Job Description
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation seeks to fill the following positions:
Team Leader Horticulture (various positions in Kenya and Ethiopia)
Based in Nairobi, KENYA or Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA
(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 team 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.
Background
SNV is in the process of further expanding its horticulture portfolio in Kenya and Ethiopia, and is currently developing several new projects due to start in 2014 and 2015. For these projects, SNV is looking to recruit experienced and capable Team Leaders who can operate at the intersection of private sector development in the horticulture sector between the Netherlands and Kenya or Ethiopia.
SNV currently implements over 25 horticulture projects worldwide. In its projects SNV actively engages with private sector, being convinced of the crucial role private sector has in furthering horticulture value chains for both domestic and international markets. SNV’s Inclusive Business approach combines private sector development with inclusive growth objectives. Reducing food losses and increasing value chain efficiencies, improving food safety, inclusion of entrepreneurial small holders, climate smart agriculture and other themes play an important role in all our horticulture projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Identifying market oriented, commercial horticulture Product Market Combinations (Business Cases), in close cooperation with stakeholders, in particular with traders, buyers and end users of fruit/flowers/vegetables in Kenya or Ethiopia and abroad;
- Facilitate business matchmaking and market access: negotiate strategic alliances between partners; organise business meetings and facilitate meetings to discuss and develop Supply Chain Business Cases and to reach consensus between supply chain partners
- Provide input for various internal and external publications and reports in English
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting to the donor as per donor requirements; Quality assurance of international and national experts’ project reports in accordance with donor requirements and SNV professional reporting standards;
- Provide overall project leadership, management, and technical direction
- Serve as key liaison with the project’s donor, government counterparts, and local partners
- Manage and supervise the work of project personnel and subcontractors
- Ensure that all project assistance is technically sound and appropriate
- Oversee project work planning, performance management, and strategic communications
Candidate Profile
- At least a 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;
- 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 and/or Ethiopia;
- Experience in or exposure to project development and management at sector/systemic level, including horticultural/agricultural supply chain pilots and capacity building/institutional development;
- 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 and/or Ethiopia;
- Experience in partnership development, particularly at the sector level with Kenyan and/or Ethiopian industry associations, policy makers and regulators. But preferably also with private sector partners / companies in the Netherlands and Kenya and/or Ethiopia and project partners;
- Experience building capacity of smallholder and emerging commercial producers is considered an asset;
Specific requirements
- Demonstrated extensive work experience in Kenya and/or Ethiopia, and/or experience in the East African Community Countries is considered an asset;
- Fluency in English is a prerequisite; Dutch and some knowledge of major local languages in Kenya and/or Ethiopia is considered an asset;
- Good networks in the Dutch horticulture sector is considered an asset;
- Good networks in the Kenyan and/or Ethiopian horticulture sector is considered an asset;
- Fully computer literate, and professional user of MS Office;
- 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 and/or Ethiopia.
Contract Duration:
1 year with possibility of extension. Contract is depending on whether SNV wins the respective project contract the candidate is considered for;
Desired start date:
2015
Duty Station
Nairobi or Addis, depending on the project;
How to apply
Please apply in our online recruitment system by clicking on the apply link and uploading your application letter and a CV in English (preferably in the CV Format for European Commission Tenders) before 21st November, 2014 citing the position title and preferred country as reference.
We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.
