Consultancy - THE ROLE OF CSOS IN SCALING INNOVATIVE MODELS IN THE AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAIN, AGRA

1. Introduction
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is a dynamic, African-led partnership working across the African continent to help millions of smallholder farmers out of poverty. To achieve this, AGRA works with African governments, international partners, private sector and public institutions to mobilize resources and political support required to invest in projects that strive to address food insecurity and increase the incomes of smallholder farmers. AGRA invests in integrated soil fertility management, seed systems, market access, farmer organizations, and policy and advocacy, offers practical solutions across agricultural value chain to significantly boost farm productivity and incomes for the poor while safeguarding the environment.

1.1. Engagement with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

AGRA’s leadership realizes that the voices and ideas of civil society organizations must be elevated and incorporated into their work. This is because CSOs represent small farmers and citizens in communities across the continent. They represent a diversity of backgrounds, opinions, beliefs and cultures that must be included in catalyzing a Green Revolution. In most African context, a vibrant civil society sector is essential to effective outreach, advocacy and knowledge transfer. As such, AGRA recognizes that it must have the support of and work in collaboration with a variety of civil society organizations, among them those representing smallholder farmers, women, environmental and advocacy groups to scale up innovations targeted at the agricultural value chain.
The recently completed AGRA-CSO Engagement Strategy underscores the importance of AGRA’s engagement with CSOs, and identifies four strategic thrusts where this engagement could be employed1. One of the compelling case for CSO-AGRA collaboration cited in this strategy is that AGRA and CSOs working together are in a great position to leverage more resources from different constituencies and can deliver much more when working together. An important strategic thrust of engagement identified in this Strategy is the enhancing CSO involvement in advocacy and project implementation for impact at scale. This strategic thrust anticipates that CSOs could be engaged in scaling innovative models in the agricultural value chain.
Cognizant of the potential role that CSOs could play in helping scale up agricultural value chain innovations, AGRA now wants to recruit a consultant to conduct two separate but related assignments namely: 1) Mapping of CSOs in AGRA’s P1 countries (Tanzania, Ghana, Mozambique and Mali) and Kenya- five countries in total and 2) Preparing a well-researched, practical and comprehensive paper on, “Opportunities and challenges for CSOs organizations in scaling innovative models in agricultural value chain”. The goal is to provide thought leadership into best approach for working with CSOs in scaling innovative models so that more farmers and wider geographies benefit from innovative models developed and piloted by AGRA and her grantees.

2. The Assignment
AGRA is developing innovative solutions to constraints across the agriculture value chain. The AGRA theory of change is grounded on grant making to develop and pilot innovative models, and then engage with partners such as the private sector, governments and CSOs to scale these models. Over the last six years, the organization has primarily focused on grant making and has made limited progress in catalyzing change through other players. Therefore, though AGRA has succeeded in developing innovative models, efforts in scaling these models to reach more people in wider geographies is still work in progress. AGRA recognizes the potential presented by CSOs in scaling up innovative models. However, before any action plan is put in place for engaging CSOs in scaling innovative models, it is important to develop a clear understanding of the range of CSOs working in the agricultural value chain, analyze the CSOs for the purpose of understanding their relevance and the perspective they offer, understand their relationship to the issues and each other, and to prioritize based on their relative usefulness to scaling innovations. This assignment will entail two assignments: mapping of CSOs and developing a paper on opportunities and challenges for CSOs organizations in scaling innovative models in agriculture value chain. Below is a more elaborated description of the two components of the assignment.

2.1. CSOs Mapping Assignment
AGRA seeks the services of a highly competent consultant for a short-term period to assist in the mapping of CSOs in Tanzania, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique and Kenya. The purpose is to understand which CSOs are working in these countries, what are their major activities, their strength and weaknesses, capacity building needs and other profile relevant to scaling innovative models in the agriculture value chain. The specific objectives are:
1. Identify the CSOs working in the agriculture value chain, including those involved in advocacy and service provision to farmers. Profile the CSOs into three categories namely: Farmer organizations (FO), Service providing CSOs and Campaigning CSOs2
2. Analyze the CSOs to bring out their relevance and perspective they provide with regard to: activities implemented in the agricultural value chain, capacity building needs, willingness to engage/partner, expertise etc.
3. Present a prioritized list of CSOs, showing which CSOs are most useful to engage with in scaling innovative models in agriculture value chain and capacity building activities

2.2. Preparing Paper
AGRA seeks the services of a highly competent consultant for a short-term period to assist in developing a paper on the “Opportunities and challenges for CSOs organizations in scaling innovative models in agriculture value chain”. The target countries are Tanzania, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique and Kenya. The broad objective of this consultancy is to clearly identify existing scope for working with CSOs to scale agricultural innovations, experiential evidence of opportunities and strengths.
Specific objectives are:

1. Provide clear insights into how CSOs could be deployed in scaling innovative models in the agricultural value chain
2. Recommend a framework/institutional arrangement for managing AGRA-CSO partnership in this scale up model, and which CSOs AGRA should engage with, based on the mapping exercise.
3. Provide clear action points for operationalizing the scaling up activities
4. Carry out literature review to demonstrate successful examples of CSOs scaling up innovations in the agricultural value chain

3. Scope of work
The consultant(s) will deliver results of the CSOs mapping exercise and the paper. The latter must provide practical insights into the opportunities and challenges of using CSOs to scale innovative models.
Specifically, the consultant will:
1. Prepare a proposal outlining their understanding of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the consultancy. This should include a discussion of methods to be used to carry out the assignment, to collect, analyze and present the information, and a detailed budget showing fees and research expenses. Indicate the country or countries that you are bidding for. One’s choice of country should be informed by their knowledge of the CSOs environment in that country or their ability to demonstrate they have partners in those countries that they can work with.
2. Prepare the mapping exercise report and the Paper
3. Present the results to plenary bringing together CSOs, AGRA staff and other stakeholders

Deliverables

1. A Detailed work plan
2. CSOs mapping report
3. A paper on the role of CSOs in scaling up innovative models in the agricultural value chain. At the minimum, this paper must include:
1. The framework for implementing this CSO engagement in scaling up innovative models in the agriculture value chain
2. Specific examples of successful deployment of CSOs in scaling innovative models
3. Action priorities needed to put into operation engagement of CSOs in scaling up innovative models
4. A PowerPoint summary of the paper
5. References and copies of literature used in developing the paper

Duration of Consultancy
The consultancy should take 25 billable days and the report submitted by or before 31st October. The consultant is expected to give regular updates of progress

Qualifications and Experience

• A post graduate qualifications in social sciences or development studies
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience;
• Thorough understanding of the CSOs environment
• Previous experience in stakeholder/organization mapping
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, demonstrated ability to facilitate workshops

Application procedure
Interested and qualified consultants (or consulting firms) should submit an application which should include the following;
1. CVs of consultant(s)
2. Proposal for implementation of the assignment, including detailed methodology and indicative budget.
Interested parties should send their expressions of interest on or before September 30th 2013 to the following email address: PAP@agra.org with the email subject given as “Role of CSOs in scaling innovative models”. The full Terms of Reference (TOR) and requirements can be viewed by visiting the AGRA website: http://www.agra-alliance.org

Area Coordinator - ACTED Kenya

Background on ACTED

ACTED is an independent international, private, non-partisan and non-profit organization that operates according to principles of strict neutrality, political and religious impartiality, and non discrimination.
ACTED was created in 1993 to support populations affected by the conflict in Afghanistan. Based in Paris, France, ACTED now operates in 32 countries worldwide, with over 200 international and 4000 national staff. ACTED has a 110 million € budget for over 370 projects spanning 8 sectors of intervention; including emergency relief, food security, health promotion, economic development, education & training, microfinance, local governance & institutional support, and cultural promotion.
For more information, please visit our website at www.acted.org.

Country profile

Capital Office : Nairobi
National Staff : 64
International Staff : 14
Areas : 3 (West Pokot, East Pokot, Maralal)
On-going programmes : 8
Budget : 1.8 M €
ACTED launched its Kenya mission in January of 2008 with an emergency assistance program for residents in Nairobi slums affected by the post election violence. Since 2009, Nairobi has also been the home base of ACTED’s relief operation in Southern Somalia.
In 2011, ACTED responded to the worst drought in Kenya in the past sixty years, providing vulnerable agro-pastoralists in Northern Kenya with emergency water and sanitation assistance, cash injections and destocking. ACTED facilitated dialogue and peace negotiations among and between conflicting communities, enabling pastoralists to peaceably access and share scarce water resources and pasture at the height of the crisis. Capacity-building and input support for agro-pastoralists in the beginning of the year sought to improve animal health and marketing, strengthen income-generating activities and aid in sustainable management of resources, protecting livelihoods from the impact of the drought and building community resilience.
In 2012, ACTED remains poised to respond to emergency needs in Northern Kenya.
ACTED also continues enhancing community and government capacity to prepare for and manage drought, building stronger, more resilient livelihoods in Samburu county and East Pokot district.

Position profile

The Area Coordinator is responsible for the implementation of ACTED’s global mandate in the relevant area, and for the scope of activities developed within this mandate.
1. Ensure ACTED Representation in the area of activity
- Representation vis-à-vis provincial authorities:
Participate in official meetings to ensure maximum visibility vis-à-vis provincial authorities.
- Representation vis-à-vis Donors:
Establish and update contact details of potential Donors active in the area of activity;
Participate in Donor meetings at provincial level and communicate relevant information to the Country Director;
Circulate the Annual Report.
- Representation amongst other international organisations:
Participate in inter-NGO Coordination meetings and those of UN Agencies (OCHA, UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, etc.), and any other relevant inter-governmental institution at provincial level;
Ensure maximum visibility of the Agency amongst the NGO community at provincial level;
Lead the production of reports and ensure the timeliness and accuracy of information provided, as well ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information.
More generally, the project manager is expected to contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of ACTED’s mandate, ethics, values and stand-point with regard to other actors.
2. Contribute to the development of a global intervention strategy and to support its implementation at provincial level
- Analyse the context and develop strategic plans, in consultation with the Country Director:
Gather and analyse information regarding opportunities and risk;
Define an operational strategy for finances and HR.
- Implement the financial strategy:
Oversee drafting of projects and budget development;
Lead fund-raising and negotiations with Donors in the area of intervention;
Lead the application and adherence to contract terms and requirements;
Supervise overall financial commitments and financial risk.
- Implement the operational strategy:
Supervise Project Managers of the area of intervention in project implementation;
Help the various teams in negotiations with provincial/local authorities and partners;
Ensure global coordination and complementarity amongst projects within the area of intervention;
Assess activities and ensure efficient use of resources.
- Oversee reporting procedures:
Develop a reporting schedule with regard to Donor deadlines;
Plan and supervise the development of narrative and financial reports;
Ensure adherence to FLAT procedures.
More generally, communicate systematically to the Country Director the development of the area strategy and its implementation.
3. Oversee Staff and Security
- Guide and direct the staff of the area of intervention:
Organise and lead coordination meetings;
Prepare and follow work plans;
Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics (solve out potential conflicts);
Promote team working conditions in the limit of private life;
Adapt the organigramme and ToRs of personnel according to the area development;
Undertake regular appraisals of directly supervised colleagues and pass appraisal forms to the Country Administrator with recommendations (new position, changes to contract or salary etc.);
- Contribute to the recruitment of expatriate staff:
Follow recruitment procedures: plan recruitment needs in advance; draft ToRs for open vacancies; if necessary undertake phone interviews with candidates;
When requested by HQ, undertake interviews of expatriate candidates living in the area of intervention.
- Oversee staff security:
In cooperation with the Area Security Officer, monitor the local security situation and inform both Country Security Officer and Country Director of developments through regular written reports;
Update the security guidelines in the area of intervention;
Ensure that security procedures are respected by the whole staff.

Qualifications

- Master Level education in a relevant field such as International Relations or Development
- Project management experience (management, planning, staff development and training skills) in development programmes
- 2-5 years previous work experience in a relevant position
- Proven capabilities in leadership and management required
- Excellent skills in written and spoken English
- Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, and flexibility in cultural and organizational terms
Ability to work well and punctually under pressure

Conditions

- Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
- Additional monthly living allowance 300$
- Free food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse/or housing allowance (depending on contract length and country of assignment)
- Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
- Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package

Submission of applications

Please send, in English, your cover letter, CV, and three references to jobs@acted.org
Ref: AC/KEN/SA
ACTED
Att: Human Resources Department
33, rue Godot de Mauroy
75009 Paris
FRANCE
Fax. + 33 (0) 1 42 65 33 46
For more information, visit us at http://www.acted.org

Country Director - Kenya, ACTED

Background on ACTED

ACTED is a French humanitarian NGO, founded in 1993, which supports vulnerable populations, affected by humanitarian crises worldwide. ACTED provides continued support to vulnerable communities by ensuring the sustainability of post-crisis interventions and engaging long-term challenges facing our target populations, in order to break the poverty cycle, foster development and reduce vulnerability to disasters. Our interventions seek to cover the multiple aspects of humanitarian and development crises through a multidisciplinary approach which is both global and local, and adapted to each context. Our 3,300 staff is committed in to responding to emergencies worldwide, to supporting recovery and rehabilitation, towards sustainable development.
Our teams in the field implement some 340 projects in 34 countries covering the following sectors emergency relief, food security, access to health, education and training, economic development, microfinance, advocacy, institutional support, and regional dialogue, cultural promotion.
Based on considerable experience addressing the needs and situations of vulnerable communities, ACTED contributes to the international agenda towards reaching the Millennium Development Goals, through a wide range of partnerships, innovative initiatives, and campaigns.

Country profile

Capital Office : Nairobi
National Staff : 105
Areas : Kenya, Uganda (Pokot, Middle Juba, Northern Uganda, Karamoja)
On-going programmes : 19
Budget : 4.2 M
ACTED launched its Kenya mission in January of 2008 with an emergency assistance program for residents in Nairobi slums affected by the post election violence. Since 2009, Nairobi has been the home base of ACTED’s relief operation in Southern Somalia aimed at supporting vulnerable famers affected by recurrent droughts.
In 2010, ACTED’s mission in Kenya/Somalia sought to address the needs of pastoralist and farmer communities of North Central Kenya and South Somalia arising from multiple shocks such as adverse climatic conditions and disease outbreaks, through emergency food and non-food items distribution. In the wake of this emergency context, ACTED also promoted the adoption of sustainable community-based solutions, emphasizing livelihood strengthening and diversification, natural resource rehabilitation and management, good hygiene practices and access to sanitation facilities.
ACTED is developing its programs in South Somalia, focusing on building capacity to respond to emergency outbreaks, as well as ensuring local populations are integrated into longer term projects aiming at improving their livelihoods. This will occur in the form of food, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and livelihood support to vulnerable agro-pastoral and riverine communities.
Today, ACTED's teams and resources are mobilized on the front of dire needs in our areas of intervention in Somalia and Kenya, as well as other areas in the Horn of Africa.

Position profile

Under the authority of the General Delegate, the Country Director is responsible for the implementation of ACTED’s global mandate in the relevant country, and for the scope of activities developed within this mandate.
Responsibilities:
1. Ensure ACTED Representation in-Country
Representation vis-à-vis national authorities:
Ensure the official and effective registration of the Agency;
Identify relevant coordinating institutions (Ministries, Agencies etc) ;
Participate in official meetings to ensure maximum visibility vis-à-vis national authorities.
Representation vis-à-vis Donors:
Establish and update contact details of potential Donors in-country;
Participate in Donor meetings and communicate relevant information to HQ;
Circulate the Annual Report.
Representation amongst other international organisations:
Participate in inter-NGO Coordination meetings and those of UN Agencies (OCHA, UNDP, UNICEF, FAO, etc.), and any other relevant inter-governmental institution;
Ensure maximum visibility of the Agency amongst the NGO community;
Lead the production of reports and ensure the timeliness and accuracy of information provided, as well ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information.
2. Develop a global intervention strategy and support its implementation
Analyse the context and develop strategic plans, in consultation with the Director of Operations and/or the General Delegate:
Gather and analyse information regarding opportunities and risk;
Define an operational strategy for finances and HR.
Implement the financial strategy:
Oversee drafting of projects and budget development;
Lead fund-raising and negotiations with Donors;
On authority of the General Delegate, sign contracts negotiated in-country;
Lead the application and adherence to contract terms and requirements;
Supervise overall financial commitments and financial risk.
Implement the operational strategy:
Supervise Area Coordinators and Project Managers in project implementation;
Help the various teams in negotiations with provincial/local authorities and partners;
Ensure global coordination and complementarity amongst projects and areas of intervention;
Assess activities and ensure efficient use of resources.
Oversee reporting procedures:
Develop a reporting schedule with regard to Donor deadlines;
Plan and supervise the development of narrative and financial reports;
Ensure adherence to FLAT procedures.
More generally, communicate systematically to both Director of Operations and HQ the development of the country strategy and its implementation.
3. Oversee Staff and Security
Guide and direct the staff of the mission:
Organise and lead coordination meetings;
Prepare and follow work plans;
Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics (solve out potential conflicts);
Promote team working conditions in the limit of private life;
Adapt the organigramme and ToRs of personnel according to the mission development;
Undertake regular appraisals of directly supervised colleagues and pass appraisal forms to the Country Administrator with recommendations (new positions, changes to contract or salary etc.);
Ensure a building of capacity amongst technical staff in the relevant sectors.
Contribute to the recruitment of expatriate staff:
Follow recruitment procedures: plan recruitment needs in advance; draft ToRs for open vacancies; if necessary undertake phone interviews with candidates;
When requested by HQ, undertake interviews of expatriate candidates living in the country.
Oversee staff security:
In cooperation with the Country Security Officer, monitor the country security situation and inform the HQ Security Officer through regular written reports;
Update the country security guidelines (in countries at risk);
Ensure that security procedures are respected by the whole staff

Qualifications

- Master Level education in a relevant field such as International Relations or Development
- Extensive project management experience (management, planning, staff development and training skills) in emergency and/or development programmes
- At least four years of previous work experience in a high management position
- Proven capabilities in leadership and management required
- Excellent skills in written and spoken English
- Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, and flexibility in cultural and organizational terms
- Knowledge of local language and/or regional experience an asset
- Ability to work well and punctually under pressure

Conditions

- Salary defined by the ACTED salary grid; educational level, expertise, hardship, security, and performance are considered for pay bonus
- Additional monthly living allowance
- Free food and lodging provided at the organisation’s guesthouse/or housing allowance (depending on contract length and country of assignment)
- Transportation costs covered, including additional return ticket + luggage allowance
- Provision of medical, life, and repatriation insurance + retirement package

Submission of applications

Please send, in English, your cover letter, CV, and three references to jobs@acted.org
Ref: CD/KEN/SA
ACTED
Att: Human Resources Department
33, rue Godot de Mauroy
75009 Paris
FRANCE
Fax. + 33 (0) 1 42 65 33 46
For more information, visit us at http://www.acted.org

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Area Programme Manager - Save the Children, Kenya

Save the Children is the world's leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children's lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfil their potential.

We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

We have over two million supporters worldwide and raised 1.6 billion dollars last year to reach more children than ever before, through programmes in health, nutrition, education, protection and child rights, also in times of humanitarian crises.


The role

The Area Programme Manager has overall responsibility for providing leadership which produces effective delivery and development of programmes in his/her area of operations. The APM is responsible for the efficient management of all Area Office resources (grants, awards, staff and assets) and leads the representation of Save the Children with county level authorities, INGOs and NGOS, and visitors. His/her management of programme implementation and operations will ensure that the Area Office is in accordance with Save the Children's policies and practises its Mission, Vision and Values.

Qualifications and experience
* Bachelors degree in development or other social sciences and extensive practical senior management experience preferably in development and humanitarian response programmes; * Experience of managing the programme cycle, including assessments, project design, proposal and report writing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; * Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets * Experience of managing large and diverse teams in resource-poor, insecure settings. * Excellent planning, coordination, and reporting skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities; * Strong analytical, monitoring and evaluation, and report-writing abilities; * Technical skills in two or more Save the Children sectors - health, livelihoods, child protection, education, nutrition, child rights governance, HIV/AIDS or WASH ; * Strong, demonstrable, financial management skills, particularly in budgeting and reporting; * Experience in, and a commitment to, the implementation of robust Performance Management and staff capacity building and development; * Strong communication, people management and interpersonal skills in English, * Willingness to work and travel in often difficult and insecure environments; * Computer literacy, particularly in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; * Strong representational and communication skills; * Commitment to Save the Children's Child Safeguarding and other global policies, and to Save the Children's vision, mission and values. * Understanding of child rights programming.
We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Please apply in English using your CV and covering letter as a single document, including your salary expectations for this role.

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Recruitment for World Vision Kenya Graduate Internship Program 2013/2014

Recruitment for World Vision Kenya Graduate Internship Program is now underway: click here for more details.

CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY INTO GRIP 
 Those eligible to apply for graduate internship project shall be Kenyan citizens who met the following criteria

1. Degree graduates who either are beneficiaries of child sponsorship, or have experienced the impact of WV’s community development in their homes will be given priority rating.
2.  Graduates who show genuine desire to serve among the poor in rural and semi urban areas of Kenya.
3. Graduates who are practicing Christians regardless of denomination, gender and ethnic background.
4. Graduates with demonstrated good character, honesty, high competency and generally in good physical and emotional health.
5. Graduates who are willing to commit their time on the project for the entire year.
6.  Graduates who have completed studies in a relevant field of study as identified by WVK programs within the current year (2013).  A20ny exceptions to this will require the approval of the Director, P & C.
7. Graduates who are open to declare any potential points for conflict of interest e.g. A brother/sister working for WVK etc

If you believe you have fulfilled the above criteria, fully complete the application form and attach the following documents:

• Copy of updated CV
• Copy of National ID
• Copy of academic transcripts
• Reference letter from your university lecturer
• Reference letter from your pastor
• A statement of your Christian journey in 800 words

 Application Forms- Download Here
World Vision is a child focused organization and upholds the rights and wellbeing of children. Our recruitment and selection procedures include screening and background checking for child abuse offenses.  World Vision is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Agri-business Enterprise Development - Project Consultant

Agri-business Enterprise Development  - Project Consultant
Position: Project Consultant – AgribusinessEnterprise Development;
Consultancy contract period: Six (6) months,
Reporting to: Project Coordinator, YESA
Location: Kitale, Kenya

Farm Africa is an International NGO whose mission is to reduce poverty by unleashing African farmers’ abilities to grow their incomes and manage their natural resources sustainably. Farm Africa’s approach in working with small holder farmers is hinged on increasing production through capacity building and enabling farmers to have access to inputs and markets. Working with partners at various levels, Farm Africa’s roles include strengthening capacities of local farmers and institutions; developing new models and ideas through research; disseminating practical experiences to promote wider application of proven agri-business technologies and approaches in East Africa.
Farm Africa, as part of its Youth Empowerment in Sustainable Agriculture (YESA) project wishes to recruit Project Consultant – Agribusiness Enterprise Development, to assist in business development work in the Trans Nzoia East District – Cherangany Constituency. The project is being implemented in Cherangani and Kaplamai divisions of Trans Nzoia County.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct enterprise capacity assessment for all YESA youth groups
• Train the YESA groups on strategic planning and work with the youths to develop group strategic plans
• Conduct value chain analysis/review for each of the agri business enterprises implemented at YESA
• Train the groups on business planning and guide the youths to develop business plans for all group demo farms and individual replicators agri-business enterprises
• Conduct periodic reviews (at least monthly) to ensure that all business plans are adhered to and the entrepreneurial capacity of the youth is enhanced
• Conduct a market study and advise on best implementation strategies that would ensure that the youths have profitable ventures
• Organize the groups into marketing clusters with linkages to relevant markets and develop a sustainable marketing structure to enhance market access for the YESA groups’ produce. 
• Act as a liaison person between the groups and the markets while training and mentoring the groups on the same
• Develop strategic linkages with other value chain actors with a view of creating synergistic partnerships/collaborations that would be beneficial to the YESA groups agri-business enterprises
• Actively assist the project teams in developing and refining commodity and enterprise value chain ideas
• Recommend relevant improvements in the agri-business enterprises that would enable the groups realize better returns e.g. value addition, diversification, logistical support etc
• Compile relevant reports to indicate the progress of the YESA groups and replicators

Qualifications:

1. A minimum of degree in Agriculture Enterprise, Economics,  Entrepreneurship or Business Administration
2. Good understanding of practical elements (key success factors) of agriculture based enterprises
3. Experience in provision of business development services
4. Understanding of value chain analysis
5. Skills in youth training/facilitation
6. Skills in market research and organizational development
7. Ability to communicate fluently  in Kiswahili
8. Fully conversant with the principles and working methods of project cycle management

Terms and conditions:

1. Consolidated monthly fee – Kshs. 50,000
2. Medical cover for the 6 Months to be provided
3. Transport to the field will be provided within available project resources
4. Training materials and logistics related to group meetings to be catered for by the project
5. This is a temporary contract and therefore the consultant shall NOT receive annual leave, sick pay or any other benefits usually afforded to the employees of Farm Africa.

Interested applicant should submit application letter and a 3 page current curriculum vitae by email by close of business on Friday 13 September 2013, Attention: Lydia e-mail lydiag@farmafrica.org cc: raphaelk@farmafrica.org ; godfreyo@farmafrica.org

Governance and Programme Quality Advisor - ActionAid Burundi

ActionAid Burundi (AAB) is looking for an academic professional with strong skills in governance and accountability to support ActionAid staff, partner organisations and supported communities in their efforts to enhance the democratic processes taking place in Burundi at the moment.

ActionAid Burundi is an International NGO working in Development and Humanitarian sectors. It started work in Burundi in 1976 and currently works at the national and community level. It is implementing its programs in 5 Local Rights Program through several partners. Since 2013 AA Burundi has its new CSP and is working on 3 priority areas which are namely: Sustainable agriculture for women; Quality public education and youth leadership and; Participation of the poor and marginalized to demand transparency and accountability.
The Governance and Programme Quality Advisor is placed through the People4Change program; which is a people-to-people support programme providing capacity development support to ActionAid and her partner organisations.
Listed below are a few of the Advisor’s tasks, but a more detailed job description can be found on the job site at www.actionaid.org
Key tasks:

• Support women and youth led movements rooted in the community and have  developed alliances with others activists working across other CPs
• Improve the capacity of LRPs and country level stakeholders to undertake consistent actions to holding accountable government and corporates and properly track progress and impacts
• Enhance the capacity to link right-based work (empowerment, solidarity and-campaign) to accountability work
• Support and promote evidence-based advocacy and mobilization to influence governments to adopt pro-poor development strategy and provide public services and public policies
• Enhance AAB coordination and internal governance of its key partners
• Overall the Advisor is expected to support the integration of Programme management & Evaluation and learning system to ensure the robustness of programme to show results and achievements of the rights based work, especially in terms of empowerment and promoting solidarity (nationally and internationally).
• The Advisor is also expected to provide technical and programmatic support to national and LRP programmes to ensure enhanced programme quality in longer term development work, linked to ensuring enhanced accountability from the local to the national level;

Required qualifications:

• English and French proficiency
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Social sciences or project planning and management with at least 5 years relevant experience from a reputable organization. A relevant post graduate qualification will be an added advantage.
• Rich experience on monitoring & evaluation working with INGOs, CSOs, and Gov’t etc.
• Solid experience of empowering and mobilising citizens and organising civic action to claim rights in relation to public services and holding duty bearers to account.    
• Significant experience working with accountability and governance programmes
• Good knowledge of Programme Management and Development.
• Knowledge of international and regional instruments, structures, and organizations used for governance Programming
• Ability  to facilitate and guide processes without taking the lead
• Cultural sensitivity

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION SUBMISSION: September 23rd   
EXPECTED STARTING DATE: December 1st 2013
All applications must include a letter of motivation and an updated CV should be forwarded by email to advisor1@ms.dk with a subject line: Application for AA Burundi Governance and Programme Quality Advisor placement. Additionally, please note where you saw this advertisement.
This is a fulltime position of 24 months, with the possibility for renewal.  Contract start is subject to approval of work permit.  The Governance and Programme Quality Advisor is placed through ActionAid Denmark’s People4Change program; a people-to-people programme providing development support to ActionAid Country Programs and their partner organisations. As People4Change is a cross-national program, aiming at building tolerance, respect and expertise across cultures and borders, this position is not available for permanent residents of Burundi. If you are a permanent resident of Burundi and find this job interesting, please note that similar Advisor placements in other countries are regularly advertised at: www.actionaid.dk
Recruitment Timeline

• September 26th: Shortlisted candidates are contacted
• September 30th: Phone/SKYPE interviews with shortlisted candidates
• October 11th: Personality Assessment feedback via SKYPE
• October 17th and 18th: Face-to-Face interviews at AA Burundi’s main office in Bujumbura, Burundi 

Due to the anticipated large number of applications expected for this position, it will not possible to provide feedback to all applicants. Therefore, only shortlisted candidates will be notified at each stage of the recruitment process. 

More Information
A comprehensive job description (PDF) is available on: www.actionaid.org.  The job description includes thorough information about the job content, salary, and background for the placement. All interested candidates are strongly recommended to go through the detailed job description before applying. For more information on the People4Change program, please visit the ActionAid Denmark website: www.actionaid.dk  
For further practical questions related to the advertised position, please contact:

ActionAid Burundi Head of HROD, Albert Nizigiyimana at AlbertMulller.Nizigiyimana@actionaid.org