Project Manager- Technical Assistance Department - Nairobi

COLEAD is looking for a Project Manager

to strengthen its Technical Assistance department, as part of the

implementation of its projects and programmes supporting the Sub-Saharan

horticultural sector.

COLEAD is an inter-professional association

established under Law 1901 in France, dedicated to supporting the sustainable

transformation of agri-food systems in low-income and lower-middle-income

countries, with an historical anchorage and consolidated experience in the

horticultural sector across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Since its creation, COLEAD has implemented development programmes in more than

50 countries, financed by public and institutional partners. The organisation is

ISO 21001 certified and operates under a governance framework that reflects its

inter-professional nature and its commitment to the long-term transformation of

agri-food systems.

The project manager will be based at COLEAD’s

programme management unit in Nairobi and will actively contribute to the

development and implementation of projects supporting partner-beneficiaries

from the private horticultural sector (fruit and vegetable production, processing

and/or export-oriented companies, producer groups and organisations,

consultants/service providers, professional organisations, etc.) and the public

sector (SPS competent authorities, Public sector extension services,

Universities and training centres, etc.).

These different projects aim to achieve the objective

of the projects and programmes implemented by COLEAD i.e. the improvement of

the capacity of all stakeholders in the Sub-Saharan horticultural sector to

adapt to evolving SPS, commercial, social and environmental requirements on

local, regional and international markets.

Main

responsibilities

As Project Manager,

you will take operational responsibility for a portfolio of

partner-beneficiaries and technical assistance and capacity building

activities, from needs assessment and project design through implementation,

monitoring, evaluation and follow-up.

More specifically,

you will be responsible for:

Development of

support projects (‘development projects’) for partner-beneficiaries

Analyse in-depth applications for support

received from potential partner-beneficiaries.

Implement COLEAD's Sustainability

Self-Assessment System (SAS) with companies and other relevant

partners and prepare the corresponding assessment reports.

Work with partner-beneficiaries to identify

needs, priorities and appropriate capacity-building solutions and

translate these into structured individual development projects.

Guide partner-beneficiaries towards relevant

COLEAD resources, expertise and networks and build lasting working

relationships with them.

Implementation

of technical assistance and capacity building activities

Manage and coordinate the implementation of

capacity building activities agreed with partner-beneficiaries, including

technical assistance, training and other targeted support.

Prepare terms of reference and contribute to the

identification and selection of appropriate experts and service providers.

Coordinate the contracting, mobilisation, and

evaluation of external service providers in accordance with COLEAD and

donor procedures.

Coordinate with local partners and service

providers regarding the technical, administrative and logistical

arrangements required for activities.

Organise and monitor calls for expressions of

interest and other processes used to select participants or

partner-beneficiaries for programme activities.

Ensure that planned activities are implemented to

the expected quality, within agreed timelines and in accordance with

applicable procedures.

Monitoring,

evaluation, and reporting

Plan, coordinate and monitor programmes technical

assistance and capacity building activities falling under your

responsibility.

Ensure appropriate technical, administrative and

financial follow-up of activities under your responsibility.

Maintain complete and accurate programme records,

including activity documentation, invoices, certificates and relevant

monitoring data.

Ensure timely and reliable inputs to programme

monitoring, evaluation and reporting on the implementation, results and

follow-up of technical assistance activities.

Identify implementation issues and propose

practical solutions and corrective actions where required.

Teamwork and

programme contribution

Work closely with Programme Coordinators and

COLEAD colleagues responsible for Technical Assistance, Training, and

other programme components.

Maintain regular contact with horticultural

companies, producer organisations, competent authorities, support

organisations, experts, training providers and other programme

stakeholders.

Contribute to the organisation and assessment of

tenders and other procedures for selecting external service providers.

Contribute to technical support workshops,

conferences, trade fairs and other events organised by or involving

COLEAD.

Contribute, where relevant, to the development of

training resources.

Contribute to other COLEAD activities where

required by programme implementation needs.

Profil

Higher education degree (ideally Master’s degree)

in a relevant field such as agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, plant

protection, food science, environmental sciences, agribusiness, economics,

management or project management.

At least seven (7) years of proven/relevant

professional experience,

including substantial experience in Sub-Saharan’s agricultural or

horticultural sector.

At least five (5) years of demonstrated project

management experience,

including responsibility for planning, implementation, monitoring and

follow-up of activities.

Practical experience working with horticultural

businesses, producer organisations, public institutions and/or

business-support organisations, with a sound understanding of

horticultural value chains and the challenges affecting their

competitiveness and sustainability.

Practical experience in one or more of the

following areas is considered an asset: SPS inspections and compliance

issues; management or strengthening of training institutions; and

facilitation of access to finance.Demonstrated experience in designing,

managing, and monitoring technical assistance, capacity-building or

organisational development activities.

Experience managing external experts, consultants

or service providers, including preparation of terms of reference,

monitoring of assignments and evaluation of deliverables.

Experience with project monitoring, reporting and

administrative and financial follow-up.

Good digital literacy and command of standard

office and collaboration tools. Experience with CRM/ERP systems, online

reporting tools, digital learning platforms or project management systems

is considered an asset, as is the ability to quickly learn and adopt new

digital tools.

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another COLEAD working

language, particularly French, Spanish or Portuguese, is an asset.

Skills and

competencies

The successful

candidate will demonstrate:

Strong project management, planning and

organisational skills, with the capacity to manage several activities

and partner files simultaneously.

A high degree of autonomy, initiative and

accountability, while working effectively within agreed procedures and

reporting lines.

Strong analytical skills and the ability to

translate identified needs into practical and structured support

activities.

A results-oriented and solution-focused

approach, with the ability to anticipate implementation challenges and

propose appropriate responses.

Rigour and attention to detail, particularly

regarding project documentation, budgets, procedures and monitoring data.

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish constructive

working relationships with private-sector operators, public institutions,

professional organisations, experts and colleagues.

Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly

with diverse stakeholders in both face-to-face and digital environments.

Strong teamwork, coordination, and collaboration

skills in a

multicultural and geographically distributed organisation.

Flexibility and the ability to work effectively

under pressure and manage competing priorities.

Commitment to

continuous learning and to COLEAD's mission, strategy and values.

Informations contractuelles

This is a full-time

position based in Nairobi, Kenya. Regular travel within the region will be

required. The successful candidate should also be available for occasional

short-term assignments within the Eastern African region and, where relevant,

travel to Belgium or other countries linked to the implementation of the

programmes.

Initial contract

duration: one year, renewable

Expected

starting date: January 2027

COLEAD offers a

competitive remuneration package aligned with market conditions and taking into

account the selected candidate's experience and qualifications.

Joining COLEAD means

becoming part of a multicultural team working to strengthen the contribution of

sustainable agri-food systems to economic, social and environmental

development. COLEAD's values are commitment, difference, humanity,

performance and continuous improvement.

To apply, please

submit your CV, cover letter and professional references by 2ndof November 2026.