The Micro Enterprises
Support Programme Trust (MESPT) is an autonomous Kenyan organisation whose
Founders are the Government of the Republic of Kenya and the European
Union.
MESPT was established
to continue with the activities carried out under the bilateral
programme.
MESPT is governed by
an independent board of Trustees that oversees a management team charged with
implementation responsibilities.
MESPT provides
financial services and business development services under four broad
categories;
a) Wholesale Loans for on-lending to small
businesses and farmers through financial intermediaries (Microfinance
organisations, Saccos and Financial Services Associations - Village Banks).
b) Business Development Services to the Dairy, Horticulture,
leather, Jua Kali and Fisheries sectors in
form of matching grant funds.
form of matching grant funds.
c) Area based value chain facilitation in 7 counties in the Coast
and Eastern provinces of Kenya.
d) Capacity Building for Financial
Intermediaries and BDS providers.
MESPT is looking for a
highly motivated, self driven individual to work as the Business Development
Officer for Taita Taveta and Loitokitok areas. This position will be for a
period of three years (36 months), and will be based in Voi.
Job Title: Business Development officer (BDO)
Reports to: Regional Manager, Coast and Eastern
Supervises: Driver and Office Assistant
Duty Station: Voi
Purpose:
The Business
Development Officer (BDO) will be responsible for the management and delivery
of the technical, capacity building and administrative aspects of the
Agriculture Business Development and
Natural Resource Management Programme components in Taita Taveta and Loitoktok areas.
Natural Resource Management Programme components in Taita Taveta and Loitoktok areas.
S/he will establish
and work closely with district authorities and/or with other private sector
development partners, in relation to Micro and Small Medium Enterprises
(MSMEs), agribusinesses and farmer groups and associations.
S/he will also be
responsible for the daily management of the MESPT District area Office based in
Voi.
Primary
Responsibilities:
- Establish
close working relations with district authorities and other private sector
initiatives in relation to agri-business and small holder farmer development;
- Prepare
plans and budgets for the areas of operation in close consultation with
the Regional Manager;
- Implement
technical services programmes for MSME agri-businesses and manage
mentoring programmes;
- Establish
and maintain an inventory of farmer groups and associations as well as
MSMEs, relevant provincial and district consultants, training and other
business development services providers;
- Provide
guidance and advise relevant target ABDP clients (MSME, farmers ,groups
and associations), develop suitable business plans, strategies and
objectives in order to promote farming as a business;
- Provide
guidance and advise relevant target ABD clients on management and
organizational development aspects to ensure the success of their
ventures;
- Advice
ABD clients on suitable production, processing and packaging technology
that is relevant to their venture;
- Carry
out continued market intelligence and research to enable provision of
support and guidance on market research and development activities to the
ABD management and clients;
- Provide
sound advice on finance, accounting and bookkeeping activities to ABDP
clients and SME;
- Identify
and support mobilization of farmers, groups and associations on
negotiating capacity in order to increase their chances of accessing
retail financial services;
- Where
required, identify, manage and supervise the implementation of consultancy
services in accordance with work plans;
- Support
the implementation of rural financial services programmes of MESPT and
monitor wholesale lending to target groups;
- Prepare
progress and annual reports to the Regional Manager;
- Link
the farmer groups and individual farmers to markets (processors and SMEs).
- Work
with the Natural Resource Management (NRM), Officer to support the
processors with environmental management technologies.
- Supervise
the implementation of projects funded under outputs 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the
Business Sector Programme phase 2.
- Ensure
that all communication with the media and donors is channeled through the
Regional Manager and the MESPT CEO.
- Manage
the District office including staff assigned to the office.
Person Specifications
Academic
Qualifications
- A
Bachelors degree in agricultural economics, business administration or
other relevant field;
Experience:
- 5 years
relevant working experience
Skills
- Extensive
experience in agricultural business development and familiarity with
lending to farmers’ associations and MSEs;
- At
least five years of relevant professional experience at District level
with a reputable NGO, project or private sector organisation;
- Excellent
organization, inter personal and negotiation skills
- Fluency
in English and Kiswahili. Knowledge of local languages will be an added
advantage; and
- Report
writing (preparation), skills
- Computer
literacy
- Knowledge
of microfinance, NRM approaches, market development approaches in BDS,
Value Chain development and Making Markets work for the poor will be an
added advantage.
Personality
- Self
motivated, works well with minimal supervision
- Pro-active,
Goal oriented, high level of initiative
- Team
player
- Honest
and reliable.
Qualified Candidates interested in the post should send their
application by Post or Courier to be received by 5th October 2012 and include:
Detailed CV, email address, daytime telephone contacts, current and expected
remuneration package, names and email contacts of three referees and the
academic certificates and other testimonials to the following address:-
The Company Secretary
Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT)
Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT)
2nd Floor, Vision
Tower, Muthithi Road, Westlands
P. O. Box 187, Sarit Centre 00606,
P. O. Box 187, Sarit Centre 00606,
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: 3746354, 3746764,
3749942
Fax 3746764
Cell phones: 0722
207905 and 0735 333154
Websites: www.microfinancetrust.org and www.mespt.org
Email applications will not be accepted.
Email applications will not be accepted.
Any form of canvassing
will lead to automatic disqualification.
Those who do not hear
from us by 31st October 2012 should consider their applications unsuccessful.
