A. Brief introduction of the project:The GIZ global project “Rural Youth Employment” is part of the special initiatives ONEWORLD – No Hunger (SEWOH). Commissioned by the German federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the project is aimed at improving the employment and income opportunities in the agri-food sector in rural areas with a special focus on the youth target group. The focus intervention areas in Kenya are: 1. Improved entrepreneurial environment and improved access to inputs, services and markets2. Increasing the labor demand through support to SMEs, Startups and development partnerships3. Improved framework conditions for matching of labor demand and supplyThe Project will be implemented in close collaboration with partners in five counties (Bungoma, Kakamega, Siaya, Vihiga and Kisumu), some of which comprise small and medium-sized urban centers (especially the regional center of Kisumu).The SEWOH project applies the so-called integrated employment approach which aims at creating employment opportunities, supporting income generating activities and improving employment prospects in rural areas and the agri-food sector. The creation of conducive framework conditions and a thriving rural entrepreneurship eco-system, e.g. through better access to productive resources, access to financial services, business development services and image campaigns for the sector, complement the approach. The project is embedded in the GIZ Agriculture and Rural Development Cluster Kenya as well as aligned to Kenya’s Vision 2030, The Medium-Term Plan (MTP) III, the BIG 4 Agenda, the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS 2019-2029), the National Youth in Agribusiness Strategy (2018-2022), the County Integrated Development Plans of the target Counties (CIDPs).Qualifications
(1) Relevant Master’s degree (agricultural studies, development studies, economics, social sciences or related fields)(2) Very good knowledge of employment promotion, development of favorable business environments for MSME, business ecosystems and value chain development as well as profound understanding of the agricultural sector(3) Very good knowledge of MSME and business development, coaching and training approaches and innovative cooperation models with the private sector such as contract farming or out grower schemes, social/inclusive business approaches(4) Profound knowledge of business development services and the conceptualization of new and innovative business models
(5) Knowledge of ICT-enhanced tools for MSME development, e.g. digitized enterprise resource planning, integrated e-extension to farmer groups etc.(6) Knowledge of gender-sensitive and gender-transformative approaches in rural development(7) Knowledge and experience in business coaching(8) Good team spirit and networking
(9) Very good cooperation and communication skills to cultivate and maintain contacts with political and non-political partners(10) Knowledge of methods and procedures of the German Development Cooperation are an advantage
Professional experience(1) At least 5 years working experience in larger projects of international development programs (2) Several years of work experience in employment promotion and very good knowledge of the integrated employment approach as well as rural development strategies and the agricultural sector in Kenya(3) Several years of work experience in private sector development and the implementation of targeted business development approaches for MSMEs, technical and financial service development and facilitation of access to inputs, markets and land (4) Relevant work experience in projects targeted at rural youth or local economic development projects, experience in coordination/moderation of multi-stakeholder platforms(5) Desirable: Solid network of MSME and Business Development Services to further build onOther competencies(1) Proven interest in social development(2) Fluency in written and spoken English and spoken Swahili are a must, knowledge of Luhya or Luo as well as German are an advantage(3) Good knowledge of IT, especially MS Word, Excel, power Point as well as ICT applications (e.g. MS Teams)
Responsibilities
B. Responsibilities
TheBusiness Growth Advisor (m/f)will be responsible for the conceptualization, planning, implementation and reporting of project measures on private sector development and support of MSMEs in the agri-food sector. He or she will be responsible for leveraging the rural youth employment and income situation and local demand for labor through the identification of new markets and business models, boosting MSMEs’ capacities and business development, facilitate access to financial and technical services, access to inputs, markets and land. Furthermore, his or her responsibility will be to coordinate the development and implementation of development partnerships with the private sector. The Business Growth Advisor will be responsible for reliable and timely regular presentation of the results to the management level. He or she is responsible to contribute to intra-country and cross-country knowledge management on innovative concepts and experiences, especially in the field of business development.
A. Tasks of the Advisor
Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation
Identification of MSME and private sector partners as implementation partners
Identify new markets and inclusive and innovative business models with high employment potentials and income opportunities in rural areas and along value chains
Advise MSME on their business development and the improvement of business models through diversification strategies and the use of innovative technologies to increase productivity and quality
Identify suitable proven GIZ as well as new concepts and formats on business development and MSME support (e.g. SME loop, outgrower schemes and approaches to strengthen cooperatives), adapt them to the context and ensure implementation
Strengthening MSME through business development services in form of trainings and coaching, fostering the accessibility to such services in rural areas
offers to facilitate access to inputs, markets, finance and land
Support the realization of internship and mentoring programs for students and young entrepreneurs through established collaboration schemes with MSMEs
Taking a liaison function between the RYE project and the bilateral GIZ project on Youth Employment in the Agri-food Sector (YEA) focusing on ATVET and qualification, advising them on market relevant qualification needs and supporting the development of technical and business trainings
Responds to requests from management level in a timely manner and provide relevant inputs for monitoring and reporting to the M&E advisor
Capacity Development
Advise to relevant partners on
capacity development measures and development strategies for MSME support
Facilitating capacity building initiatives to MSMEs and project partners
Support coordination and logistical requirements for assignments of local/international short-term experts/ missions as well as tracer studies
Knowledge Management and ICT:Supporting in monitoring and evaluation of program activities including reporting
Support in knowledge and innovation management, linkage and synergy activities with other GIZ projects and programs
Develop relevant ICT support concepts and identify relevant (existing) solutions or ICT tools in close collaboration with the project advisors and partner institutions
Facilitate networking, cooperation and communication among stakeholders
Contributions to the global project’s knowledge exchange activities between country packages in Africa and partners as well as GIZ platforms of knowledge management (Sector network rural development in Africa, IDA communities, Kenya Cluster technical working groups).
B. Working Arrangements and ReportingThe Business Growth Advisor will report directly to the Project Manager of RYE.
Job Requirements
Required education
: Post-graduate education
Required relevant work experience
: 5 years
Required languages:
English (Spoken: native | Written: fluent)Luo (Spoken: fluent | Written: fluent),
Mandatory attachments
Please have a scan or photo of these documents ready when you start the application:
Self-prepared CV file
- the employer wants to see a CV that you have prepared yourself
Education certificate
- the official certificate for your highest education
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