Land O’Lakes Grants Specialists and Engagement Specialists Jobs in Nairobi Kenya

Towards supporting the implementation of existing and anticipated international development programs in agriculture, nutrition and enterprise acceleration in East Africa, Land O’Lakes - International Development invites applications from suitably qualified candidates (senior, middle and junior-level) for the positions of Grants Specialists and Engagement Specialists:

Grants Specialists
 

The Grants Specialists oversee the application review and selection processes for grant funding and ensure that selected projects meet their respective obligations according to corresponding funding
requirements. 

The Grants Specialists prepare and issue solicitations, review applicant proposals, undertake due diligence, award and close out grants, monitor and evaluate grant performance, ensure compliance with donor rules and regulations, in addition to tracking financial and activity progress reporting.
 

Engagement Specialists
 

The Engagement Specialists appraise partner organizations and determine the nature of shortterm technical assistance and organizational capacity-building required in each instance, towards proper stewardship of donor funding as well as improved organizational and financial management.
 

The Engagement Specialists also work with identified technical assistance providers and capacity building agents to ensure appropriate competencies and methodologies as well as the suitability of associated budgets and delivery timelines. 

The Engagement Specialists initiate technical assistance procurement and subsequently follow up with partner organizations and service providers to monitor progress and quality of technical assistance provision and completion.
 

Land O’Lakes - International Development is presently recruiting for positions that are based in Nairobi, Kenya, but contemplates job openings in the near future within programs implemented across the East African region.
 

Requirements:

• For Grants Specialists: Experience in grants management and development program compliance, finance or accounting. Strong proficiency with US government rules and regulations required. (senior-level applicants: over 10 years of directly-relevant experience; middle-level applicants: between 5 and 10 years of directly-relevant experience; junior-level applicants: less than 5 years of directly-relevant experience)
• For Engagement Specialists: Experience in financial or management consulting, venture capital investment, enterprise development or other relevant field (senior-level applicants: over 10 years of directly-relevant experience; middle-level applicants: between 5 and 10 years of directly relevant experience; junior-level applicants: less than 5 years of directly-relevant experience)
• Undergraduate degree in management, business administration, accounting, finance or international development; a relevant postgraduate degree would be preferred for senior-level applicants.
• Excellent verbal, written communication skills in English and Kiswahili.
• Competency in use of Microsoft Office software - particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated proficiency with financial analysis and reporting.
• Demonstrated track record working in partnership with international donors and development agencies, including the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), UKAID and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
• Strong inter-personal skills, self-motivated and result-driven, with ability to effectively build and manage networks and relationships for program promotion and issues resolution.
• Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative problem-solving ability.
• Demonstrated awareness and knowledge of the local and regional economic and business climate as well as the East African agricultural innovation and agribusiness landscape is distinctly advantageous.
• Relationships with East African business advisory and technical assistance providers, in addition to financial institutions and impact investors, would be beneficial.

To apply:
 

Applications for these positions should be sent to recruit.kenya@idd.landolakes.com no later than
Wednesday 12th March 2014.

The specific position (Grant Specialist or Engagement Specialist) and the level (senior, middle or junior) being applied for should be indicated in the subject line of the application e-mail message.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.