Enterprise Development Coordinator at Heifer International

Heifer International’s mission is to work with communities to end world hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth. Dan West was a farmer from the American Midwest and member of the Church of the Brethren who went to the front lines of the Spanish Civil War as an aid worker. His mission was to provide relief, but he soon discovered the meager single cup of milk rationed to the weary refugees once a day was not enough. And then he had a thought: What if they had not a cup, but a cow? That “teach a man to fish” philosophy is what drove West to found Heifer International. And now, nearly 70 years later, that philosophy still inspires our work to end world hunger and poverty throughout the world once and for all. HOW IT WORKS We empower families to turn hunger and poverty into hope and prosperity – but our approach is more than just giving them a handout. Heifer links communities and helps bring sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas with a long history of poverty. Our animals provide partners with both food and reliable income, as agricultural products such as milk, eggs and honey can be traded or sold at market. When many families gain this new sustainable income, it brings new opportunities for building schools, creating agricultural cooperatives, forming community savings and funding small businesses.

FUNCTION

• The Enterprise Development Coordinator will share his or her operational experience with a start-up or a small and growing business with other departments toward the common goal of ensuring that project participants, self-help groups, cooperatives, and unions have the knowledge and skills to develop and run successful enterprises and cooperatives. The Enterprise Development Coordinator will report to the Project Manager.


• This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS

• Heifer International Kenya is looking for an energetic, positive, team player, result-orientated, quality-orientated, collaborative, pragmatic, and inspirational leader.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES

Enterprise Development (50%)

• Design and manage the implementation of the enterprise development strategy, along with reviewing and updating it as appropriate.


• Work closely with the field coordinators and technical experts to design and update training packages/modules, business plans, and sustainability models, and training materials for different levels.


• Conduct capacity assessment and develop capacity development plans for the producer organizations.


• Mentor and coach producer organizations on business and entrepreneurship development.


• Offer technical support in exploring business opportunities along the value chain of the selected commodity and in preparing business plans for cooperatives, self-help groups, common interest groups, and farm families.


• Build innovation in business development for smallholder farmers, cooperatives, etc., to increase efficiency and effectiveness.


• Coordinate value chain studies of selected commodities as required.


• Coordinate economic analysis of proposed enterprises along the relevant value chain.


• Offer technical support in establishing and operating market structures (e.g., collection centers, market centers, processing facilities, chilling centers, etc.)


• Provide support in establishing marketing information systems among value chain actors.


• Prepare periodic reports and document best practices and lessons learned.

 Stakeholder Management (15%)

• Actively facilitate and monitor pre-cooperative/producer association orientation activities in the self-help groups and clusters as they develop into Farmer Owned Agribusinesses (FOABs) and Cooperatives.


• Facilitate farmer groups in the formation of cooperatives and FOABS.


• Design, develop, and deliver training packages/modules.


• Provide technical support in formalizing FOABs.


• Develop an institutional framework for FOABs with clear linkages to the self-help groups.


• Develop guidelines for the formation, management and governance of FOABs.


• Facilitate the capacity building of the FOABs and management in effective and efficient decision-making, financial management, human resource management, operation, strategic planning and implementation, conflict management and democratic governance.


• Facilitate the partnership between the producer organizations and other partners/stakeholders.

Cooperative Values and Principles (15%)     

• Actively facilitate the development of a producer association values and principles orientation kit that incorporates Heifer’s Cornerstones and cooperatives act and by-laws.


• Facilitate the producer/cooperative associations in the orientation of new non-Heifer members to fully understand principles and values.


• Guide cooperatives in establishing a system for the fair distribution of benefits.


• Guide cooperatives to be competitive in the ecosystem.


• Guide cooperatives in conducting periodic PSRP and reinforcing values

 Planning, Reporting, and Documentation (10%)

• Develop and share monthly, quarterly, and annual Business performance and progress reports with the Project Manager for submission to the Country office.


• Participate in all project team and national business meetings, to help plan, and deliver on the project objectives as appropriate.


• Participate in learning forums at the county and regional level, and best practices are documented and shared.

 .Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor (10%)

• This will be dependent on the specific duties assigned

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in the fields of Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Rural Development, Enterprise Development, or another related field.


• Five (5) years of field and technical experience with the commercial sector, agribusiness development in a mix of economic growth/trade, value chain competitiveness, investment promotion, or agriculture development. Experience in the implementation of development projects using market systems approach is desired.

Preferred Requirements

• Significant experience in identifying and building public/private partnerships, preferably in the agricultural sector.


• Strong consumer marketing, financial analysis, and management skills.


• Strong hands-on experience in managing or providing technical support to producer organizations.


• Experience in supporting and monitoring field-based projects.


• Excellent command of report writing, analysis, and presentation skills using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.


• Track record of building strong client and stakeholder relationships.


• Ability to generate innovative solutions in work situations.

Most Critical Proficiencies

• Clear understanding of the Poultry and Livestock value chain.


• Innovative, analytical, and solutions oriented.


• Knowledge of enterprise development, market systems approach, and linkages to poverty alleviation.


• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.


• Excellent oral and written communication skills


• Proficient knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, electronic mail (Microsoft Office preferred) and the Internet.


• Demonstrated proficiency in English and other local languages, both oral and written.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands

• Preparing and presenting documents in a well-designed and attractive format with great attention to detail.


• Ability to understand, appreciate, and implement Heifer’s Value-Based Holistic Community Development.


• Demonstrated creativity with the ability to incorporate innovative solutions and systems thinking.


• Understanding of quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluation and ability to communicate MLE concepts clearly with leadership, partners, and staff at all levels.


• Willingness and ability to assign and review the work of direct reports and to use participatory management skills with junior and senior staff.


• Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout project area.


• May require constant sitting and moving, working at a computer for extended periods.


• Working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.


• Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks with little supervision while meeting inflexible deadlines sometimes.

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