Program Manager

KOMAZA is an award-winning non-profit social enterprise working to end rural poverty by developing economic opportunities for smallholder farmers living in Africa’s infertile and drought-prone regions.

Founded in 2006 and based in Kenya, our innovative grassroots model dramatically boosts household income for rural families by equipping them with resources, knowledge and market linkages to produce high-value climate-appropriate crops on their previously degraded land.

Wanted: Mid-career (4+ years experience) business, development, agricultural or environmental professional with operational experience to help aggressively scale field operations.

2 year minimum commitment, longer preferred

THE ROLE

As a Program Manager, you will manage a diverse team of 4-8 international and local staff who are working to develop systems, tools and processes to enable KOMAZA to continue growing efficiently and effectively. This role will be focused on developing and improving the KOMAZA program rather than day-to-day operations which are managed by local staff. You will:

• Collaborate closely with Operations Team and Field Staff – particularly the Field Director and COO to identify areas of improvement and implement strategic direction
• Identify projects and give project management advice and support to a team of 4-8 highly motivated individuals
• Be responsible for building your team’s capacity and managing workloads
• Be involved in strategic and operational business decisions
• Drive operational tools to support overall organizational goals
• Ensure lessons learned are documented for optimal operational “blueprint" for future rural cells

The Program Manager is responsible for managing individual projects as well as staff. The typical Program Manager manages up to three projects and is responsible for directing several others. Projects vary depending on organizational needs and experience.

Example past projects include:

• Crop Production Projects: Developing an Integrated Pest Management Program to be used by field staff to minimize pesticide use (and costs) without affecting tree health.
• Logistics: Researching and identifying a cost effective and operationally appropriate and sustainable water delivery system for planting.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Designing tools (e.g. surveys and farmer focus groups) and metrics to assess KOMAZA’s progress in achieving its mission and having a positive effect on the livelihood of farmers over time.
• Value Capture projects: Investigating the coastal wood market and securing customers for our first harvest while building relationships. Initiating a mobile wood processing program to build organizational capacity. Piloting scalable processes for harvesting and farmer payment.
• Strategic: Developing tree growth models that can be used to inform operational and harvesting decisions.
• Research and Development: Research nursery production, form partnerships with industry experts and use this information to develop an operational nursery on our experimental farm to serve our internal needs.
• Training: Developing an operational manual for field staff that can be used as a reference document during training and their work in the field.

Field Component: This role, while based in the Kilifi town office, will have a field component which can be challenging but highly rewarding. This work will involve: long, dirty and uncomfortable bus/motorcycle rides, basic rustic facilities, work in areas far from any infrastructure (stores, electricity, paved roads), hours spent outside in the equatorial sun and heat. KOMAZA will soon commence construction on its first dedicated field operations office in Ganze, which will facilitate any fieldwork.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants who do not meet the following criteria will not be considered:

• Education: A top performing academic background with a bachelor of science in agriculture, forestry, business management or equivalent work experience.
• Relevant work experience: 4+ years work experience with a minimum of 2+ years experience in a supervisory role and project/operational management in either business, agricultural development, forestry, conservation, or a related field. Evidence of ability to excel in role with focus on field-based operations; ability to plan and implement scalable systems based upon logistical necessities and field-based realities; involved in operational monitoring and evaluation to inform decisions. You must be able to demonstrate on-the-ground experience and have demonstrated commitment to social enterprise/international development and have spent significant time in a developing country.
• Strong organizational skills: Ability to balance multiple projects, work across all aspects of operations, and take ownership of projects to achieve targets in a highly independent capacity
• Team-oriented: Collaborative work ethic and ability to perform on a multidisciplinary team and across multiple departments and willing to take on whatever task is required by the organization.
• Analytical thinking at a high and granular level: Excellent problem-solving skills and business judgment; ability to think “big picture” (e.g. milestone setting to plant with 10,000 farmers) and dig into details (e.g. how to quickly get 100 barrels to farmers with no vehicles and poor road infrastructure).
• Strong communication skills and commitment to: Being personable yet persistent; building consensus and influencing decision-making; adapting to local cultural norms and communication styles given close collaboration with local staff.
• Impact-focused: Must be committed to KOMAZA’s vision through the development of an efficient, evidence-based and financially-sustainable organization.
• Patience and a sense of humor: Please see KOMAZA recruiting website for a more detailed description of important “fit” criteria.

Preferred:

• Kiswahili
• Work/volunteer experience in a developing country
• Experience or understanding of agriculture/forestry and knowledge of plant production and agro-ecology

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

This is a career-track position with potential for further professional growth and increased responsibility within the organization. The ideal candidate is an experienced manager who is committed to international development and to living in Kenya for a significant period of time.

The salary is modest, but will provide for a comfortable standard of living in Kenya with savings after expenses. Opportunities exist for promotion and higher levels of compensation for high performers.

Benefits include: international medical insurance including emergency evacuation, Kiswahili lessons, food and housing (or equivalent stipends), flights to/from country of origin.

East African citizens provided with equivalent compensation in lieu of benefits

Please apply directly on our website at www.komaza.org/recruiting