MESPT Project Officers - Agrifi Programme Jobs in Kenya
MESPT Project Officers - Agrifi Programme Jobs in Kenya
Programme Overview The AgriFI Food Safety Programme is an EU funded Programme whose focus is on Food Safety (Sanitary & Phyto-sanitary Standards), Plant and Animal Health. The programme’s interventions aim at addressing the food safety concerns for both domestic and international market especially in Dairy, Aquaculture and Horticulture (Beans, Mango and Avocado) value chains. The - programme’s overall budget is EUR 7 million and is running for a period of 6 years from 2018 to 2023.
MESPT is implementing the programme in 13 counties focusing on 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. 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. 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.
Programme Outcome
Broadly the project will strengthen the capacities of value chain actors, bolstering commercial farming and improving food security. The project approach is participatory and comprises various interrelated methodologies: market-driven approach, competitive selection of counties/beneficiaries, training of trainers (Tot’s), blended learning methodology and use of incentives.
For further information kindly visit our website www.mespt.org**
Vacant Position
As part of its development programme, MESPT is seeking to engage a highly committed, results-oriented, self-driven professionals with excellent project management skills to ensure the successful delivery of the programme towards achieving its objectives and targets.
Job Purpose
The Project Officer will work closely with target County Governments and Agricultural Training Centers and will be responsible for work planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of all the project activities. This position requires a highly committed and results-orientated person with good coordination and communication skills.
Key Responsibilities
Project Coordination
Promote functional collaboration with County Governments, Central Competent Authorities, and project/development stakeholders to strengthen Horticulture & Dairy Value Chains
Take the lead in operationalizing the strategies as defined by AgriFI for promoting Horticulture & Dairy Value Chains in the priority Counties
Contribute to formulating strategies to improve the agricultural productivity of target farmer cooperatives/groups
Act as a subject matter expert in assigned projects in Collaboration with Central Competent Authorities
Facilitate integration of youth and women in the programme interventions
Give technical input in the specific content of the curricula modules, content of training, training methods and teaching aids during Value Chain Actors training
Work closely with farmers’ associations in the priority Counties to identify opportunities, risks, and approaches for the AgriFI programme
Support the delivery of the reviewed Horticulture & Dairy curricula to be used for Competence Based Education and Training (CBET)at each of the 13 ATVETs of focus
Identify and review internally produced content and research on new and innovative Horticulture & Dairy curricula best practices to be incorporated in the AgriFI Programme
Analyze data for the purpose of improving the ATVETs training programme
Facilitate linking and integration of the AgriFI ATVET Model in the development of Horticulture & Dairy Value Chains
Coordinate and ensure requisite site visits for key programme stakeholders are carried out to track progress of financial and programmatic implementation
Learning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management.
Participate in programme planning & review and programme co-ordination meetings
Support the development of the
AgriFI Horticulture and Dairy value chain data base
Facilitate strengthening of linkages and coordination between Central Competent Authorities(CCAs) and County Governments for data collection coherence
Participate in preparation of activity, monthly, quarterly, biannual and annual programmatic and financial reports and share with key stakeholders as appropriate
Share information and lessons learnt with partners and other programme staff
Programme Strategy & Team Support
Contribute to the formulation and review of AgriFI programme strategies and implementation models
Work with other MESPT staff to identify and develop new ideas and strategic opportunities that contribute to the growth of the organization
In liaison with the Programme Manager represent the programme at county and national government levels and other relevant events
Any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor from time to time
Key Relationships
Internal
· Head of Programmes
· MEAL Manager
· Programme Accountant
· ICT Officers
· Communication Officer
· Programme Assistant
External
· Partner organizations & Central Competent Authorities
· Stakeholders including county government, ATVET’s, research institutions, internal auditors, donors, and private companies
Knowledge, Experience and Skills
A minimum of 5 years relevant working experience, with at least 3 years’ experience gained in the field of Agricultural Value Chains with a bias to Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) model, Horticulture and Dairy development projects with regard to support of farmer groups and/or cooperatives.
Knowledge & training on sanitary and phytosanitary standards.
Experience in curriculum development will be an added advantage.
Previous working experience in donor-funded programmes is desirable.
An understanding of project cycle management approaches and tools – including participatory capacity assessment and planning, project appraisal, monitoring and evaluation and partners’ capacity building,
Experience in community-based programming
Experience in networking among development partners and government departments
Ability to work in partnership with county governments and the private sector: capable of ensuring best practice and dealing with performance issues
Ability and resilience to cope with multiple internal and external demands
High level skills and experience in training & capacity building
Excellent communication and report writing skills.
Highly organized individual in planning activities and tracking activity implementation
Willingness to travel and interact effectively with stakeholders.
Qualifications/Other Requirements:
A minimum of bachelor’s degree in Horticulture/Agronomy, Agricultural Education and Extension, Animal Production/ Veterinary Sciences, Food Sciences or Related Field
Certification in Project Management will be an added advantage
Excellent computer skills especially with MS Word and Excel and presentation related packages
Behaviour
Holds self-accountable to deliver on their responsibilities
Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves
Future orientated, thinks strategically
Develops new and innovative solutions
Willing to take disciplined risks
Has integrity
Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, external partners, and stakeholders
This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available and MESPT reserves the right to make necessary changes.
How to Apply
Qualified and interested candidates should send their application letters indicating their current/last remuneration, detailed CV with email address, daytime telephone contacts, names, and email contacts of 3 professional referees, 2 must have supervised you at some point, with one being your most recent supervisor to
recruitment@mespt.org quoting Job Reference and Job Title in the subject line.
The candidate must legally be eligible to work full time in Kenya.
Please do not send certificates at this stage.
Deadline for applications is 30th January 2021.
MESPT is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and committed to Gender Equity and Diversity.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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