The Program Lead, Agriculture report to the Country Head.
They will be responsible for specific agriculture program(s) that provide solutions to address the constraints preventing agricultural systems from functioning effectively and focused on the Foundation’s commitment to enable dignified and fulfilling work for young women and young people in general.
She/he will provide expertise and interact effectively with senior levels of partner organizations and ecosystem stakeholders to advance the development and delivery of the Foundation’s country strategy.
Ways You Can Contribute
Program Design
Support the origination and design of interventions across the agricultural space and related value chains
Integrate impact considerations to ensure the needs of young women and young people in general are addressed within the program design
Work collaboratively with Country Program team in development of strategies relevant to Young Africa Works in Kenya and their interlinkages to agricultural, agri-business and agri-finance programs
Delivery
Lead implementation of partnerships in the agricultural space and related value chains
Extract, capture and communicate details to elaborate progress and learnings from programs to colleagues and the wider development community.
Collaborate with Country Program team to leverage synergistic opportunities to enhance Impact/outcomes of Young Africa Works programs.
Represent the Foundation’s interest in programing governance activities, such as investment committees, advisory committees, or other stakeholders to provide oversight or elevate and leverage learnings.
Working closely with implementation partners and beneficiaries to contribute towards systematic learning and reflection processes to enable for continuous adaptive management of the program
Partner and guide implementation partner in identifying and overcoming barriers to team effectiveness by sharing knowledge and learnings while offering insights and possible solutions to issues and/or program challenges
Expertise and Thought Leadership
Provide perspective and expertise on emerging issues and trends in the agricultural, agribusiness and agri-finance sector, including climate change.
Identify challenges and opportunities facing Ag sector MSMEs that can be unlocked through education, labor and financial systems to drive job growth.
Stay on top of developments in the MSME and financing space – new concepts, key partner, new information being generated, policy movements, important upcoming events, etc.
People Leadership
Lead matrixed/cross functional team in myriad of activities related to co-design and implementation phase
Supervise colleagues and/or junior staff experts by providing timely coaching and support necessary for success and growth.
Identify and help overcome challenges and other barriers to team effectiveness
Stakeholder Management
Build relationships with
partner organizations, communities of practice, and global stakeholders.
Represent the Foundation and collaborate with key internal and external audiences.
Who You Are
Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Finance, Business, Agricultural Economics and/or Financial Inclusion.
Minimum ten (10) years of relevant experience in agricultural companies, agribusiness, agri-finance and agriculture value chains is required.
Minimum 5 years of leadership and management experience
Experience working in commercial agricultural companies operational in Africa.
Demonstrates a strong understanding of the agriculture market system and the role of system players including financial inclusion in economic growth and development and the lives and livelihood of smallholder farmers.
Understands market and systemic challenges of the agriculture, agri-food system and agribusiness in Kenya, the EAC and Africa and best practices for addressing them
Experience and understanding in a variety of value chains (cash and food crops), the small businesses and SMEs along the value chain, and supply chain / logistics in the agri-food system.
Understanding of the role agri-food and rural SMEs can play in economic transformation and job creation for youth.
Demonstrates a strong understanding of agricultural markets in Africa and the systemic challenges leading to stagnant growth.
Demonstrates strong analytical skills, the ability to think strategically and contribute as a thought partner in the Foundation’s strategy development.
Demonstrates strong budgeting skills with the ability to manage a large portfolio of assets.
Command of quantitative and qualitative business analytics.
Excellent project management skills, including multi-stakeholder projects.
Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures.
Excellent people skills, ability to coordinate technical and cross-functional teams
Excellent listening and interpersonal skills required.
Bilingual English oral and written language skills preferred. Ability to speak a local language is highly preferred.
Possess professional maturity, sensitivity with different cultures, and impeccable integrity.
Committed to Mastercard Foundation’s values and vision.
