Input supply – Kenya

     

Job Description

Program Background:
CNFA is currently seeking applications from qualified candidates for Input Supply Lead for the USAID Strengthening Agriculture and Regional Resilience (STARR) program that spans across all East African Community (EAC) countries, (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda) and additional countries in East Africa (Zambia, Somalia, Sudan, Djibouti, and Ethiopia). This activity will promote increased agricultural production, investment, trade and resilience to shocks and stresses in the East Africa region by addressing agricultural issues that can mainly be solved on a regional basis. STARR’s interventions will be directed through four interrelated project component areas: 1) strengthening cross-border agriculture trade and value chains, 2) improved regional agricultural inputs, 3) strengthening resilience, and 4) strengthening the regional policy environment. Position Description: The Input Supply Lead will lead the input supply interventions of this project. In this capacity, s/he is responsible for the overall design, implementation, oversight, and reporting of the activity’s objectives around input supply, including related cross-border trade, inputs, resilience, and policy activities. S/he will work with local partners and conducts regular site visits to ensure effective implementation while coordinating closely with other technical team leaders to increase impact of program interventions. This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and will include travel throughout the East Africa region.
Key Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively increasing management responsibility in international development projects is required;
• Experience managing donor-funded development projects of a comparable size and scope in developing countries is required;
• Experience in the agro-input private sector, preferably within the East African Region;
• Knowledge of agrochemicals, veterinary drugs, and seed;
• Understanding of regional input trade regulations;
• Proven and demonstrable leadership skills are required;
• Demonstrated expertise in building and maintaining relationships with host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and private-sector partners is required;
• Experience in Malawi or Sub-Saharan Africa is preferred;
• Master’s degree in economic development, business administration, agribusiness, agriculture, or a related field preferred;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English is required; oral and written fluency in regional languages is preferred.

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About the Organization

Founded in 1985, CNFA manages a portfolio of nearly $300 million in 15 countries. CNFA applies market-system approaches that engage local stakeholders to strengthen value chains and increase incomes, competitiveness, and employment for smallholder farmers and
agribusinesses. CNFA programs strengthen the organizational and technical capacity of agribusinesses, cooperatives, and associations (including women’s and youth groups) to support farmers and promote the uptake of improved technologies and techniques to enhance productivity and natural resource management. We improve business and management practices of farmers and agribusiness and increase their access to affordable financial services. We also facilitate strong business linkages between smallholders and suppliers of quality inputs, service providers, buyers, and profitable markets.