NGO Agricultural Innovation Specialist Job in Nairobi Kenya

Land O’Lakes - International Development is implementing the Kenya Feed the Future Innovation Engine (KFIE) program on behalf of USAID/Kenya. 

KFIE serves as a mechanism through which innovative private sector-oriented strategies that support food security and nutrition are proactively identified, incubated and scaled up for widespread impact. 

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the position of:
 

Agricultural Innovation Specialist
 

The Agricultural Innovation Specialist shall be responsible for providing critical analytical and knowledge support to the KFIE program team, by staying abreast of key sources of data and information on the state of agricultural and nutrition innovation in Kenya. 

In part, this role shall involve undertaking detailed fact-finding and gathering of market intelligence on the Kenyan agricultural value chain development and nutrition landscape - to include identification of ongoing innovation-related activities and associated organizations, mapping of local business and market conditions, assessment of policy and regulatory environments as well as analyses of current trends and challenges. 

The Agricultural Innovation Specialist shall also proactively identify promising opportunities for KFIE support and conduct associated outreach to agricultural and nutrition innovation stakeholders, in addition to contributing towards design and management of KFIE grant funding and technical assistance support. 

This position is based in Nairobi and shall report directly to the KFIE Chief of Party.
 

Requirements:

• At least 7 years’ experience in agribusiness, agriculture/nutrition research and product/service development, regulatory affairs, extension services, market research or other relevant field.
• Master’s degree in an agricultural discipline or relevant field, or Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of additional work experience.
• Excellent verbal, written communication skills in English and Kiswahili.
• Ability to summarize complex quantitative information from multiple sources and combine it with text to explain the underlying reality as clearly and unambiguously as possible.
• Capacity to turn out high quality written work under tight deadlines.
• Competency in use of Microsoft Office software - particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrated track record in initiating new and innovative approaches.
• Strong inter-personal skills, self-motivated and result-driven, with ability to effectively build and manage networks and relationships for program promotion and issues resolution.
• Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative problem-solving ability.
• Demonstrated awareness and knowledge of the local and regional economic and business climate as well as the Kenyan agricultural innovation and agribusiness landscape will be distinctly advantageous.

To apply:
 

Applications for this position should be sent to recruit.kenya@idd.landolakes.com no later than Friday 24th August 2012. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.