Project Coordinator (Livestock Production)

Job ID 1371

Program / Project Support Kenya   Isiolo


Description

Heifer International is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) whose mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. We work with farmers and their communities to identify opportunities that deliver living incomes, creating solutions to local challenges designed to build inclusive, resilient economies. With Increased livestock and crop productivity, farmers provide for their families and improve the health of their communities. 
 
The Kenya Livestock Marketing and Resilience Project (KLMP) is part of the Heifer Project International Kenya (HPIK) Signature Program, targeting the Kenya Livestock Sector. The overall goal of KLMP is to strengthen the production and marketing systems for improved livelihoods and resilience among 38,000 poultry and beef-producing households, moving them towards achieving a living income.
 
The project strengthens production and productivity, leverages digital technology, promotes blended financing, and mobilizes strategic partnerships for catalytic investments in favour of behaviour and social norms change for increased resilience, income, and improved practices within the beef and poultry value chains. The project activities are being implemented in nine Kenya counties namely Kajiado, Isiolo, Nakuru, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kakamega and Busia between 2023 – 2027.
 
FUNCTION
The Project Coordinator (Livestock Production) is responsible for providing technical input and coordinating functions for performance improvement of red meat enterprises to enhance livelihoods and ensure food security and economic development of the agro-pastoralists and pastoralists in the ASAL areas. This role will establish functional extension systems at producer organizations that offer quality and reliable services that ease member access to inputs and services resulting in increased production and productivity. The Project Coordinator- Livestock Production will report to the Project Manager.   
 
ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS 
Heifer International Kenya is looking for an individual who is accountable, flexible, and a critical thinker with excellent problem-solving ability. The person will be able to work under pressure, have a keen eye for detail, be creative, and be a team player. 
 
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES
(A) Project management and Effectiveness (50%)
  • Provide technical advice on activities that improve livestock productivity – animal health and nutrition, husbandry, herd management and feeding  
  • Provide technical leadership to activities that improve livestock productivity, including but not limited to animal health and nutrition, husbandry and breeding practices, herd management, and feed. 
  • Coordinate the organization of extension activities including field days, farm visits, and field demonstrations if any 
  • Develop a detailed project work plan that guides the implementation of activities in line with the overall objectives of the project for approval and ongoing monitoring to ensure project activities are on schedule. 
  • Design scalable market-led mechanisms to promote access to quality animal feed, inputs and services for livestock producers.  
  • Designing sustainable livestock markets co-management approaches, working closely with livestock marketing associations (LMAs) and county government department of trade.  
  • Design, awareness creation, roll out and monitoring adoption of index-based livestock product (IBLI) among pastoralists and agro-pastoralists.  
  • Provide coordination of project implementation including technical, administrative, operational, and logistical direction of the project. 
  • Monitor and review progress on project tasks within the context of agreed project deliverables and timelines. 
  • Collaborate with relevant teams and departments and ensure timely dissemination of project information and reports. 
  • Lead in the identification and advice on project beneficiaries (farmer organizations, service providers) and potential partners/stakeholders in line with project goals 
 
(B) Quality and Risk (25%) 
  • Carry out all necessary activities with the guidance of the project manager for the review, documentation, and optimization of processes that will enable seamless project execution. 
  • Provide project performance highlights and communicate major issues, and slippage, and suggest remedies and escalations as required. 
  • Track and assess the effectiveness of projects. 
  • Provide project status reporting and updates on progress, dependencies, issues, and risks. 
  • Compile and present findings and recommendations beneficial to the project 
  • Develop periodic reports (monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and annually) as agreed with the Project Manager per the reporting guidelines communicated by the PM and MEL officer.  
 
(C) Stakeholder Management (20%) 
  • Collaborate with the Project Manager in achieving successful execution of the project. 
  • Oversee and ensure the quality of tasks performed by service providers and market actors to increase animal production 
  • Coordinate plans for multi-stakeholder engagement and learning, including collaboration with respective county governments 
  • Participate in periodic stakeholder meetings.  
 
(D) Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor 
  • This will be dependent on the specific duties assigned.
 
Minimum Requirements
  1. A bachelor’s degree in livestock development, veterinary medicine, animal science/production, Range management/natural resource management, Environmental science or its equivalent.
  2. At least five (5) years of job-related practical experience in livestock production and marketing, index-based livestock insurance, including at least two years working in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).
  3. Knowledge of project management principles and practices involving processes, systems, and reporting, and the ability to provide leadership and support to partners.
  4. Proficient and experienced in livestock value chain development particularly within the red meat value chains.
  5. Experience working with community organizations such as cooperatives and feedlotting work.
  6. Experience working within the ASALs with pastoralists and agro-pastoralists will be highly desirable.
  7. Partnership management experience and working through partnership structures, private sector partners and government collaboration.
 
Preferred Requirements
  1. Sound business knowledge especially in the agricultural and agribusiness sector.
  2. Demonstrated understanding of the economic, social, and cultural dynamics of pastoralist production systems in the pastoralist communities including rangelands
  3. Knowledge of market systems development approach in project implementation.
  4. Experience working in Isiolo and/or Kajiado counties
 
Most Critical Proficiencies
  • Strong business, leadership, strategic and innovation skills.
  • Strong communication skills in both English and national language/s.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in the red meat value chains within the rangelands/pastoralist communities
  • Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness, and ability to incorporate innovative solutions
  • Ability to identify training gaps and coordinate relevant training programs targeted at pastoralists and agro-pastoralists for livestock production, fodder and pasture, and health.
  • Experience in facilitating the establishment of strategic alliances and partnerships with the private sector including in extension and processing.
  • Strong computer literacy, preferably with Microsoft Office Suite.
 
Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to relate to individuals and groups diplomatically and tactfully.
  • Must be courteous and of high integrity, especially in high-pressure situations.
  • Self-starter and self-motivator with the ability to work in a multicultural setting.
  • Must be a team player and can execute and manage multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
  •  Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.
  • Ability and willingness to travel extensively locally and internationally where need be. 
 
Deadline for applications: 31st December 2024