Partner Development Specialist, Community Knowledge Worker

Job Summary: The Partner Development Specialist (PDS) will be a member of the Partner Relations team and will participate in developing the overall CKW partnership approach. The Partner Development Specialist will oversee at least two major partner accounts and provide support to other partnerships as needed. Working closely with the CKW Network and Information Services Team, the Partner Development Specialist will draft project plans and contribute to the design of mobile information services and surveys. The PDS will be responsible for tracking and reporting on progress to partners and various stakeholders and will play a central role in setting and maintaining partner expectations. Through the use of innovative technologies, the PDS will help build creative solutions to overcome some of the biggest challenges in reaching smallholder farmers with the goal of increasing their incomes and building a sustainable organization with the capacity to impact thousands.


Duties and Responsibilities:

Evaluate and on-board CKW network partners

• Identify, vet and develop partnerships with high potential partners
• Conduct comprehensive analysis of partner strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and weigh potential for potential for partner to contribute to sustainability and impact goals
• Own at least two major CKW network partnership accounts and provide support to additional partnerships as needed
• Conduct initial due-diligence and draft legal terms sheets for partnerships
• Prepare ambitious but achievable project plan for each partnership account and lead effort to optimize resources, maximize impact to farmers, and set clear stakeholder expectations
• Develop partner project budgets, reporting framework, and monitoring and evaluation plans

Provide on-going relationship management

• Deepen relationships, leverage strengths and understand needs of local partners and manage key stakeholder relationships
• Regularly meet and communicate with partners to implement project and ensure partner needs are met and expectations maintained
• Liaise with partner, range of stakeholders, CKWs, farmers, and CKW team to guide and oversee project implementation
• Develop and disseminate written and visual communications to stakeholders that highlight project achievements
• Work with CKW Network and Information Services teams to develop training and marketing materials and information services that meet partner specifications
• Lead development, management and convening of partnership coverage teams for two partner accounts

Conduct monitoring and reporting

• Develop success metrics and report regularly on progress to CKW team and partner
• Conduct field assessments, focus group discussions, and other outreach visits to solicit feedback and understand project progress and challenges
• Develop strategy and follow escalation plans to address obstacles to achieving goals or unmet partner expectations
• Track and report on partner project budgets
• Develop reports and other materials to share project learning

Necessary Qualifications:

• Deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission and understanding of and commitment to agricultural development in Africa
• Strong time management skills with ability to manage multiple work-streams simultaneously with proven track record of achievement under pressure
• Excellent people skills – ability to present to a board of executives and also lead discussion with a farmer’s group in a rural village; proven ability to work effectively with diverse partners
• Outstanding commitment to teamwork and ability to work collaboratively across organizations, to promote knowledge transfer within GF, and equally willing to support or lead a discussion, negotiation, or training
• Excellent presentation, communication and interpersonal skills with commitment to listening and serving diverse range of CKW clients
• Ability to represent GF in discussions with partners
• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills with ability to serve partner needs while promoting GF mission; creative problem solver who can identify and achieve shared objectives under challenging conditions and diffuse charged situations
• Proven analytical and quantitative skills with ability to layer multiple and disparate variables into cohesive strategy
• Strong strategic thinker who thinks innovatively and creatively to solve unstructured problems
• An entrepreneurial spirit
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and mobile phones
• Enthusiasm and passion for development work in Uganda and the region
• Belief in the potential to leverage information and communication technology (ICTs) for the benefit of small holder farmers
• Commitment to building social and gender equity into program design and approach.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Economics, Public Policy, Engineering, Business, or related field. Master’s Degree preferred
• At least 3 years related experience in international development, with smallholder farmers, or managing accounts in the private sector
• Experience working in agricultural development in developing countries, ideally in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Experience in information and communication technology (ICTs) preferred
• Fluency in oral and written English; preference for fluency in at least one local language

How to Apply:

Candidates that DO NOT FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

Attach your CV and application letter ONLY; please merge them into ONE file in MS word or PDF format.

DO NOT attach scanned academic papers or documents when applying online.

Apply online and send an email to grameenjobs@nftconsult.com

(In the "SUBJECT LINE" field please indicate the position you are applying for i.e. "Partner Development Specialist, Community Knowledge Worker ")