Project Officer-Agriculture & Enterprise Development

Job Title: Field Coordinator – Tharaka Nithi County

Role Overview

Based in the field, this role serves as the primary representative and focal point for iDE Kenya in Tharaka Nithi County, with occasional oversight support across the broader Eastern Region. The successful candidate will lead the field-level implementation of the Transforming Lives through Nutrition (TLTN) project, ensuring all activities are delivered on time and align strictly with the approved Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) and overarching project goals.

As iDE’s focal point in Tharaka Nithi County, the incumbent will foster close collaboration with TLTN consortium partners to execute integrated field activities and manage critical relationships with county government officials, local communities, and external stakeholders.

Key Relationships

Internal

• iDE regional and country offices
• Thematic experts
• Partner team

External

• Other INGOs
• Government line agencies
• Alliances and networks
• Agri-food market actors in the district of responsibility

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, monitor, and report project activities aligned with project objectives and as per the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP).
• Speed up quality project implementation, budget tracking, and support partners on coordination and day-to-day project handling in the project counties.
• Ensure that project DIP and MEARL Plan are on-track and follow-up project activities/output against the timeline.
• Provide technical guidance to Farm Business Advisors, enterprises, and smallholder farmers to address key issues, and technical backstopping in line with the project goal.
• Assist in technical assessment and studies for knowledge creation, new project concept development, and project quality monitoring.
• Collaborate and maintain good working relationships with relevant county governments (e.g., Department of Agriculture, Health, etc.).
• Guide and monitor FBAs, SMEs, and smallholder farmers to ensure effective project implementation.
• Prepare monthly work-plans from the approved DIP.
• Prepare timely project progress reports, including partner and project progress reports.
• In coordination with Communication colleagues, collect and document best practices, case studies, stories, and photos.
• Contribute to partner and vendor assessment or any other due diligence assessment as requested by the Country Office.
• Ensure integration (mainstreaming) of GESI in project implementation; inform the country office if any GESI-related gap is identified or improvement is needed during implementation.
• Any other tasks as assigned by the Supervisor.

Requirements

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Food/Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Enterprise Development, or related disciplines.
• Training certificate in Market System Development is an added advantage.

Essential Experience

• At least 2–3 years of field and technical experience in the implementation of projects within agricultural value chains or market systems development approach in Agriculture, Nutrition, or another relevant field.
• Previous experience managing or implementing agribusiness programming.
• Clear understanding and evidence-based experience on agricultural value chain development and working with SMEs.
• Strong hands-on experience in managing or providing technical support to farmer groups and/or cooperatives.
• Considerable understanding and knowledge of rural markets, trading relationships, and rural service provision.
• Experience in enterprise development.
• Must understand the technical, social, and other aspects in the development field.
• Experience in identifying, building, and maintaining public/private partnerships, preferably in the agricultural sector.
• Strong marketing, financial analysis, and management skills.
• Strong hands-on experience in managing or providing technical support to producer organizations.
• Excellent command of report writing, analysis, and presentation skills using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Language Proficiency

• Good spoken and written skills in both English and Swahili.

Essential Skills

• Motorbike driving.
• Basic computer knowledge.

This Job Description covers the main tasks and conveys the spirit of the sort of tasks that are anticipated proactively from staff. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary according to organisational needs.

Benefits

• Contract: Initial one-year contract, renewable based on performance and funding.
• Benefits: Competitive salary based on experience, including annual leave, sick leave, and professional development opportunities. Benefits may vary based on program needs and the scope of iDE Kenya operations.