Advisor for Agricultural Innovations and Gender

ABOUT THE COMPANY

GIZ, the German Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, provides services in the field of international technical cooperation worldwide. In Kenya, it has been active since 1964, and up to now implements programs in a wide variety of areas, including economic development, green energy and water, governance, food security, and peace and security. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is GIZ's main commissioning party. However, GIZ as well works closely with the private sector, fostering successful interaction between development policy and foreign trade.

JOB SUMMARY

A. About the project & contextThe agriculture sector in Kenya has experienced mixed results in its progress over the decades. However, its poor performance is starkly evident considering the large proportion of small-scalerural farmers with low incomes and persisting national-level food insecurity. The Agriculture Sector Growth and Transformation Strategy (ASTGS) envisions sector transformation at both small and medium enterprises, and large-scale commercial production level and addresses productivity concerns, agro-processing and commercialization through various interventions and approaches. However, existing and persisting sustainability challenges thwart efforts towards progress of the sector.Key challenges from production side are such as loss of soil health and fertility, and inappropriate and conventional farm practices, as well as on-farm and post-harvest losses. Other factors which include climate change effects, global and domestic pricing volatilities, andrelated systemic shocks further undo efforts to improve food and nutrition security, and income at household and national levels.These added complexities in the agricultural and food systems ultimately require a new set of inclusive policies and programs as well as multi-pronged and multi-stakeholder approaches toensure a wholistic integration in sector development. Agricultural and food systems transformation needs to go beyond the Ministry of Agriculture and requires a shared vision and guiding framework.Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been initiating the global programme "Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Policies" (AgSys) in 2023. The programme supports cooperating countries in transforming their agricultural sector. It draws on local impacts and partnerships and enhances these by providing national policy advice. Kenya is one of the cooperating countries and project activities will be implemented from The global programme works in five fields of activity (Outputs):1. Promoting reform approaches through transformative agricultural policy. These approaches need to be cross-cutting and as such connect agricultural policy with other areas such as food and nutrition security, climate action and biodiversity conservation.2. Scaling successful practices to provide support in consolidating and institutionalising tried-and-tested approaches and innovations.3. Including input from civil society by involving non-state actors, above all women and young people, in the reform agendas.4. Harmonising financial contributions with the aim of transforming the national fundinglandscapes and opening up access to additional funding and contributions to support the reform agendas.5. Linking national and global agendas to strengthen national reform processes and enrich the debate on the transformation of agricultural and food systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES

A. ResponsibilitiesThe main responsibility of the Advisor will be the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of activities under Output No. 2 and under Output No. 3, in such a way that it leads to the desired results and achievements in a cost effective and timely manner. Theadvisor will work in close coordination with the AgSys team providing technical assistance in the field of catalysing and scaling agricultural innovations and empowering change agents. Any effective linkages and synergies across other outputs will also be supported. B. TasksThe Advisor will perform the following tasks under the professional supervision of the Project Coordinator:Identify change agents, with a special focus on women and youth, in food systems transformation, recognizing their unique perspectives and needs for capacity development and innovation scaling potential.Evaluate technical and organizational innovations in agriculture, specifically considering their impact and relevance to women and youth, ensuring their inclusion in decision-making processes - and aligning with the vision of transformation and sustainability.Coordinate closely with colleagues from the GIZ ARD (Agriculture and Rural Development) Cluster, particularly with regards to the global programm on "Women Empowerment for Resilient Rural Areas (WE4R) " to identify tried-and tested-solutions and develop strategies for their vertical-scaling.Collaborate with political partners, private sector actors, research institutions, and CSOs to develop scaling strategies for selected innovations, ensuring that gender perspectives are integrated into all stages of planning and implementation.Identify and enhance existing national knowledge platforms, making sure they are inclusive and accessible to women and youth, serving as comprehensive resources foragricultural knowledge at national and sub-national level. Facilitate the upscaling of selected innovations, placing a strong emphasis on capacity development, financial/business model development, and communication strategies thatprioritize the empowerment of women and youth. Develop business models and funding options for innovations in close collaboration with the Finance Advisor, ensuring that they address the specific needs and challenges faced by women and youth entrepreneurs.Organize regional dialogues involving extension services, research bodies, farmers, policymakers, and private sector representatives to share successful solutions and discuss institutionalization strategies, actively promoting gender-inclusive participation and decision-making.Analyze reasons for non-adoption/non-scaling of innovations through a gender lens, identifying and addressing gender-specific barriers and biases, and devising targeted mitigation strategies.Coordinate closely with the Gender Advisor to ensure that all support measures are designed to benefit women and youth, actively promoting their participation, leadership, and empowerment.Provide technical support to team members ensuring that gender considerations are integrated into all project activities and promoting a culture of gender equality and inclusion across the project.C. Required qualifications, competences, and experienceQualificationsBachelor's or Master's degree in agriculture, social science, gender studies, ruraldevelopment or related fields.Professional experience5-10 years of professional experience in a similar position in the area of agriculture, nutrition, food systems transformation, and/or rural development, Strong agricultural background with experience in innovation management alongagricultural value chains/within agri-food systems. Proven experiences in partnership engagement (with actors from CSOs, private sector,public sector and research institutions), co-creation, and the ability to manage multi-stakeholder platforms towards a set goal. Work experience in collaborating with the international donor community, relevantline ministries at national and county level in Kenya, the private sector and CSOs. Proven experience in the provision of successful capacity building activities to civilsociety organisations and private sector agents, strengthening them in theirchange agency and their capacity to upscale their mission/innovations/businessmodel. Proven track record in gender and land rights advocacy demonstrating a commitment tosocial justice and empowerment.Strong grasp of gender mainstreaming principles and participatory developmentapproaches, ensuring inclusivity and representation in all initiatives.Demonstrated leadership abilities with a dedication to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment, fostering inclusive and equitable environments.Understanding of the conceptual framework of agri-food system transformation and knowledge of key levers for transformation is an advantage.Knowledge of innovation management in agriculture is an advantage.Knowledge of methods and procedures of the German Development Cooperation is an advantage.Excellent written and spoken English, and communication skills.Integrity regarding corporate and universal values and ethical standards.Other knowledge, additional competenceStrong interpersonal skills and a willingness to cooperate effectively with colleaguesand partners.Ability and willingness to work in a dynamic team.Self-starter, who works independently and has a flexible attitude but is a strong team player.Excellent organizational skillsAbility to implement complex tasks under tight schedules and deadlines. Very good working knowledge of ICT technologies (related software, phone, email,internet, Excel, and other computer applications (e.g., MS Office)Assignment period: – Extension Possible)Duty Station: NairobiVacancy Reference Number: GIZ/ARD/03/04/2024All applications should be received by 11th May 2024.Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Reporting, Project monitoring and evaluation (M&E), Ability to coordinate, Project implementation, Planning, Networking

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree