Volunteer

We are searching for the perfect candidate to be our next Kenya Field Program Manager! Do you have what it takes? Or, do you know someone who does? We want to hear from you!

This is a volunteer position – a stipend will be provided to cover basic living expenses: food, lodging, transport and mobile phone.

Location: Nyanchonori, Kenya.  (Near Kisii)

Length of appointment: at least 3 continuous months

Start of appointment: January 2020  (time is flexible)

Application Deadline: September 30, 2019

Seeds to Sew International, Inc, is seeking a Field Program Manager for its operations in Kenya. Working with the local leadership, s/he will work with groups of women and girls, and will be responsible for managing all aspects of Seeds to Sew programs within the community and will drive on-going operations associated with the programs. S/he will serve as a main communication with the US-based team and will be managing programs with an eye towards continuous improvement in our field operations.

Specific responsibilities are as follows:

• Encourage and work with participants in the program
• Establish and maintain controls related to program resources, maintain accurate books, records, and documentation.
• Track and record participant activity on a daily basis
• Monitor and report participant progress on a weekly basis
• Provide participant account reconciliations for payments owed/received
• Coordinate the distribution of raw materials to participants (tracking fabrics/ribbons distributed vs. products delivered)
• Provide feedback to US operations re: inventory, needed materials, shipments received, shipments out etc.
• Inspect and serve as quality control on all completed items
• Coordinate logistics of materials/products being shipped in/out (travel to Kilgoris or Kisii to pick up parcels and/or ship out; travel to Nairobi and Nyeri as required, etc)
• Coordinate maintenance on sewing machines
• Assist participants in opening bank accounts and successfully managing proceeds
• Assist in ensuring proper recording, receipt tracking, and reconciliation of all expenditures made on behalf of girls in the Enkisoma program
• Ensure that the distribution of proceeds are delivered appropriately and to the correct participant
• Ensure transparency of all details of the operations, including thorough documentation of processes and procedures, communicate with outside investors, auditors as requested
• Develop partnerships with other non-profit organizations to expand opportunities for participants and members of the community to gain additional training and education in areas related to health, farming, trade/commerce.
• Coordinate activities and facilitate communication with the local Kenyan schools, program participants and the community to assist in outreach efforts in the US. (letter exchange, thank you photos/correspondence, etc.)
• Take pictures and document activities and progress
• Provide oversight and to interns and help coordinate visitors’ stay
• Work with women and girls in the village/ help them advocate for their rights.
• Suggest improvements to process and assist in the streamlining and scaling of operations to other locations.

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Excellent people skills – individual must have the ability to relate to all types of individuals, and must be able to interface diplomatically and lead effectively with soft authority.
• Prior experience traveling to remote areas in the developing world; willingness to live ‘off the land’ with minimal western-country comforts.
• Strong communication skills are a must; ability to read/write English, with some communication skills in Swahili preferable and/or willingness to learn.
• Familiarity with political dynamics among tribes in the region is extremely valuable
• This role is a leadership position, so individual must be trustworthy, hardworking, and must set the example for the women in the program.
• Individual must be comfortable living in Nyanchonori and must feel comfortable engaging with the local community, away from creature comforts such as reliable electricity, running water, flush toilets, etc.
• Individual must feel passionate about the rights of women and girls and must feel comfortable working with women/girls and acting in their best interest.
• A degree from a 2 or 4-year college or university, or equivalent experience/education.
• Excellent computer skills, including MS Word and Excel
• Good math skills, ability to perform basic accounting calculations

Interested applicants should email their resume to info@seedstosew.org along with a letter expressing their interest in the role, listing their previous travel experience and reasons why they think they should be selected for the role.