REF. HR/05/2021 PROJECT OFFICER – WET MARKETS 214 views1 applications

ABOUT MESPT

Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT), was established in 2002 by the Government of Kenya and European Union. EU later relinquished their position to the Royal Danish Embassy in Kenya, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (DANIDA) through a Trust Deed of 2013.

The Trust is a development organization with a purpose to grow small holder farmers and Agri SME’s to increase productivity, income and enhance competitiveness for job creation especially for youth and women. This is achieved through capacity building which includes skills development, technical support, business advisory, financial and market linkages.

Our focus is to facilitate support and provision of integrated financial and business development services for small holder farmers and Agri SME’s in Kenya. This is aimed at enabling beneficiaries to access finance, increase agricultural productivity, agro-processing, and access markets/ trade opportunities. For over a decade, MESPT has partnered with development agencies, donors, and investors to build the capacity of the business services sector and the agricultural sector in Kenya through our unique tripartite business model that links Farmers, Agri- SMEs, and Financial Institutions – creating linkages along value chains.We pride ourselves for successfully implementing 12 agriculture based Programmes that have seen us facilitate creation of 70,000 decent jobs at various levels of the agriculture market systems. We have also cumulatively disbursed KES 6.4 billion to financial institutions and over 250,000 end users have accessed the finance.

*ABOUT AGRIFI FOOD SAFETY PROGRAMME

Programme Overview

The AgriFI Food Safety Programme is an EU funded Programme whose focus is on Food Safety (Sanitary & Phyto-sanitary Standards), Plant and Animal Health. The programme’s interventions aim at addressing the food safety concerns for both domestic and international market especially in Dairy, Aquaculture and Horticulture (Beans, Mango and Avocado) value chains. The – programme’s overall budget is EUR 7 million and is running for a period of 6 years from 2018 to 2023.

MESPT is implementing the programme in 13 counties focusing on result areas II and III of the programme. Result area II of the project seeks to strengthen the capacities of actors along selected value chains through the Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education Training (ATVET) system approach. Activities under the result area inter alia include supporting upgrading, development, and upscaling of agricultural value chain-based training curriculums under the ATVETs.

Under result area III the project seeks to increase the capacity of the private sector and the selected counties to implement and enforce standards on animal health, food safety and plant health. Activities under the result area will include translation of sanitary and phytosanitary regulations for value-chains supported under result area II into user-friendly sector guidelines tools and practices for use by the sector; and training private and public sector on sanitary and phytosanitary regulations (SPS) and food and animal safety requirements and supporting the development of quality management systems. Counties will also be supported in testing, surveillance, and enforcement of SPS regulations.

Programme Outcome

Broadly the project will strengthen the capacities of value chain actors, bolstering commercial farming and improving food security. The project approach is participatory and comprises various interrelated methodologies: market-driven approach, competitive selection of counties/beneficiaries, training of trainers (Tot’s), blended learning methodology and use of incentives.

For further information kindly visit our website www.mespt.org**

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VACANT POSITION

As part of its development programme, MESPT is seeking to engage a highly committed, results-oriented, self-driven professionals with excellent project management skills to ensure the successful delivery of the programme towards achieving its objectives and targets.

Job Title:

Project Officer (Wet Markets)

Position Reports to:

AgriFI Programme Manager

Salary

Grade 4

Benefits

25 days annual leave, Medical Insurance, 20% Gratuity and 7.5% leave allowance

Restrictions

3 Month probation period, 3 years fixed contract and 1-month notice period

Expected Travel

Significant travel

Job Purpose

The job holder is responsible for the design and implementation of Wet Market strategies integral to achieving AgriFI Programme objectives

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Lead the implementation of the wet market concept in the Agrifi Programme
• Promote functional collaboration with County Governments, Central Competent Authorities, and project/ development stakeholders to strengthen Wet Market in Counties of focus.
• Take the lead in operationalizing the strategies as defined by AgriFI for promoting Wet Market Concept based on Value Chain approach in the priority Counties
• Work closely with farmers’ associations in the target Counties to identify opportunities, risks, and approaches for the AgriFI programme
• Coordinate consultation on Wet Market with the County Government, Central Competent Authorities, the Private sector, and consumer representatives.
• Facilitate Key stakeholder’s discussion on the development and revision of legislation associated with the Wet Markets at the County Level
• Facilitate the development of Wet Market regulations that specify the complete food safety requirements for food businesses to meet including specification requirements for end products and good practice codes.
• Facilitate the establishment of Wet Market sector committee that foster intersectoral collaboration and coordination at the county levels
• Facilitate the enhancement of County surveillance system in collaboration with the Central Competent Authorities
• Coordinate training and awareness raising activities for Wet Market, SPS and other activities as may be assigned
• Engage and build effort for support by food business associations and NGOs
• Coordinating programme policies engagement fora , County Food Safety Committee & CCA’s activities.
• Coordinate discussions on strengthening ownership and management of the wet market facility
• Identify communications opportunities and strategies on the Wet Market concept and Policies matter at large
• Prepare policy briefs and other related documents to support policy advocacy Ensure requisite site visits for key programme stakeholders are carried out to track financial and programmatic implementation

Learning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management.

· Participate in programme planning & review and programme co-ordination meetings

· Participate in setting and tracking programme performance targets in line with overall strategic goal of the Programme

· Develop and establish a Wet Market data base

· Facilitate linkages and coordination of between Central Competent Authorities(CCAs) and County Governments for data collection coherence

· Participate in preparation of activity, monthly, quarterly, biannual, and annual programmatic and financial reports and share with key stakeholders

· Share information and lessons learnt with partners and other programme staff

· Undertake regular evaluation and monitoring of the wet market portfolio in collaboration with M&E officer

Programme Strategy & Team Support

· Contribute to the formulation and review of MESPT AgriFI programme strategy and planning

· Work with other MESPT staff to identify and develop, where appropriate, new AgriFI project ideas and strategic opportunities that contribute to furtherance of the programming

· Support AgriFI team members with information, tools, and resources to improve performance and achieve objectives

· Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback informally or formally during regular one-on-one performance reviews

Partnerships & Networking

· Represent AgriFI programme at government, donors, NGOs, and other relevant events in close coordination with the supervisor and the management team

· Coordinate day to day activities with consortium partners, sub grantees, local government, and other implementers, as well as with other MESPT programmes

Any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor from time to time

Key Relationships

Internal

· Head of Programmes

· MEAL Manager

· Programme Accountant

· ICT Officers

· Communication Officer

· Programme Assistant

External

· Partner organizations & Central Competent Authorities

· Stakeholders including county government, ATVET’s, research institutions, internal auditors, donors, and private companies

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

· A minimum of 5 years of relevant working experience, with at least 3 years’ experience gained in the field of public health/veterinary health, Environmental Health and/or food science among others with regard to sanitary and phytosanitary standards.

· Experience in Monitoring & Evaluation will be an added advantage

· Demonstrated experience of working with networks, County and National governments and managing contacts with key stakeholders;

· Previous working experience in donor-funded programmes is desirable.

· An understanding of project cycle management approaches and tools – including participatory capacity assessment and planning, project appraisal, and partners’ capacity building,

· Experience in community-based programming

· Experience in networking among development partners and government departments

· Ability to work in partnership with county governments and the private sector: capable of ensuring best practice and dealing with performance issues

· Ability and resilience to cope with multiple internal and external demands

· High level skills and experience in training & capacity building

· Excellent communication and report writing skills.

· Highly organized individual in planning activities and tracking activity implementation

· Willingness to travel and interact effectively with stakeholders.

Qualifications / Other Requirements:

· A minimum of bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Veterinary Sciences, Food Science or Related Field

· Certification in Project Management will be an added advantage

· Excellent computer skills especially with MS Word and Excel and presentation related packages

Behaviour

· Holds self-accountable to deliver on their responsibilities

· Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves

· Future orientated, thinks strategically

· Develops new and innovative solutions

· Willing to take disciplined risks

· Has integrity

· Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, external partners, and stakeholders

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available and MESPT reserves the right to make necessary changes.