Sector Leader Agriculture – Kenya

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

The Sector

SNV has been working in Kenya since 1967. Within the Agriculture Sector SNV works in three priority fields: Food and Nutrition Security, Sustainable Markets and Climate Smart Agriculture across a range of commodities.

SNV Kenya’s agriculture project portfolio in the country includes projects focusing on Smart Water and Climate smart Solutions in agriculture, Inclusive Business, Women Economic Empowerment, Food and Nutrition Security and Climate Smart Landscapes.  SNV supports sector development by working with key stakeholders to improve access to markets, provide knowledge and skills training, and by promoting gender and social inclusion. Opportunities to grow the portfolio exist and need to be pursued urgently and pro-actively.

Job Description

SNV Kenya is seeking a highly qualified, entrepreneurial, result oriented professional to fill the post of Sector Leader Agriculture for SNV Kenya and Burundi.

The Agriculture Sector Leader is responsible for steering SNV Kenya sector development and quality of practice at country level, in line with SNV’s global strategy, and in consultation with the Managing Director Agriculture, Global Sector Coordinators, and Country Management Team.

The Sector leader will be based in Nairobi, with frequent travel to project sites, to attend regional forums and events, and to engage with donors and partners.  S/he will lead a team of Project Managers, national and international consultants, will directly manage certain projects in the portfolio and engage extensively with stakeholders, private sector actors and donors. New Business Development (Resource Mobilization) will constitute a significant part of the role.

The Agriculture Sector Leader is also national project manager of SNV’s Voice for Change Partnership, an advocacy program running simultaneously in 6 countries. V4CP supports civil society organisations in advocacy, fostering collaboration among relevant stakeholders, influence agenda-setting and hold the government and private sector accountable for their promises and actions. We tackle four issues – food and nutrition security, resilience, renewable energy, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) – while  also addressing gender balance and climate change mitigation.

The position reports to the Country Director and works in close collaboration with other sector leaders, Human Resource Manager and Finance Managers. With respect to V4CP, the position reports to the V4CP Global Project Manager.

Responsibilities

-Strategic Leadership: provide strategic direction to the Sector in terms of content and leadership to optimize development results and resource mobilization;

-Business Development: identify opportunities to mobilize financial resources for the Sector in Kenya and Burundi, develop proposals and secure funding for agriculture projects. This includes both traditional grant funding, as well as emerging opportunities in private sector, climate finance and impact investment financing;

-Programme Management: manage a proportion of projects directly, in particular the V4CP (50% time input), oversee the delivery of effective development results, planning and monitoring, financial management, and donor reporting of all projects in the Sector;

-Advisory Services: lead complex assignments, set benchmarks for results, and monitor the quality of advisory services of the Agriculture portfolio;

People Management: lead, manage, and coach the team of SNV project managers, advisors, and local and international consultants;

-Monitoring & Evaluation: ensure uniform understanding and practices in planning, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation of agriculture projects in line with SNV’s internal frameworks and donor/customer requirements;

-Representation & Promotion: develop and maintain relationships with national and international stakeholders (donors, government of Kenya and Burundi, NGOs and private sector) to improve SNV’s market position and actively participate in external and internal networks;

-Facilitate learning, documentation and evidence-based knowledge development and sharing in collaboration with SNV’s global team and partners;

-Contribute to SNV Kenya’s management as a member of the Country Management Team.

Qualifications

Education: Master’s Degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, agribusiness, agroforestry, business administration, international trade or other relevant field.

Experience and Skills:

-Minimum 10 years of professional work experience, including international experience as consultant/advisor for private and/or development organization on business development, preferably in Africa;

-Proven track record in resource mobilization and business development;

-Strong emphasis with advocacy and proven experience in working with civil society organisations ;

-Experienced networker and relationship manager, especially with donors and partners;

-Experience in proposal writing and preparation of project documents;

-Proven track record working with medium and large private sector companies, preferably in agri-business, in the development of Inclusive Business/Shared Value Models;

-Experience in analyzing/implementing value chain approaches in the Agriculture Sector;

-Experience in leading, managing and coaching a team of project managers or advisers;

-Experience in organizing /executing baseline studies, business and investment plans, risk analyses, and impact measurement frameworks;

-Proven project management experience;

-Proven capacity in linking local productive initiatives with international best practices.

Other Requirements:

-Strong negotiation skills, leadership, team spirit and results orientation

-Entrepreneurial skills and attitude, initiative taking, networking

-Client – and team-oriented attitude

-Creative, communicative and proactive personality

-Excellent communication skills and writing skills in English

-Strong computer skills

Additional Information

Desired start date: as soon as possible.

Duration of contract: 3 years initial contract term.

Working at SNV

SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, per national standards. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Advisors benefit from and contribute to an internal global network of agriculture experts.

How to apply

Please 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 4th October, 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