Kilimo Trust Analysis and Planning Director Job Re-advertisement

Kilimo Trust (KT) is an independent not-for-profit organization working on Making Markets (for Food Commodities/Products) Work Better for Reduction of Poverty and Elimination of Hunger in the East Africa Community (EAC) Region + South Sudan.

KT promotes regional solutions to local problems and has over six years of experience in programmes and projects designed to: strengthen agricultural value chains; build ‘investable entities’ of smallholders to enable them become key players in local, national, and regional markets; improve financial services for small and medium scale agricultural enterprises; and create avenues for scaling-up technical, policy, and institutional innovations.

The Trust undertakes two types of interlinked programmes:

a) “Thought Leadership”, through high level diagnostics and analysis to promote “regional thinking and actions” in the EAC with respect to food security and reduction of poverty.

b) Hands-on implementation of agricultural programmes and projects on behalf of, and/or in partnership with governments, international and regional organizations, and the private sector.

The Trust is recruiting a Director for Analysis & Planning to build and lead its “thought leadership” team consisting of: analysts in policy, investment, and agricultural markets; and experts in knowledge management, M&E, and product development.

Reporting to the CEO and based in Kampala, the Director will be working across all the EAC Member States + South Sudan.

The team will: design, commission and implement robust diagnostics and analysis – with the EAC as a “Unit of Analysis”, focussing on Making the EA Common Market Work better for food commodities/products and contribute fully to the reduction of poverty and elimination of hunger in the region.

Vacancy No. 2012-1

The Trust wishes to recruit a Director to take responsibility of leading its work in:

a) Diagnostics and Analysis of Opportunities and Constraints of major agricultural markets and relevant value chains, especially within the context of the East African Common Market;

b) Developing pro-active interventions and programmes designed to Make Markets Work for the Reduction of Poverty; and

c) Implementation of robust M&E and Impact Assessment of interventions, programs and projects implemented by KT.

Reporting to the CEO, the Director will have the following specific responsibilities:

1. Provide leadership in the designing, commissioning and implementing of robust diagnostics and analysis of market opportunities as well as constraints and failures in markets with respect to the reduction of poverty. This will include:

a) Unpacking the characteristics of the various value chains of key agricultural commodities, including the assessment of the chain actors, the value-addition, and flow of products and information through the chains.

b) Quantifying the profit incentives and/or disincentives for the success or failure of market systems.

c) Defining ways of improving systems as a basis for intervention by programs and projects.

2. Develop (in collaboration with the Director, M4P – implementation) scope of interventions targeting the identified market opportunities and constraints. This will involve the development of a comprehensive strategy for:

engaging Kilimo Trust and others in removing critical constraints;
building synergies and leveraging the efforts of others; and
ensuring impacts at scale.

3. Provide leadership in the designing and implementation of robust strategy for participatory M&E, impact assessment, learning, and knowledge management. The strategy will ensure that all interventions, programs and projects in which KT is involved are implemented and Managed for Impact.

Qualifications and Experience Required:

Individuals applying for this position will have:

Advanced Degree (Masters or PhD) Qualification in Agricultural Economics with proven strong analytical skills.
A minimum of 5 years work experience dealing with the analysis and development of Agricultural Value Chains, especially experience with M4P approaches.
Demonstrated proficiency in strategic planning and the development and management of diagnostics-driven interventions.
Knowledge and experience of making markets work for the reduction of poverty in the context of agriculture for development.
A track record of publishing high caliber and influential reports that provide for thought leadership on critical and strategic issues.
A presence, strong personality, proven team working skills and a results-orientated hands-on approach to work.
Impeccable communication skills especially writing and presentation in English as well as working knowledge of French and/or Swahili.

Your application should include:

An up-to-date CV, highlighting relevant skills and experience (presented in relation to each of the Responsibilities and each of the experience areas listed above), the names and contacts of three referees, and a daytime contact telephone number;

Copies of five (5) of your recent publications; and

A statement and proof of current remuneration package.

Closing date: until suitable candidates are identified

Please apply to:

Adept Systems
Management Consultants
P O Box 6416, Nairobi GPO, 00100
e-mail: recruit@adeptsystems.co.ke

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted

Previous applicants need not re-apply