Start Date: Contingent upon award

Project Overview:

MESPT is recruiting a Technical Director for the anticipated USAID Kenya and East Africa Private Sector Development Initiative Activity. The activity is focused on accelerating ag-led growth in Kenya through partnerships with larger agricultural sector firms (such as processors and offtakers) and expansion of smallholder farmer out-grower schemes. The anticipated activity will focus on creating jobs and generating large scale increases in sales/exports in the agriculture sector cost-effectively and, ideally, through a sustainable and locally led vehicle. 

Role:

The Technical Director, will, in coordination with the Chief of Party, be responsible for managing the project’s technical intervention strategy, work planning, and activity design. S/he will have direct oversight and management of the technical advisory team. S/he will provide technical direction and support to interventions across all objectives.

Qualifications

1. Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in designing and implementing agriculture projects.
2. Minimum of five (5) years of successful experience as the technical manager or equivalent position for donor-funded projects of similar magnitude and complexity.
3. Strong technical understanding of market systems, private sector development, Agrifinance, and agricultural enabling environment approaches
4. Extensive experience working in the financial sector, including a wide range of financial instruments (debt, equity, blended finance)
5. Track record working with investors, financial institutions, SMEs, government, and other key project stakeholders
6. Master’s degree in Agricultural Development, Agricultural Economics, Business, International Development, Public Policy, or another related field.
7. Previous experience in Kenya or another East African country required.
8. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
9. Fluency in English required.
10. Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Project Overview:

MESPT is recruiting for a MEL/CLA Director for the anticipated USAID Kenya and East Africa Private Sector Development Initiative Activity. The activity is focused on accelerating ag-led growth in Kenya through partnerships with larger agricultural sector firms (such as processors and offtakers) and expansion of smallholder farmer out-grower schemes. The anticipated activity will focus on creating jobs and generating large scale increases in sales/exports in the agriculture sector cost-effectively and, ideally, through a sustainable and locally led vehicle.

Role:

The MEL/CLA Director will lead the monitoring, evaluation, and learning/collaboration, learning and adapting components of the project. S/he will be responsible for designing the MEL system in alignment with the USAID results framework; leading the project data collection; conducting data analysis to inform the project implementation; and producing timely, accurate, and complete reporting. S/he will be responsible for building the capacity of project staff, local partners, and other stakeholders in the collection, utilization, and dissemination of data. S/he will also lead quarterly CLA pause-and-reflect working group meetings and other CLA activities.

Qualifications:

1. Minimum of eight (8) years of experience designing and implementing MEL and CLA systems for international development projects. Prior experience in a MEL leadership position required.
2. Strong track record of working on projects of similar scope (agriculture, market systems), complexity, and size. Experience managing MEL for a USAID Feed the Future activity is desirable.
3. Ability to communicate findings to a range of external and internal stakeholders and apply MEL results to project implementation strategies.
4. Experience mentoring staff in MEL techniques.
5. Experience strengthening the capacity of local organizations in knowledge management and learning.
6. Prior experience leading, designing, managing, and/or commissioning performance evaluations and other types of research.
7. Previous experience in Kenya or another East African country strongly preferred.
8. Master’s degree in Statistics, Public Policy, International Development, or a related field.
9. Proficiency in statistical software such as STATA, SPSS, or a similar package.
10. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
11. Fluency in English required.
12. Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

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Start Date: Contingent upon award

Project Overview:

MESPT is recruiting a Finance and Compliance Director for the anticipated USAID Kenya and East Africa Private Sector Development Initiative Activity. The activity is focused on accelerating ag-led growth in Kenya through partnerships with larger agricultural sector firms (such as processors and off-takers) and expansion of smallholder farmer out-grower schemes. The anticipated activity will focus on creating jobs and generating large scale increases in sales/exports in the agriculture sector cost-effectively and, ideally, through a sustainable and locally led vehicle. 

Role:

The Finance and Compliance Director will be responsible for managing the finance and compliance components of the project in country by ensuring consistency with MESPT’s standard operating procedures, policies and accounting principles, and compliance with USAID regulations. S/he will be responsible for overall financial management of the project including assisting the Chief of Party with contractual compliance; monitoring project budget and expenditures; making cash flow projections; and ensuring timely and qualitative financial reporting in accordance with USAID requirements. Primary responsibilities will also include supervision of field operations, administration, logistics, and procurement. The day-to-day operations will include developing and implementing financial, administrative, and personnel systems and liaising with the Chief of Party to ensure that project’s accounting, contracts, human resources, IT, and operations needs are met.

Qualifications

1. Minimum of ten (10) years of experience and progressive responsibility in finance and accounting, project operations, and office administration.
2. Minimum of five (5) years of experience working on USAID-funded projects in finance in administration.
3. Experience leading and managing the financial aspects of USAID projects, including a demonstrated understanding of applicable USG regulations for cooperative agreements and/or contracts.
4. Experience with financial reporting for donor-funded projects and demonstrated accuracy in working with large amounts of data.
5. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent.
6. Advanced degree (MBA, CPA, or equivalent) preferred.
7. Previous experience in Kenya or another East African country strongly preferred.
8. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
9. Fluency in English required.
10. Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

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Start Date: Contingent upon award

Project Overview:

MESPT is recruiting for a Chief of Party for the anticipated USAID Kenya and East Africa Private Sector Development Initiative Activity. The activity is focused on accelerating ag-led growth in Kenya through partnerships with larger agricultural sector firms (such as processors and off takers) and expansion of smallholder farmer out-grower schemes. The anticipated activity will focus on creating jobs and generating large scale increases in sales/exports in the agriculture sector cost-effectively and, ideally, through a sustainable and locally led vehicle.

Role:

The COP will provide overall leadership, management, and technical direction for the program – ensuring an integrated vision among diverse components and actors – to achieve the desired results. This position will lead program strategic planning and decision making and will be responsible for overall activities of sub-recipients. The COP will work directly with USAID and will be a key liaison to implementing partners and other stakeholders. This position will ensure full compliance with all USAID, MESPT, and other fiduciary regulations and will oversee the project reporting process in line with donor requirements. The COP will supervise project staff including professional performance management and coaching.

Qualifications

1. Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in designing and implementing agriculture projects.
2. Minimum of ten (10) years of work experience in developing countries, preferably in Kenya or another East African country.
3. Minimum five (5) years of successful experience as Chief of Party, Team Leader, Project Director, or equivalent position for donor-funded projects of similar magnitude and  complexity in developing countries. Experience with USAID and/or other USG funding  agencies strongly preferred. 
4. Strong technical understanding of market systems, private sector development, agrifinance, and agricultural enabling environment approaches
5. Extensive experience working in the financial sector, including a wide range of financial  instruments (debt, equity, blended finance)
6. Track record working with investors, financial institutions, SMEs, government, and other key project stakeholders
7. Master’s degree or higher in Agricultural Development, Agricultural Economics, Business, International Development, Public Policy, or another related field.
8. Demonstrated experience in progressively responsible supervisory positions, including direct supervision of professional and support staff; quality evaluation of staff performance 
9. and deliverables; and contracts/grants management.
10. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Fluency in English required.
Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply