THE ORGANIZATION

Since 1944, Heifer International has supported more than 36 million smallholder farmer families globally to lift themselves out of hunger and poverty while caring for the earth, working in partnership with the communities we serve, including women and young people. Heifer International is accelerating its strategic approaches to closing the Sustainable Living Income gap for an additional 10 million smallholder farmer households globally by 2030 through the Sustainable Locally Led Development approach.

In Kenya, we aim to reach 625,000 smallholder farmers, including women and young people, contributing to Heifer Africa’s target of 6.745 million farmers. Heifer works towards this goal through the Sustainable Locally Led Development approach.

FUNCTION

The Signature Program Technical Lead oversees the strategic planning, implementation and evaluation of the country office P4C Signature Program, under which the signature projects are anchored. The role involves designing and developing projects that deliver on the Signature Program, analysing and interpreting impact data, and advancing market systems and value chain development. The incumbent will also advocate for improved access to innovative financing for smallholder farmers, engage in business development, including proposal writing, and collaborate with strategic partners in co-designing projects.

The primary responsibility of this role is to lead and uphold high standards of quality for the Signature Program while directing Heifer’s response from strategy through to implementation. This includes overseeing performance and all aspects of the program’s execution, ensuring compliance with obligations and outcomes outlined in signed agreements. The role also focuses on building capacity and strengthening capabilities for signature programming within the country office.

The role encompasses the development, management and implementation of the program’s work plans, resource mobilization, people management and donor reporting. It will also drive sustainability, scale and lasting impact through long-term partnerships.

The Signature Program Technical Lead reports to the Country Director and is part of the Senior Management Team. The incumbent will work collaboratively with Heifer’s country, regional and global teams, government agencies, international partners, the private sector and local communities to ensure the success and sustainability of signature initiatives.

Accountability is central to this role. The Signature Program Technical Lead will have a strong track record of upholding accountability and transparency in program delivery, with the best interests of smallholder farmers at the centre.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS

Heifer International Kenya is looking for a self-motivated, values- and results-oriented individual of high integrity and accountability to fill the position of Signature Program Technical Lead.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

SIGNATURE PROGRAM LEADERSHIP – 30%

• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to the Signature Program team to effectively implement programs and projects across the country.

• Build and maintain an efficient and cohesive team while ensuring effective coordination and strong relationships with the country, regional and global offices, as well as partners, government, private-sector stakeholders, donors and participants.

• Lead the technical design, co-design and implementation of market systems and value chain development programs and projects, including initiatives that improve smallholder farmers’ access to innovative finance, relevant technology and premium markets.

• Lead the development of high-quality project documents, proposals and reports that meet donor requirements and clearly reflect Heifer’s Signature Program priorities, experience and lessons learned.

• Develop and adopt standardized approaches, practices, tools and measurements for co-design and capacity strengthening of the country Signature Program.

• Provide technical support and capacity building to program staff and partners on good practices relating to market systems, value chain development, technology and innovative programs and projects.

• Support the review and undertaking of economic analyses to ensure that Heifer Kenya Signature Program interventions are appropriately designed, benefit the intended participants and create the desired impact, permanence and presence among participants and stakeholders.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, QUALITY INITIATIVES AND DELIVERY – 25%

• Ensure the application of appropriate standards, practices, partnership principles, processes and tools for high-quality implementation of signature programs.

• In collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager, develop and implement program-quality strategies, standards, tools and good practices that effectively engage partners, donors and governments.

• Promote a culture of learning and knowledge management across the organization by strengthening systems for capturing, documenting, sharing and applying lessons learned across programs.

• Ensure that all projects are integrated within the Signature Program delivery approaches and adhere to Heifer’s program-quality standards. This includes applying good practices and donor guidelines and fostering needs-driven innovation to improve effectiveness and impact through evidence-based standards and international good practices.

• Coach and mentor Program Managers and Coordinators in their professional development and execution of work-plan activities and operations. Provide technical direction and recommend changes, where appropriate, to achieve program objectives.

• Identify and manage program risks during each phase of program implementation to ensure the fulfilment of program objectives.

• Ensure the timely and high-quality preparation of donor and project narrative reports, periodic country program reports, annual business plans, evaluation reports and other reports required by donors and Heifer’s regional and global offices.

• Ensure compliance with established Heifer and donor program and project standards and guidelines, including requirements relating to transparency, policy adherence, accountability and effective communication with headquarters, donors and external stakeholders.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT – 25%

• Identify donor priorities and funding opportunities that align with Heifer’s interventions and lead the development of high-quality proposals and concept notes.

• Work collaboratively with the Country Director to manage relationships, negotiations and communication with donors and partners throughout the project design and implementation cycle, while promoting the appropriate involvement of partners at every stage.

• Oversee the development and implementation of a partnership strategy to ensure that effective and impactful partnerships are identified, built and managed.

• Contribute to new program design, ensuring alignment with good practices and lessons from the field.

• Contextualize information provided by program teams to inform program design and realignment with new business plans.

• Ensure that effective designs and models are developed and incorporated into new projects to achieve the required scale and impact.

• Remain informed about emerging trends, research and innovations in agribusiness to guide program and project strategies and interventions.

• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with relevant government ministries, departments and agencies, county governments, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to support collaboration, coordination and resource mobilization for smallholder farmers, women and young people.

PROGRAM BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING – 15%

• Lead program teams in developing annual budgets and work plans consistent with program documents and donor contracts.

• Support program teams in reviewing and updating work plans and budgets in response to emerging implementation challenges and program-review processes.

• In collaboration with the Finance Department, undertake quarterly budget monitoring and variance analysis with all Program Managers. Review and track expenditure to ensure adherence to annual budgets, financial guidelines and donor requirements, while promoting value for money.

• Take responsibility for the country Signature Program plan and the implementation of corrective management actions arising from budget-monitoring reports.

• Ensure that program-related expenditure is consistent with approved work plans and financial-management procedures.

STRENGTHENING THE GLOBAL CORE OPERATING SYSTEM – 5%

• Liaise with the regional Signature Program technical team and departments at headquarters on behalf of the country program and ensure that Signature Program proposals and concept notes are entered into the relevant headquarters tracking systems.

• Support the development of an organizational culture that reflects Heifer’s cornerstones and values, promotes accountability, professional excellence and inclusion, encourages learning, creativity and innovation, and enables teams to deliver strong results.

• Ensure compliance with Heifer International policies, procedures and other accountability standards through training, event participation and field visits.

• Ensure the effective development, implementation, evaluation and systematization of signature programs by the country office.

• Lead reviews of Signature Program monitoring and evaluation reports generated by field offices and make recommendations based on the findings.

• Ensure the accurate maintenance of the country’s Signature Program records and documents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of 10 to 15 years of progressively responsible experience in the development sector.

• At least five years of program and project management experience, including leading market systems development, value chain development and the implementation of large and complex development programs.

• Demonstrated experience engaging senior government officials, donors, private-sector actors, research institutions and development partners.

• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams and strengthening organizational capacity.

• Demonstrated experience in business development and initiatives that expand access to finance within the agricultural sector.

• Experience managing donor-funded programs and developing proposals for bilateral and multilateral donors.

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Market Systems Development; Value Chain Development; Strategic Program Leadership; Proposal Development; Stakeholder Engagement; Program Management; Partnership Management; Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning; Budget Monitoring; Grant Management; Capacity Building; Risk Management; Strategic Planning; Data Analysis; Team Leadership; Resource Management; Change Management; Communication; and Business Acumen.

KEY BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Accountability
• Professional excellence
• Humility
• Customer orientation
• Empathy
• Innovation

Please send your resume/CV