Project Manager and Enabling Business Advisor

Job Description

SNV Kenya is seeking to engage a qualified and result-oriented project manager and enabling environment advisor. He/she will be based in Nairobi with frequent travel to the project sites (Nyeri, Muranga, Meru, Kiambu, Nyandarua, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Bomet, Kakamega, Taita Taveta and Isiolo). Below are the key responsibilities:

Project Management

The Project Manager will lead and manage the planning and implementation, of all project components, within scope, budget, timeline, and acceptable quality levels along the commitments specified in the contracts signed with the donor(s) and other relevant stakeholders. The Project Manager works in line with SNV standards, SNV`s approach to project management, and donor regulations, in order to achieve high quality and achieve the agreed results and deliverables of the project.

• Provide technical leadership and overall direction oversight of the project and ensure timely reporting of activities and project deliverables.
• Manage project team, consultants and service providers; budget & financial management; project monitoring and evaluation, and overall coordination of the project.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships internally and externally, with the project team, the donor(s), implementing partners, and other value chain actors including working with government (both national and sub-national levels), partner agencies, private sector including sector associations. Further, ensure SNV’s and project visibility at all levels.
• Manage and account for full compliance of administrative, finance, and HR components of the project with SNV internal procedures and requirements specified in the donor and other project contracts and memoranda of understanding.
• Contribute to internal and external knowledge development including documentation and sharing of project insights and results and ensure lessons learned are shared and applied in daily practice.

Enabling Environment Advisor

Will focus on supporting policy development and strengthening associations and networks by providing technical assistance, advisory and mentoring, capacity-building, dialogue, and advocacy support. The capacity building component involves the implementation of an on-demand technical assistance facility to support the enabling environment activities, specifically focused on the sub-national level within selected counties with a high potential for installing biodigesters.

• Policy Coordination: Facilitate and coordinate policy and working approaches between national and county governments.
• Tariff Barrier Advocacy: Advocate for the removal of tariff barriers on biodigesters to promote accessibility and affordability.
• Standards Review and Update: Support the review and update of biogas standards to ensure compliance with current technological and safety standards.
• Curriculum Development: Review and certify a comprehensive biogas systems curriculum in partnership with the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).
• Association Strengthening: Strengthen biodigester associations to enhance collaboration, knowledge sharing, and industry standards.
• Advocacy and Capacity Building: Lead advocacy efforts, influence policy decisions, and develop capacity-building sector programs to support the growth and sustainability of the biogas sector.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant technical field.
• Minimum of 7 years of work experience in roles related to this position and work with development projects/programmes including a track record in the off-grid energy sector in Kenya.
• Experience in project management or senior management positions, excellent knowledge of the full Project Management Cycle, and experience in managing project teams, consultants, and partners.
• Proven and good understanding of the off-grid energy sector in Kenya including the biodigester market, with more focus on actors in the biodigester sector in Kenya, interventions to promote and grow the market for biodigesters, and interventions to enhance the enabling environment for biodigesters in Kenya.
• Track record in interventions designed to enhance the enabling business environment and experience/expertise in policy advisory, stakeholder engagement, and sector coordination, including work with sector associations, development partners, and government at both the national and sub-national levels including government ministries, county governments, and government institutions.
• Excellent analytical and report-writing skills.
• A demonstrated high-level of professionalism and ability to work independently, as part of a team, and in compliance with guidelines and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. 
• Excellent spoken and written English.