Partnerships & Resource Mobilization Consultant

Position: Partnerships & Resource Mobilization Consultant

Organization: SMACHS Foundation

Project: Proposal Writing & Grant Application

1. Background

Smart Mechanized Agriculture & Climate Action for Humanity and Sustainability (SMACHS) Foundation exists to expose youth to economic opportunities in agriculture. SMACHS believes in unlocking the potential of Kenya’s agriculture, which is the solution to its food insecurity and youth unemployment issues.Our grassroots approach to understanding the challenges faced by Kenyan Youth differentiates our initiatives and programs. This informs our activities, allowing us to directly impact lives, living standards, and Kenya’s climate for the better.

The Foundation seeks to usher in a new age of youth-led and climate-smart agriculture. We facilitate this transition to Kenya being a food basket by championing digitization, mechanization, and smart agricultural practices amongst the youth. Our Foundation has two main pillars: Food Security and Climate Action.

Under Food Security, we have two initiatives – #Youth2Farm and #Bees2Biz.

Under Climate Action, we have two initiatives – #Roots2Canopy and #Waste2Wealth.

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Scope of Work

Proposal Development

1. Develop proposals for  SMACHS projects – Apiculture, Centre of Excellence, Forest Adoption & Urban Kitchen Garden.
2. Apply for grants offered by different organizations like the EU, World Bank, FAO, IFAD, and Taiwan ICDF, to mention just a few.
3. In-kind Contributions: Secure non-financial resources such as equipment, expertise, and services that can support SMACHS programs and operations.

Strategic Partnership Development

1. Research and identify potential partners, including other NGOs, government agencies, corporations, foundations, and community organizations that align with the  SMACHS mission and values.
2. Manage Stakeholder Expectations: Understand and manage partners’ expectations, ensuring that their goals and objectives are met while aligning with SMACHS’s mission.

Grant Applications

1. Grant Application Submission: Prepare and submit at least three grant applications for the aforementioned projects. Each application should be tailored to meet the specific requirements of the funding organization and include all necessary supporting documentation.
2. Sourcing for opportunities in consortiums for joint fundraising with like-minded organizations.

Strategic Input

1. Contribute to Strategic Planning: Provide insights and recommendations to the management team on partnership opportunities and strategies to enhance SMACHS impact and sustainability.
2. Trend Analysis: Stay informed about trends and developments in the NGO sector, identifying new opportunities for partnerships and growth.

Internal Coordination

1.    Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with other departments (e.g., programs, finance, communications) to ensure a coordinated approach to partnership management.
2.    Capacity Building: Provide training and support to staff on partnership development and management, fostering a culture of collaboration and external engagement.

Deliverables and Remuneration

The remuneration for this contract is based on deliverables over a staggered duration not exceeding twelve months.

Work Station

The consultant will be based at SMACHS Foundation offices within the Nairobi Metropolitan Area. The mode of operations will be hybrid.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Business Administration, Community Development, Environmental Science, International Relations, Public Policy, Political Science, Social Work, and other related fields.
2. An added advantage is experience and technical skills of at least four years in an NGO or organization in the agrifood systems. 
3. Candidates should demonstrate their qualifications and proficiency in proposal writing and grant application (provide  at least two samples of previous work in your application).

Technical Skills and Expertise

1. At least two years of working with Microsoft Office
2. At least two years of working with software like Asana, Fluxx, and Tableau
3. At least one year of using virtual meeting software like Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams

Required Compentencies

1. An agile, strategic, and critical thinker with the ability to set process, performance, and outcome goals.
2. Excellent presentation, facilitation, mentoring, and training skills
3. Excellent presentation, facilitation, mentoring, and training skills; 
4. Good organizational skills, including accuracy, consistency, and attention to detail 
5. Ability to show perseverance, tenacity, and the ability to work autonomously and under pressure 
6. A strong focus on results – sets goals, plans and prioritizes effectively; monitors quality and progress of work against plans, establishes a high level of performance, demonstrates the ability to be self-driven;
7. Good written and verbal communication skills in English
8. Good organizational skills, including accuracy, consistency, attention to detail, and self-awareness