Program Manager, IGNITE NEW

TechnoServe Background:

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of businesses and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing…when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Program Description:

The Inspiring Good Nutrition Initiatives Through Enterprise (IGNITE) will build on the foundations of the Technical Assistance Accelerator Prelude (TAAP) program to achieve increased motivation and fortification capability of millers leading to increased proportion of fortified staple foods and conversion of a critical mass of millers to improved FF practices across at least eight countries.

IGNITE will facilitate the activation and expansion of a catalytic collective impact initiative – the Millers 4 Nutrition (M4N) coalition – to globally coordinate and locally implement an ultimately sustainable model for delivery of technical assistance (TA) and other services to millers. These TA services, and associated engagement platforms, will establish business cases and motivate and develop capabilities of food processors to improve their performance in the fortification of selected staple foods and condiments, and thereby to achieve large-scale and relevant (contributing to the diets of large proportions of populations in countries where staple FF has been identified as part of national nutrition strategies) coverage on a sustained basis. The IGNITE program will be implemented in eight priority countries namely Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Tanzania.

Job Summary:

Tthe Program Manager will be responsible for leading a team in the rollout of all M4N activities in the country platform, including engagement with local processors and partners, organisation of partner and Stakeholder Convenings and workshops in the node’s countries, and support for the rollout of collaborative and bilateral initiatives. The Program Manager will report to the Program Director with a dotted line to the Country Director.

 Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

●  Lead business development efforts aimed at expanding the portfolio of LSFF activities in Ethiopia

• Represent TechnoServe at country-level meetings with potential partners and stakeholders: food processing company executives and production managers, government institutions and regulators, technical industry experts, service providers and universities, complimentary programs, NGOs and related agencies.
• Lead fortification coordination efforts between the government and different development actors to align activities with the Millers for Nutrition Initiative and establish the coalition as a thought leader
• Lead the collection and validation of processor-level data mapping, incorporating industry insights by conducting key informant interviews and opportunities to triangulate insights that leverage external data points.
• Review and update National LSFF resources for target food vehicles stored on the knowledge hub platform, ensuring relevance for target processors based on industry needs.
• Update key information currently stored in activity tracking databases.
• Develop an evaluation method to assess program strengths and identify areas for improvement.
• Identify, review and select prospective companies for program support, and familiarise them with the program offering and expectations for all participating partners.
• Support the coordination of program convenings by engaging with industry representatives, SFPs, and other stakeholders to participate.
• Lead update meetings with internal and external stakeholders (including the donor, M4N global management team, TechnoServe country management teams, and SFPs).
• Develop effective reports that present the country’s activities through, presentations, hosting of leadership, donor or stakeholder site visits and other communications as required.
• Identify opportunities to generate success stories, working closely with Regional Strategic Communications Specialist
• Produce accurate and timely reporting of program status throughout its life cycle.
• Identify, and as applicable provide, appropriate guidance and training to officers and volunteers to achieve program goals.

Project management skills

●        Proven ability to work in an environment requiring collaboration with the private sector, government, and national and international organisations

●        Strong negotiation and communication skills, both written and verbal

●        Flexible, proactive, goal-oriented and with a willingness to travel in challenging environments

●        Ability to work in a multicultural environment

●        Ability to use initiative, prioritise, multi-task, and work well under pressure to meet deadlines.

●        Clear and systematic thinking that demonstrates good judgement, problem-solving, and creativity