ACDI / VOCA Community Investment Specialists Jobs in Kenya

Since 1963 and in 145 countries, ACDI / VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. 

Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development and food security to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society. 

ACDI/VOCA has approximately 76 projects in 36 countries and revenues of about $170 million.  

Community Investment Specialists, Kenya

We currently seek Community Investment Specialist for an ongoing, multi-year USAID-funded program focused on reducing poverty and hunger by improving the inclusiveness and competitiveness of the livestock value chain in Isiolo County in the arid lands of Kenya. 

This person will report to the Value Chain Investment Advisor for the project and will use community-driven, participatory approaches to provide technical input into the disbursement of Community Contracting Funds. 

This person will also serve as the primary linkage between communities in the assigned county and other value chain actors to identify innovative opportunities to facilitate behavior change among pastoralists, creating competitiveness and relevant linkages in the livestock sector, while helping position the pastoral communities to take advantage of the new opportunities and ultimately accelerate economic growth.

Responsibilities

• Review existing livestock value chain analyses and other available information on the market system for the three key livestock value chains under the REGAL-AG program in Isiolo on an ongoing basis to identify changes in the emerging opportunities and constraints
• Identify and advise the Value Chain Investment Advisor on the development of innovative business plans, models and concepts that have the potential to increase access to markets
• Support the Value Chain Investment Advisor in facilitating forward and backward linkages between rural livestock entrepreneurs, financial institutions and private investors to increase pastoralist’s financial capital, capacity and competitiveness
• Identify capacity building needs of  producer groups, traders, private sector actors and other value chain actors and facilitate access to relevant trainings and support services as needed
• Working collaboratively with other partners, facilitate  and implement co-management models in markets in the assigned county and build the capacities of the Livestock Marketing Associations to ensure effective, transparent, and fair governance and management of markets
• Support project efforts to mobilize communities to identify priority upgrades to livestock market infrastructure that can be supported through the project’s Community Contracting Fund; serve as primary liaison with the communities throughout the infrastructure works to ensure activities are being implemented in line with communities’ needs and expectations
• Create awareness on existing livestock investment opportunities and support livestock producers and traders to take advantage of the new opportunities (including increasing value and volume of livestock and livestock products for export markets)
• Improve learning and adoption of appropriate technologies and practices, increase investment in upgrading using improved technology, improved genetic material, purchased services and improved products
• Work closely with the Pastoral Policy Advisor and Gender Advisor to address market-related policy constraints and ensure gender issues are addressed throughout project activities
• Work closely with the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Specialist and Communications and Knowledge Manager to capture, document and report community-driven market-related activities and success stories for internal and external learning purposes 

Qualifications

• At least a  Master’s degree related to  livestock or Agriculture Economics
• Strong communications and interpersonal skills with evidence of ability to productively interact with a wide range and levels of organizations (government, private sector, NGOs, research institutions)
• Strong commercial and business acumen attribute and investment facilitation skills 
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across projects, to be flexible and creative
• At least  5 years of professional experience working in livestock or agricultural development or programs in the Horn of Africa, especially in the pastoral areas
• At least 2 years’ experience in value chain development and enterprise development

To be considered for these positions, please e-mail your resume to regalag@joinav.org.  

Please include the position title in the subject line.  

No phone calls please.  

Only finalists contacted.  

Women and minorities encouraged to apply.  

EOE.  

Please apply by close of business, August 29, 2014.