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.
Community Investment Specialists, Kenya
We currently seek Community
Investment Specialist for an ongoing, multi-year USAID-funded program focused
on reducing poverty and hunger by improving the inclusiveness and
competitiveness of the livestock value chain in Isiolo County in the arid lands
of Kenya.
This person will report to the Value
Chain Investment Advisor for the project and will use community-driven,
participatory approaches to provide technical input into the disbursement of
Community Contracting Funds.
This person will also serve as the
primary linkage between communities in the assigned county and other value
chain actors to identify innovative opportunities to facilitate behavior change
among pastoralists, creating competitiveness and relevant linkages in the
livestock sector, while helping position the pastoral communities to take
advantage of the new opportunities and ultimately accelerate economic growth.
Responsibilities
- Review existing livestock value chain analyses
and other available information on the market system for the three key
livestock value chains under the REGAL-AG program in Isiolo on an ongoing
basis to identify changes in the emerging opportunities and constraints
- Identify and advise the Value Chain Investment
Advisor on the development of innovative business plans, models and
concepts that have the potential to increase access to markets
- Support the Value Chain Investment Advisor in
facilitating forward and backward linkages between rural livestock
entrepreneurs, financial institutions and private investors to increase
pastoralist’s financial capital, capacity and competitiveness
- Identify capacity building needs of
producer groups, traders, private sector actors and other value chain
actors and facilitate access to relevant trainings and support services as
needed
- Working collaboratively with other partners,
facilitate and implement co-management models in markets in the
assigned county and build the capacities of the Livestock Marketing
Associations to ensure effective, transparent, and fair governance and management
of markets
- Support project efforts to mobilize
communities to identify priority upgrades to livestock market
infrastructure that can be supported through the project’s Community
Contracting Fund; serve as primary liaison with the communities throughout
the infrastructure works to ensure activities are being implemented in
line with communities’ needs and expectations
- Create awareness on existing livestock
investment opportunities and support livestock producers and traders to
take advantage of the new opportunities (including increasing value and
volume of livestock and livestock products for export markets)
- Improve learning and adoption of appropriate
technologies and practices, increase investment in upgrading using
improved technology, improved genetic material, purchased services and
improved products
- Work closely with the Pastoral Policy Advisor
and Gender Advisor to address market-related policy constraints and ensure
gender issues are addressed throughout project activities
- Work closely with the Monitoring Evaluation
and Learning Specialist and Communications and Knowledge Manager to
capture, document and report community-driven market-related activities
and success stories for internal and external learning purposes
Qualifications
- At least a Master’s degree related
to livestock or Agriculture Economics
- Strong communications and interpersonal skills
with evidence of ability to productively interact with a wide range and
levels of organizations (government, private sector, NGOs, research institutions)
- Strong commercial and business acumen
attribute and investment facilitation skills
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate across
projects, to be flexible and creative
- At least 5 years of professional
experience working in livestock or agricultural development or programs in
the Horn of Africa, especially in the pastoral areas
- At least 2 years’ experience in value chain
development and enterprise development
To be considered for these positions,
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,
August 29, 2014.