Grade 9
U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Lesotho – Sustainable Transformation of Enterprises in the Poultry Sector (STEPS)
Maseru, Lesotho
Background:
Land O’Lakes’ Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening agriculture from farm-to-fork, helping businesses grow, and linking farmers to markets. Since our start in 1981, we have been leveraging nearly 100 years of expertise in dairy, animal nutrition, crop inputs and agricultural insights from our close affiliate, Land O’Lakes, Inc., a farmer-owned agribusiness committed to fulfilling its purpose of feeding human progress.
Our team is made up of nearly 350 employees who are committed to market-led approaches, and passionate about collaborating locally to create lasting inclusive economic growth. By unlocking the potential of agriculture for the last 36 years, the lives of more than 3 million people have been transformed through nearly 300 programs in more than 80 countries.
Project Description:
STEPS aims to catalyze private sector-driven transformation enabling local poultry sector actors to access Lesotho’s strong end-markets and reclaim market share. STEPS will transform Lesotho’s poultry sector to enhance the profitability of value chain actors, increase meat and egg production and improve food security.
Leveraging existing opportunities and tools, STEPS will address constraints which limit production, productivity, and efficiency of local poultry egg and meat markets. A segmented approach takes into consideration the unique needs of local poultry producers, including subsistence farmers, and small to large scale commercial poultry enterprises engaged in production, processing, marketing, and retailing of eggs, meat, and processed poultry products. These actors will be engaged through the indigenous and dual-purpose poultry value chains, and the commercial broiler and layer value chains, respectively. STEPS will identify pathways to further integrate and grow poultry, and poultry related business opportunities for women and youth.
Position Summary and Primary Responsibilities:
The Grants and Procurement Specialist will provide administrative, technical, and managementsupport to the STEPS’ project grants and investment initiatives through the full lifecycle from solicitation to close-out. The Grants and Procurement Specialist will assist in developing the administrative, management and integration tools for the Poultry Investment Grants/Loans, as well as the Incubation Hubs and Youth Centered Innovation Challenge Fund, and link Village Saving and Loan associations to potential poultry financing.The Grants and Procurement Specialist will assist in monitoring all investment and grant activities and sub-grantees and ensure that the project complies with USDA performance reporting requirements. Primary responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the following:
Grants
- Support the developmentof the administrative, management and integration tools for the Poultry Investment Fund – Grants, and Loans.
- Administer the grants cycle including drafting scopes and soliciting applications, reviewing proposals, committee selection management, and awards to qualifying enterprises.
- Ensure compliance, documentation, due diligence, conduct site visits assessments, and draft agreements for qualifying enterprises.
- Support grant administration, using Cobblestone award management system,to develop sub award documents and award successful applicants.
- Support in developing the administrative and management tools for an Incubation Hub and Youth Centered Innovation Challenge facility, including drafting terms of reference, soliciting expressions of interest, and leading the selection, award process and monitoring of activities.
- Assist technical staff in following up during implementation and monitoring of grant portfolio, with focus on finance, procurement, and compliance.
- Coordinate with staff to draft appropriate procurement documents, waivers, approvals, and amendments for cost and no-cost amendments for grants.
- In collaboration with the grants and technical staff, prepare monthly projections for grants and technical assistance.
- Support in preparing scheduled and special reports, studies, and analyses regarding the grants program including information for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
- Provide oversight to the Village Saving and Loan Schemes being implemented by project partners, monitoring beneficiaries, impact, and results, and providing technical advice to grow and improve the activity.
- Participate in PPD investment forum and explore potential investment mix and partnerships.
Procurement
- Develop a grant procurement plan and track all procurements awarded to grantees under the grants and loan portfolios.
- Lead the procurement of goods and services awarded to grantees, ensuringtechnical specifications are correct, and procurement and contracting process follows donor and organization policies, and rules and regulations.
- Coordinate with HQ Contracts and Compliance to seeknecessary procurement approvals.Draft contracts for the chosen vendors, confirm payments and delivery of goods and services in good order including confirmation and any reports required.
- Monitor performance of vendors against the contract terms.
- Other duties as assigned.
Reporting and Supervision:
- The Grants and Procurement Specialist reports to the Investment and Grants Manager; this position does not supervise other staff. The position will be based in Maseru, Lesotho with frequent travel to the districts.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- A minimum of five years of experience in managing and administering grantportfolios.
- Bachelor’s degree in finance/Investment, Management, Accounting, Commerce, Business Administration, or related field.
- Knowledge of Lesotho’s financing and banking rules and regulations.
- Good business communication skills.
- Demonstrated leadership and strategic partnership development skills.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and databases.
- Ability to work independently.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Fluency in English and Sesotho; Must be a citizen of Lesotho.
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
- Experience or qualification in agriculture finance/economics, understanding of agriculture value chain development and advantage.
- Relevant experience in business/finance development an advantage.
To apply, please visit: Grants and Procurement Specialist – Careers (avature.net).
Land O’Lakes Venture37 will never ask you for personable identifiable information, and we will never request money or payment during the recruitment or employment process.
Land O’Lakes Venture37 is an equal opportunity employer and an organization striving to help global communities thrive through agriculture. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status, among other factors. Our culture values a diversity of voices. So, bring us your unique experiences, your workstyle, and your dreams — they’ll only make us stronger.