Climate Smart Business Cases Development Advisor

Nairobi, Kenya

Full-time

Contract type: National employment contract

Company Description

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organization that applies practical know-how to make a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty. We use our extensive and long-term in-country presence to apply and adapt our top-notch expertise in agriculture, energy and WASH to local contexts. SNV has an annual turnover of €130 million, over 1,250 staff in more than 25 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. We are proud to be a not-for-profit organization that uses project financing to implement our mission. This requires us to work efficiently and to invest in operational excellence.

In its new Strategic Plan period (2019 – 2022), SNV will more explicitly aim for systems change during project preparation and implementation – by strengthening institutions and kick-starting markets that help many more to escape poverty beyond our projects. We will continue to position ourselves as a premium organization, with decentralized management.

For more information on our operations in Kenya and SNV generally visit our website: www.snv.org

Background

The climate change projections for East Africa and Kenya in particular shows increasing temperatures and more frequent climate shocks (droughts and floods). This, coupled with the expected exponential increase in human population estimated to increase to 95 million by 2050, poses a serious threat to Kenya’s future development and attainment of Kenya Vision 2030 and the Government’s Big Four agenda especially on Food Security, Increased Manufacturing and Affordable Healthcare.

The Climate Resilient Agribusiness for Tomorrow (CRAFT-EA) Programme is a 5-year, €39 million project being implemented in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The programme is implemented by a consortium consisting of SNV, Wageningen University & Research (WUR), the CGIAR research programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), Agriterra and Rabobank, and is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS).  The project uses an Inclusive Business development approach to support the smallholder farmers efforts on adapting to climate change and enhance sustainable production in arable farming. The programme will work with and through the private sector and supports public sector partners in creating an institutional environment for wide-scale adoption of climate smart agriculture (CSA) practices, including more efficient use of water and (renewable) energy sources. It is driven by 3 main pillars:

Adoption of CSA practices & technologies in arable crop production farming systems;

Acceleration of investments and business growth in selected value chains;

Improved enabling environment for scaling out of CSA.

Interventions are centered on business cases which are derived from a thorough climate risk assessment, in-depth business and financial analysis of pulses, oilseeds, potatoes and cereals value chains.. Interested and positively assessed business cases are supported to scale climate smart agriculture solutions through a matching grant facility in addition to other suites of business development packages.

Job Description

Overview of the Position

The Climate Smart Business Development Advisor will report to the Project Manager and support in the business cases development process. S/he will work with CRAFT team as a member of technical evaluation and screening committee (TESC) to evaluate and screen expression of interest applications form entrepreneurial farmers, cooperatives, SME’s and financial institution. S/he will make subsequent follow up with selected business cases to expression of interest, evaluate intake forms and conduct due diligence. For the cases that will pass due diligence, s/he will be expected to pursue next steps independently- while still as a joint effort and in collaboration with other experts especially senior development advisor some of this steps includes but not limited to; due diligence, co-creation, validation workshops, financial analysis and projections, investment plan and final business proposal ready CIIF funding.

S/he will coordinate with the CRAFT partners to contribute to cost/benefit analysis which will underpin the investments for effective climate resilient value chains/businesses. Support will be provided to SMEs and farmer groups/cooperatives on the most appropriate climate integration strategies, which enhances productivity and income of producers/agribusiness. The incumbent will contribute to the joint learning of smallholder producers and SME adoption of climate smart investments/businesses. S/he will support technical expert missions to strengthen farmer organizations/cooperatives and SMEs climate and business case integration.

Responsibilities:

Support in the identification of potential business cases for the co-investment fund along the CRAFT selected value chains, potatoes, green grams, sorghum and common beans.

Support and contribute to business cases screening, evaluation and initial due diligence.

Support and contribute to the development of bankable business cases through co-creation, validation workshops, do financial analysis and projections, prepare investment plan and final business plan.

Support the implementation and roll-out of approved business cases;

Hold discussions with financial institutions in order to leverage SMEs access to other forms of  finance

Support agribusiness entities to invest in climate smart businesses and value chains

Qualifications

 A Bachelor’s  degree in relevant academic qualification: Agribusiness , economics, finance, enterprise development, development studies etc preferably a  Master’s degree

Minimum of seven (7) years’ experience working in agribusiness, agro-industry,   preferably in the arable crops.

Experience working with smallholder farmers, farmer groups and cooperatives and SMEs in capacity building, value addition, agribusiness finance and marketing of agri-produce.

A good understanding and appreciation of the gender and youth themes in agribusiness

Experience in areas relevant to the assignment’s scope of work.

Capable of doing financial analysis and projection on SMEs and cooperatives

Demonstrated ability to manage and/or evaluate climate smart business plan in the agricultural sector.

Technical expertise in qualitative or quantitative methodologies, data collection and analysis.

Excellent communication (written and oral), reporting and presentation skills;

Flexible to take on additional responsibilities as assigned/delegated;

Excellent organizing, negotiation, influencing and advisory/coaching skills.

Additional Information

Terms of Appointment

This is a full-time national position with the successful candidate being contracted for 1 year. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes a competitive secondary benefit package.

How to apply

Kindly apply by clicking on the “I AM INTERESTED” tab on this page and submitting an application letter and CV that contains three referees in English before 22nd December, 2019.

NB:

Only shortlisted will be contacted.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.

SNV Kenya does not require you to undergo any medical test prior to employment