Project Advisor Livelihoods, Youth and Business at SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

Company Description

In its Strategic Plan period (2019 – 2022), SNV is more explicitly aiming for structural change and scale in its programmes, as well as bringing knowledge and initiatives from different programmes together at country level to contribute to systems change. We will continue to position ourselves as a learning organisation striving for excellence and invest in making knowledge flow to and from the frontline. For more information on SNV, visit our website: www.snv.org

Overview of the project

SNV Kenya (SNV) and Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) – in collaboration with three County Governments – are implementing the Integrated & Climate Smart Innovations for Agro-Pastoralist Economies and Landscapes in Kenya’s ASAL project (ICSIAPL) implemented under the EU Development Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA) action. The three-year project is being implemented in the Counties of Narok, Kajiado and Taita Taveta with funding from the European Union and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya.

The project’s overall objective is to improve livelihoods of agro-pastoralist communities (including women and youth) through improved forage and livestock production and management, building on commercialization of climate smart innovations and sustainable landscape management practices.

The project will be completed by December 2023.

Job Description

The Advisor livelihoods, youth and business will support the Business Innovation Advisor in the implementation of the Innovation Fund and the Seed Voucher Facility.

This will start with the invitation of applications, screening of applications and selecting applications for granting. In the implementation phase, the Advisor will support the Business Innovation Advisor with the coaching of the approved applicants on compliance, monitoring and reporting in regard to the approved investment proposals. In addition, the Advisor will support them – if relevant – by providing linkages to technical advisors or to input suppliers, service providers and the market.

The advisor will also coach the various partners or clients (i.e. cooperatives, conservancies, ranches) of the project with the implementation of the MoUs with the project. For the implementation of these MoUs, or part thereof, some clients may access the Innovation Fund and/or the Seed Voucher Facility.

The advisor will report to the Business Innovation Advisor and the Project Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the review of applications in line with evaluation and scoring criteria and the contracting process;
• Support implementation of the Innovation Fund and the Seed Voucher Facility in line with its charter and the grant agreements or contracts with the beneficiaries;
• Coach selected applications with their investment proposals, reporting and compliance.
• Support if relevant business linkages between the applicant and input suppliers, service providers (including advisory) and the market, where this will contribute to the success of the approved investment proposals or the MoUs in place.
• Further build, strengthen and manage partnerships with local government, key partners, institutions and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• A relevant advanced academic qualification (Masters degree level or more);
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience around donor-funded development projects, preferably with a focus on PSD and MMW4P concepts.
• Highly-motivated, pro-active and independent;
• Background in/understanding of agriculture value chain development and youth employment;
• Experience in livelihood;
• Demonstrated experience in managing various stakeholders;
• Excellent social skills, ability to engage with the private sector, civil society and governments;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Able to work in a multi-cultural environment.

Additional Information

Contract Duration:                International Employment Contract until 31-12-2023

Expected Start Date:             01-01-2022