Agribusiness Development Specialist at National Employment Authority (NEA)

Job Purpose

• The Agribusiness Development Specialist will work closely with the Community Development Specialist, Agronomist, NRM Specialist and Livestock Specialist, the Agribusiness Development Specialist will be responsible for promotion and coordination of agribusiness activities in the Programme.

Key Responsibilities

• Market-Oriented Agribusiness Models Guiding service providers in provision of value chain support activities to target beneficiaries including the promotion of entrepreneurial skills in farmer organizations and other stakeholders. Coordinating the development of marketing strategies for commodities promoted by the Programme and monitoring the implementation of these strategies. Facilitating linkages and contracts between farmers/ groups and business development service providers (stakeholders) including distributors, local promoters etc. In liaison with M&E Officer, develop appropriate monitoring and evaluation tools and initiate appropriate impact surveys/studies.
• Agri-finance and Partnerships Facilitating the linkage of income generating activity (IGA) groups with financial service providers, in liaison with the other Programme Specialists. In liaison with Knowledge Management and Learning Officer, identifying and supporting innovative business models to ensure systematic documentation of the same for learning, adaptation and sharing through the project knowledge management system.
• Value Addition and Post-Harvest Management Ensuring adequate synergies and linkages between providers of post-harvest management services, market support services and financial services of the Programme, in collaboration with the Programme Specialists. Guiding the preparation and implementation of the various value chain related activities/studies.
• Producer Organizations and Cooperatives Capacity building project beneficiaries on agribusiness issues and other business-related aspects. Facilitating in identification of capacity needs of the target beneficiaries and relevant value chain actors and designing training modules to address the gaps.
• Championing the formation of apex organizations including cooperatives, user groups etc. among the project beneficiaries for the various enterprises promoted by the Programme. In liaison with other Specialists, review business plans of the common interest groups, Community Forest Association/Water Resource User Associations and other project groups and advising them on how to develop bankable business proposals for their enterprises. Support and train beneficiaries in effective enterprise organization and management with emphasis on farming as a business and good governance.
• Other Duties Participating in preparation of the Annual Work Plan &Budgets and periodic progress reports Undertake any other relevant duties assigned by the National Programme Coordinator.

Academic Qualifications/Professional Skills/Expertise:    

• Holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Finance, Business Administration or any other related field from a recognized university.

Applicable Professional Experience

• Have at least seven (years) years of continuous work experience in a similar field, five (5) years of which must have been at a senior management position in GoK/Development Partner funded projects.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating agribusiness development, value chain analysis and building capacities of value chain actors. Experience in coordinating and collaborating with partners including private enterprises, community-based organizations and NGOs working on livelihood diversification and enhancement. Demonstrated experience in working with communities in similar engagement.
• Competencies and Skills Team player and can work with minimum supervision. Knowledge of technologies and issues in value chain development, inclusive finance, business development and rural livelihoods. Strong computer skills; and Strong leadership and communication skills.