ethical management skills;


• Computer literate in word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (Microsoft);


• Fluent Swahili and English language skills preferred.

If you believe you qualify for this job, kindly submit your CV and current and expected salary to hrafricalead@dai.com by August 11, 2015.

Only qualified candidates will be contacted.