Job Description
JOB TITLE: Agribusiness Technical Lead (TL)
REPORTS TO: Deputy Programme Manager
STAFF REPORTING TO POSTHOLDER: Agribusiness Officer
LOCATION: One of the Programme sites (Kakamega, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Busia, Siaya, Kilifi)
DURATION & HOURS: Fixed term, full-time, renewable based on performance and
availability of funds.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The purpose of the role is to provide technical leadership in Agribusiness for a program
titled ‘Empowering youth in sustainable Aquaculture Markets and Job creation
program’ that is being implemented by Farm Africa in partnership with Mastercard
Foundation. The programme aims to tap the potential offered by the aquaculture sector for
entrepreneurship and employment, building knowledge and capacity so that young people,
especially women and youth, are attracted by the opportunities and growth potential offered
by working in the aquaculture and mariculture sectors. The Programme covers Kakamega,
Kisumu, Homa Bay, Busia, Siaya, and Kilifi Counties.
The Agribusiness Technical Lead plays a crucial role in providing technical expertise and
leadership in the agribusiness sector. This position involves overseeing and managing
various aspects of agricultural business operations, integrating technology and innovation
to enhance productivity, profitability, and sustainability. The Agribusiness Technical Lead
should have a strong background in entrepreneurship, business management or a related
field, with a deep understanding of agribusiness operations in the aquaculture sector.
He/she should be well experienced in aquaculture business development, enterprise
capacity building, value chain strengthening, market linkages, private sector engagement,
analytical, problem-solving and communication skills, along with the ability to lead and
motivate teams. A high level of competence in project budgeting, quality reporting and work
planning is essential.
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Activity Implementation and Reporting
Take overall responsibility for the work planning, implementation and management
of the agribusiness component of the programme.
Track project progress on a weekly basis and provide routine updates as agreed with
the Programme Manager.
To manage the programme’s agribusiness component in accordance with
programme documents, work plans and budgets and ensure that work is consistent
with Farm Africa’s strategies and the conditions of Mastercard Foundation contract.
Contribute in development of monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
Maintain regular communications with the line manager and other team members.
Supervise the Agribusiness officer to ensure that they deliver on their work.
Delivering Technical Excellence
The Agribusiness team lead will be responsible for ensuring the technical excellence
of all activities delivered within the project with a specific focus on training in
Agribusiness.
Work with the Deputy Programme Manager to identify areas of technical development
within the project and team and mobilize resources to support this.
Ensure follow up of technical trainings to analyze effectiveness and uptake of trainings.
Develop and execute the agribusiness strategy and action plan for the aquaculture
programme and collaborate with the teams to integrate the agribusiness component
effectively with other programme activities.
Conduct enterprise needs assessments for selected value chain actors and develop
appropriate training materials.
Identify market opportunities, challenges, and potential risks associated with
aquaculture and recommend strategies to address them.
Carry out Business to Business (B2B) linkages between farmers to input suppliers
(agro dealers, hatcheries, feed millers), aggregators and financial service providers
(identified MFIs)
Conduct market research to identify potential buyers, distributors, and new market
segments and collaborate with relevant partners to facilitate knowledge exchange and
learning within the aquaculture industry
Assess and select suitable aquaculture business models such as Business to
Consumer (B2C) approach that satisfy the needs and preferences of individual
consumers, taking into consideration market demand, site suitability, and technical
feasibility.
Providing training, coaching, and mentorship to implementing partners, farmers,
agricultural workers, and team members, ensuring they have the necessary skills and
knowledge to successfully carry out agribusiness activities.
Provide technical support and guidance to farmers and entrepreneurs on effective farm
management practices and provision of Business Development Services.
Develop and implement business and investment plans for aquaculture farms,
including feasibility studies, financial projections, and risk assessment.
Review and monitor farm production, cost control, and revenue generation to ensure
profitability and sustainability.
Conduct training programs and workshops for farmers and project staff to enhance
their understanding of agribusiness concepts and practices.
Establish and maintain effective partnerships and networks with industry stakeholders,
including input suppliers, buyers, processors, and distributors.
Facilitate access to finance, credit, and insurance services for farmers to support their
investment and expansion.
Identify and explore export opportunities for aquaculture products and establish
linkages with national and international markets.
Represent the aquaculture project in industry forums, conferences, and meetings to
promote collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Conducting financial analyses, including cost-benefit analyses, profitability
assessment, and risk management, to determine the financial feasibility and
sustainability of various agribusiness activities.
Collaborating with external stakeholders, such as government agencies, financial
institutions, suppliers, and research institutions, to leverage resources, maximize
opportunities, and stay up-to-date on best practices and regulations in agribusiness.
Keeping abreast of industry trends, technological advancements, and emerging
practices in agribusiness, and providing recommendations for innovation and
improvement.
Playing a strategic role in business planning, including developing business models,
analysing investment opportunities, and assisting in the formulation of long-term
strategies for sustainable growth and profitability.
Monitoring Evaluation and Learning
Adhere to Farm Africa’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) practices and
frameworks and ensure that project team actively collect, analyze and manage
data to feed into project delivery.
In collaboration with the M&E team, develop and implement a project monitoring
and evaluation process, capturing project outcomes/impact and lessons learned.
Monitoring and evaluating the performance of agricultural operations, identifying
areas for improvement, and developing and implementing mitigation plans for risks
and challenges.
Support in evaluation studies, development of success stories, research and
analysing market trends to develop strategic plans for soybean production and
marketing.
Visibility, Communication and stakeholder management
To manage and nurture mutually beneficial partnerships with other stakeholders,
including implementing partners, various service providers and private sector
companies in the value chains promoted.
To keep abreast of relevant changes in government policy in the agricultural sector
that could affect the Programme and advise senior management accordingly.
Contribute to the development and implementation of the project’s visibility strategy in
line with donor guidelines.
Other Roles
In consultation with the Deputy Programme manager, to act as an ambassador,
promoting the project and the work of Farm Africa, including hosting visitors,
speaking at workshops, conferences and meeting donors and other officials as and
when required.
To ensure that the project contributes to, responds to and complies with all
relevant Agriculture sector policy developments.
To undertake any other duty as may be directed by the line manager or Country
Programmes Manager from time to time.
To play an active role in the Farm Africa Kenya team.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Desirable
Education, qualifications & other knowledge
Bachelor degree in Agriculture,
Agribusiness or other related field.
Extensive knowledge of agribusiness
development, market analysis, value chain
development, and market-oriented
approaches.
Proven experience in project
management, preferably in the
aquaculture sector or in agricultural
Deep Knowledge in Agribusiness
Management in the aquaculture
sector.
Private sector experience in the
aquaculture sector.
Good understanding of the role of
the private sector in the
aquaculture value chain.
Clear understanding of how small
development projects with a focus on
agribusiness.
Experience in developing business
curriculum materials and providing
training to various actors in the
agricultural sector.
scale producers are linked to the
private sector or markets for their
produce.
Experience
At least 7 years’ experience in the agricultural
sector preferably in the aquaculture sector and
a strong value chains and market engagement
focus.
Field based experience implementing small
holder projects and providing Business
Development Services (BDS) to enterprises in
the agricultural sector.
Skills & abilities
Project management Negotiating & managing partner
relationships
Team building Field level training
Financial management Policy influencing
Agricultural value chains development Fundraising
Participatory planning, monitoring &
evaluation
Capacity building of organisations &
individuals
Effective communication (both verbal &
written)
Familiarity with smartphone mobile training
tools
Report writing skills
Strong, decisive and results oriented leader
Our Values
Investing in smallholder farming is the number one way to combat poverty in rural Africa. Farm
Africa is a leading NGO specialising in growing agriculture, protecting the environment and
developing businesses in rural Africa.
EXPERT: Expertise and insightful evidence-based solutions are at the heart
of everything Farm Africa does.
GROUNDED: Our teams and partners work closely with local communities,
engaging them in every level of decision-making.
IMPACTFUL: We deliver long lasting change for farmers, their families, and the
environments they live in.
BOLD: We model innovative approaches and are not afraid to challenge strategies that
are failing.