Value Chain Development Specialist at DAI Kenya - Development Alternatives, Inc.

Value Chain Development Specialist Job Responsibilities

• Advises on the design of strategies and policies related to agricultural marketing and inclusive and sustainable agri-food value chain development;
• Develops concepts, methodologies, guidelines and indicators for agricultural marketing and inclusive and sustainable agri-food value chain development;
• Advises EAC partner states through reviews and the provision of technical advice and capacity development on agricultural marketing and agri-food value chains development:
• Performs the analysis of selected agricultural sectors/food chains, including food security and food safety issues and assesses the feasibility of agribusiness investment projects;
• Analyses the constraints and opportunities related to agribusiness investment options with emphasis on the functionality of markets, support services, trade policies, market institutions and organizations, risk management systems and private sector engagement;
• Organizes and facilitates discussions on agribusiness investment-related policy issues involving representatives of the private and public sector, with a view to reach consensus on improved policies;
• Provides technical assistance and advice to agribusiness investment projects in the field of marketing;
• Provides technical assistance to EAC and EAC partner states with respect to: agricultural value chain development, agricultural supply chain management, private sector development, business development services and marketing;
• Analyses and provides technical advice on regional and international trade facilitation and policy and investment promotion;
• Develops and maintains strong partnerships with private sector organizations, cooperatives, partners, collaborators and financial institutions;
• Draft concept notes, various memos and reports for internal and external consumption;
• Assist with development of SOW for short term technical assistance (STTA), supervision of consultants and quality assurance of products of STTA; and,
• Represent the Hub in meetings, presentations, and other dialogues with Governments, RECs, other partners, collaborators and donors organizations

Qualifications for the Value Chain Development Specialist Job

• Advanced university degree in Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics or other relevant discipline related to Agricultural or Agribusiness Development
• Five to seven years of relevant experience in the areas of agro-industry systems development, agri-food industry economics and management or related field
• A good knowledge of international and regional trade, and/or regional integration, preferably in the Eastern Africa region;
• Extensive relevant experience working in similar donor funded regional projects, preferably USAID-funded projects, in the Eastern and Southern Africa region;
• Extensive relevant knowledge of value added transformation and technologies of food and agricultural materials through processing, packaging, handling and storage, including product quality aspects within food and commodity chains;
• Extensive relevant experience in working collaboratively with institutional and private sector partners and stakeholders in a multi-country setting;
• Extensive relevant experience in organizing international meetings, seminars and training courses in the technical general area of agro-industries development;
• Extensive knowledge in strengthening women’s and youth participation in regional staple foods value chains;
• Excellent English writing and communication skills; and,
• Ability to use the latest ICT technology and computer software programs.

Reporting

The Value Chain Development Specialist Country (VCDS) will report directly to the Director of Agriculture and Agribusiness but will work closely with the other component Directors.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None. There is significant communication and interaction with partners.

Base of Operations

Nairobi, Kenya with some travel to Eastern African Countries.