Women’s Economic Empowerment Manager
USAID FTF Kenya Private Sector Activity (KPSA)

Project Overview and Role:

Palladium is seeking a Women’s Economic Empowerment Manager for an anticipated USAID-funded economic growth program which is anticipated to begin in 2023. The USAID/Kenya and East Africa Feed the Future (FtF) Private Sector Activity (PSA) will be a 5-year program focused on accelerating agriculture-led growth in Kenya through partnerships with large agricultural sector firms (such as processors and off-takers) and expansion of smallholder farmer out-grower schemes. The anticipated activity will focus on creating jobs and generating large scale increases in sales/exports in the agriculture sector cost-effectively and, ideally, through a sustainable and locally-led vehicle.  The activity would combine tools used in USAID’s traditional private sector development activities with tools used to mobilize finance and investment into one mechanism – supporting a range of agricultural firms to expand investments and operations via a blended finance approach. For more information on the potential project, please consult the RFI: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=338564 .

Duration: 5 years (anticipated start in July 2023)
Location: Nairobi, Kenya

 Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

Assume overall charge of the WEE component and provide overall strategic direction and technical oversight across all project results relating to gender
Lead efforts to identify and overcome gender and social inclusion barriers in investment opportunities in the agricultural sector and be responsible for leading gender and social inclusion assessments
Lead the implementation of Gender Strategies for the project
Develop and ensure timely implementation of Annual Workplans
Provide cross-cutting leadership in identifying gender inequities within programs and developing strategies for strengthening the integration of a gender lens across all activities
Build staff capacity on the application of a gender lens across project initiatives.
Facilitate knowledge-building on gender integration in development of inclusive business models with project partners
Participate in and contribute to external technical working groups on issues related to gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and gender-inclusive development
Develop innovative approaches to advancing gender equity, promote inclusive development, and prevent and address gender gaps
Provide ongoing technical support for the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs with gender-focused outcomes.
Work closely with Monitoring and Evaluations Manager and Communications Director to ensure project communications and results reflect inclusive development priorities, particularly with a focus on gender and diversity.
Travel to various regions of Kenya as needed
Any and all other project-related tasks as required by the Chief of Party and Palladium HQ

Required Qualifications:

Master’s degree in International Development, Gender Studies, or other relevant subject area.
Proven expertise in gender and social inclusion, gender lens investing, gender-focused analysis, MSME finance, and MSME development.
At least seven (7) years of experience in SME finance, gender finance, and banking.
Proven track record engaging with agribusinesses to design and roll out products and services targeting women small holder farmers.
Knowledge of the intersection between SME growth, business development services, and gender.
Experience designing and implementing gender-related trainings and workshops related to finance and investment.
Substantial experience in design, monitoring and evaluation projects and the collection of gender disaggregated data.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically, creatively and to find innovative ways to respond to emerging organizational and project needs.
Knowledge of USAID policies, procedures, and reporting requirements preferred
Experience working for large donor organizations such as USAID preferred
Local Kenyan candidates are preferred
Written and oral proficiency in English required

Company Overview:

About Palladium - Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.  We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world's most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people's lives.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.