Job Opportunities at SNV

About REALMS

The Regenerative Agricultural practices for improved Livelihoods and Markets (REALMS) project aims to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Western Kenya and Western Rwanda through creating conditions for the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices. Both project areas are characterized by high population growth and increased demand for food, increasingly degraded lands, fragile landscapes and weakened livelihoods. By creating the appropriate conditions for the adoption by smallholders of regenerative agricultural practices the REALMS project will tackle these challenges.

Job Description

SNV is seeking an experienced professional agronomist with expertise in areas of conservation agriculture, agroecology, soil conservation and climate smart agricultural practices. The position holder will be responsible for guiding adoption of regenerative agricultural practices by farmers and agro-enterprises. S/he will coordinate with the project team and partners to contribute to analysis that will identify and stimulate investments for effective regenerative production systems. S/he will provide support to SMEs and farmer groups/cooperatives on the most appropriate climate integration strategies, which enhance income of producers and agribusinesses. The incumbent will contribute to the joint learning of smallholder producers agro-enterprises adoption of regenerative agriculture.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide appropriate and targeted technical advice or assistance to REALMS, project staff and consultants on activities linked to the project.
• Mentor and coach staff members and partner CSO partners on green growth agenda
• Develop and apply training methods appropriate to the needs of the smallholder farmers and their organizations
• Gather and manage relevant knowledge (e.g. training materials such as manuals)
• Act as a focal point for any potential research project related to agronomy in the REALMS project
• Act as focal point for potential research initiative in liaison with the M&E Officer
• Support partner organizations in their awareness raising and agroecology capacity linked to increasing adoption of regenerative and circular food systems especially by the smallholder farmers.
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of partner organizations in all activities related to REALMS.
• Support and accompany the partner organizations in developing and applying their own monitoring systems as well as assessing and managing the risks
• Ensure strong communication and co-ordination with partner organizations, target groups and key stakeholders related to the regenerative agriculture and agroecology
• Revise reports submitted by partner organizations regarding issues linked to REALMS
• Submit visit reports to coordination office after each project visit
• Network with like-minded organizations in the field of agronomy in close collaboration with the other REALMS colleagues.

Qualifications

• At least a Bachelors degree and preferably a Masters level in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, soil and water sciences, or related field from a recognized university. 
• At least 5 years in promotion of conservation agriculture, climate smart agriculture, and soil and water conservation.
• Experience working with farmers and demonstrated experience as an advisor on agronomy, sustainable agriculture and organic farming with proved competences in one or several of the following fields: agroforestry, bio intensive gardening, sustainable land management practices, mixed cultivation, seed production and storage, climate change adaptation and mitigation, water harvesting and/or disaster risk reduction
• Proven competences in knowledge management and dissemination
• Proven competences in project management and PCM instruments
• Experience with working with farmers’ groups and agro-enterprises with special attention to gender integration and social inclusivity approaches.
• Excellent written and oral skills in English and Kiswahili
• Excellent IT-skills (word, excel, power point)
• Ability to plan, set priorities and multitask
• Proven ability to work autonomously, in teams and multidisciplinary
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; networking skills an asset
• Knowledge and experience in participatory approaches, gender approaches and/or working with youth an asset

go to method of application »

About the Project

The Veggies 4 Planet & People (V4P&P) is a five-year, project being implemented by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) and World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) with the support of the IKEA Foundation. The project is implemented in two countries: Ethiopia and Kenya.

The overall project objectives are:

• To create jobs and income, particularly for youth and women, in the vegetable sector in Ethiopia and Kenya
• To improve environmental and human health through safe production of vegetables.

In Kenya, the project aims to achieve this by establishing 120 vegetable business networks to engage an estimated 2,400 women and youth in market activities designed to improve their livelihoods and diets.

The V4P&P project has four main outcome areas:

1. Identification, assessment and strengthening of Vegetable Business Networks (VBNs)
2. Promotion of use of regenerative and circular technologies in vegetable production
3. Building of strong commercial vegetable seed systems
4. Awareness and demand creation for sustainable technologies, business services, seeds, other inputs, and safe vegetables and vegetable products.

The project uses an action-oriented approach in which new tools and technologies are developed, piloted, and scaled through Vegetable Business Networks (VBNs). VBNs are groups of people that are formed around an existing vegetable business champion who engage in collective action to access information, training, financial- or other services, input- or output markets, or enter a vegetable business together. The VBNs will be supported by the project through training and coaching services. The project will design, pilot and scale innovative regenerative vegetable production and post-harvest technologies.

Job Description

The scope of work in Kenya will cover strengthening and facilitating formation of VBN (Vegetable Business Networks) among smallholder farmers especially the youth and women. The consultant will work within the Veggies for Planet and People project team and report to the Project Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in identification, assessment, and selection of VBNs
• Stakeholder Mapping and Selection; selection of model farmers, input suppliers, product up-takers/markets, irrigation equipment suppliers and other service providers based on agreed criteria
• Assist in training of VBN stakeholders in good agricultural practices, regenerative technologies, value chain development, group strengthening, market linkages etc
• Working closely with local service providers to ensure implementation of capacity development interventions for VBNs are done
• Coordinate various inputs to VBNs by other project resource people and partners; SNV advisors, research institutions, and other partner organizations.
• Regularly monitoring of VBN activities at ground level and data collection using AKVO Flow
• Coordinate and foster collaboration with other projects working in similar value chains
• Contribute to knowledge development in the project by developing reports, documenting stories of change and contributing to on-farm research reports
• Training of VBN farmers on vegetable production and marketing models
• Facilitating farmer learning and knowledge development through field days and exchange visits;
• Supporting establishment/strengthening farmer aggregation and marketing enterprises
• Preparing periodical project reports

Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant discipline; Agribusiness, Horticulture, Business Studies,
• Thorough and up to date knowledge of academic and donor thinking in the respective thematic field like youth employment and enterprise development;
• Three (3) years’ work experience in an international (development) organization and sound experience in thematic area of working with smallholder farmers on horticulture production and markets;
• Technical knowledge and familiarity in specific topics of value chain development for small holder farmer’s production, markets, food safety, food losses, resilience etc.
• Skills in agriculture market systems approaches and value chain development processes; including stakeholder engagement; the public sector actors, Research institutions, private sector and consumer organisations.
• Experience with Capacity Development of farmer organizations;
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a multicultural teams;
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills and experience working in a matrix organization;
• Ability to travel to project locations

go to method of application »

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Sector

In WASH, SNV aims to impact the lives of under-served communities in rural, peri-urban, and small town areas to improve their health and well-being through contribution to (1) adequate and sustainable access to safe, sufficient, and reliable drinking water; (2) access to improved sanitation and; (3) sustained hygiene behavior  change as part of daily routines. SNV does this through a programmatic approach in the following key areas:

1. Sustainable Sanitation and Hygiene for All (SSH4A);
2. Area wide Rural Water Supply Services (ARWSS);
3. Urban Sanitation & Hygiene for Health and Development (USHHD)
4. Urban Water Supply Services (UWSS)

ENDING DROUGHT EMERGENCIES - CLIMATE PROOFED INFRASTRUCTURE FOR IMPROVED WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION IN ARID AND SEMI-ARID LAND AREAS PROGRAMME (EDE-CPIRA)

SNV is implementing the Ending Drought Emergencies - Climate Proofed Infrastructure for Improved Water Supply and Sanitation in Arid and Semi-arid Land Areas programme (EDE-CPIRA). The programme is in partnership with the Water Sector Trust Fund and eight Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) - Baringo, West Pokot, Samburu, Mandera, Kajiado, Kitui, Taita Taveta and Kilifi Counties. The objective of SNV in this programme is to pilot Public Private Community Partnerships (PPCPs) as well as other private sector participation approaches in the eight target ASAL counties to address the challenge of non-functionality in rural water systems.

BACKGROUND TO SERVICE DELIVERY MODELS

Kenya is classified as a water scarce country and therefore emphasis is placed on conservation and prudent use of the available potable water resource. Still, both the UN (through resolution 64/292, 2010) and the Constitution of Kenya (2010) recognise access to water and sanitation as a basic human right. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) no. 6 aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation, while the target is to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030.

Utilities and sector at large have struggled to address inefficiencies in service delivery, and this has led to huge financial losses, slow growth in access and opportunity cost to the consumers. Water provision at utility level is shrouded by numerous inefficiencies which hamper effective service delivery. This is further compounded by chronic lack of data to measure performance output and set the sector on the right path to growth. It is evident that the limited management skills and non-adoption of contemporary management tools and knowledge contribute to continued inefficiencies in the sector. 

Since the water sector reforms of 2002 and Water Act of 2016, Kenya has made substantial progress in increasing access and accelerating investment in the sector. The reform process embraced “socially responsible commercialization” which was anchored on running the water utilities as business entities and ring-fencing revenue for the sector to grow. However, despite the progress in the urban areas, rural water services and in specifically arid and semi-arid areas continue to struggle with inefficiencies and stagnated growth.

A study conducted in 2013 revealed that almost 1/3 of rural water systems were dysfunctional at any point in time while the other 2/3 started to malfunction within 3-5 years of construction. Limited resources available with NGOs and public authorities then were often depleted in repair and rehabilitation of these mal-functional water systems, resulting in minimal resources left available to expand services to un-served rural areas that are mostly inhabited by vulnerable communities. To address this, SNV Netherlands Development Organisation began facilitating forums between government authorities, civil society, and communities to look for practical solutions of addressing these challenges. This resulted in the development of the Public Private Community Partnerships models (PPCPs).

Albeit this resulted in the development of rural water guidelines by the Water Services Regulated Board (WASREB), the key challenges remain fostering better management practices, creating an enabling environment for private sector participation, and strengthening the coordination between water stakeholders. With the emergence of WASREB’s guidelines and proposed service delivery models, the community manged water systems are expected to benefit appropriately. The integration of a climate resilience approach is further expected to open opportunities for the private sector actors in designing, implementing, and adapting suitable climate smart technologies and make service provision affordable and responsive to environmental changes.

Job Description

The overall objective of the assignment is to structure PPCPs that will improve the livelihoods of targeted group by accelerating access to clean and safe drinking water.

The specific objectives are to:

• Critically analyze the commercial viability of the selected community water systems in Baringo, West Pokot, Samburu, Mandera, Kajiado, Kitui, Taita Taveta and Kilifi Counties. This will include preparing a thorough business case that includes a detailed financial analysis involving current improved scenarios (after intervention), willingness to pay and ability to pay for surveys (e.g., sources and levels of income).
• Identify existing Private Enterprises that could manage selected water systems on a commercial basis within the target counties mentioned above.

MAIN TASKS OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Preparation of an Inception Report

• Internalize the ToR’s and review literature on market system development, M4P approach, private sector participation in water service delivery in Kenya.
• Design and propose a methodology and tools for assessment of commercial viability of water service delivery in selected areas and ability to pay analysis.
• Prepare an inception report highlighting the methodology and expected content of the final report including the list of charts and graphs that will be included in the final report.

Identification of commercially viable water projects

• Conduct field visits for rapid assessment of functional and dormant water systems in collaboration with counties staff.
• Assess the performance of selected water utilities using basic sector benchmarked i.e. non-revenue water, collection efficiency, operating revenues, operational cost, billings, service expansion to water system to make it commercially - and break-even points for the water points.
• Assess the commercial viability of each water utility (single or cluster of water points) and the risk profile of the selected water systems.
• Estimate the amount required for each water utility to make it viable (e.g. repairs, rehabilitation, new equipment etc.)
• Prepare final report on commercial viability of water utility with clear recommendations.

Financial Analysis of the community water systems

• Conduct financial analysis and projections of the community water systems i.e., main source of livelihood and income levels for the households.
• Assess the ability and willingness to pay of the target group served by the selected community water systems and ideal charges and fees for water services.
• Stress testing scenarios for potential pitches to potential private sector firms/enterprises.

Identification of Private Entrepreneurs

• Develop a simple tool for identification and assessment of potential PE’s for the selected commercially viable water utilities. This includes preparing a simple template for expression of interest (EOI) from the PE’s in consultation with counties.
• Present a stakeholder analysis of potential private enterprises within the eight target counties
• Present reports of the findings to SNV, WSTF and the EU for comments and approval.

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The assignment is expected to take a total of 3 Months, from July 2021 to September 2021. This duration is inclusive of reporting timeline.

RECOMMENDED APPROACH

The consultant is expected to work very closely with the eight county governments /WSP/WSTF/WASREB and SNV on a regular basis and as may be required from time to time. Feedback from these actors will be incorporated in the subsequent reports/work.

KEY DELIVERABLES

The Consultant shall be responsible for proper planning and delivery of the assignment in close collaboration with SNV and County Government staff. The Consultant will further be expected to deliver the following to SNV:

1. Inception report based on desk study, incorporating a wider integrated approach, activity plan and timelines to undertake the assignment and proposed reporting format.
2. Comprehensive CVA report by counties, this will include financial, infrastructural investment gap analysis, socio-economic and political economy.
3. List of potential private enterprises by counties

The consultant’s team will be expected to submit weekly time sheets to SNV detailing number of days delivered for internal administrative purposes. All the deliverables will be submitted in soft and hard formats.

  Final payment for the assignment will only be made upon successful implementation of the activities and submission of satisfactory reports as outlined above.

PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Quality/completeness and timely delivery of the assignment as per agreed schedule will be essential.

REPORTING

The Consultant will report directly to respective county governments and EDE-CPIRA Team Leader at SNV Kenya and will work closely with SNV Advisors responsible for the project. SNV will provide advisory support throughout the delivery process, including linkage of the Consultant to County Governments, selected community water systems, stakeholders and partners involved. 

BUDGET

Interested Consultants are encouraged to submit a technical and financial proposal that will be required to undertake this assignment in the most efficient manner to produce a high quality product.

The budget should cover all eligible costs required to undertake the assignment (excluding travel costs and per diems which will be provided/reimbursed based on actual/SNV rates. These exclusions should however be estimated on a separate schedule in the proposal). Proposals will be evaluated based on both their technical merit and their price competitiveness.

Qualifications

Eligible Consulting Firms (“Consultants”) are invited to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy to enhance their qualifications. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The short-listing criteria are:

• Previous experience in similar assignments.
• Team lead with very strong and advanced financial background.
• Advanced degree(s) in Sociology/Economic/Business 
• Experience in Kenyan water sector context including Arid and Semi-Arid Lands.
• Understanding of private sector promotion and business environment in Kenya including Arid and Semi-Arid Lands.
• Conversant with political economy in Kenya including Arid and Semi-Arid Lands.
• Availability of appropriate skills among staff.