Since 1963 and in 146 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 in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society.
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 in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society.
ACDI/VOCA currently has approximately
49 projects in 30 countries and total revenues of $151 million
Overview: ACDI/VOCA is currently implementing a five-year program entitled
“Feed the Future Livestock Market Systems (LMS)” development projects in
Northern Kenya funded by the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID).
The aim of the USAID Kenya Feed the
Future LMS program is to strengthen people’s resilience to shocks and stresses
and reduce the prevalence and depth of poverty, household hunger, and chronic
undernutrition.
The program aims to do so by taking
collective action on economic opportunities, and by strengthening institutions,
market systems, governance, and human capital.
Pursuant to its mission, ACDI/VOCA is
seeking for experienced and talented professionals for the Business Development Specialist position to be based in Marsabit, Kenya.
The position is responsible for
providing technical assistance and coaching to selected applicants under the
business development grants program, which mainly consists of micro, small and
medium sized enterprises (MSME’s). Technical assistance to be provided will be
in the preparation of business plans, marketing and business development
strategies.
Responsibilities:
1. Identify and screen commercially viable MSMEs within LMS
livestock areas of intervention (e.g. cattle, camel, poultry, etc.), which will
improve market access, productivity and overall competitiveness of livestock
sector value chains in Marsabit County.
2. Assist and build the capacity of selected businesses to develop
and prepare their business plans, and make necessary recommendations. This will
include providing technical support in the following areas.
Conducting feasibility assessments of
investments to include: SWOT analysis; risk and competition analysis;
discussing with the applicants on possible modalities of governing and managing
the business/investments to optimize their efficiency, effectiveness, capacity
and commercial potential as well as opportunities for creating employment
opportunities in the Counties.
·
Identify potential markets and
requirements for entrance to the market e.g. through market assessments, research
and developing marketing strategies that will provide enterprise growth and
profitability.
·
Develop enterprise operational
strategies to include: Identification of infrastructure and other resources
needed for the enterprise/investment to achieve profitability- to include
actual costing, cashflows, realistic assumptions and benchmarks, requisite
standards, and risk mitigation plans; highlighting concrete steps to be taken
by the selected businesses to ensure effective and efficient operations.
·
Provide insights to the project about
businesses to be supported to ensure risks are mitigated before funding
commitments are made.
1. Provide training, coaching and mentoring support to the grantees
after the award to ensure sustainable and profitable operations.
2. Facilitate grantees networking, business to business linkages
and enhancements to input supply chains.
3. Support grantees to obtain required licenses and certifications.
4. Conduct monitoring and evaluation of the selected business
activities and report on the same.
5. Work with LMS partners to put in place and monitor financial
management systems that will lead to business sustainability.
6. Assess financial needs of businesses and link them to lenders to
access working capital
7. Perform any other duties as required by the Supervisor (County
Program Manager).
Minimum Qualifications:
·
A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in
Entrepreneurship and/or Business Management. A Master’s Degree in a related
field is highly preferred.
·
A minimum of 5 years of professional
experience in developing business plans, conducting economic and/or financial
analysis or other relevant areas is a must.
·
Experience in livestock value chain
and MSME development or closely related field will be an added advantage.
·
Strong writing, analytical,
presentation and reporting skills.
·
Ability to travel and work in
Marsabit.
·
The position requires extensive field
travel within and beyond designated counties.
Pursuant to its mission, ACDI/VOCA is
seeking for experienced and talented professionals for the Program Officer position to be based in Wajir
county in Kenya.
The Program Officer will be reporting
to the Regional Program Manager and provide support to livelihoods and grants
programming, support establishment and operation of business centers, organize
grantees training and oversee internship/apprenticeship activities. They will
also monitor partner organizations’ activities at the field level.
Responsibilities:
·
Identify and screen livelihood groups
and individuals for engagement in income diversification initiatives.
·
Participate in dissemination of key
program information, identification of program beneficiaries and in assessments
and screening of applicants for LMS grants
·
Assist and build the capacity of
selected livelihood groups and businesses through training, mentoring and
couching. Some sessions will specifically target the need of women and youth.
·
Offer technical advice and customer
tailored training to the program beneficiaries across the livestock value chain
and seek expertise assistance/input from LMS partners, line county departments
and other stakeholders.
·
Support the operation of resource
centers at the Wajir LMS county office to provide LMS grantees and with
business development skills.
·
Facilitate the formation of business
networking among the entrepreneurs and livelihood groups.
·
Mobilize entrepreneurs and livelihood
groups/individuals to attend learning visits, trade fairs and important annual
agri-business events.
·
Supervise and oversee internship and
apprenticeship activities.
·
Carry out monitoring of livelihood
and grants activities and collate information that will contribute to human
interesting stories, case studies as well to the program monthly and quarterly
reports.
·
Identify risks and challenges in a
timely manner and suggest appropriate remedial measures.
·
Participate in program surveys, field
data collection, analyses and reporting.
·
Support the implementation of the LMS
gender strategy and deliberately target women, youth and local community with
program activities.
·
Represent ACDI/VOCA at the field and
sub county level by collaborating with PREG partners, county government
official and other stakeholders on sequencing layering and integration of
activities.
·
Perform any other duty as may be
directed by the County Program Manager.
Minimum Qualifications:
·
Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in
Entrepreneurship, Business Management, Livestock Marketing, Agribusiness
Management, International Relations, Development Studies, Pastoral Livestock
Systems Development or a related field.
·
At least 3 years’ working experience
in Livestock value chain or closely related field preferably with NGOs.
·
Experience in MSME development, and
similar fields will be an added advantage.
·
Strong writing, analytical,
presentation and reporting skills.
·
Ability to travel within the North-Eastern
Kenya regions. Extensive field travel is expected.
To Apply:
Please submit a resume to HRKenya@acdivoca.org no
later than June 08, 2018.
Please include the position title and
location in the subject line.
Due to the high volume of
applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone.
Only those candidates considered for
an interview will be contacted.
ACDI/VOCA is an equal opportunity
employer.
Women, minorities and people from
diverse groups are encouraged to apply.
EOE