Interns at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) - Kenya

Towards Sustainable Clusters in Agribusiness through Learning in Entrepreneurship (2SCALE) 

Duration: 3 months (starting 21st May 2018 – 20th Aug 2018) at IFDC Offices in Nairobi, and field Nakuru, Kenya.

Introduction

The extension phase builds on the 2SCALE (‘Toward Sustainable Clusters in Agribusiness through Learning in Entrepreneurship‘) program, awarded on June 21, 2012 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS, The Netherlands) to a consortium led by IFDC and comprising the International Centre for development-oriented Research in Agriculture (ICRA) and BoPInc, and ending on the 31st of December 2017. It also anticipates and prepares for a possible 2nd phase of the 2SCALE program. 

A one-year extension phase was deemed necessary to allow the external reviewers, SEO Amsterdam Economics (SEO), to finish the whole process, which includes a study of the partnerships, and results obtained so far (1st phase, ending in June 2017); a comparison between the 2SCALE and the FDOV and GAFSP programs (2nd phase, anticipated between June – August 2017), and an appraisal of the results of the external impact evaluations – carried out by Research Solutions Africa (RSA) and the American Institutes of Research (AIR).

The extension phase covers the period from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 comprising IFDC and BoP Inc. During this period, the program will implement a few specific activities with the following objectives: 

• Continue the deepening and scaling of partnership and business models for a reduced portfolio of about 15 partnerships that started somewhat late in the 1st phase.
• Prepare and implement scoping studies within (and beyond) focus countries, with emphasis on industry clusters/ regions, to assess food and nutrition security challenges and related business opportunities for inclusive value chains; and continue networking and brokering activities to connect to the next generation of local and regional champions (SMEs, producer groups) to lead inclusive agribusiness clusters and value chains, as well as potential supportive partners.
• Design and implement pilot programs with selected partners.
• Prepare country and regional level plans that align with and add value to multi-annual strategic plans of the relevant Embassies of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKNs).
• Maintain the transformative capacity of the 2SCALE program, among other things by retaining key staff that will help kick-start activities under 2SCALE 2.0 (or any other name that might be chosen), based on their expertise developed through 2SCALE’s 1st phase.
• Review and develop dedicated approaches to promote women participation and leadership in partnerships, women and youth entrepreneurship, and youth (women/ men) employment.
• In the East Africa region, 2SCALE operates in 2 countries: Ethiopia and Kenya. 2SCALE project wishes to seal Agribusiness Value Chain and agribusiness Clusters Public Private partnership ABC-PPPs) with the Champions or lead firms concentrating on the feed and fodder, potato, rice and Sorghum.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the 2SCALE Base of Pyramid Innovation specialist, the intern will support the implementation of the project through communicating with project partners, as well as monitoring developments through different channels. Depending on the competencies and interests of the intern, assignments will include:

• Support capacity of producer organizations (POs) and of local SMEs (technical/ financial/ organizational), including strengthening of business models, e.g., through BMC workshops.
• Assist partners to access markets: through, consumer insights, market and industry appraisals, strengthening of marketing and distribution channels; this includes for some partnerships product development for BoP consumers and marketing & distribution (BoP pilots).
• Collect and analyze information related to achievements/impacts due to 2SCALE interventions in each partnership.
• Develop reports documenting best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations in relation to project activities.
• Assist monitor project activities in general.
• Support partners in nutritious product and packaging development & design of marketing strategies.
• Identify  innovative, cost-efficient distribution channels and supply chain management issues.
• Take minutes and prepare presentations and documents for meetings and workshops.
• Assist 2SCALE in the compilation of relevant material (reports, work plans, budgets, newsletters etc.) and their production and dissemination.
• Perform other duties as required. 

The intern is also expected to strengthen his/her knowledge and understanding of the 2SCALE project intervention areas by reading relevant 2SCALE documents and other publications.

Learning opportunities for the intern

• General understanding of the work and mission of the 2SCALE project, the role of stakeholders and partners at national, regional and international level and of agribusiness clusters contribution to improving rural livelihoods and food security;
• Insight and hands-on experience in facilitating and running BoP pilots in the project;
• Becoming more familiar with working in an international organization and in a multicultural environment;
• Team work through collaboration with a cross-functional team to drive the implementation and execution of the project;
• Experience in partnership building and agribusiness cluster development;
• Greater knowledge in synthesizing and analyzing complex information; 

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

Education: Completed undergraduate degree (Bachelor);

Field of study: Business studies such as marketing and commerce,

Language skills: Written and spoken proficiency in English;

• Demonstrated interest in the field of agribusiness and the work of international organizations.
• Young professional with 0 – 2 years of experience and ready to learn.

Previous experience is an advantage working in:

• Private sector or NGO’s involved in agribusiness, supply chain management, and rural development.
• Developing countries in a rural setting.
• Enthusiastic about the role of agribusiness clusters and their linkages with national, regional and international market segments of targeted commodity value chains.
• Good written communication, reporting and presentation skills.
• Internet proficiency as well as proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, and Power Point) is required. Experience with the development of statistics and charts in Excel.
• Experience in networking a strong asset. 

General Terms and Conditions

• IFDC Africa Internship Policy applies for interns working at IFDC offices in Africa.
• The Internship Program operates on a monthly flat-rate stipend of $100 paid in the local currency equivalent. Costs and arrangements for approved in-country travel, and accommodation is provided by IFDC. 
• The purpose of the Internship Program is not to lead to further employment with IFDC but to complement an intern’s studies. Therefore, there should be no expectation of employment at the end of an internship.
• IFDC accepts no responsibility for the intern’s medical insurance or for costs arising from illness during the internship.