CPF Africa Programme Assistant

(Based in Nairobi - hosted by Fairt rade Africa)

The Cafedirect Producers' Foundation (CPF) is a UK - based organization, established in 2009 to support smallholder tea, coffee and cocoa producer organisations provide education, information and training programmes to smallholder growers and their communities in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Central to the mission of CPF is empowering our grower partners as decision-makers and leaders. CPF is a UK-registered charity with a Board of Directors, each of whom are producer representatives, ensuring ownership and leadership of CPF is placed firmly in the hands of the producers themselves

We are young organisation with drive and ambition. We are now looking for a Nairobi based

Programme Assistant to join our team small team in Africa, initially as maternity cover and later supporting newly funded project activities with tea and coffee smallholders in East Africa.

Candidate Brief

Job title: CPF Africa Programme Assistant

Reporting to: The CPF Africa Programme Coordinator in Nairobi, Kenya and Programme Man a ger in London, UK

Location: Nairobi, Kenya - hosted by Fairtrade Africa

Salary: 67,500 KES per month (Gross) + local benefits package

Length of contract: 1 year Full - time contract, with potential for renewal (with first 3 months of contract as maternity cover)

Start Date for Position: Immediately Application Closing

Date: 6pm on Wednesday 20 th March 2013

Overall Purpose: To support and contribute to the overall performance of the Cafedirect Producers' Foundation, especially to strengthen CPF's direct implementation capacity in East Africa, as well as maintain the excellent relationships with producer partners based there. The first 3 months of this role will be as maternity cover for CPF's Africa Programme Coordinator.

Key Tasks May Include:

- Establish working relationships and maintain contact with CPF's East African producer partners, and encourage their proactive participation in CPF activities

- Support the implementation of CPF programme activities undertaken with producer partners - including ongoing project activities and helping plan and establish a newly funded project with producer partners across East Africa.

- Support CPF fundraising goals by liaising with producer partners and facilitating knowledge of, and contact with, the relevant local stakeholders.

- Support and facilitate CPF monitoring and evaluation work as needed

- Facilitate communications with on-the-ground implementation partners and help to map out other local stakeholders and service providers.

- Facilitate, where necessary, travel arrangements of CPF staff to producer organizations and support or ganisation of conferences.

- Participate in a biweekly phone/Skype meeting with CPF staff in London.

- Support the implementation of CPF's work plan in any other way necessary

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

Essential

- A strong undergraduate degree (Development, Environment, Economics, Social Science etc)

- Familiarity with smallholder farming systems and agricultural sector

- Some working experience, paid or un-paid in the public or private sector - preferably within the NGO or development sector

- Strong planning and organization skills, including the ability to organize workshops and meetings.

-Ability to be a self-starter and work independently, including in occasional situations where support systems and/or contact with the CPF team in the UK is minimal.

- Industry, initiative, enthusiasm and passion for international development

- Excellent English and Kiswahili language communication skills, written and oral

- Adaptability and flexibility

- Excellent IT Skills, particularly Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access Applications

Desirable

- Knowledge of Fairtrade and/or value chain analysis

- Knowledge of basic best

- practice tools of participatory monitoring and evaluation methodologies.

- Project management or coordination experience within development programmes

- Fundraising experience

To apply for this role please send a CV and brief cover letter (in English) to infocpf@cafedirect.co.uk by 6pm on Wednesday 20th March 2013