Land O’Lakes - International Development is implementing the
Kenya Feed the Future Innovation Engine (KFIE) program on behalf of
USAID/Kenya.
KFIE serves as a mechanism through which innovative private
sector-oriented strategies that support food security and nutrition are
proactively identified, incubated and scaled up for widespread impact.
Agricultural Innovation Specialist
The Agricultural Innovation Specialist shall be responsible for
providing critical analytical and knowledge support to the KFIE
program team, by staying abreast of key sources of data and information on the
state of agricultural and nutrition innovation in Kenya.
In part, this role shall involve undertaking detailed
fact-finding and gathering of market intelligence on the Kenyan agricultural
value chain development and nutrition landscape - to include identification of
ongoing innovation-related activities and associated organizations, mapping of
local business and market conditions, assessment of policy and regulatory
environments as well as analyses of current trends and challenges.
The Agricultural Innovation Specialist shall also proactively
identify promising opportunities for KFIE support and conduct associated
outreach to agricultural and nutrition innovation stakeholders, in addition to
contributing towards design and management of KFIE grant funding and technical
assistance support.
This position is based in Nairobi and shall report directly to
the KFIE Chief of Party.
Requirements:
- At
least 7 years’ experience in agribusiness, agriculture/nutrition research
and product/service development, regulatory affairs, extension services,
market research or other relevant field.
- Master’s
degree in an agricultural discipline or relevant field, or Bachelor’s
degree and 5 years of additional work experience.
- Excellent
verbal, written communication skills in English and Kiswahili.
- Ability
to summarize complex quantitative information from multiple sources and
combine it with text to explain the underlying reality as clearly and
unambiguously as possible.
- Capacity
to turn out high quality written work under tight deadlines.
- Competency
in use of Microsoft Office software - particularly Word, Excel, Outlook,
and PowerPoint.
- Demonstrated
track record in initiating new and innovative approaches.
- Strong
inter-personal skills, self-motivated and result-driven, with ability to
effectively build and manage networks and relationships for program
promotion and issues resolution.
- Highly
developed conceptual, analytical and innovative problem-solving ability.
- Demonstrated
awareness and knowledge of the local and regional economic and business
climate as well as the Kenyan agricultural innovation and agribusiness
landscape will be distinctly advantageous.
To apply:
Applications for this position should be sent to recruit.kenya@idd.landolakes.com no later than Friday 24th August 2012.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.