Project Coordinator – Farmer to Farmer (F2F)

About CRS

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

1. POSITION IDENTIFICATION:
   Department: Programs
   Job Title: Project Coordinator – F2F (Ref.2016/04)
   Grade: TBD
   Reports To: F2F Project Director
   Supervises (Direct Reports Only): None
   Based In (Location): Nairobi, Kenya
   BACKGROUND:
   Agricultural development and farm livelihoods in East African countries are constrained by: lack of appropriate production, marketing, processing and support services technologies (inputs, management and production systems), poor or unsustainable management of environment and natural resources, limited rural and agricultural financial services and weak sector institutions (farmer coops, and associations, agribusinesses, research and extension services, etc.). The F2F East Africa Program is a multi-country, US$8M USAID funded 5-year program that will assist in agriculture development, commodity value chain competitiveness and firm upgrading by providing technical assistance to introduce new technologies and innovation and development of local capacity for more productive, profitable, sustainable and equitable agriculture systems. The technical assistance will be provided by volunteers, US experts in agriculture, marketing, finance, value and supply chain development, quality assurance, quality control, trade, and business plan development. The F2F program objectives and strategic framework are in line with the USG assistance programs USG Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative/Feed the Future, USAID Agriculture Strategy/Linking Farmers to Markets and the US Farm Bill. In addition to these initiatives and strategies, the F2F program will be concurrent with Country Investment Plan (CIP) and USAID country missions.
2. Job Summary:
   To support the F2F Project Director to identify potential partners and hosts, update sector and sub-sector analyses. She/he will also assist in M&E and impact assessment. This person must have full knowledge of individual partnerships in order to efficiently serve as a backup to the Project Director. This position reports to the country-based Project Director. This position has responsibilities in technical, managerial, and logistical areas.
   Job Responsibilities
3. Deputize the Director.
4. Assist with representation.
5. Design, in coordination with Project Director and other CRS F2F staff, and implement sustainable interventions that achieve project goals and objectives in a timely manner, referencing project and donor documents as a guide.
6. Identify the projects that CRS will work on with legitimate representation of the target population throughout the entire process, ensuring the project design of local projects adhere to CRS’ project design principles (i.e.Stakeholder analysis, Assessment, Analysis, Objective setting, Strategy review, Results framework. Proframe, Indicators and sources of verification, M&E planning).
7. Identify the host organizations with whom CRS can have a long lasting relationship and which meets the goals of the project. Coordinate relationship-building efforts including host visits, conference calls and other contacts, applying CRS partnership principles.
8. Identify the implementing partners,, including international agencies in country which are implementing USG-supported projects in this sector.
9. Understand the expectations of the donor and the needs of the USAID local Mission
10. Write project progress reports, ensuring targets are met in a timely manner.
11. Write updates of the project for promotional materials which may be created in Nairobi or Baltimore, or locally.
12. Coordinate closely with the CRS CP programming department, and admin/finance teams in CRS CP.
13. Design learning events in coordination with the Learning Officer in EARO.
14. Maintain contact with Volunteers through SharePoint discussion board, follow up phone calls and email, and coordinate any volunteer post-visit activities (facilitate volunteer-host communications, etc.) Capture lessons learned from the volunteer experiences.
15. Identify capacity building needs of the host agency.
16. Work with the F2F Project Director to assist in managing relationships with volunteer hosts and in-country partner organizations. Help to develop the Scopes of Work for the volunteers to meet the needs of the host agency.
17. Participate in the design of the project SMILER (development of data capture and monitoring and evaluation system).
18. Be responsible for all data collection and reporting on data at the project level.
19. Track data for the country program against targets, and reporting trends and gaps to the entire team.
20. Work directly with Baltimore-based F2F Program Officer to coordinate international and in-country travel. Responsible for all in-country problem-solving regarding in-country travel and accommodations. Monitor volunteer and host organization satisfaction.
21. Coordinate group events and meetings for the F2F Project as required. Coordinate logistics for the development of media information gathering, promotional events and other activities related to the in-country role in CRS promotion of the F2F Program.
22. Manage and coordinate all in-country logistics for volunteer assignments, including airport pick-up and drop-off, all in-country travel arrangements and accommodations. Serve as the in-country contact for volunteers regarding in-country logistics. Assist in preparation in-country orientations as appropriate.
23. Ensure compliance with CRS’ policies and procedures, as well as donor policies and procedures.
24. Ensure consistent visibility of all F2F activities. Ensure project fact sheet statistics are kept up to date.
25. Ensure the integrity of CRS’ financial, administrative and logistical/procurement systems and donor policies and procedures are carried out, including assisting volunteers in their reimbursement form processing at end of volunteer assignments.
26. Budget management: Under oversight of the F2F Project Director, and in coordination with CRS’ regional finance team, ensure activities are undertaken and aligned with the approved, donor budget; ensure electronic forecasting is done according to internal policy; ensure e budget is updated; ensure monthly budget comparison reviews (BCR) are undertaken regularly and any anomalies addressed on time.
27. Compliance: Provide updated project information for the CRS Project Tracking System (PIMS and Sharepoint) and keep an updated file of all approved project documents to be used for archival purposes and in meeting audit requirements.
28. Ensure representation, program communication and implementation ensures gender, integral human development, and child protection considerations
    Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):
    These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
29. Serves with Integrity
30. Models Stewardship
31. Cultivates Constructive Relationships
32. Promotes Learning
    Key Working Relationships:
    Internal: F2F Project Director, CP Staff, the other three F2F CP Project Coordinators, EARO regional office, relevant headquarters personnel as appropriate.
    External: Donor, Partners and Hosts, local government agencies, trade unions, employer organizations, and other relevant organizations.
    Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
33. BA/BS degree - M.A. in development related field preferred
34. Minimum three years administrative or project management experience
35. Minimum of five years working experience in developing country.
36. Understanding of CRS SunSystems and CRS administration, financial and logistical/procurement policies and procedures.
37. Previous experience in implementing F2F programming is a plus.
38. Previous experience in working in partnership with other local and international personnel.
39. Ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
40. Ability to build capacity and develop strong working relationships with senior national staff.
41. Ability to initiate, consult as appropriate, and see tasks through to completion
42. Proven project management skills
43. Strong interpersonal skills
44. Proactive approach to responsibilities and problem-solving skills
45. Creativity
46. Team player and ability to work independently
47. Ability to manage multiple priorities concurrently
48. Self-guided, strong organizational and planning skills
49. Ability to establish healthy, cooperative and positive relations with partners and hosts, volunteers and other stakeholders.
50. Willingness to travel and spend time in the field and away from post to ensure quality programming.
51. Excellent oral and written communication skills
52. Computer literate (Word, Excel, Outlook Express, Internet Explorer).
    Disclaimer Clause: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, efforts, duties and responsibilities associated with the position.
    The following statement/declaration shall be included ON ALL job applications:
    “I understand that CRS takes all allegations of abuse and exploitation seriously. Abuse or exploitation of children or vulnerable adults is grounds for immediate dismissal.”

HOW TO APPLY:

The following statement/declaration shall be included ON ALL job applications:

“I understand that CRS takes all allegations of abuse and exploitation seriously. Abuse or exploitation of children or vulnerable adults is grounds for immediate dismissal.”

Written applications indicating the reference number of position applied for and CV including day-time contact phone numbers, as well as names and contact information of three references should reach the below-mentioned by Close of Business Wednesday January 27, 2016;

Human Resources Manager

Catholic Relief Services – Kenya Program

E-mail: hr@ke.earo.crs.org

Please indicate the Reference Number (Ref: 2016/04) on the ‘email subject. Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Note: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) does not charge any fees from applicants for any recruitment. Further, CRS has not retained any agent in connection with this recruitment