Company Description

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner, rooted in the contexts and societies where we work. Inspired by the transformational principles and objectives set out by the SDGs, we are committed to building resilient agri-food systems that deliver food security and adequate nutrition; to increasing the reliability and availability of water and sanitation at an acceptable quantity and quality; and to improving access to affordable and sustainable energy for all. In doing so, we aim to strengthen institutions, markets, and effective governance within and across the agri-food, energy, and water sectors, reducing gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enabling adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises. We are one team of over 1,600 people, the vast majority of whom come from the contexts where we work, in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia. Together, we are committed to effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive, lasting impacts. Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, knowledge, evidence, and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside. Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on our operations in Kenya and SNV generally visit our website: www.snv.org

Overview of the project

The Engaging Kenyan Youth in Agriculture and Nutrition (EKYAN) project aims to create sustainable economic opportunities for young people in the agricultural sector, particularly those who are not in school, thereby contributing to Kenya's broader development goals. The project is funded by UNICEF under the Generation Unlimited umbrella. The project will run from the 1st of September 2024 till 31st of August 2025, and the area of intervention will include Kirinyaga, Samburu, Busia and Kisumu Counties with an assigned target of 3,200 youth.

The EKYAN project will apply the SNV-YEE market systems development approach: Push (skills training and relevant technical training), Match (linking youth to market opportunities for employment and enterprise development, including access to finance), Pull (youth employment creation and enterprise development in identified agricultural value chains through mentoring, coaching and leadership development) to address targeted youth unemployment and underemployment and promote linkages with agricultural value chain actors in targeted counties including , government agencies, private sector companies, farmer organisations, input suppliers, market actors and other partners in the agriculture sector.

Job Description

The Project Officers - Youth in agribusiness will work in coordination with other EKYAN teams to make sure all the interventions implemented are aligned with the project objectives and reporting requirements.

At county level each Project Officer will be the main coordinator of youth support activities as outlined in the job description, annual work plans and will work under the supervision of the EKYAN Project manager.

The Project Officer - Youth in Agribusiness understands youth demands and dynamics, as well as demonstrate capabilities to understand and appreciate empowerment of young women and men. The key responsibility of this position is to facilitate project activities implementation at county level, assisting in strengthening youth participation in agriculture, facilitate their engagement with producer organisations, markets and business actors, partnerships, mapping youth employment and entrepreneurship in agriculture value chain opportunities, and mobilising them for self-employment and agribusiness ventures. In addition, the Youth in Agribusiness Officer roles will include but not limited to providing project implementation support including documenting and reporting on youth skills and entrepreneurship development activities, conducting field visits, data collection and reporting. SNV is recruiting two Youth in Agribusiness Officers, one Officer to be stationed in Kisumu covering Kisumu and Busia counties and one Officer to be stationed in Nanyuki covering Samburu and Kirinyaga counties.

Responsibilities

1. Develop the project annual activity plan in line with the targets and orientations of the Project annual work plan. This plan will indicate activities to be implemented to achieve youth targets and other project indicators and deliverables;
2. Lead the implementation of the annual work plan, monitor progress and anticipate challenges;
3. Support the EKYAN team in young women and men (50% women) selection, training and coaching including mobilisation and identification to join the project in coordination with key actors and partners and leverage on other ongoing youth development programmes and activities for scale and sustainability;
4. Facilitate and provide required technical support for market relevant and youth-friendly, employability skills training and development in targeted counties;
5. Strengthen the capacities of project partners and coaches involved in youth support to achieve the project's objectives in terms of youth inclusion in agriculture sector;
6. Support implementing partners to implement youth empowerment activities working with other technical project partners including coaching and accompaniment for work and market readiness.
7. Organise, monitor and support the implementation of county-based youth skills development, entrepreneurship, access to market facilitation and access to finance support activities and give advice and feedback on timely and quality implementation;
8. Coordinate learning, report on best practices with regard to youth skills development, employment and entrepreneurship within the project;
9. Ensure proper documentation and records of trained youth for self-employment, keep records of identified young agri-preneurs for coaching and market linkages facilitation;
10. Support learning and exchange of best practices and innovative solutions in youth entrepreneurship and attend key events and share learnings on youth employment in agriculture;
11. Ensure timely project activity reporting including youth selection, training and coaching progress and other deliverables from project partners.

Qualifications

Education

Minimum a Bachelor degree in Agricultural Sciences, Agribusiness, Rural Development, Agricultural Extension or Agricultural Economics

Relevant Experience

• Technical professional, with knowledge and knowhow of implementing employability and agro-entrepreneurship programs with actors and stakeholders in agricultural value chains;
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in youth employment and entrepreneurship in agro-processing, agribusiness development and gender mainstreaming
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the agricultural sector focusing on value chain and agro enterprise development;
• Track record in supervision and facilitation of youth training, advisory work related to agriculture production, supply chain management, private sector development, market access, access to finance and technical backstopping;
• Ability to train, coach, lead, stimulate, and inspire young professionals in a development context with more focus in agribusiness and entrepreneurship;
• Experience working in youth programming and assessing the needs and potential of youth in rural-urban agricultural settings;
• Experience working with the private sector and producer organisations;
• Excellent social and networking skills, ability to engage with local governments institutions, the private sector, farmers organisations, and other local partners;
• Good training facilitation skills and ability to inspire and energise teams.

Additional Information

Terms of Appointment

This is a full-time position with the successful candidate being contracted on an eleven month basis starting October 2024 until August 2025. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The duty station is either Kisumu or Laikipia with frequent travel to the target counties.

How to Apply

Please apply by clicking on the “I AM INTERESTED” tab on this page and submit the above outlined documents in English and should be submitted by 8th September 2024.

NB:

Only shortlisted will be contacted.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement.