SNV is a mission-driven global development partner, rooted in the contexts and societies where we work. Inspired by the transformational principles and objectives set out by the SDGs, we are committed to building resilient agri-food systems that deliver food security and adequate nutrition; increasing the reliability and availability of water and sanitation at an acceptable quantity and quality; and improving access to affordable and sustainable energy for all.

 In doing so, we aim to strengthen institutions, markets, and effective governance within and across the agri-food, energy, and water sectors, reducing gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enabling adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

We are one team of over 1,600 people, the vast majority of whom come from the contexts where we work, in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia. Together, we are committed to effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximizing positive, lasting impacts.

Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, knowledge, evidence, and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalyzing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on our operations in Kenya and SNV generally visit our website: www.snv.org

About the project

The Veggies 4 Planet & People (V4P&P) is a five-year (2020-2025), project being implemented by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) and World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) with the support of the IKEA Foundation. The project is implemented in two countries: Ethiopia and Kenya.

The overall project objectives are:

1. To create jobs and income, particularly for youth and women, in the vegetable sector in Ethiopia and Kenya
2. To improve environmental and human health through safe production of vegetables.

In Kenya, the project aims to achieve this by establishing 120 vegetable business networks to engage an estimated 2,400 women and youth in market activities designed to improve their livelihoods and diets.

The V4P&P project has four main outcome areas:

1. Identification, assessment and strengthening of Vegetable Business Networks (VBNs)
2. Promotion of use of regenerative and circular technologies in vegetable production
3. Building of strong commercial vegetable seed systems
4. Awareness and demand creation for sustainable technologies, business services, seeds, other inputs, and safe vegetables and vegetable products.

The project is currently in its 5th year of implementation.

The scope of work for the Junior Consultant will be supporting the V4P&P project and will be focusing on enterprise development for emerging microenterprises, coaching and mentoring of Vegetable Business Network members, market linkages, business development service provision and agroecology policy support to counties. The consultant will work within the Veggies for Planet and People and will report to the Project Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Coaching and mentoring of Vegetable Business Networks in areas of capacity building, market linkages, strengthening of VBN relationships
• Tailor-made capacity building of VBN members, group leaders and coaches on regenerative or agroecological practices
• Enterprise development among VBN members primarily linkages to input/output markets, business skills development and network building
• Capacity building of local service providers such as agrodealers, input suppliers, equipment services providers and offtakers through backward and forward linkages
• Coordinate and foster collaboration with other projects working in similar value chains
• Contribute to knowledge development in the project by developing reports, documenting stories of change and contributing to on-farm research reports
• Supporting county and national governments in development of regenerative or agroecological policies
• Continued support on VBN level vegetable seed multiplication and linkages with commercial seed distributors.
• Supporting establishment/strengthening farmer aggregation and marketing enterprises
• Preparing periodical project reports

• Degree in a relevant discipline; Agribusiness, Horticulture, Business Studies, Entrepreneurship
• Thorough and up to date knowledge of academic and donor thinking in the respective thematic field like regenerative agriculture/ agroecology, women and youth employment and entrepreneurship, and enterprise development.
• Five years’ work experience in an international (development) organization and sound experience in thematic area of working with smallholder farmers on horticulture production and markets.
• Technical knowledge and familiarity in specific topics of value chain development for small holder farmer’s production, markets, food safety, food losses, resilience etc.
• Skills in agriculture market systems approaches and value chain development processes; including stakeholder engagement; the public sector actors, Research institutions, private sector and consumer organisations.
• Experience with capacity development of microenterprises and farmer organisations.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a multi-organisation team.
• Good documentation and reporting skills.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills and experience working in a matrix organization.
• Ability to travel to project locations often.

Contract Type: Consulting Contract
Contract Duration: 11 months

Expected Start Date: September 2024

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Supervision

The consultant will work in close co-operation with and under the guidance and supervision of the Project lead – SNV and in collaboration with other project stakeholders

How to apply:

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by clicking on the “I AM INTERESTED” tab on this page and submitting your CV and cover letter in English before  5th August 2024. 

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