Project Coordinator at Heifer International

Job ID: 937

Description
Function:

• The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the management of all projects in the Youth and Innovation department, to ensure that project goals and objectives remain on track. Areas of focus include efficient management of project resources; project plans and budgets; engagement with relevant stakeholders; ensuring quality control and timeliness of all deliverables as required.
• The role may be located in any of the following countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Malawi, Senegal, Uganda, Rwanda or Zambia. The Project Manager will report to the Youth and Innovation Lead – Africa.

Essential Character Traits

• Accountability, critical thinking and problem solving, excellent decision making, ability to manage conflict, adaptability, ability to endure demanding schedules, attention to detail, team player.

Responsibilities & Deliverables
Leveraging Technology (10%):

• Support Heifer in the identification of new technology to the benefit of small holder farmers.
• Leverage local innovative programs to stimulate interest of youth in the agriculture sector.
• Support the integration of key technologies into Heifer programs across the region to boost productivity of smallholder farmers at scale.
• Support Heifer Africa to create meaningful technology-based jobs targeted for unemployed youth in the agriculture sector.

Strategic Support (10%):

• Support the conceptualization and design of regional and country-specific methodologies for the creation of tech enabled rural jobs for the youth at scale.
• Support the development of strategies for the leveraging of technologies to address challenges faced by smallholder farmers at scale.
• Support the development and management of Heifer Regional partnerships.

Project Management & Effectiveness - Competition Planning & Execution (60%):

• Lead the design and stakeholder engagement process for the planning of the annual Heifer AYuTe Africa challenge.
• Lead the procurement and engagement of technical consultancies for the execution of the annual challenge.
• Lead the execution of annual work plan, management of resources, and overall project management plan inclusive of risk management plan.
• Monitor and review progress on project tasks within the context of agreed project deliverables and timelines.
• Work closely with Heifer colleagues to manage designated aspects of the process.
• Ensure timely communication of project information and reports.
• Lead the early identification and engagement of judges for the annual challenge.
• Manage the contracting and engagement process for winners as well as Heifer investment and post investment management processes.
• Manage project steering committees and report on progress.
• Coordinate cross-country collaborations and provide oversight on country specific competitions.

Quality and Risk (15%):

• Carry out all necessary activities for the review, documentation and optimization of processes that will enable seamless project execution.
• Provide project performance highlights and communicate major issues, slippages and suggested remedies and escalations as required.
• Track and assess the effectiveness of projects.
• Provide project status reporting and updates of progress, dependencies, issues, and risks.
• Compile and present research findings and recommendations as may be beneficial to the project.

Perform other job-related duties as assigned (5%):

• Any other job-related tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science or relevant field.
• Knowledge in change management principles and methods, excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Working in private sector or social enterprises space.
• Minimum of seven (7) years experience with the last two (2) years in a senior role.

Preferred Requirements:

• Business startup incubation/accelerator experience; Experience working in the youth entrepreneurship space.
• Experience managing Tech competitions; Experience managing youth programs.

Most Critical Proficiencies:

• Ability to effectively design and deliver impactful tech driven programs and projects.
• The ability to drive accountability.
• Strong knowledge of innovative technology platforms.
• Comfortable in the space of innovation and understands time to market
• Disciplined self-starter; resourceful and able to prioritize (and re-prioritize) in a fast-paced environment with shifting objectives.
• Attention to detail and analytical skills.
• Ability to operate independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Computer skills with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

• Experience in project/program management, development, and reporting.
• Lead the development and execution of strategies and programs that inspire youth and enable them to innovate.
• Ability to build relationships and work effectively with businesses across the Africa Region.
• Ability to travel extensively for meetings and training sessions.
• Ability to sit and/or stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality.