Job Description

You will design projects and services for Akvo’s partners and clients that will help them contribute to maximum impact. One day you will be providing advice on how to create impact strategies or theories of change, another you will support the data or tech team by developing and facilitating workshops on problem definitions, ideation and/or user requirements.

You are the... first point of contact for any design related services, both internal and external. As a critical thinker, you will contribute to professionalising design services and you will be an advocate for integrating design principles in every project. You are a thought leader, and express ideas that demonstrate you (and Akvo) have expertise in this field. You contribute to building a vision on how to approach data-driven solutions. You will be instrumental, as design services are often the entry point.

Other Akvo staff can consult you for advice on their partners’ journeys. You work closely together with (senior) experts, the technical solution team, and project and programme managers within Akvo. You will work closely with and report to the Global BD  Lead.

The position is initially for one year, with the intention of building a long-lasting working relationship. The position is open to applicants of all nationalities. Your station of duty will preferably be in one of Akvo’s hubs in  Amsterdam or Nairobi.

Requirements and competencies

Coordinate and Deliver  design services 


Lead conversations on design of actionable insight systems in collaboration with business development teams 
Lead the development and delivery of design services in collaboration with the data and tech team
Facilitating  the design phase of new projects, programs, and partnerships
Further develop, coordinate and support Akvo’s approach to Design and Data
Drive Akvo consultancy engagements in impact strategy, identifying data needs, and introducing innovative ways of monitoring


Technical sector and theme advice / consultancy


Provide support to colleagues and Akvo partners with regards to challenges and solutions in the agricultural / water/climate sector
Identify partners’ data needs and provide advice
Guide and assist partners with the implementation of design and data services


 Client Engagement 


Understand client missions, needs and challenges and the processes, people and data that support them.
Creating a vision together with the customer, understanding their requirements, needs and expectations and based on that recommend an approach or roadmap.
Drive proposals and provide support in cultivating new partnerships with a focus on design and data services in the agricultural, water or climate sectors


Key competencies and skills


A MSc degree in Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, International Development studies, Development Economics or related relevant field
5+ years of relevant work experience with a focus on project or service design ; e.g. Experience with designing monitoring systems, services,  impact strategies
Network and experience in the international development sector (agriculture, water or climate sector) is a plus
Work experience in Africa, Asia or South America is an advantage more

Job description


As a technical project manager, you are accountable for the delivery of the technical component of projects. You are either the lead of technically complex projects or the technical right hand of project managers in projects that have a software development component.
In either case, you play the pivotal role of “translator” between the client and our internal developers... team.


Key responsibilities


Requirements gathering – Closely work with our clients and partners to understand their needs and translate them into functional requirements that our developers can understand. Keep the level of understanding of the developers at the right level at all times, even as scope changes.
Delivery management – Coordinate the work of the developers making sure that they have all the information needed to properly accomplish their tasks.
Client & scope management – Work with other internal stakeholders to maintain client satisfaction high while managing scope expectations.
Risk management – Proactively identify and assess project risks, developing mitigation strategies to minimise potential impact.
Budget & timeline management – With the support of a lead developer and other internal stakeholders, keep the budget (spent + forecast), timeline and team resourcing updated. Ensure that Akvo meets the contractual and internal financial targets.


Skills


At least 5 years of experience in successfully managing software development projects.
Ability to analyse complex technical information and communicate it effectively to non-technical stakeholders, and vice versa.
Strong understanding of project management methodologies, tools, and best practices.
Proven experience in developing and managing budgets
Excellent leadership and team management skills.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal abilities.
Solid organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Experience in risk management and problem-solving.
Proficient in project management software and tools (ex: Asana, Jira, Github Projects, Teamwork, Wrike)
Preferred
Software development skills (any language and/or framework)
PMP or other relevant certifications
Preferred location is Kenya, other locations will also be taken into consideration more

Key responsibilities

Manage several key projects within Kenya or Anglophone Africa
Monitor and keep an overview of all the projects executed in Anglophone Africa
Remain on top of financial numbers vis-a-vis progress of the various projects
Hold monthly meetings with all the project managers, review progress, and set goals for the next month/quarter
Work closely with the global delivery... manager and align the project tracking process

Key competencies and skills

Post graduate with at least 10 years’ work experience
Solid project management credentials (PRINCE 2, PMP etc.)
Prior experience with agile project management methodologies and the ability to deliver multiple projects at the same time will be considered an advantage. Some background in development studies, agriculture, water, climate sciences will also be useful.

You should be based in Nairobi. We are open to all nationalities with a valid permit to work in Kenya. more