Current Job Openings
Country Accountant--Mali
Functional Area : Finance
Position / Job Title : Country Accountant
Reports to : Country Director-Mali with dotted line to Senior Finance Officer in the Africa Office
Location : Bamako-Mali
Applications deadline : 15th January 2008
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Job Purpose
The Country Accountant is responsible for running and continually improving KickStart’s Financial and Accounting needs.
The Country Accountant’s major responsibility would be to provide leadership and enhancing accountability for KickStart’s resources and the prudent use of the same in achieving its goals as stipulated in its mission statement by ensuring that the provision of vital financial information for performance measurement and for taking control and planning decisions, and facilitation of the activities of the various departments in the organization through provision of quick and timely accounting services as and when required.
The Country Accountant is also responsible for overseeing and enforcing accepted accounting practices as contained in KickStart’s Financial Manual and different donor accounting requirements. It’s the duty of the Country Accountant to ensure the accounting practices are fitting with the current situation and recommending any changes as might be necessary.
Principal Accountabilities
• To ensure that accurate and up to date financial books are kept in the area of your jurisdiction.
• Producing and causing to be produced accurate and timely financial reports, statements, cash flows and budgets to both senior management and donors as per the requirements
• Assist the Country Director and in liaison with Senior Finance officer and other functional heads to develop, and manage the budget for the Mali program
• The Country Accountant should manage the finance team is to ensure that they are well supervised, trained and coordinated.
• Liaising with the Deputy Finance Officer and the Senior Finance Officer ensure that book of accounts are audited by external auditors yearly and at any other intervals as necessary. Ensuring all recommendations from such audits are implemented.
• Ensuring all statutory financial reports/ returns are filed on time as required by the statutes applicable in the country at that time.
• Ensuring that all the bank accounts held by KickStart Mali are reconciled on month-to-month basis
• To review business/field advances taken by employees and ensure that KickStart’s policies regarding these advances are adhered to
• Develop a credit policy for debtors that ensures that all outstanding debts are collected on time and that any disbursement of KickStart equipments is done following the laid down procedure
• To keep all the finance/accounts books up to date to a point where it would be easy to extract current cash balances on a day-to-day basis.
• Carry out any other duties on a day-to-day basis that may be lawfully prescribed in order to meet the demands of the organization
Skills and Competencies
• Bachelors or Master degree in management, accounting, Business Administration, Finance, economic or any other related degree.
• Professional financial qualification
• Five (5) years experience in a busy organization
• People management experience
• Team player with excellent interpersonal and writing skills
• Results/Performance Orientation - proven “self-starter”
• Fluent into French and Working knowledge of English language is mandatory
• Planning, organizational and analytical skills
• Have good command of IT
• Experience with Microsoft Navision or Serenic Navigator is a plus
What’s in it for you?
KickStart seeks and retains the best talent to promote sustainable economic growth and employment creation in developing countries. Our commitment to our employees and our mission is strong. If you are ready for a new career adventure, in the fast paced world of global non-profit social enterprise; then let KickStart kick-start your career.
How to apply
If you believe you have what it takes to handle this challenging position, kindly email your one page Application Letter, together with your detailed CV, clearly indicating the position applied for in the subject line of your mail to isaac.togo@kickstart.org by 15th January 2009.
Qualified females are encouraged to apply
Director, Global Marketing
Functional Area : Marketing
Position / Job Title : Director, Global Marketing
Reports to : Managing Director
Location : Nairobi, Kenya
Closing date of application : 30th December 2008
Position status : International / local
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The Role
As a leader of our Global Marketing Group, the incumbent will establish the marketing vision and the strategies for the Company. This person will be the catalyst to the unification and clarification of KickStart's overall marketing strategy. Establishing and developing our brands - KickStart & MoneyMaker - is a critical component of our future strategy. KickStart is the brand that we use with donors, with corporate customers, and our peers. MoneyMaker, our product brand, will be used to drive customers to retail stores will give our skeptical users confidence in our products and differentiate us from any potential competitors. KickStart creates impacts by increasing sales and usage of our award-winning MoneyMaker technologies to farmers, who use the technology to start small-scale family farm businesses.
Principal Accountabilities
• Shaping and influencing the development of an Integrated Marketing Communications strategy - understand how the relationship between brand marketing, retail merchandising, sales, advertising, direct marketing, and customer relationship management can be used to support our sales strategy, marketing strategy, and the relationship with our target audience. This includes balancing the role of Corporate Marketing versus Country/Program Marketing and Global versus Local requirements.
• Building the capacity and mentoring the Marketing Organizations in KickStart, including the Global Marketing team as well as marketing resources in the programs. This involves leading and motivating a cross-functional/cross-cultural marketing team with often-different levels of understanding and motivation.
• Lead the development and assist in the implementation of global marketing campaigns and promotions - lead the market research to understand the customers better, concept design, review, final design, and approval process for global marketing campaigns.
• Lead the implementation and adoption of a data- driven culture. The ability to use data to synthesize insights and clarify options is a fundamental, skill that is incumbent in this position.
Skills and Competencies
The job requires a strategic thinker with a vision of what local and global marketing has to offer, as well as the talent and political acumen to translate that vision into a concrete plan that generates both long and short-term results.
• 10 plus years of marketing experience with increasing responsibilities in a global organization, experience working at an Social Marketing organization will be a plus
• People Management Experience - managing, mentoring, and developing people and a high performing team. Demonstrated record of organizational development and capacity building.
• Team player with excellent interpersonal and writing skills
• Knowledgeable on production of print Marketing collaterals
• Experience in directing the creative process
• Experience in managing vendors and negotiating for best possible prices
• Hands-on approach to the role - An eye for detail and quality
• Planning, organizational and analytical skills
• Willingness and flexibility to travel
• Financial management experience - develop and manage operating plans and budgets
• Results/Performance Orientation - proven self-starter
a. Able to work effectively in an unstructured and fast moving environment
b. Able to work effectively with limited guidance and oversight
• Rural Development Knowledge/Exposure
• Proficient in MS Office Suite and working knowledge of Desktop publishing
• BS / BA required
• Fluency in English required. Fluency in French or Portuguese a plus
What's in it for you?
KickStart seeks and retains the best talent to promote sustainable economic growth and employment creation in developing countries. Our commitment to our employees and our mission is strong. If you are ready for a new career adventure, in the fast paced world of global non-profit social enterprise; then let KickStart kick-start your career.
How to apply
If you believe you have what it takes to handle this challenging position, kindly email your one page Application Letter, together with your detailed CV, clearly indicating the position applied for in the subject line of your mail to HR@kickstart.org
We regret that only Short Listed Candidates will be contacted.
Qualified women are highly encouraged to apply
Please note that application deadline is subject to hiring of suitable candidate.
Human Resource and Administration Manager- Tanzania
Functional Area : Human Resource
Position / Job Title : Human Resource and Administration Manager
Reports to : Country Director - Tanzania with dotted line to the
Human Resource Director based in Nairobi, Kenya
Location : Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Closing date of application : 5th December 2008
Position status : Local
Job Purpose
You will participate as a member of KickStart Tanzania’s Senior Management team, providing consultation, input and feedback on human resource & administration issues. You will coach and counsel staff on a variety of organizational issues to promote a positive work environment and provide guidance on KickStart policies, procedures, laws and regulations. In addition you will manage the Human Resource and Administration department team.
Principal Accountabilities
• Administer compensation and benefit plans within the corporate framework.
• Assist in the development and implementation of the country program’s strategic plan with ownership of the human resources and administration area of the plan.
• Manage workforce planning and staffing activities with a focus on diversity.
• Manage employee communication, which includes bulletin board management and employee mailings. You will also assist with employee meetings and other such activities to communicate with employees on relevant topics
• Manage training and development activities, which includes planning, training, administering and delivering.
• Manage administrative responsibilities which include facilities management and maintenance, local procurement of goods and services and vehicle fleet management.
Skills and Competencies
• First degree in a relevant course, with at least 3 years experience at a management level
• Must have post-graduate training in Human Resource & Admin Management
• Planning organizational and analytical skills and a team player
• Ability to identify and build talent
• Excellent Interpersonal and Communication skills
• Skills in building and maintaining relationship and in coaching and mentoring
• Must have in-depth knowledge of HR Management Information System
• Willingness and flexible to travel and work all over Tanzania and among the poor communities.
• Energetic, hands on, self driven, who thrives in a challenging environment
What’s in it for you?
KickStart seeks and retains the best talent to promote sustainable economic growth and employment creation in developing countries. Our commitment to our employees and our mission is strong. If you are ready for a new career adventure, in the fast paced world of global non-profit social enterprise; then let KickStart kick-start your career.
How to apply
If you believe you have what it takes to handle this challenging position, kindly email your one page Application Letter, together with your detailed CV, clearly indicating the position applied for in the subject line of your mail to hrtz@kickstart.org
We regret that only Short Listed Candidates will be contacted. Original Certificates and copies of the same will be required for those interviewed.
Please note that due to the urgency of filling this position, CV’s will be screened as we receive them. Application deadline is subject to filling the position.
Adminstration Manager
Functional Area Administration
Position / Job Title : Administration Manager
Reports to : Chief Operating Officer
Location : Nairobi
Applications deadline : 25th November 2008
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Job Purpose
• Develop and implement global administrative policies to ensure optimal mobilization and utilization of resources for KickStart International.
• Overall responsibility for operational administration activities at Africa Office in Nairobi
• Coordinate with Country Administration Manager to localize and assist with the implementation of global administrative policies at the local level - US, Mali, Burkina Faso, Tanzania, and Kenya
Principal Accountabilities
• Manage staff and functions of the administration department at the regional office level.
• Develop appropriate global-level administrative policies, strategies and procedures for KickStart International.
• Lead and coordinate the development security & safety policies and preparation of emergency procedures.
• In conjunction with Finance team - develop the KickStart wide- asset management procedure and procurement policy and procedure for goods and services.
• Responsibility for developing KickStart wide fleet management strategy and sourcing fleet management solution
• Liaise with government and legal bodies in matters relating to company property management and acquisition and legal registration in Kenya
• Responsible for preparation of events organized by the organization
Skills and Competencies
• First degree in a relevant course, with at least 3 years experience at a management level in administration function. Added advantage - post graduate training in Business Management and/or Procurement
• Proficient in computer applications especially in Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent planning and organizational skills
• Excellent financial analysis and financial management skills
• Hands on with a strong attention to detail
• Team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Willing and flexible to travel for work
• English fluency required - French and/or Kiswahili fluency preferred
• Passionate and motivated by our Mission to help people out of poverty
Interested candidates who meet the above criteria can send their cover letter and CV's to HR@kickstart.org with the position title on the subject line.
Qualified females are encouraged to apply
Development Economist / Director of Impact Evaluation & Monitoring
Job Title: Development Economist / Director of Impact Evaluation & Monitoring
Functional Area: Evaluation and Monitoring
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer
KickStart International is an award winning non-profit with a mission to enable millions of people in Africa to get out of poverty. It designs low-cost capital equipment and mass-markets it to very poor entrepreneurs who start highly profitable small-scale businesses. KickStart’s best selling, human-powered, “MoneyMaker” irrigation pumps have already enabled more than 70,000 farmers to move from subsistence to commercial farming, grow high value fruits and vegetables throughout the year, and very substantially increase their family incomes. KickStart has programs in Kenya, Tanzania, Mali and Burkina Faso and has sales activities in, and plans to expand into, other countries in Africa.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
KickStart is a data and impacts driven organization that uses a systematic, statistically valid methodology to monitor the socio-economic impacts of its market based program. We are now looking to hire a full-time Development Economist / Director of Impact Evaluation & Monitoring (DIEM) to lead the process of further innovating, upgrading and expanding our impact measurement systems.
The position’s primary responsibilities will be to:
• Build the capacity of and manage KickStart’s Impact Monitoring Team.
• Design, implement and manage an improved, state-of-the-art, impact evaluation and monitoring system - including the systematic analysis of the impact data.
• Lead the integration of the impact monitoring data collection and analysis with KickStart’s enterprise wide MIS.
• Write KickStart impact reports and present the results on a regular basis to KickStart’s management, donors, and a diverse audience of stakeholders.
• Help design and manage an electronic data collection and analysis system.
• Work closely with, and supervise IFPRI (www.ifpri.org) - which KickStart is hiring to carry out a detailed 3-Year Study on the Impacts of KickStart’s MoneyMaker Pumps.
• This exciting study will look at all aspects of the pump’s impacts including impacts on family income, nutrition and health, education, the position of women and children, and the environment.
• It will pioneer new sampling methodologies that can be used to evaluate impacts of other similar “market-based” development solutions.
• The outcomes of the study will be co-authored by the DIEM and IFPRI and published in a peer-reviewed academic journal.
• This position and study may serve as a post-doctoral project, from which future research and publishing opportunities could be pursued.
This is a unique opportunity. More and more development programs are using “market based” approaches to tackle sustainable economic development, and this study will help lead the way in how best to evaluate the impacts of such interventions. In addition, this position provides an opportunity to develop sate-of-the-art and replicable methods for the on-going monitoring and evaluation of such programs.
EXPERIENCE/SKILLS
Our ideal candidate will have a doctorate in Development or Agricultural Economics or, at minimum, a Master’s degree in the same with 3-5 years of work experience. S/he will be hands-on and self-directed. The candidate will enjoy getting out in the field just as much as s/he appreciates the strategic aspects of the position.
The ideal candidate will have:
• Proven leadership qualities and team management experience
• Excellent people and communications skills
• Strong knowledge of statistical techniques and methods
• Experience in collecting and analyzing household survey data and managing teams of staff/enumerators to do the same
• Experience working with small holder farmers in developing countries, with special emphasis on Sub Saharan Africa
• Significant experience with impact evaluation methods
• Experience implementing impact monitoring and evaluation systems
• Experience using Statistical, Survey and Database Software
• Experience using GIS and Mapping Software
• Fluency in English
• Willingness to live and work in Kenya with frequent travel to Mali and Tanzania
Preferred skills or experiences include
• Experience working with complex household data sets from developing countries containing data on income, consumption, nutrition, education and health
• Experience with Living Standard Measuring Surveys from Sub Saharan Africa
• Field experience in collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative household data in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Experience with designing and implementing randomized trials in the relevant settings
• Experience with collecting and mapping GPS data and the use of hand-held electronic devices for data collection and input
• Authoring of peer reviewed papers in an economics journal
• Fluency in Kiswahili and/or French
For more information visit www.kickstart.org and e-mail your cover letter and resume/CV to hr@kickstart.org with “DIEM Director” in the subject line by November 25th, 2008.

