Micro Enterprises Support Programme
Trust (MESPT)
About MESPT: The Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) is a development organization in Kenya established in the year 2002 by the Government of Kenya and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (Danida).
MESPT current interventions are
designed to support the Government and the people of Kenya to achieve Vision
2030, towards a globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality
of life. The Trust has it’s headquarter in Nairobi with satellite offices in
seven (7) Counties.
About MESPT: The Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) is a development organization in Kenya established in the year 2002 by the Government of Kenya and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (Danida).
Our purpose is to solve pressing
challenges such as alleviation of poverty, promotion of sustainable economic
growth and creation of employment for small holder farmers and other value
chain actors. We provide lasting solutions through our unique business model
that enables beneficiaries to access capital, increase agricultural
productivity and access markets.
The organization is anchored on three
(3) pillars namely:
1. Green Growth: Promotion of Resource Efficient, Clean and Climate
Sensitive Technologies & Solutions
2. Enterprise Development: Market Development for MSMEs through a
value chain approach to enhance effectiveness
3. Value Chain Development: Inclusive and Holistic View of the
Micro-Enterprise
MESPT has in the past 14 years
implemented a range of programs including the EU funded Assistance To Micro
Enterprises Support Programme (ASMEP), The Innovation Fund for Agriculture, The
Endev-K Clean Cook stoves Market Acceleration Project, The USAID/WINROCK Cook
stoves revolving fund, The DANIDA funded country programme among which was the
Business Sector Programme Support (BSPS) under the Business Competitiveness
Component as well as the Natural Resource Management Programme (NRMP).
Currently MESPT is implementing the
DANIDA Country Programme dubbed the Value Chain Greening and Financing
Programme under the Green Growth and Employment Thematic Programme (GGEP)
2016–2020. The programme focuses majorly on addressing poverty and
sustainability issues, accelerating private sector led growth and rendering it
greener and more inclusive.
It is expected to create employment
opportunities, business growth and increased rural household incomes, hence
reduce poverty levels. Further, the programme is promoting technologies that
build household resilience to climate change consequently reducing the poverty
factor that causes households to unsustainably exploit natural resources and
the environment.
The AGRIFI EU funded programme is an
additional agreement between MESPT and DANIDA to be implemented for the next
five years (2018-2022).
About The AGRIFI Programme
The AGRIFI programme is an EU funded
project whose objective is to support production initiatives for the smallholder
farmer that are adaptive to the changing climate and market requirements. The
5-year programme runs from 2018 to 2022 and MESPT is implementing result areas
II and III of the programme. Result area II of the project seeks to strengthen
the capacities of actors along selected value chains through the Agricultural
Technical and Vocational Education Training (ATVET) system approach.
To ensure compliance of Sanitary and
Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) measures by the country, the responsible
inspectors and certifiers need to be empowered and equipped with the proper
knowledge and tools to regulate SPS compliance of horticulture, aquaculture and
dairy produce. Activities under the result area inter alia include supporting
upgrading, development and upscaling of agricultural value chain-based training
curriculums under the ATVETs.
Under result area III the project
seeks to increase the capacity of the private sector and the selected counties
to implement and enforce standards on animal health, food safety and plant
health. Whereas Kenya has high potential for commercial dairy, fruit,
aquaculture and vegetable production for domestic and export market, accessing
international markets, Kenyan products must comply with sanitary and
phytosanitary standards.
Due, in large part, to the lack of
awareness of the social, environmental, and economic costs of poor Sanitary and
Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) compliance, many producers do not implement good
agricultural practices that would mitigate the SPS issues. Therefore, Kenyan
horticultural market must strengthen their regulations in complying with
sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
Activities under the result area will
include translation of sanitary and phytosanitary regulations for value-chains
supported under result area II into user-friendly sector guidelines tools and
practices for use by the sector; and training private and public sector on
sanitary and phytosanitary regulations (SPS) and food and animal safety
requirements and supporting the development of quality management systems.
Counties will also be supported in testing, surveillance and enforcement of SPS
regulations.
Broadly the project will strengthen
the capacities of value chain actors, bolstering commercial farming and
improving food security. Implementing partners include Department of Veterinary
Services (DVS), Kenya Dairy Board (KDB), Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate
Service (KEPHIS), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Horticulture Crops
Directorate (HCD) and the respective county governments.
The project approach shall be
participatory and will comprise various interrelated methodologies:
market-driven approach, competitive selection of counties/beneficiaries,
training of trainers (ToTs), blended learning methodology and use of
incentives.
MESPT is therefore looking for
outstanding, dynamic, results-oriented and self-driven individuals to fill in 4
programme positions, to ensure the successful delivery of the programme towards
achieving its objectives and targets.
Project Officer – Horticulture
Ref: 005/2018
Department: Programmes
Position Reports to: AgriFi Programme Manager
Duty Station: Nairobi
Job Purpose: The job holder is responsible for the design and
implementation of Horticulture Value Chain strategies integral to achieving
AgriFi Programme objectives.
Key Responsibilities
a) Promote functional collaboration
with County Governments, Central Competent Authorities, and project/
development stakeholders to strengthen Horticulture Value Chain.
b) Take the lead in operationalizing
the strategies as defined by AgriFi for promoting Horticulture Value Chain in
the identified priority Counties.
c) Work closely with farmers’
associations in the priority Counties to identify opportunities, risks and
approaches for the AgriFi programme.
d) Support the Horticulture
curriculum review to be used for Competence Based Education and Training.
e) Identify and review internally
produced content and research new and innovative Horticulture curricula
dissemination best practices to be incorporated in the AgriFi Programme.
f) Analyse data for the purpose of
improving the ATVETs training programme
g) Linking and integrating AgriFi
ATVET Model in the development of Horticulture Value Chain.
h) Ensure requisite site visits for
key programme stakeholders are carried out to track financial and programmatic
implementation.
Learning, Monitoring & Evaluation
and Knowledge Management
a) Participate in programme planning,
review and programme co-ordination meetings for MESPT.
b) Participate in setting and
tracking programme performance targets in line with overall strategic goal of
the Programme.
c) Support the further development of
the AgriFi Horticulture value chain data base which will require working with
other MESPT departments and programmes to compile reliable and comparable data
at an appropriate level of detail.
d) Strengthen the linkages between
Competent Authorities and County Governments for data collection coherence.
e) Participate in preparation of
periodic programmatic and financial reports and share with key stakeholders.
f) Share information and lessons
learnt with partners and other programme staff.
g) Responsible for the monthly AgriFi
programme reporting for Horticulture Value Chain.
Strategic Planning & Team support
a) Contribute to the formulation and
review of MESPT AgriFi programme strategy and planning.
b) Work with other MESPT staff to
identify and develop, where appropriate, new AgriFi project ideas and strategic
opportunities that contribute to furtherance of the programming.
c) Support AgriFi team members with
information, tools and resources to improve performance and achieve objectives.
d) Promote accountability,
communicate expectations and provide constructive feedback informally or
formally during regular one-on-one performance reviews.
e) Maintain a work environment that
promotes mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Partnerships & Networking
a) Represent AgriFi programme at
relevant government, donors, partners and NGOs events/ meetings in close
coordination with the supervisor and the management team.
b) Coordinate day to day activities
with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government and other
implementers, as well as with other MESPT programmes.
Key Result Areas
·
Promotion of ATVET model
·
Curriculum Review
·
Strengthening of food safety systems
Qualifications and Competence
·
University degree in horticulture,
Agronomy, Soil sciences or related field
·
At least 5 years of relevant working
experience, with 3 years’ experience gained in the field of Horticulture Value
Chain especially in the horticulture development projects, support to farmer
groups and/or cooperatives, sanitary and phytosanitary standards and curriculum
development.
·
Experience in Monitoring &
Evaluation will be an added advantage.
·
Good oral communication and
interpersonal Skills.
·
Good report writing and presentation
skills.
·
Good familiarity of ICT applications.
·
Highly organized individual in
planning activities and tracking activity implementation.
Project Officer – Dairy
Ref: 004/2018
Department: Programmes
Position Reports to: AgriFi
Programme Manager
Duty Station: Nairobi
Job Purpose: The
job holder is responsible for the design and implementation of Dairy Value
Chain strategies integral to achieving AgriFi Programme objectives.
Key Responsibilities
a)
Promote functional collaboration with County Governments, Central Competent
Authorities as well as with project/ development stakeholders to strengthen
Dairy Value Chain.
b)
Take the lead in operationalizing the strategies as defined by AgriFi for
promoting Dairy Value Chain in the identified priority Counties.
c)
Work closely with farmers’ associations in the priority Counties to identify
opportunities, risks and approaches for the AgriFi programme.
d)
Support the Dairy curriculum review to be used for Competence Based Education
and Training.
e)
Identify and review internally produced content and research new and innovative
Dairy curricula dissemination best practices to be incorporated in the AgriFi
Programme.
f)
Analyse data for the purpose of improving the ATVETs training programme.
g)
Linking and integrating AgriFi ATVET Model in the development of Dairy Value
Chain.
h)
Ensure requisite site visits for key programme stakeholders are carried out to
track financial and programmatic implementation.
Learning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management
a)
Participate in programme planning & review as well as programme
co-ordination meetings for MESPT.
b)
Participate in setting and tracking programme performance targets in line with
overall strategic goal of the Programme.
c)
Support further development of the AgriFi Dairy value chain data base which
will require working with other MESPT departments and programmes to compile
reliable and comparable data at an appropriate level of detail.
d)
Strengthening the linkages between Competent Authorities and County Governments
for data collection coherence.
e)
Participate in preparation of periodic programmatic and financial reports and
share with key stakeholders.
f)
Share information and lessons learnt with partners and other programme staff.
g)
Responsible for the monthly AgriFi programme reporting for Dairy Value Chain.
Strategic Planning & Team Support
a)
Contribute to the formulation and review of MESPT AgriFi programme strategy and
planning.
b)
Work with other MESPT staff to identify and develop, where appropriate, new
AgriFi project ideas and strategic opportunities that contribute to furtherance
of the programming.
c)
Support AgriFi team members with information, tools and resources to improve
performance and achieve objectives.
d)
Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive
feedback informally or formally during regular one-on-one performance reviews.
e)
Maintain a work environment that promotes mutual respect where team members strive
to achieve excellence.
Partnerships & Networking
a)
Represent AgriFi programme at relevant government, donors, partners and NGOs
events/meetings in close coordination with the supervisor and the management
team.
b)
Coordinate day to day activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local
government and other implementers, as well as with other MESPT programmes.
Key Result Areas
·
Promotion of ATVET model
·
Curriculum Review
·
Strengthening of food safety systems
Qualifications and Competence
·
University degree in animal science,
veterinary sciences, food sciences or related field.
·
At least 5 years of relevant working
experience, with 3 years’ experience gained in the field of Dairy Value Chain
especially in the Dairy development projects, support to farmer groups and/or
cooperatives, sanitary and phytosanitary standards and curriculum development.
·
Experience in Monitoring &
Evaluation will be an added advantage.
·
Good familiarity of ICT applications.
·
Good oral communication and
interpersonal Skills.
·
Good report writing and presentation
skills.
·
Highly organized individual in
planning activities and tracking activity implementation.
Project Officer – Dairy
Ref: 006/2018
Department: Programs
Position Reports to: AgriFi
Programme Manager
Duty Station: Nairobi
Job Purpose: The
job holder is responsible for the design and implementation of Aquaculture
Value Chain strategies integral to achieving AgriFi Programme objectives.
Key Responsibilities
a)
Promote functional collaboration with County Governments, Central Competent
Authorities, and project/ development stakeholders to strengthen Aquaculture
Value Chain.
b)
Take the lead in operationalizing the strategies as defined by AgriFi for
promoting Aquaculture Value Chain in the identified priority Counties.
c)
Work closely with farmers’ associations in the priority Counties to identify
opportunities, risks and approaches for the AgriFi programme.
d)
Support the Aquaculture curriculum review to be used for Competence Based
Education and Training.
e)
Identify and review internally produced content and research new and innovative
Aquaculture curricula dissemination best practices to be incorporated in the
AgriFi Programme.
f)
Analyse data for the purpose of improving the ATVETs training programme.
g)
Linking and integrating AgriFi ATVET Model in the development of Aquaculture
Value Chain.
h)
Ensure requisite site visits for key programme stakeholders are carried out to
track financial and programmatic implementation.
Learning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management
a)
Participate in programme planning & review and programme co-ordination
meetings for MESPT.
b)
Participate in setting and tracking programme performance targets in line with
overall strategic goal of the Programme.
c)
Support further development of the AgriFi Aquaculture value chain data base
which will require working with other MESPT departments and programmes to
compile reliable and comparable data at an appropriate level of detail.
d)
Strengthen the linkages between Competent Authorities and County Governments
for data collection coherence.
e)
Participate in preparation of periodic programmatic and financial reports and
share with key stakeholders.
f)
Share information and lessons learnt with partners and other programme staff.
g)
Responsible for the monthly AgriFi programme reporting for Aquaculture Value
Chain.
Strategic Planning & Team Support
a)
Contribute to the formulation and review of MESPT AgriFi programme strategy and
planning.
b)
Work with other MESPT staff to identify and develop, where appropriate, new
AgriFi project ideas and strategic opportunities that contribute to furtherance
of the programming.
c)
Support AgriFi team members with information, tools and resources to improve
performance and achieve objectives.
d)
Promote accountability, communicate expectations and provide constructive
feedback informally or formally during regular one-on-one performance reviews.
e)
Maintain a work environment that promotes mutual respect where team members
strive to achieve excellence.
Partnership & Networking
a)
Represent AgriFi programme at relevant government, donors, partners and NGOs
events/ meetings in close coordination with the supervisor and the management
team.
b)
Coordinate day to day activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local
government and other implementers, as well as with other MESPT programmes.
Key Result Areas:
·
Promotion of ATVET model
·
Curriculum Review
·
Strengthening of food safety systems
Qualifications and Competence
·
University degree in
Fisheries/Aquaculture Management or related field.
·
At least 5 years of relevant working
experience, 3 years’ experience gained in the field of Aquaculture Value Chain
especially in the Aquaculture development projects, support to farmer groups
and/or cooperatives, sanitary and phytosanitary standards and curriculum
development.
·
Experience in Monitoring &
Evaluation will be an added advantage.
·
Good oral communication and
interpersonal Skills.
·
Good report writing and presentation
skills.
·
Good familiarity of ICT applications.
·
Highly organized individual in
planning activities and tracking activity implementation.
Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
Ref: 007/2018
Department: Programmes
Position Reports to: Chief
Executive Officer
Duty Station: Nairobi
Job Purpose: The
M&E Officer will be responsible for the design and implementation of
M&E framework that is integral to achieving MESPT AgriFi Programme
objectives.
Key Responsibilities
a)
Ensure that AgriFi is compliant with all donor-reporting requirements.
b)
Review, analyze and compile monthly, quarterly and annual activities reports to
comply with AgriFi and MESPT reporting requirements.
c)
Provide inputs, information and statistics for quarterly, annual and other
reports for the CEO/Programme Manager on the goal achievements.
d)
Participate in annual project reviews and planning workshops.
e)
Provide tools for measurable performance Indicators.
f)
Prepare monthly and quarterly progress reports based on project activities.
g)
Prepare AgriFi programme risk alerts on projects that may be unsuccessful.
h)
Develop M&E system for the AgriFi partners, donors, stakeholders in line
with existing M&E system.
i)
Develop and strengthen AgriFi programme monitoring, inspection and evaluation
procedures.
j)
Monitor all AgriFi activities’ expenditures and progress towards achieving
outputs.
k)
Monitor and evaluate overall progress on achievement of results.
l)
Monitor the sustainability of the project’s results.
m)
Provide feedback on business strategies and models.
n)
Train staff, partners, and volunteers on guidelines, surveys and other data
collection tools as per donor indicators and requirements.
o)
Conduct regular reviews of achievements against planned targets and share
identified performance and budget utilization gaps to relevant users.
p)
Update the internal program dashboard based on approved progress reports.
q)
Support in data quality control through identification of data quality gaps.
r)
Spearhead performance improvement through data quality assessments and
performance reviews.
s)
Coordinate and enforce data quality compliance of external M&E resource
persons in line with existing M&E system.
t)
Update M&E risk register, and other M&E policies and frame works based
on emerging risks incidents and implementation issues.
Other Duties & Responsibilities
·
Help to identify funding
opportunities for AgriFi to apply in relation to its programme thematic areas
and M&E.
·
Take a lead role in the project
continuous quality improvement (CQI) team.
·
Suggest tactics for improving the
efficiency and effectiveness of the business by identifying bottlenecks in
completing project/ other business activities and developing plans to minimize
or eliminate such bottlenecks.
·
Any other duties as may be assigned
by the manager.
Key Result Areas
·
Monitoring and evaluation compliance
·
Project Success indicators
·
Tracked Feedback
·
Impacts indicators in all results
levels
·
Inspection reports
·
Risk indicators
·
Data management and quality analysis
Job Specification
·
University Degree preferably in,
Economics, Finance, statistics, Social studies or related field.
·
At least 5 years of experience in the
design and implementation of M&E in development projects.
·
Experience in designing tools and
strategies for data collection, analysis and production of reports.
·
Familiarity with principles &
current approaches to M&E using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
·
Flexible, able to deal with ambiguity
and changes in designing and monitoring M&E systems and standards.
·
Proficiency in Microsoft Office
applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, statistical packages)
and the Internet.
·
Must be willing to travel in‐country and
provide on‐side leadership.
·
Self‐motivated and able to work without
close supervision.
·
Excellent organization and planning
skills; detail oriented.
·
Expertise in analyzing data using
statistical softwares.
·
Good report writing, communication
and presentation skills.
Application Procedure
Interested
and qualified candidates should forward their applications via email.
The
application should include a cover letter clearly quoting the job ref &
title in the subject area and a detailed curriculum vitae indicating the
applicants telephone contacts, email address, names and contacts of 3
professional referees.
Please
note the application will only be considered valid if sent to the email: jobs@mespt.org
Applicants
should indicate their current and expected salaries in the cover letter.
Please
do not send certificates at this stage.
Deadline
for applications is Wednesday, 17th October 2018 at or before 5.00pm
MESPT
is an equal opportunity employer (EOE)
Only
shortlisted candidates will be contacted