Technical Specialist - Market Systems at World Vision Kenya

Job Responsibilities:

Program Implementation

• In consultation with the Senior Program Manager develop and implement plans for market development activities in the program
• Identify and develop resources required by respective counties to successfully implement, monitor and evaluate sustainable natural resources-based VCs, financial inclusion and other outcomes related to commercialization within the program
• Implement operational work plans related market systems in accordance with the budget, results framework, and administrative guidelines approved by the Program Steering Committee (PSC);
• Participate in budget processes and periodic budget reviews for IMARA program
• Stay abreast of new developments in market systems, livelihoods and financial inclusion, and participate actively in related technical working groups and forums;
• With Marketing Systems Advisor, identify viable and sustainable niche markets for natural; resources-based value chains including non-traditional wood products such as gums and raisins and link them to producers groups in respective counties;
• Facilitate the County specific Producer/marketing/Commercial Groups engage the keys market players through collective price negotiations, contracts and/or warehouse receipting;
• Facilitate promotion, establishment and reporting of village based Savings and Credit schemes through Savings for Transformation and onward linkage with formal financial service providers;
• Facilitate various Business Development Support Interventions in collaboration with key stakeholders
• Initiate various contextualized value natural resource-based chain development activities
• Initiate linkages between the producers, input suppliers, financial institutions, traders, private sector players, government and other actors along natural resource-based chains
• Provide technical assistance in the areas of NRM, agricultural/ livestock productivity, seed systems and agricultural/livestock value chains
• Coordinate the adoption of new marketing approaches in NRM, Agriculture/Livestock and Livelihoods development
• Implement decisions made by the Program Steering Committee (PSC) and the County Program Steering Committee (CPSC);
• Technical support to the program team in launching tenders and calls for proposal; contract service providers and implementing entities;
• Identify and facilitate establishment suitable innovative marketing information system (MIS) for the priority natural resource-based chains
• Monitor progress of work plan implementation, identifying issues (technical and coordination) and formulate solutions to address the identified issues and;
• Coordinate regular learning events and establishment of contractual engagements between various value chain actors
• Establish County multi-stakeholder marketing forum/platforms

Quality Assurance: Design Monitoring & Evaluation and Reporting

• Ensure development and roll out of County Program, policies, guidelines and strategies
• Facilitate the county in development of a detailed marketing systems and strategies for priority natural; resources-based value chains commodities that aligns with the county integrated development plans
• Develop operational work plans (AOPs) in accordance with the budget, results framework, and administrative guidelines approved by the Program Steering Committee (PSC);
• In consultation with the IMARA MEAL Coordinator develop a MEAL plan for market development activities in the program
• Ensure effective integration of traders mapping and market monitoring interventions with other programs in the program
• Track, in liaison with Program Manager and Accountant, program implementation expenditure levels and manage work plans and budgets;
• Timely mobilization and effective communication with various market actors, communities and stakeholders during baselines and evaluations
• Conduct periodic market assessment and develop relevant recommendations to be integrated in program planning
• Support the IMARA MEAL Coordinator to develop annual learning agenda, data analysis from the field and producing customized reports for various applications/interventions and;
• Support the County Program Steering Team in compiling reports every six months to be provided to the Secretariat that summarizes L & R program achievements, key challenges, lessons learned to date and detailing budget expenditures and investment plans from all stakeholders.

Capacity Building

• Lead capacity building to ensure understanding and facilitate support to implementation
• Facilitate training needs identification for community producer groups, county staff and other public and private partners;
• Facilitate Business Development Support Services trainings to consortium staff, partners as well as community groups
• Organize for program staff to participate in relevant financial and market development related trainings.

Advocacy, Engagement and Networking

• Ensure that the key laws, policies, regulations and government service delivery standards in marketing systems and financial inclusion are shared, interpreted and explained to communities
• Effectively represent the program in stakeholder meetings at county and sub-county levels.
• Report on resource mobilization opportunities at county and sub-county level
• Provide information to inform fund raising initiatives at national level
• Work with the County Departments of Agriculture, Cooperative development, Trade, Social Services, Devolution & Planning, and Enterprise Development for technical directions and leveraging of resources to support Economic Development interventions in the Program.
• Facilitate community members to advocate on Economic Empowerment issues to relevant stakeholders;
• Work with Private sector, other NGOs, CBOs , FBOs, Committees and Groups with related objectives for synergy and sustainability and;
• Support community, sub-county and county level forums that facilitate identification of hindrances to effective market systems and marketing infrastructure

Other Responsibilities

• Carry out any duties that may be assigned from time to time by the Manager

Qualifications: Education/Knowledge/Technical Skills and Experience

The following may be acquired through a combination of formal and prior experience or on-the-job training:

• A degree in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness Management, and Marketing, or any other related discipline.
• At least 4 years’ experience in designing, planning, implementing, supervising and reporting on integrated sustainable resource-based Value chains marketing, Business Development and/or Livelihoods programming in ASAL context is added advantage
• A broad grasp of socio - economic policy issues with respect to NRM, Agriculture, range management and marketing in both in rural often fragile settings
• Technical knowledge in NRM, Agriculture/Food security, Nutrition, Livestock and other Livelihoods, Social Protection, Gender issues and Youth inclusion
• Experience in working with partners, county governments, civil society, donors and local communities;
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills
• The ability to work independently, think innovatively and strategically and work effectively within a team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure and strict deadlines
• Strong financial/budget management skills required