Summary
Date Posted: Monday, September 20, 2021 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Market Development And Networking Officer

Introduction
Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT), a not-for-profit organization established in Kenya in 2009, is situated on the main campus of the Internatinal Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Kasarani, Nairobi. The Trust’s goal is to alleviate poverty and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Kenya and pother African countries, through dissemination of information and knowledge on appropriate technology , to improve human, animal, plant and environmental health. BvAT is among the organizations in Africa coordinating initiatives to establish knowledge hubs as an innovative strategy for promoting organic agriculture in the five regiosn of Africa – West, East, North, Central and Southern Africa. BvAT in collaboration with PELUM Uganda is responsible for Knowledge Hub for Eastern Africa (KHEA) under the Knowledge Center for Organic Agriculture in Africa (KCOA) project is seeking to recruit qualified persons for the position of Market Development and Networking Officer.

Job Purpose
Within the framework of the Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture in Africa (KCOA) with the goal to introduce knowledge hubs successfully as an innovative strategy for promoting organic agriculture with actors in the regions of Africa, the holder of this position will support country implementing partners, associate partners and multipliers to design and implement interventions that improve scale
up of organic agriculture by supporting specific value chains and strengthening capacity of smallholder farmers and other value chain actors within the Knowledge Hub for Easter Africa (KHEA).

Key responsibilities
1. Facilitating development and use of a Value Chain Market Development and Networking Strategy to guide activities under component three – networking and promotion of value chains.
2. Facilitating development and use of a Value Chain Market Development and Networking Strategy to guide activities under component three – networking and promotion of value chains.
3. Supporting and strengthening processes of certification of farmers and farmer groups and their initiatives through certification and standardisation schemes, particularly Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) and use of standard marks (Kilimohai).
4. Supporting CIPs, their associate partners, and the multipliers to establish and maintain strong networking and collaboration with value chain actors and business development support (BDS) service providers within the framework of market-based farm enterprise development.
5. Participation in continental working group on Market Development and Networking.
6. Identifying new opportunities for business linkages between producers and other value actors at local, national, and regional markets.
7. Examining value chains and identifying opportunities to increase equity and representation among disadvantaged groups, women, and youth.
8. Developing proposals on value chain and market development interventions.
9. Developing data collection tools and techniques for monitoring project related interventions including volume and value of products produced, consumed, and traded.
10. Documenting best practices and lessons learnt and supporting efforts to scale up their application.
11. Any other responsibilities that may be assigned by the supervisor from time to time.
Staff Responsibility
• The jobholder has accountability for Market Development and Networking annual budget (expensing and monitoring and getting the required approvals).
• Responsible for the project’s repositories

Educational Requirements
• A Bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics, agribusiness management, rural development or related field from a recognized institution of higher learning.
• A post graduate diploma or experience in Business management or related qualification from a recognized institution of higher learning.
• Minimum 5 years relevant experience in agricultural value chains, rural commercialization and agricultural marketing.
• Experience implementing activities in large, complex projects in challenging environments
Technical skills
• Capacity in conducting value chain assessments and determining appropriate interventions to enhance organic production and market access by farmers.
• Experience of organizing and supporting organic certification schemes, particularly Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS).
• Demonstrated skills in post-harvest management, value addition, grading and food quality standards.
• Ability to research linkages across value chain activities to identify critical points of integration.
• Understanding of and personal commitment to ecologically sustainable agriculture, programmes and systems is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to work with different public and private stakeholders and coordinate the work of different partners.
• Hands on experience in value chain and market development, capacity development of the value chain actors and public institutions.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field position is desirable.
• Ability to prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and oversee the work of consultants/contractors.
• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of interventions.
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to work with multiple teams.
• Sound knowledge of project management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to interact and build strong professional relationships with various internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to establish networks with various value chain actors.
• Fluent in oral and written English, Swahili and French can be an added advantage.

Behavioural Skills
1. Willingness and ability to travel locally and regionally.
2. Display cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability.
3. Sociable.
4. Ability to take initiative.
5. Team player, good communication skills (both written and spoken).
6. Good interpersonal skills.

Education Requirement: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 60 Bachelor Degree

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Job application procedure
If you believe you are the right candidate for this position and can clearly demonstrate your ability to meet the requirements, please submit your detailed CV and apllication letter indicating summary of your key qualifications and expected salary to info@biovisionafricatrust.org  . The closing date for applications is 30th September 2021. Only shorlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

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