FUNCTION

The Enterprise Development Coordinator will be a key lead in supporting the project through his or her operational and technical experience working with off-takers and agribusinesses to ensure that various market actors within the selected value chains have the knowledge and skills to develop and run successful enterprises that include farmer-owned Agribusinesses and cooperatives. The Enterprise Development Coordinator will report to the Project Manager.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS

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

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

Enterprise Development (40%)

• Lead in the design and manage the implementation of the enterprise development strategy for the project, along with reviewing and updating it as appropriate.
• Work closely with the other project coordinators and technical experts to design and update capacity building packages/modules including business plans for the various market actors in the project.
• Facilitate capacity assessment and develop capacity development plans for the farmer-owned agribusinesses (FOABs).
• Facilitate and offer technical backstopping on the mentorship and coaching of FOABs programs through a sustainable and efficient model.
• Support the farmer-owned agribusinesses in enterprise prioritization by coordinating economic analysis of proposed enterprises along the relevant value chain as and when necessary.
• Offer facilitative technical support in establishing and operating market structures (e.g. aggregation centers, processing facilities,)
• Provide support in establishing marketing information systems among value chain actors.
• Facilitate the development of innovative business models for rangelands within the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) region for the red meat value chain along natural resource management, fodder, pasture and water management mechanism

 Stakeholder Management (30%)

• Initiate the process of potential client identification; recruitment; selection and screening using an agreed project eligibility criteria in the red meat and poultry value chains.
• Manage FOABs and other market actors’ relationships through regular visits to identify their capacity needs.
• Linking FOABs to relevant market actors, building sustainable business relationships, and market systems and ensuring consistency in business engagement between FOABs and relevant partners.
• Facilitate farmer groups in the formation of cooperatives and FOABS.
• Design, develop, and deliver training packages/modules.
• Provide technical support in formalizing FOABs.
• Facilitate in development of the institutional framework for FOABs with clear linkages to the self-help groups.
• Facilitate in development of 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.
• Participate in policy dialogues with relevant stakeholders within the red meat, poultry and rangelands to identify relevant policies affecting the projects for redress.

 Cooperative Values and Principles (10%)

• 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 members to understand cooperative 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 Participatory Self Review and Planning (PSRP) and reinforcing values.

Planning, Reporting, and Documentation (15%) 

• Coordinate relevant research within the project along the selected value chains including market research, and competitor analysis to identify new business trends, to inform project implementation and market actors’ support.
• Prepare periodic reports and document best practices and lessons learned as required.
• Coordinate with FOABs and other market actors in the collection, collation and entry of business performance data into Heifer’s Integrated Project Management System (IPMS).
• Participate in all project team planning meetings.
• Participate in learning forums at the county and regional level, sharing project implementation models, successes and lessons learnt.
• Proactively promote and market the KLMP project objectives, model and successes amongst various stakeholders.

Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor (5%) 

• Contribute to business development/ resource mobilization activities.
• This will be dependent on the specific duties assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Rural Development, Enterprise Development, or another related field.
• At least seven (7) 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 SME development.
• Demonstrated experience in the implementation of development projects using a market systems approach is highly desired.

Preferred Requirements

• Significant experience in providing business development services and enterprise capacity building to SMEs, Cooperatives and other businesses, preferably in the agricultural and livestock sector.
• Strong consumer marketing, financial analysis, and management skills.
• Strong hands-on experience in managing or providing technical support to producer organizations.
• Experience working within the livestock industry.
• Experience working with agropastoralists and pastoralists within the ASAL areas.
• Experience in supporting and working on field-based projects.
• Track record of building strong client and stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrated creativity with the ability to incorporate innovative solutions and systems thinking.
• Knowledge of enterprise development, market systems development approach, and linkages to poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

Most Critical Proficiencies

• Clear understanding of the Poultry and Livestock value chain.
• Innovative, analytical, and solutions-oriented.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational 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.
• Excellent command of report writing, analysis, and presentation skills using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint with great attention to detail.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands

• Ability to understand, appreciate, and implement Heifer’s Value-Based Holistic Community Development.
• Understanding of quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluation and ability to communicate concepts clearly with leadership, partners, and staff at all levels.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout project areas.
• 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.