SNV Netherlands Development Organisation Team Leader: Kenya Horticulture Programme

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation Team Leader: Kenya Horticulture Programme

Are you interested in joining an international organisation with a long-term commitment to fighting poverty? Would you like to work in a challenging environment to develop a career focused on shared values and lasting impact?
SNV Netherlands development Organisation is looking for:
Team Leader: Kenya Horticulture Programme(Re-advertisement)
Based in:Nairobi, Kenya
(International contract)
SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation. Founded in the Netherlands nearly 50 years ago, we have built a long-term, local presence in 38 of the poorest countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Our global teams of local and international advisors work with local partners to equip communities, businesses and organisations with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services – empowering them to break the cycle of poverty and guide their own development.
SNV Kenya provides capacity strengthening to local organizations (private, public or NGO) engage in work for poverty reduction.
SNV Kenya is in the process of expanding its horticulture portfolio in Kenya, and is preparing to implement The Kenya Market-led Horticulture Program (KMHP) which is a 5 year program funded by the Netherlands Embassy in Nairobi as part of its food security and private sector development agenda.
KMHP is implemented by a Consortium of Partners, headed by SNV Kenya http://www.snvworld.org .
(The Consortium consists of SNV, HIVOS, Solidaridad, Wageninngen-WUR and DLV Plant).
For this project, SNV is looking to recruit an experienced and capable Team Leader who can operate at the intersection of private sector development in the horticulture sector between the Netherlands and Kenya.
This project due to start in 2014.
Project Summary Kenya Market led Horticulture Programme
The new Kenya Market led Horticulture Programme consists of a number of market oriented Business Cases, implemented by Dutch and Kenyan entrepreneurs, producing vegetables for domestic or expert markets.
Partners will make use of innovative, but proven, Dutch technologies and products as well as market linkages. KMHP focusses on entrepreneurial, small and medium sized farmers, who are able to pilot with and invest in new horticultural technologies and innovations.
KMHP will build on experiences of ongoing and new, market oriented business cases (BCs).
These BCs have to be economically viable and sustainable in the first place.
KMHP will simultaneously address market inefficiencies and supply chain performance issues such as: food safety and pesticide usage, food losses and waste in vegetables supply chains and small farmers’ inclusive sourcing models for domestic and international markets.
These cross cutting, more generic issues will be addressed at sector level in cooperation with Kenyan Government agencies and should simultaneously enhance the performance of the business cases / supply chain projects.
KHMP activities are aligned with the Dutch Government “trade and development policy”.
KMHP aims to facilitate Dutch and Kenyan companies and SME farmers in Kenya to produce and market better quality vegetables and creating improved access at domestic and export markets, through enhancing entrepreneurial skills.
The KMHP Team will consist of a core team of 4-6 advisors (who operate from the SNV Offices in Nairobi.
The senior advisors are supported by Local Capacity Builders (LCBs) and consultants who operate in the field with clients on a day-to-day basis.
SNV has successfully established a network in the Horticulture sector both in Kenya and in the Netherlands.
The project works with a large number of local stakeholders and will facilitate linkages and partnerships between stakeholders in Kenya and Dutch private sector and knowledge institutes.
Key Responsibilities

Establish, organise and manage the KMHP support office

Coordination and supervision of local KMHP staff

Liaison with international and national experts in the Netherlands and Kenya

Identifying market oriented, commercial Vegetable Product Market Combinations (Business Cases), in close cooperation with stakeholders, in particular with traders, buyers and end users of vegetables in Kenya and abroad Facilitate business matchmaking and market access: negotiate strategic alliances between partners;

organize business meetings and facilitate meetings to discuss and develop Supply Chain Business Cases and to reach consensus between supply chain partners

Identify investment opportunities in supply chains and market development Collect, organise and analyse market intelligence, information about markets and market partners and develop sustainable Supply Chain Business Cases in collaboration with commercial partners

Liaise with local, public and private knowledge and training providers to explore their potential contribution to the KMHP program

Organise and facilitate training activities with Kenyan and Netherlands’ partners

Conduct and supervise impact monitoring and evaluation activities

Provide input for various internal and external publications and reports in English

Network and represent the KMHP program at national / international level during fairs, seminars and other platforms in collaboration with the KMHP management team Candidate Profile

At least an MSc / MA Degree in economics, business administration, agribusiness or marketing, or any other relevant discipline;

At least 15 years of professional experience in private sector development projects, including market facilitation and business development in the public as well as in the private sector;

At least 5 years of demonstrated, successful, professional experience as a Team Leader;

The Team Leader should have a broad knowledge base of project/programme management and hands-on experience with capacity building and institutional change as well as team leadership and good knowledge of aspects of fresh and processed agro-food sector, horticulture, or flowers, and agricultural supply chains in Kenya;

Experience in or exposure to project development and management at sector/systemic level, including horticultural/agricultural supply chain pilots and capacity building/institutional development;

Demonstrated experience in strategy development in terms of choice of interventions, clients and partnerships, in relation to market-led- and driving innovation

The Team Leader should be a strong relationship builder with sound experience and understanding of building and maintaining professional relationships with (senior) government officials as well as policy makers and industry leaders, both in the Netherlands and in Kenya;

Experience in partnership development, particularly at the sector level with Kenyan industry associations, policy makers and regulators.

But preferably also with private sector partners / companies in the Netherlands and Kenya and programme partners

Good networks in the Kenya and Dutch horticulture sector is considered an asset; Other requirements

Experience in establishing and management of a project office, and managing a professional team of international and national experts and support staff; (People) management, training and coaching experience and skills

Demonstrated extensive work experience in Kenya; experience in the East African Community Countries is considered an asset; ,

Fluency in English is a prerequisite, Dutch and some knowledge of Kiwsahili is considered an asset;

Fully computer literate;

Demonstrated capacity to assure timely, quality, and compliant reporting, in correct professional English, in accordance with donor requirements;

Willingness to travel to project regions in Kenya Contract Duration: 3 years with possibility of extension.
Desired start date: ASAP, within 2014
Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya
Working at SNV
SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
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.
For more information, please visit our website: www.snvworld.org
How To Apply:
Please apply by clicking on Team Leader: Kenya Horticulture Programme and completing your application in our in-house recruitment system before 14th November, 2014 citing the position title as reference.
Your application will consist of a cover letter and a CV (in English) including details for three referees.