Nutrition Project Manager – Transforming Lives
iDE is a non-profit international organization with over 40 years of experience in delivering market-based programs in 11 countries, dedicated to powering entrepreneurs to end poverty. iDE believes that the market is a powerful force to lift people out of poverty. We catalyze change in markets by incentivizing low-income people to establish locally-led scalable solutions that are passed down through generations and founded on mutually beneficial partnerships.
iDE in December 2023 acquired Bountifield International to develop and capitalize on the expertise and postharvest knowledge and program that was developed to expand its footprint and align with its expansion strategy. iDE Kenya excels in scalable postharvest value chain management through entrepreneurial business models, effectively reaching smallholder farmers with essential services to boost food processing, reduce food loss, and drive systemic change. The program has impacted 81,163 farmers by empowering 60 entrepreneurs who have processed over 4 million kilos of food, valued at $2 million that resulted in considerable food loss averted and time saving through the use of suitable postharvest technology. Nearly 50% of these entrepreneurs are women, who significantly influence and expand production through their services.
As part of iDE’s strategy, we are now expanding the Kenya program to focus on nutrition. Our goal is to increase the coverage of evidence-based interventions and nutritional foods for women and children. This expansion aims to enhance physical and economic access to nutritious diets and strengthen local supply chains and market enterprises.
We are seeking a dedicated project manager to coordinate the implementation of the Transforming Lives project – a collaboration between iDE, Helen Keller International, and Vitamin Angels, funded by the Latter Day Saints Church (LDSC). With direct reporting to the iDE Kenya’s Team Leader, indirect reporting to the iDE HQ Nutrition team, and in close coordination with other internal and external stakeholders, the position is responsible for the project implementation in Kenya.
DIVISION, PROJECT
Nutrition. Transforming Lives Through Nutrition
REPORTING
Direct reporting to iDE Kenya Team Leader
Indirect reporting to iDE Global Senior Director, Nutrition
LOCATION
Based in Kenya with regular travel to the implementation sites where iDE operates in Kenya
DURATION
This contract is up to the 30th June 2025. The expectation is that this contract is renewable pending funding
PURPOSE
Transforming Lives is a new program funded by the Latter Day Saints Charities (LDSC) and implemented by a consortium of partners that includes iDE, Helen Keller International (HKI), and Vitamin Angels (VA). Project activities are anticipated to start in the second quarter of 2024. The project manager will be responsible for managing the day-to-day implementation of the iDE Kenya component within this consortium with other ad-hoc responsibilities.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The project manager will report directly to iDE Kenya’s Team Leader and will report indirectly to the iDE Global Senior Director, Nutrition Program. The project manager will also coordinate with other internal stakeholders (e.g, iDE GESI, Innovation Lab, SHE, and WASH leadership) Micro Small-Medium Enterprises, and iLAB) and consortium partners as well as with external stakeholders (e.g., private and public sector partners).
RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Management Responsibilities
Coordination and Planning
- Coordinate with technical unit directors in planning, implementing, and monitoring activities across different technical teams.
- Support project implementation progress among the technical units.
Strategic Direction and Support
- Provide strategic direction and support to field teams, partners, and public and private sectors in operating project interventions as per plan, adopting relevant changes considering local situations.
- Oversee annual work-plan preparation, implementation, and adaptation, facilitating monthly progress assessments and quarterly strategic reviews and adjustments.
- Identify external technical support needs, ensuring appropriate management practices and effective use of monitoring and evaluation systems for timely management information.
Quality Assurance and Monitoring
- Support the program Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Manager in planning and implementing the project’s MERL activities.
- Work closely with the MERL Coordinator to track and update progress toward the project’s nutrition-related goals and desired outcomes, including data quality control and timely entry of nutrition project data into relevant databases.
- Engage in reviewing and revising the project’s monitoring and results measurement (MRM) plans, focusing on monitoring market linkages and sales data from beneficiary enterprises.
Communication and Knowledge Management
- Coordinate with the Communication team for project visibility and knowledge management initiatives.
- Maintain relationships and coordinate efforts with consortium partners and donors as needed.
- Actively engage in initiating best practices, documenting key learnings, unique cases, and other relevant nutrition-related documentation to share with the wider project team.
- Represent the project at external events and meetings, as agreed with the supervisor, to promote nutrition-related initiatives and collaborations.
Nutrition-Specific Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary technical lead for nutrition-related aspects within the LDSC project.
- Design and guide the implementation of nutrition interventions and activities based on the project’s Theory of Change and Results Framework.
- Build and maintain relationships with local market actors, government bodies, NGOs, and other stakeholders to enhance the nutrition market system.
- Develop strategies, learning materials, and tools that are technically accurate, high quality, and instill behavior change in the communities.
- Assist in the development and submission of donor reports on nutrition-related progress and achievements.
- Maintain accurate project documentation, ensuring timely data entry into the project database and presenting progress reports regularly.
Budget Management
- Actively review and manage program budget versus actuals.
- Manage the project’s budget, including financial management, oversight, distribution across intervention areas, burn rate, and revision as needed.
- Maintain the project’s cash flow by coordinating with the Finance department.
- Generate required financial reports, both internal and donor-facing.
- Write, edit, and finalize technical and narrative reports per donor requirements by coordinating with various technical units and the iDE Global team.
- Oversee the audit-related processes according to donor requirements and organizational policies and internal control and compliance.
Consortium Program Management
- Engage with program partners and coordination bodies for consortium program management.
Additional Responsibilities
- Participate in relevant meetings, workshops, and training related to nutrition and project goals.
- Play an active role and coordinate with relevant technical units in planning and programmatic guidance for the project staff, partners and other stakeholders according to project guidelines and donor requirements
- Undertake additional tasks subject to workload and skill sets, such as project communication/visibility, cross-project training, and evaluations.
Supervisory Responsibility
The MERL Manager will directly report to this role for the design and implementation of the MERL process and framework for this project. There may be a possibility of building additional support roles managed by the Nutrition Project Manager, depending on the increased scope and availability of funding.
QUALIFICATION AND SKILLS
- Graduated from university with a degree of nutrition, food security, agriculture, international studies, or any other related discipline.
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in project management, budget management, MERL and reporting
- Essential skills and experiences:
- Strong coordination experience, including internal and external team coordination
- Familiar with donor-funded and government-supported development initiatives.
- Knowledge and understanding of agriculture, climate and resilience, WASH, nutrition, waste management, and/or entrepreneurship is an asset.
- Familiar with working with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Strong English and local language skills, both written and spoken.
ATTRIBUTES WE LOOK FOR
- Creativity, impact orientation, and an entrepreneurial spirit in her/his attitude and approach
- Curious and nurtures a culture of learning, including openness about failure and areas for improvement and growth
- Excited by and open to new ideas and unfamiliar, innovative ways of working
- Excellent communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills.
- Collaborative and thrives in a team environment where ideas build on one another
- Able to work under pressure
- Able to work in a multicultural team
- High level of empathy, care, respect and patience
- Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and strong work ethic
- Effective time management
- Willingness to take on additional areas of responsibility relevant to the role
- A high level of commitment to iDE’s values and objectives
DURATION
The initial duration for this position is one year with a high likelihood of extension based on a combination of performance, project extension, and program expansion.
COMPENSATION
The salary for this position is subject to negotiation based on experience and capacity with a target range of KES 375,000 – KES 425,000 per month gross base salary. Additional benefits are twenty four (working) days leave per year with full pay earned at 2 days monthly over the course of twelve consecutive months of service with the organization. The employee may be entitled to sick leave of no more than seven (7) days with full pay and thereafter to sick leave of up to seven days with half pay, in each period of twelve consecutive months of service
DIVERSITY
iDE takes pride in our talented and diverse workforce. Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Hiring, promotion, and compensation of employees are conducted without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.
How to apply
Please email your CV and cover letter to iDE Kenya, kenya@ideglobal.org. Please mark the subject line as “Application for the position of Nutrition Project Manager*”.* We will accept applications on a rolling basis till the position is filled**.**
Position expected start date: July/August 2024
