Job Vacancies at Food and Agricultural Organization

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The post is located in the FAO Representation Office in Kenya.

Reporting Lines

The Value Chain and Business Development Specialist will work under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Kenya and Programme Coordinator; and direct supervision of the Sub Programme Team Leader – Inclusive Value Chains.  The Value Chain & Business Development Specialist will be responsible for providing technical leadership to FAO Kenya’s work on youth and agribusiness under the project “reducing the adverse drivers of migration through local value chain development”. In addition to this role the specialist will also provide strategic advice and guidance on the design, development and implementation of an Inclusive Livestock Value Chain Program.

Technical Focus

Agribusiness and Value Chain Development.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop and pilot models for engagement of the youth in agribusiness.
• Oversee the assessment of selected value chains with a view of identifying opportunities for market driven production and coordinate the implementation of project activities on agri-business development.
• Identify training needs and design training-of-trainers and frontline training programmes in collaboration with project partners and service providers in aspects of market-oriented production, business management, marketing and value addition.
• Lead and coordinate agribusiness training for related youth groups including business development /enterprise management as well as financial literacy.
• Link youth groups and individual youth enterprises to markets.
• Strengthen producer organizations/small and medium agricultural enterprises/agricultural service providers through business incubation to foster entrepreneurship and value addition initiatives.
• Support resource mobilization for the implementation and potential scale up of the project.
• Contribute to periodic official reports according to project requirement/deadlines and donor related requests.
• In relation to Livestock, the incumbent will;
• Work with a team of Livestock professionals in designing a comprehensive Livestock Program.
• He/she will also support the resource mobilisation efforts for the Livestock sector.
• He/she will also support the implementation of value chain related initiatives in the Livestock sector.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agriculture, agribusiness, agricultural economics or a related field
• 8 – 10 years of relevant experience in providing advice and support to senior management within government.
• Working knowledge of English and Kiswahili
• National of Kenya

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills  

• Extent and relevance of experience in agriculture related emergency response and provision advice to high levels of government
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with the public sector
• Demonstrated ability to influence decision making
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team
• Experience and knowledge of FAO’s procedures is an advantage

go to method of application »

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The post is located in the FAO Office in the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning.

This assignment will support implementation of the EU-funded project “Support to the attainment of Vision 2030 through Devolved Land Reforms in Community Lands of Kenya (GCP/KEN/085/EC)”.

Reporting Lines

The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Kenya and direct supervision of the Land Programme Manager and in consultation with the focal points in the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning (MLPP) and the National Land Commission (NLC).

Technical Focus

Specifically the consultant will provide operational assistance in the FAO land office and acting as the liaison person between FAO, the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning (MLPP) and the National Land Commission.

Tasks and responsibilities

Specific activities will include supporting the following:

• Manage the FAO office and equipment in the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning (MLPP).
• Facilitate correspondence between FAO, the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning (MLPP) and the National Land Commission (NLC) ensuring timely response and feedback.
• Support stakeholder forums and inception workshops in various counties as required in support of administrative and operational activities of the land programme.
• Assist the Land Programme Manager in organising Project Steering Committee (PSC) meetings, i.e. invitations, production, distribution and filing of minutes and follow up on agreed actions.
• Support the Land Programme Manager in organising Donor Partners Group on Land (DPGL), i.e. invitations, production, distribution and filing of minutes and follow up on agreed actions.
• Follow up of implementation of LoAs with MLPP, NLC and other government institutions.
• Provide monthly briefs and highlights on key issues and developments in the land sector relevant to the land governance programme.
• Enhance communication with partners in collaboration with FAOKE communications team with regards to coverage of important events, missions and visibility for the Land programme.
• Assist in monitoring and reporting of the Land programme ensuring it is covered in government reporting.
• Perform other related duties assigned by FAO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor Degree in social sciences, communication, public relations or Diploma in relevant field with 5 years of experience;
• 3 years’ experience in Project management preferably in land governance;
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili with good communication, analytical, presentation and reporting skills;
• National of Kenya.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience and thorough familiarity with both the land and the forestry sector in the country and field levels
• Relevant field and research experience in rural Kenya related to both the land and forest field
• Proven ability to author both land and forest related reports or thesis
• Proven ability in development of project proposals related to natural resource management, preferably for the Kenyan context
• Previous experience work in NRM sector.
• Ability to plan work and deliver within deadlines without compromising standards
• Competency in the use of Computer Applications MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint

Selection Criteria

• Experience with working with UN or development agencies at local or international level is an added advantage;
• Computer literacy of the Microsoft package including word, power point and excel ;
• Good judgment and ability to organize office work and prepare correspondence on own initiative;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment as a team member;
• Familiarity with Government of Kenya working procedures/protocols and FAO modus operandi will be an added advantage.