The Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of the International Center for Facilitator Tropical Agriculture (CIAT-TSBF) is an international agricultural research institute aiming at improving rural livelihoods through the development and dissemination of sustainable soil fertility management practices. CIAT-TSBF is hosted by the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in Nairobi, Kenya.
Position:
ICRAF/CIAT-TSBF is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of a Soybean Sector Development Assistant. The incumbent will be based in CIAT-TSBF’s office in Maseno, Western Kenya, and will backstop activities in soybean agronomy, value-addition and processing as well as soybean market development, mainly in Kenya. Reporting to the Agricultural Economist managing the project, and strongly interacting with an Agronomist, the incumbent’s responsibilities include:
- Backstopping activities in soybean agronomy, value-addition and processing and soybean (grains and processed products) market development
- Implementing the soybean business plans developed for selected districts in Western Kenya;
- Organizing the marketing of soybeans (grains and sometimes processed products) produced by numerous smallholder farmers in Western Kenya;
- Effectively linking small scale soybean farmers and farmers groups to industrial soybean processors and agricultural credit agencies, developing efficient strategies for the same;
- Following up on all the stakeholders important in soybean development and promotion in Kenya, ensuring effective and result-oriented partnership;
- Managing resources (human and material) effectively and efficiently;
- Documenting all processes, data and information related to soybean sector development in Western Kenya to clearly show the progress being made from season to season.
Requirements:
- Degree in Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Education & Extension or related discipline with about 3 years of demonstrable practical experience in research work
- Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English
- Familiarity with working with rural farmers, rural communities, NGOs and community-based organizations.
- Experience in working with multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary teams.
- Ability to effectively work with minimum supervision, producing relevant results.
- Flair for documentation of processes, activities and reporting impact.
- Familiarity with prevailing farming and marketing systems of the East African region, particularly Kenya.
- Ability to drive is critical
Terms of offer
ICRAF/CIAT-TSBF is an equal opportunity employer offering a competitive salary and benefits package, and a collegial working environment. The contract is for an initial period of one (1) year, renewable subject to a three (3) month probation period, assessment of performance, and availability of resources. ICRAF offers a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment, believes that staff diversity promotes excellence, and strongly encourages applications from qualified women. Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications/competencies/
Only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.
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