Value Chain Investment Intern at ACDI/VOCA

On Wednesday, April 9th, 2014

0 Comments | By Daily Jobs in Kenya

REGAL-AG

Department: Market Active

Location: Marsabit and Isiolo, Kenya

Reports To: Chief of Party, KENYA REGAL – Accelerated Growth

Start Date: June 1, 2014

Duration: 2-6 months (negotiable)

Since 1963 and in 146 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 in order to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil society.

ACDI/VOCA currently has 60 projects in 33 countries and revenues of approximately $173 million.

Summary: The Resilience and Economic Growth in the Arid Lands-Accelerated Growth (REGAL-Accelerated Growth) project, is a five-year project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by ACDI/VOCA that aims to increase economic growth in rural communities in Kenya by building a more inclusive and competitive livestock sector.

Through project activities, REGAL-Accelerated Growth will foster vibrant livestock value chains that generate opportunities for those all along it, particularly pastoralist livestock keepers.

The project will encourage economic growth by improving market access, increasing the availability and affordability of inputs and services needed to benefit from market participation, and implementing other strategies that help reduce vulnerability among livestock keepers.

The Value Chain (VC) Investment Intern will provide technical support to the REGAL-Accelerated Growth Marsabit technical team in order to scale-up private-sector based value chain activities in partnership with pastoral communities in Marsabit and Isiolo County and private sector actors (including traders, investors, etc.).

Overview: The intern will be responsible for providing quantitative and qualitative research and analysis that supports technical teams in the design and delivery of technical assistance and training to members of the pastoral communities and private sector companies in Marsabit and Isiolo County, Kenya.

His/her activities will support the project’s work to increase pastoralists’ access to end markets, promote investment, and strengthen vertical relationships among value chain/market actors to increase competitiveness and expand business and market opportunities in the following value chains:

Red Meat and Live Animals
Camel Milk/Dairy
Hides and Skins

ACDI/VOCA seeks an intern to research and produce marketing plans for various products and services related to the above value chains.

Through quantitative and qualitative research into these products and services the project team can determine commercial viability of potential products or services related to the livestock sector, to communicate this viability to target groups/beneficiaries, and to urge growth of new businesses around certain products and services.

Some potential products include processed meats, such as nyiri-nyiri (a processed camel meat delicacy popular among Somali groups); camel dairy processed products; leather goods; and inputs supply associated with the target value chains such as feed and fodder.

Analysis will require thorough end-market research that illustrates buyer specifications and quality requirements, pricing, as well as operational (business) start up plans.

Responsibilities:

The VC investment intern will:

Review existing groups and potential products under the three value chains in Marsabit and Isiolo
In collaboration with project staff, design research instruments that ensure proper data collection and analysis
Conduct market research into various candidate products and services related to three main target value chains to assess them for viability and further investment by the project
Compile detailed case studies/profiles of various private sector actors that are currently engaged in business in the target areas and determine areas for collaboration
Work with technical team to design investment promotion strategies that support private sector investment and engagement
Draft marketing/business plans, presenting quantitative and qualitative analysis on end markets, pricing, operational requirements, and investment requirements associated with production, processing, and/or marketing for products and services deemed as high potential for target communities
Provide research into and draft strategies that encourages commercialization of potential services, increases livestock markets efficiencies and volumes of transactions
Work with communications manager to come up communications strategy that will stimulate pastoralist response to emerging business opportunities

Qualifications

A Master’s degree in agriculture economics, business administration, international development or livestock with economics background
Strong quantitative analysis skills
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)
Demonstrated ability to collaborate across projects, to be flexible and creative and to independently take initiative
Knowledge of livestock or agricultural development programs in the Horn of Africa, especially in harsh climatic conditions like these pastoral areas
Two years’ experience in marketing, small business management, or enterprise operations preferred

The estimated level of effort for this assignment is 2-6 months with 5-day work weeks.

The supervisor for this assignment will be the Chief of Party or his designate.

The employee will coordinate closely with COP, Deputy Chief of Party, and Regional Manager, Marsabit / Isiolo.

Intern will be provided with secure housing and stipend.

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

Please include the position title and location of duty in the subject line.

No phone calls please.

Only finalists contacted.

Women and minorities encouraged to apply.

EOE.

Please apply by close of business April 21, 2014.