careers

Wanted: Mid-career (5+ years experience) business, development, agricultural or environmental professional with operational experience to help aggressively grow KOMAZA operations

Industry: Non-profit/International Development/Start-up
Employer: KOMAZA
Position: General Manager (Kilifi)
Commitment: 2 year minimum, longer preferred
Location: Kilifi, Kenya
Comp/Benefits: Modest, provides for a comfortable standard of living in Kilifi, Kenya
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Start Date: As soon as available

Collaborating closely with KOMAZA leadership, the General Manager will be responsible for cross-functional management within our Kilifi office, working closely with the Field Director to support field operations and acting as the primary contact with U.S.-based senior management.

This position will have wide-ranging responsibilities and requires the ability and inclination to work across the organization in a variety of functions, from tree planting operations to finance and accounting. This position will have significant latitude for business decision making. Areas and projects for which the General Manager may be responsible for include:

• Ongoing Support of Field Operations: Assisting with the planning and logistics of planting, maintenance, and harvest activities; assisting with the planning and logistics of field expansion plans
• Operational Improvements: Initiate and manage projects to evaluate and improve current processes
• Operational Strategy: Managing research into short-term crop production and native reforestation programs; developing tree growth models to inform strategic operational decisions
• Administrative Support: Serve as point-person for high-level questions/decision-making from administrative teams, including HR, finance and administration, e.g. staff policies, property management, organizational issues
• Liaise with US office
• Lead regular communications with US management team (CEO, COO) to provide updates on operations and raise significant issues or questions
• Coordinate with accounting team and other managers to prepare regular financial reports for management
• Aid in preparing donor-facing reports and updates
• Field Component: This role, while based in the Kilifi town office, may have a hands-on field component that can be challenging. The work may involve: long, dirty and uncomfortable bus/motorcycle rides, basic rustic facilities, work in areas far from any infrastructure (stores, electricity, paved roads), hours spent outside in the equatorial sun and heat.

• Education and Relevant Work Experience:
• 5+ years work experience in NGO, international business, agroforestry, or similarly related fields; at least 2+ years in a management capacity with evidence of strong people and project management abilities
• Knowledge and understanding of development context, as well as of operational systems and/or agroforestry field
• Top performing academic background with a bachelor of science in forestry, agriculture, or similar; or solid non-profit/business management background
• Effective Management Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse team, including giving guidance and direction, helping to set priorities and manage workloads, mentoring and motivating team
• Excellent Communicator: Personable yet persistent; ability to manage expectations; build consensus and influence decision-making process; excellent oral and written communication skills
• Decisiveness: Excellent problem-solving skills and business judgment; aptitude for involving others internal to the organization and outside information to arrive at well thought-out conclusions and decisions
• Excellent Project Management Skills: Demonstrated ability to plan and execute projects independently; deadline- and results-oriented
• Execution with Strong Attention to Detail and Flexibility: Executing projects/tasks and implementing recommendations with strong attention to detail; ability to create backup plans and be flexible in sometimes logistically challenging environments
• Cultural Sensitivity: High emotional intelligence and ability to adapt to local cultural norms and communication styles
• Patience and a Sense of Humor: Please click the FAQ link on the right for a more detailed description of important “fit” criteria
• Preferred:
• Experience in social enterprise
• Significant work/volunteer experience in a developing country
• Kiswahili language skills
• Serious desire to commit to living and working in Kenya long-term

Wanted: Experienced manager to be Director of fast-growing social enterprise in Kenya

Industry: Forestry & Wood Productions/Social Business/International Development/Start-Up/Non-profit
Employer: KOMAZA
Position: Director
Commitment: Long-term commitment (i.e. 5 years minimum)
Location: Kilifi, Kenya
Comp/Benefits: Competitive with international businesses/NGOs
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Start Date: As soon as available (preferably by Aug 2011)

The Director will develop and lead all business functions in Kenya required for rapid growth, reporting directly to our COO and working closely with our founder/CEO, both of whom will be based primarily in San Francisco, USA (traveling to Kenya for 25-50% of the year). This is a big opportunity for a dynamic, entrepreneurial candidate. Responsibilities will include:

Management of all Kenya Operations

KOMAZA Kenya headquarters is currently located in Kilifi town, one hour north of Mombasa. Ganze town, our first area of operation is a ~45 minute drive inland. Over the next few years we aim to scale throughout Coast Province. The Director will be responsible for high-level leadership and management of Kenya operations, including:

• Program Direction and Leadership: Work with founder/CEO, COO and other corporate leadership to develop long-term, annual, and quarterly goals; building on the KOMAZA social impact and business model, develop a vision for growing the country program and a plan for achieving the vision; take the leadership role in inspiring collective goals, executing plans, providing direction to Kenya country staff, ensuring accountability, and leading in change management
• People and Project Management: Directly supervise 4 managers in planning, organizing, staffing, and directing activities; manage an overall office staff of currently 25 employees; lead organization re-design efforts as organization grows quickly; coordinate major projects and activities in a comprehensive organizational work plan
• Finance: Direct short-term and long-term budgeting; provide oversight to management team on financial planning and reporting; oversee monthly/quarterly/annual financial management (budget currently USD 1m and growing quickly)
• Partnership Development: Liaise with local and Nairobi government officials and other NGOs and businesses to build relationships that will facilitate the quality and scaling of our operations

Operational Branch Development and Replication

KOMAZA's operations (silviculture to primary processing) are delivered through Branches, each led by a Field Director, comprising ~200 field staff and serving ~10,000 families across ~250km2. The Director must lead the development and monitoring of all operational systems for a Branch, and then replicate this unit across Coast Province and then other drylands in Kenya. The Director will be responsible for supervising the development of all aspects of Branch operations, including:

• Branch HR: Hiring, training, and monitoring performance of our field extension network. Facilitators in each village, Field Officers managing Facilitators, and Field Managers overseeing large areas of operation
• Social Marketing: Communicating with local opinion leaders (chiefs, village elders), educating farmers about the opportunity to partner with KOMAZA to grow trees for income, and recruiting farmers into KOMAZA's program
• Silviculture: Nursery operations; family land preparation, planting, and maintenance
• Wood Harvesting & Processing: Felling, hauling, primary processing, wood treatment, etc.
• Wood Product Sales: Oversee sales agents based in towns, cities, and international distributors
• Monitoring & Evaluation: Develop strong systems to track key operational performance indicators and to measure program outputs ($ to farmers) and social outcomes
• Branch Office Systems: Branch-level financial control, procurement, logistics, administration, HR, IT, etc.

• Education and Relevant Work Experience:
• 8-12+ years of business/organizational management experience required; 5+ years in forestry, agriculture or production preferred
• University degree; business management concentration or MBA preferred
• Entrepreneurial: Self-motivated; holds self to high level of personal accountability; comfortable with ambiguity and interested in a work environment that is creative and flexible while also data-driven
• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to enlist the aid and support of others to achieve shared goals; keen to build a winning team and lead a fast-paced, rapidly-growing program
• Financial Management: Experience owning P&L results: revenue/sales growth and expense/margin control
• Technology: Internet & MS Office fluency required; demonstrated passion for technology integration (project management software, bar coding for chain of custody, GIS mapping, etc.)
• People Management: Experience supervising both senior and junior staff, motivating staff, managing team morale, incentivizing performance, and managing disciplinary issues; experience hiring and firing all levels of staff – from frontline workers to senior managers
• Project Management: Strong background managing complex projects; high competency creating, managing, and executing project plans; passion for systems and process-improvement projects to scale high-quality operations with strong attention to building key performance indicators into systems
• Training & Mentorship: Interest and passion for professional development and training of all levels of staff
• Communication: Excellent writing/verbal, interpersonal, public speaking, and presentation skills
• Willingness to Travel: Some travel will be required within Kenya; also possibly occasional international travel
• Preferred:
• Organizational Growth: Proven ability to build and substantially grow an organization; start-up experience is even better; organization redesign experience also a plus
• Experience in Farm Extension: Experience building farmer extension networks, consolidating produce from smallholders and moving it through entire value chain
• Forestry and Wood Processing: Growing, harvesting & processing trees for high-margin wood products

Wanted: Mid-career (5+ years experience) business, development, agricultural or environmental professional with operational experience to help aggressively scale field operations

Industry: Social Business/International Development/Start-Up/Non-profit
Employer: KOMAZA
Position: Program Manager
Commitment: 2 years minimum, longer preferred
Location: Kilifi, Kenya
Comp/Benefits: Modest, provides for a comfortable standard of living in Kilifi, Kenya
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Start Date: As soon as available

Collaborating closely with KOMAZA leadership and field staff leadership, the Operations Program Manager will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing operational systems, including identifying areas for improvement, and planning and managing the design and implementation approach. This role is focused on developing and improving the overall KOMAZA program rather than day-to-day operations by managing a team of diverse and talented international and Kenyan staff. The Program Manager is given significant ownership of operational business decisions. Areas and projects for which the Program Manager may be responsible for include:

• Ongoing Support of Field Operations: Assisting with the planning and logistics of planting, maintenance, and harvest activities; assisting with the planning and logistics of field expansion plans
• Operational Strategy: Researching short term crop production and native reforestation programs; developing tree growth models to inform strategic operational decisions
• Operational Process Improvements:
• Logistics: Researching and identifying a cost effective and operationally appropriate water delivery system for planting
• Tree Maintenance: Implementing an effective Integrated Pest Management Program to be used by field staff to minimize pesticide use (and costs) without affecting tree health
• Tree Nursery Research and Development: Researching nursery production and consulting with industry experts to develop an operational nursery on our experimental farm
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Building on existing operational monitoring and evaluation systems, assist in creating a best-in-class and scalable operational tracking model
• Value Chain Enhancement: Building out networks and buyer/supply channels in the coastal wood market; initiating a mobile wood processing program to build organizational capacity
• Training: Developing additional content in an operational manual for field staff that can be used as a reference document during training and work in the field

Field Component: This role, while based in the Kilifi town office, may have a hands-on field component that can be challenging. The work may involve: long, dirty and uncomfortable bus/motorcycle rides, basic rustic facilities, work in areas far from any infrastructure (stores, electricity, paved roads), hours spent outside in the equatorial sun and heat.

• Education and Relevant Work Experience:
• 5+ years work experience in NGO, international business, agroforestry, or similarly related fields; at least 2+ years in a management capacity with evidence of strong project management abilities
• Knowledge and understanding of development context, as well as of operational systems and/or agroforestry field
• Top performing academic background with a bachelor of science in forestry, agriculture, or similar; or solid non-profit/business management background (MBA strongly preferred)
• Effective Management Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse team, including giving guidance and direction, helping to set priorities and manage workloads, mentoring and motivating team
• Excellent Communicator: Personable yet persistent; ability to manage expectations; build consensus and influence decision-making process; excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent Project Management Skills: Knowledge and experience with project management cycles
• Decisiveness: Excellent problem-solving skills and business judgment; aptitude for involving others internal to the organization and outside information to arrive at well thought-out conclusions and decisions
• Cultural Sensitivity: High emotional intelligence and ability to adapt to local cultural norms and communication styles
• Execution with Strong Attention to Detail and Flexibility: Executing projects/tasks and implementing recommendations with strong attention to detail; ability to create backup plans and be flexible in sometimes logistically challenging environments
• Patience and a Sense of Humor: Please see the FAQs on the KOMAZA recruiting website for a more detailed description of important "fit" criteria
• Preferred:
• Experience in social enterprise
• Significant work/volunteer experience in a developing country
• Kiswahili
• Serious desire to commit to living and working overseas

Wanted: Early-career (2-4+ years experience) business or non-profit professional with top qualifications in forestry, agriculture, or environmental backgrounds to assess, develop, and implement programs and systems to support the operations of a young, international social business working in the agroforestry field

Industry: Social Business/International Development/Start-Up/Non-profit
Employer: KOMAZA
Position: Operations Associate
Commitment: 1 year minimum, 2+ years preferred
Location: Kilifi, Kenya
Comp/Benefits: Modest, provides for a comfortable standard of living in Kilifi, Kenya
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Start Date: As soon as available

Collaborating closely with KOMAZA managers and field staff, the Operations Associate will be responsible for researching, designing, and implementing agroforestry programs and systems that enable KOMAZA to grow and scale effectively. Operations Associates are given significant responsibility and must be able to deliver high quality projects in a demanding and sometimes challenging environment. Projects and responsibilities may vary depending on organizational needs and experience. Examples include:

• Ongoing Support of Field Operations: Assisting with the planning and logistics of planting, maintenance, and harvest activities; assisting with the planning and logistics of field expansion plans
• Operational Strategy: Researching short term crop production and native reforestation programs; developing tree growth models to inform strategic operational decisions
• Operational Process Improvements:
• Logistics: Researching and identifying a cost effective and operationally appropriate water delivery system for planting
• Tree Maintenance: Implementing an effective Integrated Pest Management Program to be used by field staff to minimize pesticide use (and costs) without affecting tree health
• Tree Nursery Research and Development: Researching nursery production and consulting with industry experts to develop an operational nursery on our experimental farm
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Building on existing operational monitoring and evaluation systems, assist in creating a best-in-class and scalable operational tracking model
• Value Chain Enhancement: Building out networks and buyer/supply channels in the coastal wood market; initiating a mobile wood processing program to build organizational capacity
• Training: Developing additional content in an operational manual for field staff that can be used as a reference document during training and work in the field

Field Component: This role, while based in the Kilifi town office, may have a hands-on field component that can be challenging. The work may involve: long, dirty and uncomfortable bus/motorcycle rides, basic rustic facilities, work in areas far from any infrastructure (stores, electricity, paved roads), hours spent outside in the equatorial sun and heat.

• Education and Relevant Work Experience:
• 2-4+ years experience in operational systems development that involved project management and developing operational tools to streamline logistics and operational monitoring
• Top performing academic background with a bachelor of science in forestry, agriculture, or similar; or solid non-profit/business management background (MBA preferred)
• Evidence of the ability to excel in a position focused on process improvement and system development from design through implementation
• Independent Manager: Self-managing; managing multiple projects and deadlines; taking ownership over independent projects; developing work plan, goals, and deadlines; understanding of overall project management process
• Analytical Rigor: Excellent problem-solving skills and business judgment; ability to think "big picture" (e.g. milestone setting to plant with 10,000 farmers) as well as dig into details (e.g. how to quickly get 100 barrels to farmers with no vehicles and poor road infrastructure)
• Execution with Strong Attention to Detail and Flexibility: Executing projects/tasks and implementing recommendations with strong attention to detail; ability to create backup plans and be flexible in sometimes logistically challenging environments
• Strong and Proactive Communicator: Personable yet persistent; contributing to important organization-wide decisions through building consensus and influencing decision-making; adapting to local cultural norms and communication styles; developing detailed and high-quality written materials
• Patience and a Sense of Humor: Please see the FAQs on the KOMAZA recruiting website for a more detailed description of important "fit" criteria
• Preferred:
• Experience in non-profit operations and international organizations
• Work/volunteer experience in a developing country
• Kiswahili
• Serious desire to commit to living and working overseas

Wanted: Early- to mid- career (3-5+ years experience or MBA) business professional with top auditing, banking or corporate development background to build/ manage finance & accounting related systems, prepare budgets and make informed recommendations on achievable long-term financial targets for a young, international social business

Industry: Social Business/International Development/Start-Up/Non-profit
Employer: KOMAZA
Position: Operations Associate
Commitment: 1 year minimum, 2+ years preferred
Location: Kilifi, Kenya
Comp/Benefits: Modest, provides for a comfortable standard of living in Kilifi, Kenya
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Start Date: As soon as available

Working closely with KOMAZA managers, the Finance Associate will be responsible for managing the finance and accounting systems to support the typical day-to-day business and make informed decisions regarding allocation of budget for expansion initiatives, salaries and capital expenditures. Responsibilities will include:

• Financial Budgeting and Forecasting: Prepare annual budgets closely with the leadership team which establishes salaries, general operating expenses, program expenses, and level of funding and manage financial budgeting and forecasting processes, to ensure alignment with and achievement of organizational strategies and priorities
• Financial Reporting: Develop and refine internal financial processes, including the production of detailed monthly expenses reports, quarterly budget vs. actual reports and mid-year/annual financial statements. Provide narrative and analysis for the leadership team to measure performance, identify problem areas, and support organizational decisions
• Compliance: Work with external auditors (in Kenya and US) to prepare annual audited financial statements, including Form 990 and other filing requirements
• Accounting Staff Management: Supervise the work of the accounting department; hire and retain support staff as needed in the future. Oversee standard monthly journal entries including prepaid items, equipment/depreciation, and other accruals/reversals
• Improvements to Accounting System: Implement accounting policies, processes, and internal controls to improve and maintain systems for tracking expenses and increasing staff efficiency
• Cost Saving Initiatives: Analyze historical expenses and suggest areas where KOMAZA can improve on its cost structure
• Explore New Ventures: Determine financial feasibility of pursuing new ventures (e.g., carbon credits, non-tree crops, etc.)
• Authorize Capital Expenditures: Authorize major capital costs budgeted to meet long-term objectives and prepare tools to monitor ROI

• Education and Relevant Work Experience:
• 3-5+ years experience in auditing, banking, corporate development or similar industry that involved project management and developing financial tools to prepare budgets and long-term forecasts; or MBA with 1-2+ years of relevant experience
• Evidence of the ability to excel in a position with complex operational systems
• Analytical Whiz: Building/maintaining complex Excel models (strategic projections, operational); exceptional problem solving and analytical skills with outstanding business judgment, ability to think "big picture" as well as dig into details
• Independent Manager: Self-managing; managing multiple projects and deadlines; taking ownership over independent projects; budgeting; developing work plan, goals, and deadlines
• Execution with Strong Attention to Detail: Executing projects/tasks and implementing recommendations with systematic attention to detail
• Strong and Proactive Communicator: Personable yet persistent; contributing to important organization-wide decisions; adapting to local cultural norms and communication styles; developing detailed and high-quality written materials
• Patience and a Sense of Humor: Please see the FAQs on the KOMAZA recruiting website for a more detailed description of important "fit" criteria
• Preferred:
• Experience in non-profit accounting and international organizations
• Work/volunteer experience in a developing country
• Quickbooks (or similar) software experience
• Accounting certification
• Serious desire to commit to living and working overseas

Wanted: Experienced and motivated professional to provide key administrative support to KOMAZA's CEO and set up the Bay Area office in the US

Industry: Social Business/International Development/Start-Up/Non-profit
Employer: KOMAZA
Position: Executive Assistant
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA
Comp/Benefits: Pay commensurate with experience
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Start Date: As soon as available

Our founder and CEO splits his time between the United States and Kenya. His primary activities are fundraising in the United States and overseeing strategic decision making in Kenya. KOMAZA is growing quickly and is looking for committed individuals to join its management team.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated professional to provide key administrative support to our CEO and set up the Bay Area office. S/he will also serve as the USA representative for KOMAZA and liaison for our operational headquarters in Kilifi, Kenya. Responsibilities will include:

• Schedule and coordinate meetings, phone calls, and travel arrangements
• Delegate requests on CEO's behalf to other managers and junior staff
• Manage contacts and prepare the CEO for conferences
• Manage correspondence: screen and respond to general inquiries; draft responses as appropriate
• Research foundations and donors; brief the CEO for meetings and networking opportunities
• Liaise with other staff remotely (by email and phone), serve as the USA contact for our diverse and dynamic team based on the ground in coastal Kenya
• Manage the CEO's calendar in the USA and Kenya; maintain a big picture understanding of ongoing priorities and manage the CEO's time accordingly
• Organize strategic fundraising events in the Bay Area and nationally
• Review materials for the External Relations team, including grant applications and fundraising documents
• Coordinate local media events
• Perform other administrative duties as needed

The ideal candidate will be a professional who understands our mission and appreciates the critical importance of a high-quality EA to a young, rapidly expanding organization. Applicants must have:

• At least 5 years of experience providing administrative support at the executive level
• Sense of humor and easygoing personality
• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Meticulous attention to detail to coordinate heavy scheduling and travel
• Refined written and verbal communication skills and the ability to clearly convey project details
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact with executive contacts
• Polished demeanor and poise under pressure
• Autonomy to work independently with little supervision
• Initiative to take on additional responsibilities as assigned
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

Please email ea@komaza.org with the following materials and "Executive Assistant" in the subject line:

• Résumé
• Cover letter including your expected salary and earliest available start date
• Professional writing sample (maximum 1 page) that you feel is relevant to the position
• Qualified candidates will be required to provide at least two professional references