Food for Education (F4E)

Community Associate – Food for Education (F4E)

Location: Kenya (Various Regions)
Job Type: Full-Time
Reporting to: Community Manager
Application Deadline: 15th November 2024
Number of Positions: 6

Introduction

Food for Education (F4E) is an African-led, women-led social enterprise committed to improving the nutrition and education outcomes of primary school children across Kenya. With a mission to scale efficient supply chain models that prioritize sustainable sourcing, F4E has provided over 55 million meals since 2012. The organization is on track to serve 1 million public school students daily by 2027. As we grow, we continue to lead with innovation in technology, logistics, and operations to lower the cost of school lunches and improve the lives of children across Kenya.

The Community Associate role is a key position within F4E, contributing to the organization’s rapid expansion. In this role, you will manage relationships with stakeholders at multiple levels, from local government officials to school administrators, to ensure F4E’s growth into new schools and regions. If you are a strategic thinker, relationship-builder, and proactive problem-solver, this role offers an incredible opportunity to help expand a transformative program that directly improves children’s lives.

Key Responsibilities

Stakeholder Relationship Management

Cultivate and manage strong relationships with key sub-county stakeholders, including Sub-County Directors of Education, Teachers Service Commission officers, and local government officials.
Build lasting connections with stakeholders such as OCPDs, area chiefs, public health offices, and school boards to support F4E’s entry into new regions.
Ensure the seamless operation of F4E programs by managing logistical challenges and ensuring full regulatory compliance at the local level.

Growth and Capacity Management

Collaborate with the operations team to identify new schools that can be integrated into F4E’s service pipeline as kitchen capacity becomes available.
Manage the logistical setup and launch of new school feeding programs by coordinating with kitchen staff, school administrators, and local authorities.
Support the scale-up of services by proactively identifying opportunities to optimize kitchen capacity and streamline meal delivery operations.

Project and Partnership Development

Lead the development of community projects focused on improving student well-being and promoting community engagement in F4E’s mission.
Conduct market research to assess new growth opportunities in targeted counties and sub-counties, ensuring that F4E services are tailored to local needs.
Build and maintain a pipeline of potential school partnerships and collaborate with internal teams to create solutions that align with F4E’s goals.

Policy and Advocacy Support

Contribute to the development and delivery of F4E’s policy and advocacy strategy by engaging with local governments, school boards, and community leaders.
Advocate for policy changes and increased support for F4E’s school feeding programs through strategic partnerships with government officials at the county and sub-county levels.
Help enforce regulatory compliance in all schools and communities where F4E operates.

Qualifications and Skills

Educational Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Social Sciences, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field.

Experience

A minimum of 2 years of experience in community engagement, stakeholder management, or public sector relations.
Preferably, experience within the education, development, or NGO sectors.

Skills Required

Proven ability to build and manage relationships with government officials, school administrators, and community leaders.
Strong project management skills, including experience with multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Excellent communication skills, with fluency in English and Kiswahili.
Ability to think strategically and identify opportunities for expanding community partnerships and improving service delivery.
A deep understanding of the Kenyan education landscape, including local government structures and school administration practices.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

Personal Attributes

A highly motivated and results-driven individual who is passionate about improving access to education and the well-being of students.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively influence and advocate for F4E’s mission.
A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset capable of thriving in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Willingness to relocate and travel across Kenya to support F4E’s growth.

Company Culture and Values

At Food for Education, we believe that innovation, efficiency, and community collaboration are the cornerstones of our success. As a rapidly growing social enterprise, we provide our team members with a unique opportunity to help scale impactful programs while working in a supportive and inclusive environment. Our team is passionate about making a difference, and we encourage a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

By joining F4E, you will be part of a team dedicated to delivering sustainable, life-changing solutions to children in underserved communities across Kenya. You will also have the opportunity to shape the future of school feeding programs in Kenya and beyond.

Career Growth and Development

Food for Education is committed to supporting the growth and development of our employees. We offer a strong culture of learning and provide our team members with regular feedback and career reviews. You will have weekly check-ins with your manager, and we conduct career reviews every six months to ensure alignment with your professional aspirations. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape a growing organization and build a rewarding, long-term career in the education and social enterprise sectors.

Equal Opportunity Employment

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.

Apply Now for the Community Associate Role

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of Kenyan children and contributing to a mission-driven organization, we want to hear from you. To apply for the Community Associate position, please submit your application online by 15th November 2024. Include your CV and a cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and why you are the ideal candidate for this role. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

To apply for this job please visit foodforeducation.keka.com.