ACDI / VOCA
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: SENIOR MARKET SYSTEMS SPECIALIST
The program aims to do so by taking
collective action on economic opportunities, and by strengthening institutions,
market systems, governance, and human capital.
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT: SENIOR MARKET SYSTEMS SPECIALIST
ACDI / VOCA is currently implementing
a $45 million, 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.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND: The USAID
Kenya Feed the Future Livestock Market Systems (LMS) Leader with Associates
(LWA) program is focused on strengthening community resilience and overcoming
poverty, household hunger and chronic undernutrition through: expanded and
viable economic opportunities; improved systems, institutions, governance; and
human capital.
The Program comprises of Leader and
Associate Awards with the objective to maximize local capacity to plan and
manage integrated resilience programming and foster collaboration with other
implementers to achieve significant and lasting social change.
The Expanding and Diversifying Viable
Economic Opportunities in Northern Kenya (AA1) project provides market-based
pull by facilitating a more competitive, commercialized livestock value chain
for pastoralists that are moving up in the livestock market system and, by
creating viable, diversified livelihoods opportunities for those that are
moving up or moving out of the sector.
The AA1 design builds vibrant market
systems in livestock and other viable industries, enabling households to
generate more income within the sector and to diversify into other income
sources.
By increasing and diversifying income
sources, households –with a focus on youth and women– build resilience and
create sustained pathways out of poverty.
The three objectives that comprise
the pull structure of AA1 are:
1) expanded and diversified viable economic
opportunities;
2) strengthened institutions, systems
and governance; and
3) collaborative action and learning
for market systems change.
JOB SUMMARY: The Senior Market Systems Specialist
will provide technical leadership across the project in the application of
inclusive market systems approach.
S/he will develop evidence-based
strategies to address market system constraints impacting the competitiveness,
inclusiveness, and resilience of livestock market systems in northern Kenya.
S/he will ensure technical quality in facilitation-based interventions; and
lead/oversee market studies, research and assessments to inform activity design
and implementation.
In doing so, s/he will promote and
apply ACDI/VOCA’s Inclusive Market Systems Approach (which is consistent with
industry best practice and on which s/he will be oriented).
S/he will regularly collaborate with
senior leadership in Nairobi and county level technical teams to meaningfully
inform project activities and planning, ensure these are in alignment with the
project’s systems change strategy and prioritized leverage points, expand
catalytic partnership opportunities, and identify ways to amplify spillover
impact from the project’s targeted investments.
This position is expected to
collaborate closely across technical (including the Gender Advisor,
Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation Manager and others) and operational
teams to maximize ongoing learning opportunities that regularly inform program
adaptations in response to shifting system dynamics and learning-by-doing.
The position is based in Nairobi with
regular travel to the ASALs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
·
Reporting to the LMS-AA1 Chief of
Party (COP), provides leadership to embed an inclusive market systems approach,
specifically ACDI/VOCA’s approach (consistent with industry best practice),
into LMS’s overall strategy to identify inclusive market development
opportunities, analyze evolving market trends, and conduct targeted
desk/primary research on new/potential market channels, business models, and
partnerships.
·
In close collaboration with the LMS
AA1 COP, co-leads the participatory development of an annual overarching
project strategy to catalyze systemic changes in LMS’ zone of influence and
regularly updates this strategy based on shifting system dynamics and lessons
learned.
·
Identifies leverage points which a)
advance commercialization and allow vulnerable women, men and youth to
contribute to and benefit from economic growth, and b) support diverse
livelihood pathways and enhancing resilience capacities.
·
Identifies relevant market actors,
assesses end markets and establishes relationships/networks with key
actors/influencers, develops value chain or system maps, identifies
constraints, inefficiencies, value chain bottlenecks, grant opportunities,
market-based solutions, and incentives (capturing these in reports, briefs,
updates and white papers).
·
Participates in the design and review
of project interventions across all AA1 objectives that directly support
overall systems change strategies and identified leverage points.
·
Participates in the technical review
of Livelihood and Enterprise grants, Innovation, and Workforce Development
grant applications. Works closely with the AA1 COP and the Grants Director to
strategically design RFAs and APS from a Market Systems and Sequencing,
Layering, and Integration (SLI) lens.
·
Promotes and applies ACDI/VOCA’s Inclusive
Market Systems Approach, participating in ACDI/VOCA’s global market systems
community and other key industry forums to share, learn, and continually stay
abreast of key market system trends and advancements
·
Contributes to the development of a
culture of learning and adaptive programming that encourages the flow of
information and reflection to maximize performance and continuous improvement
within LMS and its partners.
·
In conjunction with the M&E team,
reviews how AA1 interventions are contributing to community and county-wide
spin-offs, crowding in, business competitiveness, and households’ increased
economic participation and resilience to shocks.
·
Builds capacity of LMS staff and
partners in market systems approach, informing operational tools and processes
that support its application (e.g. social network analysis).
·
Support internal and external
collaboration and learning (including with Partnership Resilience in Economic
Growth partners) to improve and adapt AA1 project design. This includes initiating
and co-leading pause and reflect sessions, hosting sessions and workshops to
adapt program strategy and interventions based on lessons learned, changing
conditions, Government of Kenya priorities and county-specific / socio-cultural
specific contexts.
·
Proactively engages with other
internal teams (M&E, Grants, Gender, Nutrition, Policy and Governance,
other Associate Awards, etc.) to promote and ensure the seamless integration
and coordination of a Market Systems approach across LMS partners.
·
Analyzes, informs, and advises COP on
the feasibility and projected impact of proposed LMS initiatives in support of
performance monitoring plan targets and overall strategic objectives.
QUALIFICATIONS:
·
Solid understanding of market systems
frameworks and facilitation strategies. Extensive experience applying these
frameworks and strategies in agricultural contexts with proven results.
·
Experience analyzing and
understanding market system dynamics and designing market system intervention
strategies that advance strategy, lead to spillover/wider system impact, and
maximize stakeholder ownership and investment in the intervention.
·
Bachelor’s degree in business,
economics, development studies, agronomy, livestock management, or related
field; Masters preferred.
·
Minimum of 8-10 years of experience
in working in agribusiness development with technical understanding of
agribusiness market development in Kenyan context.
·
Proven ability to work with and
motivate private- and public-sector actors, as well as internal team colleagues.
·
Strong written communication skills,
including demonstrated ability to write required documents in a clear, concise,
well-organized manner.
·
Strong analytical skills, including
ability to gather and analyze a variety of information pertaining to issues and
to develop appropriate recommendations for action
·
Excellent management, communication,
and organization skills.
·
Demonstrated skills to build
coalitions and networks that can provide synergies and sustainable solutions to
address market and inclusion constraints.
·
Experience networking and
collaborating with other USAID and donor-funded projects and high-level
government officials.
·
Fluency in English (Fluency in
Kiswahili, preferred)
VACANCY
ANNOUNCEMENT: DEPUTY CHIEF OF PARTY
ACDI / VOCA is currently implementing
a $45 million, 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.
JOB
SUMMARY: The USAID Kenya Feed the Future
Livestock Market Systems (LMS) Leader with Associates (LWA) program is focused
on strengthening community resilience and overcome poverty, household hunger
and chronic undernutrition through expanded and viable economic opportunities,
improved systems, institutions, governance, and human capital.
The Program comprises of Leader and
Associate Awards with the objective to maximize local capacity to plan and
manage integrated resilience programming and foster collaboration with other
implementers to achieve significant and lasting social change.
The Expanding and Diversifying Viable
Economic Opportunities in Northern Kenya (AA1) project provides market-based
pull by facilitating a more competitive, commercialized livestock value chain
for pastoralists that are moving up in the livestock market system and, by
creating viable, diversified livelihoods opportunities for those that are
moving up or moving out of the sector.
The AA1 design builds vibrant market
systems in livestock and other viable industries, enabling households to
generate more income within the sector and to diversify into other income
sources.
By increasing and diversifying income
sources, households –with a focus on youth and women– build resilience and
create sustained pathways out of poverty.
The three objectives that comprise
the pull structure of AA1 are:
1) expanded and diversified viable
economic opportunities;
2) strengthened institutions, systems
and governance; and
3) collaborative action and learning
for market systems change.
The Deputy Chief of Party will
contribute directly to the Feed the Future-funded Livestock Market Systems
Expanding Economic Opportunities (LMS-AA1) Activity’s goal of building upon and
deepening the inclusiveness, resilience and competitiveness of market systems
(and integrated value chains) in the 5 Arid and Semi-Arid Counties of Turkana,
Isiolo, Marsabit, Wajir and Garissa while furthering livestock-related and
other economic opportunities.
The goal of the project is to assist
individuals, households, and communities in these counties to sustainably and
resiliently escape poverty through new economic opportunities in a more
commercialized livestock market system.
The Deputy Chief of Party, LMS AA1 is
responsible for the strategic leadership and successful implementation of
Objectives 1.1 and 1.2 Expanded Economic Opportunities, as detailed fully in
the Award and subsequent annual work plans:
1.
a. Facilitate more competitive, resilient and inclusive
livestock and related market systems to leverage end-market opportunities while
ensuring inclusion and poverty reduction
b. 1.2 Strengthen and diversify productive livelihood
opportunities, for men, women, and youth
Based in Nairobi, and reporting the
LMS-AA1 Chief of Party, he/she manages and facilitates the diligent and
meaningful delivery of activities in the Activity’s zone of influence, via an
appreciative, strategic, analytical and adaptive management approach and style.
ESSENTIAL
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Serve as primary person responsible for overseeing the
technical quality of all LMS-AA1 implementation activities against Activity
Objectives and Targets, including frequent visits to Turkana, Isiolo, Marsabit,
Wajir and Garissa.
2. Provide technical leadership, implementation oversight,
and day-to-day quality control of Objectives 1.1 and 1.2 (as per above). In the
(co)design and implementation of all activities within these components,
maintain a daily, operational commitment to the program’s systemic, inclusive,
and facilitative implementation market systems approach.
3. Support the Chief of Party in providing leadership
management and general technical direction to the 5 county office teams
(Turkana, Isiolo, Marsabit, Wajir and Garissa) and of the entire Activity,
ensuring an integrated and common vision among different components and actors,
and a focus on achieving the results defined Agreement and yearly work plans.
4. Plays a lead role in interacting with key implementing
actors and other development partners, including representation at PREG
meetings and field-based events, including training or outreach events,
workshops, fora, etc. Coordinates and meets with the Chief of Party on a
regular basis to discuss operations, participate in and coordinate regular
planning processes, discuss field activities, successes, and potential issues
and risks, and contribute to knowledge management.
5. Ensures the incorporation and implementation of inclusive
gender and youth positive approaches into all areas of LMS-AA1. Works closely
with the Gender Advisor to communicate and coordinate with County and
Nairobi-based staff, so that gender considerations can be meaningfully and
efficiently integrated throughout all AA1 activities and operations.
6. Identifies and develops interventions that address system
constraints and identify leverage points for appropriate
action/support/investment. Works with the Chief of Party, Senior Market Systems
Specialist and the LMS Grants team in drafting Requests for Proposals and
Annual Program Statements for the solicitation of Growth and Development grant
applications to effect market system change(s).
7. Acts a Technical Lead and central point coordination for
AA1 staff in the technical review of grant applications received, coordinating,
in close collaboration with LMS partners, co-creation/co-investment approaches
in selecting, defining and managing approved grants.
8. Support a comprehensive set of activities that seek to
improve individuals, households, groups, pastoralists’ access to markets,
strengthen livestock value chains throughout the defined/planned economic
corridor and beyond, and diversify end markets for Kenyan livestock and other
products.
9. In collaboration with Gender Advisor, adopt and promote a
gender inclusive approach towards activity delivery and ensure that activities
help to close gender gaps by empowering women as entrepreneurs through AA1
training and activities geared to develop business skills, technical knowledge,
etc.
10.
Identify issues and risks related to
program implementation in a timely manner and suggest appropriate mitigation
measures and program adjustments to the Chief of Party.
11.
Ensure quality control and timeliness
of all deliverables. Prepare and contribute to work plans, financial,
logistical and other documents as requested to facilitate the successful,
responsive implementation of the program.
12.
Support the overall knowledge
management process, contributing to quarterly reports and the M&E process
(where appropriate). Emphasize and facilitate the development of a robust
learning culture within the technical team, adopting an adaptive management
style and providing regular opportunities for the team to: capture and digest
learning from implementation, for staff to provide upward feedback and make recommendations
for improvement to leadership, to build on learnings from LMS, and to assess
the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’ of successes or failures.
13.
As part of supervisory
responsibilities detailed below, manage consistent with the ACDI/VOCA Kenya
employee manual, Kenyan labor laws, and sound management practices.
SUPERVISORY
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Deputy Chief of Party and will
directly supervise County Program Managers in all five LMS-AA1 counties, and
will be responsible for overseeing all technical and administrative staff
during any absence of the COP.
Additional supervisory
responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees;
planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rolling out
learning and capacity development plans for field staff; rewarding and
disciplining employees; identifying capacity gaps and designing responses to
address them; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
QUALIFICATIONS:
·
Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
·
Minimum 5 years of experience in natural
resource management, agriculture, and livestock sectors.
·
Solid understanding of market systems
and value chains; experience in ASALs or northern Kenya preferred.
·
Excellent English writing skills
(corporate reports/plans/briefs/official correspondence). [Candidates may be
administered a written test]
·
Demonstrated understanding of budget
planning, activity-based budgeting and tracking, forecasting; integrity and
zero tolerance approach to corruption/malfeaseance.
·
Knowledge of monitoring and
evaluation tools, systems and ITC applications.
·
Minimum 5 years of management
experience for large (minimum $5M) programs.
·
Strong interpersonal and
communication skills and adaptive management abilities.
·
Demonstrated experience leading,
mentoring and motivating diverse teams (including remote management)
·
Multi-tasking, organizational and
time management skills.
·
Experienced with representing
organizations/projects with high level donor and government officials.
·
Strong understanding and commitment
to gender mainstreaming, responsiveness and inclusion principles, backed by
experience.
·
Swahili proficiency (other local
language fluency/ability an asset)
The position requires extensive field
travel within and beyond Nairobi and Isiolo, Marsabit, Garissa, Wajir, and
Turkana counties.
To Apply:
Please submit a resume to HRKenya@acdivoca.org no later than August 28, 2018. In the subject line,
please include the position title.
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