The Rainforest Alliance is an international nonprofit organization that works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. Based in New York City, with offices throughout the United States and worldwide, the Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers.
Position summary:
The Programme Manager, Kenya, will lead the Rainforest Alliance project entitled “Empowering Rural Communities and Households in Kenya with Renewable Energy”, in close coordination with Rainforest Alliance’s partners in the project: the Kenya Tea Development Agency and Living Earth. This project will promote the use of biomass briquettes in tea factories, as well as alternative and efficient biomass fuels and cookstoves across a section of the tea growing landscape. It will also promote the distribution of energy access products such as solar lanterns through community-run energy enterprises. The Programme Manager will ensure the project progresses smoothly and successfully, on time and on budget. S/he will be responsible for managing implementing partnerships, sub grants and/or consulting agreements and lead meetings with key stakeholders. S/he will also develop other external relations to build Rainforest Alliance’s work in Kenya and organise occasional visits by members of Rainforest Alliance’s international teams.
Responsibilities:
Lead the successful implementation of the “Empowering Rural Communities and Households in Kenya with Renewable Energy” project:
- Recruit and manage an initial project needs assessment by a specialist consultant, in collaboration with Living Earth and key stakeholders;
- Ensure a successful project implementation by meticulously planning and overseeing all project phases and stewarding positive and productive working relationships with key project partners and stakeholders;
- Initiate and oversee training events and meetings regarding alternative and efficient biomass fuels and technologies, in collaboration with the Kenya Tea Development Agency and Living Earth;
- Ensure adequate support to Living Earth on the setting up and smooth operation of ten community energy enterprises, or Household Energy Centres, including providing technical and business training support as needed;
- Maintain timely project management procedures: arrange and facilitate quarterly project steering committee meetings with key stakeholders and complete narrative and financial project reports on a quarterly basis;
- Lead the relationship with key Kenya Tea Development Agency and biomass briquette central processing facility senior staff on agreements and policies related to biomass sourcing and correct use in factories;
- Oversee the development of training modules and materials on the correct use of biomass in factories and in domestic cookstoves, in collaboration with the Rainforest Alliance training manager;
- Lead project workshops and exchange visits with local stakeholders, ensuring that they and certificate holders understand the link between the project and energy efficiency and energy access measures as contained within the 2017 SAN Standard;
- Oversee an effective and timely contribution to the project by the Rainforest Alliance technical specialists on M&E, Livelihoods and Climate, and provide quality control on relevant data generated under the project; and
- Support the Africa Director in exploring and proposing further projects to scale-up an alternative energy programme to other regions in Kenya.
Representation and Communication
- Be the key focal point for the Rainforest Alliance project vis-à-vis the project donor, senior leadership at the Kenya Tea Development Agency and the Living Earth Field Project Director;
- Generate stories and case studies from the field for use in project reporting, Rainforest Alliance communication and fundraising, including material for at least one blog every quarter;
- Liaise and support Rainforest Alliance’s Communications focal point and assigned local communications consultant for all communication activities related to the donor’s information needs and campaigns;
- In coordination with the Africa Director, build and maintain other external relations that contribute to Rainforest Alliance’s overall programme growth, visibility and credibility in Kenya.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position will oversee the Project Associate and the Project Administration Coordinator, Kenya.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Qualifications:
- BA or BS degree in agriculture, engineering, rural development, natural resource management, or related field; Masters’ degree preferred;
- 7-10 years of relevant field experience, with demonstrable skills in project planning and tracking, troubleshooting, budget management, team leadership and report-writing;
- A minimum of four years’ work experience in the energy access and/or energy efficiency sector;
- Knowledge of energy efficient cooking and/or solar lighting technology, its main market players and related distribution models;
- Good understanding of value chain and experience working with farming and/or forestry businesses;
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook with a demonstrated and working knowledge of PowerPoint;
- Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills;
- Written and verbal proficiency in English required;
- Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interact culturally, linguistically, and diplomatically with diverse internal and external individuals;
- Initiative, self-motivated, resourceful, detail-oriented, dependability, strong attention to detail;
- Knowledge of, and commitment to environmental issues and sustainability practices;
- Full, clean driving license valid for Kenya; and
- Ability to travel a minimum of 40% per year in Kenya.
Salary:
Commensurate with experience.
Benefits:
We believe that all employees, regardless of location or title, should have access to benefits. We strive to provide programs that provide the following:
- Health/medical coverage for staff and family;
- Retirement savings plans;
- Paid time off for holidays/vacations, illness, and personal needs;
- Assistance for adverse situations that might arise while on business travel; and
- Insurance for unfortunate circumstances.
Benefits vary, depending on location. Please talk to your recruiter during your interview about specific benefits for your location.
Notes:
Only candidates authorized to work in Kenya will be considered
Send resume, cover letter and salary history to Rainforest Alliance, email: [email protected]. Use the following format in the subject line: first name and last name, job title of position you are applying for.
More Information
- Job City Nairobi
