The position will be based in Nairobi and will involve travel to various parts of the country with emphasis on the major potato seed growing areas (particularly Timau), Meru, Bungoma and Kitale. Occasional travel (short visits) outside of Kenya, particularly to Rwanda, Ethiopia and Tanzania and other countries (including visits to Basel as required) as necessary.The project Manager will manage the local implementation of the East African activities of a new SFSA seeds initiative, called Seeds2B. The project is designed to facilitate African seed companies in facilitating access to new markets for seed, as well sources of new germplasm from both public and private breeders worldwide. The new initiative will concentrate on improving access for small-holder farmers to quality seed of improved varieties of “neglected crops, initially potatoes, beans, sorghum and high value vegetables. The initiative will offer services to support commercial seed production of other crops as opportunities arise.Accountabilities Planning, co-ordination and implementation of project activities and preparing project reports as required
Managing implementation of a portfolio of SFSA funded seed projects with external partners (seed companies, NGOs and International Research Organizations).
Researching new seed needs and opportunities with value chain actors and seed companies.
Undertaking training and demonstration pilots with small-holder farmers (through contracts with appropriate partners) and designing, implementing, monitoring and analysing the progress of variety adaptation and registration trials with government agencies and implementing partners.
Managing activity budgets and project data bases, including processing relevant financial transactions, reviewing budget/expenditure with Head Agricultural Partnerships and SFSA Country Representative to ensure all documents are up to date.
Monitoring and reporting on relevant activities and impact
Liaising with relevant partners, stakeholders and collaborators (including Government regulatory officials, project staff in Senegal and SFSA Kilimo Salama project staff) and representing the seeds project and work of SFSA at National and International meetings and workshops.
Providing administrative and logistical support to Country Representative in their absence and liaison with Syngenta AG seeds activities (Ventures Team and Business Development) in East Africa.
Qualifications
Essential qualifications and experience
A minimum of a first degree (BSc) in Agriculture or business or related subject, to a PHD.
Experience working with small-holder agriculture in Africa and development organizations.
A minimum of 3 years of experience working with seeds or agribusiness (preferably including private sector background or connections).
Strong communication and report writing skills.
Experience in project management and accounting.
Desired qualifications and experience
Postgraduate experience in agronomy
Experience of seed-system work or value-chain development in one of the four target crops
Experience with crop trialing and data analysis and reporting
Experience of small-holder training or extension systems
Advantageous
East African Citizenship would be an advantage
Fluency in Swahili
