ACDI / VOCA Deputy Chief of Party and Livestock Director Job in Kenya

ACDI / VOCA

Deputy Chief of Party and Livestock Director, Kenya LMS AA1

Overview: Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI / VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy.

Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion.

ACDI / VOCA is currently seeking a Deputy Chief of Party and Livestock Director for the Feed the Future-funded Livestock Market Systems Expanding Economic Opportunities (LMS-AA1) Activity.

The goal of the project is to build upon and deepen the inclusiveness, resilience and competitiveness of market systems (and integrated value chains) in the 5 Arid and Semi-Arid Counties of Turkana, Isiolo, Marsabit, Wajir and Garissa while furthering livestock-related and other economic opportunities.

The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya with frequent travel to field offices.

Responsibilities

• Support the Chief of Party in providing leadership management and general technical direction to the 5 county office teams and to the entire activity.
• Act as Technical Lead and central point coordination for AA1 staff in the technical review of grant applications received, coordinating, in close collaboration with LMS partners, co-creation/co-investment approaches in selecting, defining and managing approved grants.
• Provide technical leadership, implementation oversight, day-to-day quality control, and operational commitment to AA1’s systemic, inclusive, and facilitative market systems approach.
• Play a lead role in interacting with key implementing actors and other development partners.
• Identify and develop interventions that address system constraints and identify leverage points for appropriate action/support/investment.
• Ensure quality control and timeliness of all deliverables. Prepare and contribute to work plans, financial, logistical and other documents as requested.
• Support the overall knowledge management process, contributing to quarterly reports and the M&E and learning processes.
• Serve as a primary person responsible for overseeing the technical quality of all livestock development matters that among others; improved livestock productivity, animal nutrition, animal health, breeding and livestock marketing
• Facilitate the private provision of key services that will enable pastoralist to benefit from their participation in the livestock value chain- namely, veterinary drugs and animal health services, animal feed and financial services
• Support marketing activities that seek to improve pastoralists’ access to markets, strengthen livestock value chains and diversify end markets for Kenyan livestock meat.
• Ensures the incorporation and implementation of inclusive gender and youth positive approaches into all areas of LMS-AA1. Works closely with the Gender Advisor to communicate and coordinate with County and Nairobi-based staff, so that gender considerations can be meaningfully and efficiently integrated throughout all AA1 activities and operations. Acts a Technical
• Lead and central point coordination for AA1 staff in the technical review of grant applications received, coordinating, in close collaboration with LMS partners, co-creation/co-investment approaches in selecting, defining and managing approved grants.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Deputy Chief of Party and Livestock Director will directly supervise the Technical team/ County Program Managers in the 5 counties and will be responsible for overseeing the technical and administrative staff during any absence of the COP.

Additional supervisory responsibilities may include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; identifying capacity gaps and designing responses to address them; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in economics, agriculture, animal sciences, business management, or relevant field required. Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in natural resource management, agriculture, and livestock sectors.
• Minimum 5 years of management experience for large (minimum $5M) programs.
• Demonstrated understanding of budget planning, activity-based budgeting and tracking, forecasting; integrity and zero tolerance approach to corruption/malfeasance.
• Solid understanding of market systems and value chains; experience in ASALs or northern Kenya preferred.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation tools, systems and ITC applications.
• Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring and motivating diverse teams (including remote management) with strong commitment to gender mainstreaming, responsiveness, and inclusion principles.
• English and Swahili proficiency required; other local language fluency/ability preferred.
• Experienced with representing organization/project with high level donor and government officials
• Excellent English writing skills (corporate reports/plans/briefs/official correspondence)
• Ability to travel within and beyond Nairobi, Isiolo, Marsabit, Garissa, Wajir, and Turkana counties.
• Kenyan nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Please apply at HRkenya@acdivoca.org no later than August 21, 2020.

The applications will be reviewed promptly upon receipt, only finalists will be contacted.

ACDI/VOCA is an equal opportunity employer.

Women, minorities and people from diverse groups are encouraged to apply.