African Centre for Technology Studies is an intergovernmental non-profit organization, founded in 1988 by Calestous Juma FRS in Nairobi, Kenya, promoting policy-oriented research on science and technology in development that is sustainable in terms of the economy, society, and the environment.
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- Contents
- Open Jobs
- Head of Operations, Kenya - Specialized Outreach and Knowledge Establishment (SPOKE)
- Research Fellow II - Investment Lead, BE Project
- Intern - CRE Programme
- Method of Application
- Job TypeContract
- QualificationBA/BSc/HND
- Experience5 years
- LocationNairobi
- Job Field
We are looking to recruit a new key member as the Operations Manager-of the Kenya SPOKE and roll-out into next markets. The Operations Manager leads the execution of the project, ensuring that all activities align with project objectives, EHS expectations timelines, and budgetary constraints. And are properly documented to support reference and replication. The role involves high-level coordination with internal teams, especially working closely with the ACES Senior Quality Management Specialist and external stakeholders, to optimize resources, drive team accountability and compliance across all phases. The Operations Manager will be expected to undertake the following:
Key Responsibilities:
Project Planning & Strategy
- Define project scope, objectives, deliverables, and ensure alignment with programme goals.
- Develop a comprehensive project plan, setting clear objectives, deliverables, timelines, and milestones
- Enxure all team members know their expectations
- Lead the planning, initiation, and execution of the project.
- Support the team in developing detailed project plans, including timelines, budgets, resource allocation, and risk management strategies.
- Generate project technical and financial reports in collaboration with the team lead.
Project Delivery Coordination:
- Oversee daily project activities, assign tasks to team members, and conduct weekly check-ins and report to team lead.
- Encourage collaboration, troubleshoot issues, and provide guidance to keep the team aligned with project goals.
- Ensure project tasks are undertaken in line with developed processes and procedures and compliance with regulations.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams including logistics, supply chain, IT, and technical teams to ensure project milestones are achieved.
- Oversee the development of the engagement and training plan and tools for the farmer community and farmers
- Manage third-party vendors, suppliers, and contractors involved in the cold chain setup and operation.
- Ensure team members are adequately trained in cold chain management best practices and procedures, safety, and compliance requirements.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication:
- Ensure active communication and engagement with internal and external stakeholders including team members, c vendors, clients), including NGOs, community representatives, suppliers, and government bodies.
- Prepare reports on project progress, and challenges to senior management and stakeholders.
- Communicate effectively with all project stakeholders to manage expectations, provide updates, and resolve concerns.
Resource Management and Budget Oversight:
- Coordinate with the team lead, finance team, to monitor expenditures.
- Work with the Kenya team lead and the international project management team to adjust resource allocations when necessary, and ensure all financial activities comply with donor requirements.
Risk Management and Problem Solving:
- Identify potential risks, develop mitigation strategies, and monitor implementation in close coordination with the ACES Senior Quality Management Specialist and other team members.
- Address project challenges proactively to minimize delays or resource waste.
Compliance and Quality Assurance:
- Coordinate the development of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) policy, Standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other quality assurance frameworks for the SPOKE.
- Ensure all project activities adhere to the standards and protocols outlined in Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) policies, SOPs, and regulatory requirements, working in close coordination with the ACES Senior Quality Management Specialist and other team members.
- Conduct regular audits to uphold quality standards in the implementation of the project.
Reference and Replication
Ensure all documents are properly managed including version control to create a complete “playbook” to support replication
Key Competencies
Qualifications and Experience
- Master’s degree with a combination of two of the following fields: – Mechanical/Agricultural/ Electrical Engineering/HVAC and business/finance.
- A Bachelor’s degree in the above fields with exceptional experience may be considered.
- Have a minimum of five (5) years of demonstrable industry experience in operations management/supervisory levels with a proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget and ensuring fully documented processes, ideally to include experience of setting-up a project or new facility from the ground-up
- Strong understanding of sustainable cold chain technologies, systems, and regulatory requirements and its role in the supply chain especially in value chains such as horticulture,
- Experience in temperature sensitive horticultural agribusiness or fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) is an added advantage
- Good understanding of business process and management, requirements and dynamics, especially for complex projects or systems
- Good understanding of H&S
- Experience working with smallholder farmers, especially through cooperatives or farmer group structures.
- Have demonstrable experience in training / mentoring in relation to processes in cold chain and food businesses processes
- Experience with budgeting, financial modelling, tracking and management, business development and related duties
- Job TypeContract
- QualificationMBA/MSc/MA
- Experience
- LocationNairobi
- Job FieldProject Management  , Research 
This RFII will be hosted by the Climate Resilient Economies Programme, a multifaceted programme with the goal of creating impact in the climate change space through the learning, policy, business and partnerships hubs. The Investment Lead will spearhead the investment component of the project, identifying and securing funding opportunities, developing investment strategies, and ensuring the financial sustainability of the project. This role involves close collaboration with local communities, government agencies, private sector stakeholders, and investors to drive economic growth and resilience in the blue economy sector.
Duties and responsibilities
The responsibilities are based on the core work packages of the BE project and programme resource mobilization activities
Project based (80%)
Investment Strategy Development:
- Develop and implement investment strategies to attract funding for IMTA initiatives.
- Identify and engage potential investors, including impact investors and financial institutions.
- Create investment readiness programs tailored for self-organized women groups.
Funding and Resource Mobilization:
- Conduct needs assessments to understand community investment requirements.
- Prepare investment proposals and pitch presentations for potential investors.
- Facilitate investment matching and pitching events.
Financial Management and Reporting:
- Oversee the financial management of investment funds.
- Ensure accurate and transparent financial reporting.
- Monitor and evaluate the financial performance of funded initiatives.
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and private sector partners.
- Organize and participate in workshops, seminars, and meetings to promote investment opportunities.
- Collaborate with project partners to align investment strategies with project goals.
Capacity Building:
- Provide training and mentorship to project staff and community members on investment readiness and financial management.
- Develop educational materials and conduct outreach activities to enhance investment literacy.
- Support business incubation workshops and mentorship programs.
Policy Engagement:
- Assist in policy dialogues and advocacy efforts related to investment in the blue economy.
- Contribute to the development of policy briefs and recommendations to create an enabling environment for investment.
- Support the organization of high-level policy dialogues and hackathons.
CRE Programme based (20%)
- To support the technical and financial reporting of the project activities
- To mobilize resources within the CRE programme for sustainability of existing projects and attracting new ones
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Limnology, wetland management, Marine Biology,
- Background in Economics, Finance, and Business Administration is an added advantage.
- Proven experience in investment strategy development and financial management.
- Knowledge of sustainable aquaculture practices and investment strategies.
- Strong communication and report-writing skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Experience in community engagement and capacity building is an asset.
- Job TypeFull Time
- QualificationMBA/MSc/MA
- Experience
- LocationNairobi
- Job FieldInternships / Volunteering  , Project Management 
The intern will be attached to the Blue empowerment project, which aims to contribute to tackling barriers for the empowerment of fisher women in Kenya’s coastal region through adoption of climate-smart integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) of seaweeds and fish for improved livelihoods and climate resilience. It focuses on alleviating climate change and socio-economic challenges since it is a resilient, low-carbon, environmentally friendly, and economically sustainable innovation. Interns will contribute to the implementation of this project by conducting research, supporting technology optimization, and enhancing the investment readiness of community-led initiatives.
Under the general supervision of to the CRE Programme Lead, regular mentorship and guidance provided by senior researchers and project leads, the intern should carry out the following duties:
Business Development
- Conduct market assessments to identify business opportunities and gaps in technology adoption.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to design and implement sustainable business models, particularly for Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) systems.
- Develop proposals and reports for business-related initiatives under the CRE Programme.
- Support the organization of business incubation workshops and value addition training for coastal community groups.
Investment Readiness
- Undertake research and prepare investment readiness assessments for community-based enterprises in the blue economy sector.
- Develop frameworks for aggregation models such as cooperatives to enhance financial inclusion for smallholder groups.
- Facilitate investor engagement, including preparing investment profiles and organizing pitching events.
- Analyze financial viability and propose innovative financing solutions for community-led initiatives.
Technology Optimization
- Assist in the design, testing, and optimization of sustainable IMTA solutions for community use.
- Provide input into the development of technical manuals and training materials on technology usage.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to identify and address technological barriers in resource use efficiency.
- Evaluate the feasibility of scaling technology-based solutions in targeted communities.
Research Dissemination and Social Media Engagement
- Develop content for social media platforms to communicate research findings and project impacts, ensuring clarity and accessibility for diverse audiences.
- Create infographics, blogs, and short videos to highlight project achievements and key lessons learned.
- Support the dissemination of research outputs through ACTS’ website, newsletters, and external networks.
- Assist in organizing webinars, stakeholder forums, and workshops to share findings and engage the public in climate resilience and blue economy topics.
- Track engagement metrics on social media to evaluate and improve the reach and impact of research communication.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct literature reviews and field research aligned with the the Blue Empowerment project and CRE Programme's focus areas.
- Collaborate with project teams in developing knowledge products such as policy briefs, technical reports, and blogs.
- Participate in workshops, stakeholder engagements, and capacity-building initiatives organized by ACTS.
- Draft a high-quality master’s thesis based on research activities undertaken during the internship.
- Maintain regular communication with supervisors and provide updates on research progress and outputs.
- Document lessons learned and provide recommendations for scaling successful initiatives.
Deliverables
- Monthly Progress Reports: Summarizing tasks completed, findings, and next steps.
- Market Research Reports: Detailed analysis of business opportunities and challenges.
- Investment Profiles: Comprehensive documentation of community enterprise readiness.
- Technology Optimization Frameworks: Recommendations for improving IMTA and related technologies.
- Research Dissemination Materials: Blogs, infographics, social media posts, and videos communicating key findings and achievements.
- Final Research Thesis: Academic submission reflecting the intern's contributions to the CRE Programme.
Qualifications
- Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Business, Economics, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Technology Studies, or related fields.
- Strong research and analytical skills, particularly in business development and investment readiness.
- Demonstrated understanding of technology optimization and community-based initiatives.
- Excellent communication and report-writing abilities.
- Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools is an added advantage.
Method of Application
Use the link(s) below to apply on company website.
Send applications to j.onyango@acts-net.org with copy to hr@acts-net.org, with subject line
