Programme Coordinator Agribusiness

Job purpose:

The job role will be to ensure development of profitable smallholder farmer-led enterprises that are fully integrated into sustainable value chains within the SHA Country Programme. The Coordinator will identify and support the growth of farmer business organisations (Associations, Aggregation Centres and Cooperatives) and support them to develop viable and sustainable on farm and off farm income generating Activities; Identify and promote sustainable value chains; Identify and support private sector stakeholders and partners to ensure effective development of Agricultural Enterprise objective in line with the Kenya strategic plan. He/She will conduct economic, commercial and market assessments, participatory action research and market intelligence for the relevant sectors and assist farmer organisations in establishing business/strategic plans and linking them to relevant markets.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical support and capacity strengthening

• Advise and support the Head of Programmes to conduct market and value chain assessments and feasibility studies to inform the direction of the Country programme, choice of value chains, partners, etc.


• Lead the various programs in the development of Agri-enterprise development approaches/strategies for various programs in line with SHA Kenya strategic plan.


• Guide, advise and support field and programme implementing staff to implement Agri-enterprise development approaches/strategies for respective programs


• Provide technical support to farmer Organisations (Associations, Aggregation Centres and cooperatives) on enterprise development


• Facilitate market development for Agri-enterprises and support them in forward and backward linkages


• Advise on processing and value addition activities for smallholder farmers and Farmer Business Groups


• Design appropriate Agribusiness capacity development interventions including training manuals, and train and mentor partner and SHA program field staff on the manuals, as TOTs for onward cascading to farmers through their respective farmer organisations


• Keep abreast with developments on technical aspects of agri- enterprise development in the Country and globally, and use this to enrich the Enterprise development in SHA Kenya by reviewing Agri-enterprise strategies and sharing with staff and partners


• Provide ongoing mentoring support to farmer business organisations and Agri-enterprises partnering with various programs in SHA Kenya


• In liaison with the Financial Inclusion Officer identify and advise on access to financial services where applicable (credit, savings, payment services, insurance) for smallholder farmers, Farmer organisations (Associations, FGs, Cooperatives), Agri-enterprises in need (e.g. facilitating the development of tripartite agreements, etc.)

Programme Management and Reporting

• Support the preparation of programme reports (monthly, quarterly and annually) for submission to donors and other stakeholders


• Maintain accurate and up-to-date data relating to Agri- enterprises partnering with various programs in SHA Kenya


• Work closely with the M & E Coordinator to collect, interpret, and use data to improve programme quality, build a body of evidence and inform advocacy in the agribusiness space.


• Support the Head of Programmes in new programme design and development.


• Work with Project/Program Managers to ensure documentation of Agribusiness best practices for dissemination and learning.


• Manage implementation of special projects from time to time as assigned by Head of Programmes.

Partnership and Institutional support

• Identify and develop relationships with key stakeholders in the agribusiness space.


• Establish, build and maintain effective working relationships with staff and partners to facilitate the provision of support in agribusiness.


• Identify relevant Agribusiness platforms in the Country to facilitate information sharing and foster learning for SHA Kenya staff by ensuring participation of various staff and partners.


• Represent SHA in National or regional stakeholder forums, networking, knowledge sharing and learning events

Key Relationships:

Internal

• Team Leader and Programme Managers


• Regional Enterprise Development Advisors Pillar 1 and 2


• All Programme Coordinators - Agriculture and NRM, M & E Coordinator, Nutrition and Gender, Financial Inclusion Officer


• Finance and Administration Team

External

• Project implementation partners


• Stakeholders including government, research institutions, financial institutions, donors, and private companies

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 7 years’ experience in the implementation of agri-business/enterprise development projects, working with Agri-MSMEs within value chains or related projects, at a similar level


• Experience in facilitating the provision of business development services (BDS) to farmer organizations and MSMEs.


• Experience interpreting project documents and developing implementation strategies will be an added advantage


• Knowledge in development of training manuals is desirable


• Strong project management skills


• Experience in business/strategic plan development for a business or farmer organization


• Strong training and facilitation skills.


• High level skills and experience in report writing

Qualifications/Other Requirements:

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Agri-business management, Agricultural Economics, Economics or any other related degree is required;


• Strong computer skills especially with MS Word and Excel and other related packages

How to apply

Visit our website https://selfhelpafrica.org/ie/category/careers-kenya/ for more information and details on how to apply.

Please note that Self Help Africa Kenya advocates for equal opportunity and does not require applicants to pay any fee at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

Self Help Africa is committed to the highest possible standards of openness, transparency, and accountability in all its affairs and is completely against fraud, bribery, and corruption. All employees are bound by code of conduct, child protection and conflict of interest policies.