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Friday, January 6, 2012

TechnoServe Business Advisors, Technical Experts, Communications Officer and Program Assistant Jobs


General Information

TechnoServe (TNS) is a nonprofit international development organization founded in 1968. Its mission is to help entrepreneurial men and women break the cycle of poverty by building businesses that create jobs, income, and economic opportunities for their families, their communities, and their countries.

TechnoServe is currently starting off a Smallholder Poultry Agribusiness Development program that will be implemented in Western Kenya and Nyanza.

This program aims to sustainably improve the livelihoods of 10,000 smallholder poultry producers of indigenous chickens, and in doing so help 50,450 individuals improve their livelihood.

Applications are invited from qualified candidates (who share a passion with the mission of TechnoServe) to fill the following positions:-

Senior Business Advisor

Provide management of Poultry Producers Farmer Groups (PPBG) activities for the Smallholder Poultry Agribusiness Development Program (SPADE) project.

The Senior Business Advisor will work closely with Business Advisors, PPBGs, local stakeholders, and sub-contractors, as well as respective management team.

S/he will be responsible for project planning and oversight, quality implementation, supervision of Business Advisors, and monitoring and evaluation of project effectiveness.

Minimum Requirements:-
  • Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business Management or a related field is required;
  • Strong project management and financial analysis skills;
  • Minimum of five years field and technical experience with agribusiness development, or entrepreneurship in Kenya is required;
  • Experience working with farmer group programs preferred;
Business Advisor

Provide business management support to Poultry Producer Business Groups (PPBGs) development activities for the Smallholder Poultry Agribusiness Development Program (SPADE).

The Business Advisor will work closely with PPBGs, local stakeholders, and sub-contractors, and management.

S/he will be responsible for timely and effective implementation of project activities and achievement of a portion of the project’s goals.

Minimum Requirements:-
  • Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business Management or a related field is required.
  • Minimum of three years field and technical experience with agribusiness development, farmer cooperatives, entrepreneurship and/or financial analysis relating to agricultural sector is required;
  • Experience working with farmer group programs preferred;
Technical Expert – Gender

Provide leadership and guidance on implementation of gender strategies and initiatives within Poultry Producer Business Groups (PPBGs) development activities for the Smallholder Poultry Agribusiness Development Program (SPADE).

The Gender Business Advisor will work closely with PPBGs, local stakeholders, and sub-contractors, and management.

S/he will be responsible for timely and effective implementation of project activities and achievement of a portion of the project’s goals.

Minimum Requirements:-
  • Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business Management, Community Development, Entrepreneurship or a related field is required.
  • Minimum of three years field and technical experience with agribusiness development, farmer cooperatives, entrepreneurship and/or financial analysis relating to agricultural sector is required;
  • Experience working with farmer group programs preferred;
Technical Expert – Poultry Infrastructure

The job holder will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to meet the objectives of SPADE’s (Smallholder Poultry Agribusiness Development Program).

Provide leadership and guidance on establishment of best practices in poultry infrastructure within the project.

The Poultry Infrastructure Advisor will work closely with Poultry Producers Business Groups, local stakeholders, and sub-contractors, and management.

S/he will be responsible for timely and effective implementation of project activities and achievement of a portion of the project’s goals.

Minimum requirements:
  • Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction management or similar.
  • At least 3 years in the management of engineering based or engineering related operations.
  • Experience working in developmental projects or farmer group programs preferred;
Technical Expert – Monitoring and Evaluation

Provide management of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) components of the Smallholder Poultry Agribusiness Development Program (SPADE) program.

The M&E Officer will work closely with the Business Advisors, Senior Business Advisors and the management.

S/he will be responsible for enabling evidence-based decision-making processes by project leadership, maintenance of SPADE M&E systems, and effective implementation of SPADE M&E activities.

Minimum Requirements:-
  • Qualifications in business, economics, statistics or international development-related studies required;
  • At least 3 years of experience with M&E methods and approaches, including designing, planning, and implementing M&E systems, analyzing and reporting using a logical framework and other strategic planning approaches;
  • Proven ability to work with various M&E methods and approaches;
  • Ability to identify and measure social indicators is critical;
  • Excellent information analysis and report writing.
Technical Expert – Marketing and Sales

The job holder will be responsible for developing and implementing Marketing and Sales strategies to meet the objectives of SPADE’s (Smallholder Poultry Agribusiness Development Program).

Provide leadership and guidance on implementation of the Marketing and Sales strategies and initiatives within the project.

The Marketing and Sales Advisor will work closely with Poultry Producers Business Groups local stakeholders, and sub-contractors, and management.

S/he will be responsible for timely and effective implementation of project activities and achievement of a portion of the project’s goals.

Minimum Requirements:-
  • Degree qualifications in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness or business-related studies required;
  • Minimum of three years field and technical experience with agribusiness development, or entrepreneurship in Kenya is required;
  • Experience in all aspects of developing and maintaining marketing and sales strategies required;
  • Experience working with farmer group programs preferred;
Technical Expert – Group Governance and Training

The job holder will be responsible for providing governance expertise and support SPADE’s (Smallholder Poultry Agribusiness Development Program) developmental activities.

Provide leadership and guidance on implementation of Governance and Training strategies and initiatives within the project.

The Governance & Training Advisor will work closely with Poultry Producers Business Groups (PPBGs), local stakeholders, and sub-contractors, and management.

S/he will be responsible for timely and effective implementation of project activities and achievement of a portion of the project’s goals. .

Minimum Requirements;-
  • Degree qualifications in Business Administration, Commerce, Accounting, Finance Economic or other business-related studies required;
  • Minimum of three years field and technical experience in the development sector, or entrepreneurship in Kenya is required;
  • Experience working with farmer group programs is an added advantage;
Technical Expert – Micro-Finance

Provide leadership and guidance on implementation of microfinance strategies and initiatives within Poultry Producer Business Groups (PPBGs) development activities for the Smallholder Poultry Agribusiness Development Program (SPADE).

The Micro-Finance Business Advisor will work closely with PPBGs, local stakeholders, and sub-contractors, and management.

S/he will be responsible for timely and effective implementation of project activities and achievement of a portion of the project’s goals.

Minimum Requirements:-
  • Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business Management, Community Development, Entrepreneurship or a related field is required.
  • Minimum of three years field and technical experience with agribusiness development, farmer cooperatives, microfinance and micro enterprise, entrepreneurship and/or financial analysis relating to agricultural sector is required;
Technical Expert – Veterinary Medicine

The job holder will be responsible for developing and implementing Veterinary related strategies to meet the objectives of SPADE’s (Smallholder Poultry Agribusiness Development Program).

Provide leadership and guidance on implementation of poultry best practices with the project.

The Veterinary Advisor will work closely with Poultry Producers Business Groups (PPBGs),
local stakeholders, and sub-contractors, and management.

S/he will be responsible for timely and effective implementation of project activities and achievement of a portion of the project’s goals.

Minimum Requirements:-
  • Degree in veterinary medicine, animal health science or equivalent;
  • At least 3 years experience in field veterinary;
  • Must be registered with Veterinary Practitioners Board;
  • Experience working with farmer group programs preferred;
Information and Communications Officer

The job holder will use innovative methods and new communication technologies to deliver a multimedia strategy that communicates SPADE’s (Smallholder Poultry Agribusiness Development Program) work and gives beneficiaries a voice.

Provide leadership and guidance on implementation of communication strategies and initiatives within the project.

The Information and Communication Advisor will work closely with Poultry Producers Business Groups (PPBGs), local stakeholders, and sub-contractors, and management.

S/he will be responsible for timely and effective implementation of project activities and achievement of a portion of the project’s goals.

Minimum Requirements:-
  • A Bachelor’s degree in journalism, advertising, communications or related subject area.
  • At least three years experience in writing, editing, design, web work database management, web content management, blogging and new media tools.
  • Experience in supporting communications and/or media relations in the area of agricultural/entrepreneurial research for development is an added advantage.
  • Ability to read, understand and assimilate complex technical information to produce clear, well-written summaries.
  • Ability to present and package information into various formats to suit specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office packages, basic knowledge of and skills in desktop publishing, HTML, photography and photo editing.
Program Assistant

Provide administrative and logistical support to the Smallholder Poultry Agribusiness Development Program (SPADE) project to facilitate efficient delivery of services.

Minimum Requirements:-
  • Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills a must;
  • Degree in Social Sciences or Business-related discipline;
  • Minimum of 3 years relevant experience;
  • Experience in data input and analysis, report writing, and communications;
  • Experience with program assistance and project accounts
  • Computer literacy with experience in computer filing, office packages and Outlook management.
  • Punctual, attention to detail, logical thinking.
  • Interpersonal skills, ability to work in a team, effective communicator.
Standard Key Competencies (Applicable to all positions above)
  • Ability to generate innovative solutions in work situations;
  • Excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills a must;
  • Ability to develop well-written, cohesive analyses and reports;
  • Proven ability and experience working with and managing teams;
  • Fluency in English and Kiswahili;
  • Western and or Nyanza work experience with communities is an added advantage.
To Apply: 

Please submit your application (by email only) to recruit@manpowerservicesgroup.com with the position title placed in the subject line.

Please include

(1) cover letter describing your interest,

(2) curriculum vitae,

(3) salary history, and

(4) telephone contacts of three referees (former supervisors).

Please include all requirements in one document.

Applications will be treated confidentially.

Deadline for applications is 16th January 2012.

Note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Website: www.tns.org