Sector Lead-Agrifood Systems at SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: provide strategic direction to the Sector in terms of content and leadership to optimise development results and resource mobilization. As Agri-Food Sector Lead, it is expected that s/he is versatile in topics of GESI, Governance and Institutions, and Climate Change.
• Business Development: identify opportunities to mobilise financial resources for the Sector in Kenya and Burundi, develop proposals and secure funding for agriculture projects. This includes both traditional grant funding, as well as emerging opportunities in private sector, climate finance and impact investment financing.
• Programme Management: manage a proportion of projects directly, oversee the delivery of effective development results, planning and monitoring, financial management, and donor reporting of all projects in the Sector.
• Advisory Services: lead complex assignments, set benchmarks for results, and monitor the quality of advisory services of the Agri-Food portfolio, while also working collaboratively with counterparts across the Water and Energy Sectors. It is expected that his/her expert advice can contribute to building a strong positioning of SNV’s climate adaptation and mitigation work.
• People Management: lead, manage, and coach the team of SNV project managers, advisors, and local and international consultants.
• Monitoring & Evaluation: ensure uniform understanding and practices in planning, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation of agriculture projects in line with SNV’s internal frameworks and donor/customer requirements.
• Representation & Promotion: develop and maintain relationships with national and international stakeholders (donors, government of Kenya and Burundi, NGOs, and private sector) to improve SNV’s market position and actively participate in external and internal networks.
• Facilitate learning, documentation and evidence-based knowledge development and sharing in collaboration with SNV’s global team and partners.
• Contribute to SNV Kenya and Burundi’s management as a member of the Country Management Team (CMT).

Qualifications

Candidate Profile

Education: Master’s degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, agribusiness, agroforestry, business administration, international trade or another relevant field.

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum 10 years of professional work experience, including international experience as consultant/advisor for private and/or development organisation on project management and business development, preferably in Africa.
• Proven track record in resource mobilisation and business development. Experience with non-traditional donors is an advantage.
• Experienced networker and relationship manager, especially with donors and partners.
• Experience in proposal writing and project design documents.
• Proven track record working with medium and large private sector companies, preferably in agri-business, in the development of Inclusive Business/Shared Value Models.
• Experience in understanding  value chain approaches in the Agri Food Sector.
• Experience in leading, managing and coaching a team of project managers or advisers.
• Experience in organising /executing baseline studies, business and investment plans, risk analyses, and impact measurement frameworks.
• Proven project management experience.
• Proven capacity in linking local productive initiatives with international best practices.
• Proven experience in Food Systems, Climate Change, Gender, Youth, and Institutionality.
• Commitment to GESI centered programming and management approaches.