Since 1963 and in 145
countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional
nations to succeed in the global economy.
Based in Washington,
D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization
that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness,
financial services, enterprise development, community development and
food security to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil
society.
ACDI/VOCA has approximately 76 projects in 36 countries and revenues of about $170 million.
Value Chain Investment Advisor, Kenya
We currently seek a Value
Chain Investment Advisor
for
a project in Kenya, based in Isiolo County for one year, and then
Nairobi with significant travel to Marsabit and Isiolo Counties in
subsequent years.
This person will report
to the Chief of Party for the project and provide supervision over a
team of technical specialists for a project that aims to improve the
competitiveness and inclusiveness of the livestock industry in the arid
lands of Kenya, particularly Marsabit and Isiolo Counties.
The successful candidate will be subject to donor approval.
Responsibilities
- In collaboration with
the team and partners, design and implement a market-driven strategy
that creates incentives for commercial investment in the livestock
sector and results in private-sector led solutions to myriad market
constraints
- Lead research and
writing of in-depth value chain analyses of the livestock market
system—including hides and skins, meat, and dairy value chains—which
will serve as the basis for work planning and strategy formulation
- Based on constraint
analyses and in consultation with pastoralists, identify and implement
activities to expand markets into rural areas, including the
rehabilitation of market structures through community-driven grants, as
needed, and working collaboratively with other partners to ensure
effective, fair governance and management of markets
- Monitor the
investment climate and engage the GoK and other stakeholders in dialogue
on reforms needed to enhance the incentive framework for increased
private participation and profitability
- Identify, vet and
broker innovative business plans, models and concepts that increase
access to markets, financial services, and secure transactions across
the range of gender, age, socioeconomic/wealth levels, and demographics;
support these initiatives through targeted risk mitigation using grants
from the project’s Innovation Fund
- Identify capacity
building needs of private sector and other value chain actors and
facilitate access to relevant trainings and support services as needed
- Promote learning and
innovation among stakeholders that leads to improved competitiveness,
greater inclusion of poorer pastoralists and women herders and traders,
and greater transparency throughout the value chains
- Ensure that the
technical staff employ appropriate market-driven strategies and
methodologies to achieve maximum benefits toward short- and long-term
project goals.
- Provide mentoring support on value chain approaches to project staff as needed
Qualifications
- Minimum of 8 years
of regional/international experience in economic growth, trade, value
chain competitiveness, livestock, agricultural development, and/or food
security programs; preference will be given to candidates with
considerable working experience in pastoral areas
- Demonstrated success
in implementing programs aimed at increasing the competitiveness and
inclusiveness of value chains using facilitation approaches
- Demonstrated
knowledge of the latest developments in advancing good/best practices in
value chain development (i.e., USAID’s value chain and facilitation
approach) that reaches women, youth, the poor and very poor, creativity,
willingness to innovate, think systemically and design catalytic
interventions
- Effective
communication skills—written and verbal—to ensure effective
dissemination of project information and collaboration across projects
- Strong background in gender integration and women empowerment
- A minimum of a
Master’s degree in a relevant discipline or a Bachelor’s degree in a
relevant field with an additional 7 years’ experience to the required
minimum above; fields of discipline and experience should be from areas
such as Animal Science/Livestock Development, Veterinary Science,
Agriculture, Agric. Economics, Agribusiness, and/or Entrepreneurship
Development
How to apply:
To be considered for this recruitment, please e-mail your resume to REGALAG@joinav.org.
Please include the position title in the subject line.
No phone calls please.
Only finalists contacted.
Women and minorities encouraged to apply.
EOE.
Please apply by close of business, May 17, 2013.
