The Opportunity
FFI is seeking an experienced Technical Specialist, Enterprise Development to enable our work to proactively respond to and shape the conservation enterprise and finance agenda in Kenya. It will look at aligning with FFI’s global response to the nature-climate-health triple challenge, and ensuring maximum impact for biodiversity and the environment across Kenya. Playing an important role in supporting and enabling the development of demonstratable sustainable conservation enterprises in Kenya.
You will feed into FFI’s global enterprise work with support from our Social Equity, Agriculture and Enterprise (SAGE) team. You will have a proven track record in development of innovative and successful conservation enterprise within Kenya. You will have excellent understanding of tailor-made, up-to-date responses that address today’s barriers to sustainable conservation enterprise in Kenya and experience with non-profit conservation organisations.
You will demonstrate capacity in strategic and analytical thinking; excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to work and deliver within a diverse and multidisciplinary team, proposal writing, project management and donor reporting.
Terms and Conditions
Start Date: As soon as possible
Duration of Contract: 2 years
Probation Period: 6 months
Salary: $33,000
Location: Nairobi, Kenya. With travel to domestic project sites as required. International travel to FFI’s head office in Cambridge, UK may be required.
Benefits: 25 working days’ annual leave entitlement plus national public holidays observed in Kenya
Hours of Work: This is a full-time position, working Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 5.00pm with a one-hour lunch break. These hours may vary depending on the requirements of the job in the field.
Job Description
Purpose:
The Technical Specialist, Enterprise Development will lead the development, integration and management of nature-positive enterprises, sustainable value chains and private sector partnerships within priority Kenya projects as directed by the Country Manager, and supported by the cross-cutting Social Equity, Agriculture & Enterprises (SAGE) team.
Ensuring all approaches support the delivery of the FFI Strategy and Business Plan, this role will identify current and emerging themes relating to enterprise development concerning conservation in Kenya and will both enable and implement FFI’s and FFI partner’s responses through high quality and collaboratively developed projects and funds.
Specific Duties:
Technical
Provide technical input on enterprise development components of FFI approaches in Kenya
Undertake research and analysis on markets, partners, costs, revenues, business compliance requirements, enabling environments, and other topics related to conservation finance and enterprise.
Identify and develop partnerships with private sector actors that align to FFI’s conservation strategy.
Undertake feasibility assessments of new products and ventures
Lead the development of business models that align with FFI’s strategy and consider the planning and financing required for nature-positive enterprises in collaboration with conservation and private sector partners and FFI colleagues
Develop financial plans, aligning with business models that demonstrate financial viability and sustainability of nature-positive enterprises and approaches
Lead the development of legal ownership models and structures for enterprises, in collaboration with Enterprise specialists in the SAGE team and FFI legal team.
Lead the development of investment and fundraising pitches in collaboration with finance specialists in the SAGE team.
As agreed, facilitate supply chain development including due diligence, documentation, certification, promotion and engagement with buyers
Facilitate engagement with wider market system actors using Participatory Market Systems Development (PMSD) and other relevant approaches to develop socially inclusive nature-positive market systems.
Ensure biodiversity impact metrics for nature-positive enterprises are appropriate through collaboration with FFI bio-monitoring specialists in the wider Africa programme.
Work closely with the Technical Specialist, Livelihoods and Governance (Kenya) to,ensure business models developed have clear social benefits, and gender and social equity are fully integrated into design and implementation
develop robust governance structure for conservation enterprises, clarifying membership rules, ensuring equitable benefit sharing agreements, participation of women and men.
Project Management & Development
Identify appropriate funding relevant to enterprise development, both grant and repayable investments.
Manage implementation and delivery of FFI’s commitments within specific projects as directed by the Country Manager
Ensure full compliance with FFI protocols, policies and procedures, ensuring work is done to high quality and within agreed budgets
Undertake specific fund management responsibilities where appropriate, including:
Lead FFI and donor technical report writing and editing, coordinating the inputs of team members and partners, ensuring accurate and timely technical reports as per FFI and donor requirements
Ensure all funding proposals and resulting contracts and grant agreements areappropriate to, and comply with, FFI operating standards, the FFI Delegation of Authority (DoA), and implementation context within the region
Delivery of grant funded projects within time-frames and budgets
Manage inputs from relevant technical and operational staff and consultants, and implementing partners, ensuring appropriate contracts are in place where relevant.
Ensure that appropriate monitoring and evaluation is in place and fit for purpose, working with FFI team (in Kenya and in Cambridge) to review results and adapt implementation as required
Be responsible for fund finances and ensure all expenditure complies with donor and FFI regulations, FFI’s DoA, and Kenyan laws
Management of cash flow for relevant activities and accountability of funds, including required finance planning and reporting
Prepare project financial reports, with support from the Kenya Finance Team and ensure timely, high quality and accurate technical, operational and financial funder and institutional reporting
Ensure the regular back-up and appropriate storage of all data and financial records, in line with in-country and donor auditing requirements, internal and donor reporting requirements, and ensuring there is sufficient detail for overall institutional auditing of FFI.
Under the guidance of the Country Manager provide active input and support, and when appropriate lead, new project development
Communications and Representation
Develop and collaborate on training materials including documentation, talks and lectures
Develop and collaborate on articles, guidelines, briefing papers, templates etc.
Provide training and mentoring on enterprise development to partners and communities
Contribute to a global Community of Practice on nature-positive enterprise development as well as national and regional forums, networks and events
Other
Work as an active member of the wider Africa team and attend Africa team meetings and work planning sessions as required
Provide technical input, where appropriate and requested, on other work undertaken by the SAGE, Kenya and Africa programme
With agreement of the Country Manager perform any other tasks that may be requested from time to time, which are appropriate to the roles skills and experience, and relevant to the scope of this role
Person Specification:
Skills
Essential
Proven track record in market research, business plan development and project management skills
Excellent analytical skills
Ability to successfully negotiate with diverse audiences
Excellent information organisation and presentation skills
Outstanding prioritisation and time management skills
Ability to lead and manage both decisions and people, in high stress environments
Desirable
Business impact measurement, costing, marketing and sales plan, investment pitches and risk assessments
Experience working in international conservation NGOs or organization
Experience reporting to multiple managers or projects
Qualifications and Language
Essential
Undergraduate level qualification or equivalent in economics, business management or rural development
Excellent written and spoken Swahili and English
Desirable
MBA or Advanced degree in business-related discipline
Knowledge and experience
Essential
Knowledge and established networks in at least two of the following sectors in Kenya: tourism, sustainable fisheries, agriculture/agroforestry
Proven success in developing enterprises designed to achieve positive social and/or environmental impacts
Demonstrable experience in project management
Experience working for NGOs rural entrepreneurship and sustainable supply chains
Desirable
Private sector experience in agribusiness or tourism or seafood sector
Experience working for a startup enterprise
Knowledge of development approaches to enterprise development and strengthening of market systems, such as Practical Action’s Participatory Market Systems Development (PMSD)
Experience in developing inclusive finance models (such as eco-credits, Village Savings and Loan Associations) and micro-insurance
Behavioural qualities
Essential
Team player, with ability to seek out views of others and build positive working relationships
Ability to work to multiple deadlines
Impact-focused
Well-organised with a strong attention to detail
Ability to self-motivate
Ability to work within a multi-cultural environment
Ability to work under pressure and to deal with challenges in a positive and constructive way
Commitment to working in a collaborative manner, sharing information and learning
Commitment to organisational and legal compliance, and responsible management of donor funds
Ability to work under pressure and to deal with challenges in a calm, positive, pro-active and constructive way
Other
Essential
Commitment to FFI’s values, vision and mission
Entitlement to live and work in Kenya (without employee sponsorship)
Available to travel domestically and/or internationally, and work occasional evening and weekend hours
How to applyApplications, consisting of a covering letter explaining why you feel you should be considered for this post, a full CV (tailored to the role as advertised, highlighting relevant experience and achievements) and contact details for two referees (who will not be contacted without your permission) should be sent to africajobs@fauna-flora.org. Please mark your application Technical Specialist, Enterprise Development, Kenya.
Apply via :
africajobs@fauna-flora.org
