Vacancies at TechnoServe Kenya

The Market Systems Advisor will play a crucial role in supporting the growth and impact of the BlueBiz youth development program by strengthening market systems and fostering partnerships within the blue economy.

The role involves identifying and promoting private and public off-taker customers for youth-led enterprises, and conducting market analysis to identify opportunities and challenges. Moreover, supporting local partners in enhancing market access and competitiveness for the young participants within crucial value chains (e.g., fisheries, ecotourism, mangrove restoration, apiculture, seaweed farming, and plastic recycling). Additionally, it includes supporting partnerships docket with various stakeholders identification, facilitating training and networking opportunities for youth entrepreneurs, and organising events to connect them with potential partners and customers. Lastly, the position focuses on building the capacity of local partners through tailored training programs and resources that meet the needs of youth entrepreneurs.

Working relationships:

Reporting to the Market Systems and Partnerships Manager, the Market Systems Advisor will work closely with the respective team members - Enterprise Development Advisors, local partners, and private and public organisations identified to ensure the program achieves its objectives.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Off takers Identification:

• Developing a database for private and public off-takers customers within target value chains.
• Collaborating with the Market Systems and Partnerships Manager and local partners, to present and promote participants' products or services to prospective buyers.
• Provide training and resources to local partners in closing sales to meet or exceed the set targets for the young participants.

Market Systems Analysis and Development

• Conduct market research and analysis to identify opportunities and challenges for youth-led enterprises within target value chains.
• In collaboration with the Market Systems and Partnerships manager, support the local partners in operationalising strategies to improve market access, competitiveness, and efficiency for these businesses. This includes identifying market gaps, analyzing value chains, and recommending interventions to strengthen market linkages.
• Support the implementation of market system development interventions in collaboration with key stakeholders.

Partnership Development and Management:

• Assist the Market Systems and Partnerships Manager in identifying, cultivating, and maintaining strategic partnerships with private sector actors, financial institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and other relevant organizations.
• Develop partnership agreements, manage stakeholder relationships, and ensure alignment of with BlueBiz objectives.
• Support partner collaboration and knowledge-sharing to drive innovation and create mutually beneficial alliances

Youth Enterprise Support:

• Develop and deliver training programs for youth entrepreneurs on market systems, business skills, and access to finance.
• Facilitate networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities for youth entrepreneurs, including, but not limited to, exhibiting their products at relevant conferences, pitching in deal rooms, participating in youth dialogues, etc.
• Support organising events (conferences, workshops, networking events) to connect youth-led businesses with potential partners and customers.
• Actively participate in relevant events to promote the program and facilitate networking opportunities.
• Strengthen the capacity of the local partners to identify and conduct workshops, provide one-on-one coaching, and facilitate access to relevant resources to strengthen the capacities of youth entrepreneurs.

Capacity Building:

• Collaborate with the Enterprise Development Advisors to develop and deliver training programs for youth entrepreneurs on market systems and marketing skills.
• Ensure that the training content and delivery methods are responsive to the needs and contexts of the target beneficiaries.

Required Skills, Knowledge, Experience and Abilities:

• Relevant educational qualification (preferably bachelor level) in Marketing, Sales,  Economics, Business Management,  or related field and over 3 years of private sector experience working in Marketing, Sales, or associated fields, or in an NGO/government role with an orientation towards private sector development or market systems development.
• A proven track record of working with stakeholders in the blue economy or sustainable development sectors is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in working with youth entrepreneurs and/or marginalised communities.
• Strong understanding of market dynamics, value chains, and business principles.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and networking skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Fluency in English is required. Understanding of Swahili is an advantage.

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Planning and Implementation

• With guidance from the Grants & Sub awards Manager, develops and implements the use of the LFS grants manual.
• Supports work planning and activity planning to align the grants program with overall project activities.
• Supports the Grants & Sub awards Manager in the development of timeline and details required for any activities needing grants, conduct market search and price analysis in coordination with technical staff.
• Coordinates with staff requesting grants to prepare Request for Applications (RFAs) to solicit applications and assess the capacity and readiness of potential grantees.
• Supports the Grants & Sub awards Manager in the evaluation and selection committee process for grantees.
• Facilitates capacity-building initiatives for grantees by collecting necessary paperwork for monitoring technical and financial alignment.
• Assists in the preparation and documentation of the grants award cycle for grants, ensuring that the technical prerequisites required for capturing relevant information in the solicitation process are readily available.
• Provides support in review application documents and packaging them for COP and USAID approval.
• Provides support to grantees in reviewing DA1 processing requirements and tracking foreign tax reporting.
• Supports the monitoring and regular verification of assets held by grantees.
• Aids in reviewing grantees' budgets for accuracy and reasonableness, ensuring that budgets are well supported with precise budget narratives for onboarding purposes.
• Documents identified gaps during routine monthly and weekly monitoring to facilitate capacity-building efforts.
• Supports the Grants & Sub awards Manager to draft grant agreements and amendments, explaining terms, conditions, roles, and responsibilities. Ensures that identified weaknesses in initial grantee assessments and related requirements are incorporated into the agreements explicitly with the required monitoring actions.
• Supports the Grants & Sub awards Manager to organize kickoff meetings and appraise grantees of the responsibilities, requirements and policies and procedures to be followed during the life of the grant.
• Supports the Grants & Sub Awards Manager to ensure on-time deliverables, payments, and cash flow requests by monitoring milestones and payment schedules.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Grants & Sub awards Manager

Compliance

• Provides training, guidance, and direction to program staff on planning, implementation, and compliance of grants policies, procedures, and instructions, specifically their role in the process.
• Reviews grants for completeness and appropriateness with the work plan.
• Ensures all required documentation is uploaded in the grants database.
• Supports the audit of grant files no less than annually
• Reviews grant milestones and requests for payments against grant agreements to ensure compliance.
• Trains on and enforces policies and procedures to prevent improprieties, intentional and unintentional. 

Academic and Professional Qualifications: Technical & Behavioral Competences:

• Bachelor’s degree required, degree in business or related field preferred
• 2+ years of experience in grants management within the development sector, with a proven record of accomplishment managing complex grant portfolios preferably with international donor-funded organization.
• Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations required.
• Demonstrate solid knowledge and understanding of the FAR, AIDAR, 2 CFR 200, 22 CFR 228
• Ability to perform tasks independently with little or no direction provided.
• Knowledge of grant compliance requirements and regulations.
• Proficiency in using grant management software and tools

Technical & Behavioral Competences:

• Excellent organizational, planning, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Adept communicator, skillfully engaging stakeholders across all organizational levels and other stakeholders in both written & oral English and Swahili.
• Time management
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Attention to ethics & integrity
• Proficiency in writing clear, persuasive, and structured proposals.
• Budgeting and Financial Acumen
• Strong organizational skills
• High attention to detail