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Two Executive
and/or Non-executive Directors (Nairobi Based and Part-Time) are
sought
The
successful male or female candidates will be directors or upper
echelon managers in a major business and serve part-time (2/3
days monthly). Our need is for drivers who can innovate and
direct the development of our fair trade food business, applying
management skills and knowledge. While experience in food and
domestic, regional and/or European marketing is at the core of
our endeavour those with the relevant drive, skills and
experience in growing a fledgling business are welcome. Our key
themes are building market led supply by contract farming and,
step by step, building a portfolio of branded products through
own and partnership processing associated with successful
penetration of domestic and foreign markets. Applications from
those with experience of markets in any G8 nation will be as
welcome as from those with Kenyan domestic experience.
General Manager
(Western Kenya Based)
This
position is our most senior line management position in field
operations and the General Manager reports directly to the board.
The General Manager is responsible for driving forward all
contract farming and product development operations in our
Western Province programme. Currently there are two managed teams
(Busia and Bungoma) and they have a track record in bringing
large producer groups into crop supply actions Expansion to four
staff teams is envisaged. Close relations are being developed
with elements of Government in this leading edge endeavour and
there is a growing base of grower participation from the current
2000 contracted growers. The HR fielded and our active partners
have skills and enthusiasm but need a top flight manager to
guide, lead and support them. The successful candidate will be
responsible for delivering in compliance with the physical and
financial targets set within the business plan approved by the
board. The ability to plan (action and budget), execute, review
and report in detail for a range of activities is essential, so
demonstration of significant business skills and measured
achievement in a commercial environment is vital. Experience in
contract farming of food products will be an advantage but this
search is for a top quality manager with an excellent track
record. The emoluments package is aimed to attract the best.
Technical Business
Manager, Western Kenya based
The
Technical Business Manager, will be responsible for a team of
agronomists and other staff. You will be immediately responsible
to the General Manager for delivering the physical and financial
targets in contract farming and product development set for your
territory. In contract farming you will be required to build
grower participation, as well as crop volume delivered with
improved quality. Ensuring grower group satisfaction and solving
the inevitable problems helping rural people build and manage
their supply contract activities requires negotiating/promotion
skills and diplomacy on your part. You must be able to sell your
offer, retain and build your client base. The ability to plan
(action and budget), execute, review and report in detail for a
range of activities is essential, so demonstration of significant
business skills and measured achievement in a commercial
environment is vital.
Agronomists –
Western Province Based
Experienced
in commercial food production you will have several years of
practical experience in organised field production of food crops.
Agronomists are sought with with experience in – outgrower
group development, compliance with specifications and standards
(e.g. Eurepgap, fair trade, organic), oilseeds and pulses,
capsicums, pineapples, passion fruit, sesame, sweet potato, fruit
and nut trees (avocado, mango, macademia), fresh export quality
vegetable produce.
Agronomists
will have responsibilities for supporting and training
smallholder production groups and for ensuring that supply
contracts are complied with.
Fundraiser –
full or part-time
You
will have a strong track record in sourcing grants (for business
start-ups) and loans for business operations initiated on a
charitable fair trade basis. You will be familiar with in country
and cross border donor agency and corporate fund raising and will
likely have some direct fund-raising experience using internet or
local area activists. You will have the charisma and presence
essential for interaction with donor/lender representatives.
Experience with direct fund-raising using web sites will be an
advantage.
Accountant
A
fully qualified accountant (CPA or ACCA) is required for the
Nairobi office. Applicants should have experience of donor
reporting and fund management. Commercial experience would be an
advantage, as would some exposure to internal audit. Duties to
include maintenance of all accounting records, quarterly spot
audits including visits to WP and some supervision of crop
assembly. Additional duties may be assigned by the GM covering
transport logistics, supervision of contracts and assistance with
training and business development at farmer group level.
Operational
Planner/ Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist – Full or Part
time
While
many elements of conventional business practice apply Farmers Own
is engaged in a leading edge operation that requires the
conceptualisation, honing and refining of operational methods and
guidelines. While major advances have been made in the past
twelve months a major contribution in this field is required.
Part of the mandate is to advance further our participatory
monitoring and evaluation systems (performance review). In
addition the successful candidate will pick up on our baseline
information on the socio-economic situation of our rural clients
and, organise and update the client database.
This
role will include the development of case studies, company
profile and PR materials for web site and other uses.
Sales &
Marketing (Nairobi and Western Kenya Based)
Two
positions are to be filled (one each to Nairobi and Western
Province). The senior position (Nairobi) will build upon our
current database of market opportunity, identifying new
opportunities and consolidating those that exist by building
supply contract and other forms of sustainable trade
relationships in the market place. You will be skilled and
experienced in the investigation and analysis of the market
situation, particularly in market channels and the value chains
of the domestic and export markets. You will be a practical
person able to demonstrate an ability to interact with top
management and deliver on market opportunity and contracts.
Knowledge of any of; high value export horticulture; millers and
other markets for oilseeds; the pulse, spice and juice markets;
the food processing markets, and EU markets in the aforesaid
contexts, will be an advantage.
The
second position to be filled will most suit a practical sales
person with knowledge of and proven ability to sell in the urban
wholesale markets of Kenya. The successful candidate will be able
to demonstrate historic success and reliable method in buying at
farmgate/wholesale assembly points and selling through town
markets and to other third parties. An ability to investigate and
report prices along the value chain is essential.
Crop Brokers
(short term consultancy)
Farmers
Own is interested to contact specialist crop brokers with
detailed knowledge and contacts in wholesaling and retailing
produce through markets, food processors, millers, and exporters.
Priority crops at this time are passion fruit, chilli,
pineapples, dry beans, onions, groundnuts, sunflower and soya,
Solar Drying
Specialist (Western Province Based)
A
food processing technician with proven expertise in solar drying
technologies is sought. The successful candidate will be a member
of our product development team. Initially, this person will
undertake the setting up of experimental drying facilities and
undertake solar drying structures experiments that will delivery
quality product quickly for a range of fruits and vegetables.
Candidates must be knowledgeable and conversant with conventional
and statutory protocols on QC, food safety and hygiene.
This
position may lead on to production supervisor/manager.
Transportation
logistics (short term consultancy, one or more specialists (as
needed)
Farmers
Own wishes to identify a person who can advise, negotiate and
support in the context of our product transfers. The most
immediate needs are in the context of
back
load haulage from Western province of oilseeds and other bulky
crops to major urban centres in Kenya
transfer
of fresh produce from Western Province to urban centres by a
regular service of loads from 3 to 10 mt
preparation
and costings for containerised shipments from Western province
to European Destinations, of dry goods, reefer goods, goods
requiring well controlled deep refrigeration.
All
line management and specialist posts require computer literacy
(especially MS Word, Excel), driving licences and evidence of
driving skills (testing will be required). Agronomists must drive
motorcycles and be prepared to reside in the township near to
their clients. Suitable candidates will be educated to
diploma/degree level, in agricultural economics, business
management, sales and marketing, food science, agronomy or
related fields and will have five to seven years work experience
experience associated with delivery of measurable result.
Employer references will be required after acceptance of an
offer.
Farmers
Own has a gender and ethnic balance policy. Female applicants are
welcome. Our aim is to build Kenyan business capacity. Where
suitable Kenyans are not immediately available foreigners willing
to undertake the additional job function of mentor may be
considered.
Cite
the post you are interested in and you will be supplied with
terms of reference and an overview of the programme.
Your
application, including an up to date CV and a letter, specifying
the position that you are applying for and stating why you are
the top candidate. A day time phone contact and the names of
three professional referees must be included. Closing date:
March 10th 2007.
All
contact is via email pa@farmersowntrading.co.ke.
All other forms of solicition, including phone calls will result
in rejection of application. Only short listed candidates will
be contacted
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