Makueni Region Field Assistant to support Capacity Building of Farmer Organization in Makueni under the GEAP Programme

1.0. Introduction

Micro-Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) has since the year 2002 developed a niche in supporting the growth of small holder farmers, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by providing integrated business solutions for sustainable development. The Trust is a multi-donor entity jointly founded by the Government of Kenya and the European Union and later the Royal Danish Embassy in Kenya (DANIDA) through a trust deed of 2013. To learn more about MESPT, please visit www.mespt.org.

1.1 About GEAP Programme

The Green Employment in Agriculture Programme (GEAP); 2021 – 2025 is a DANIDA funded programme whose outputs ride on key workstreams of the GGEP programme 2016 – 2020 and AGRIFI programme; 2018 – 2023. The programme is aligned to and fits the mandate of MESPT, Kenya Vision 2030 as well as the Danish Strategy for Development Cooperation and humanitarian action “The World 2030”. Through implementation of GEAP, MESPT envisions to facilitate increased commercialization, decent employment, and green transformation through targeted interventions in selected value chains1.

GEAP programme is partitioned into four output areas:

i.) market access and MSME development,

ii) improved access to finance/credit,

iii) improved food safety and increased productivity and

iv) green transformation.

Under these output areas, MESPT activities will contribute towards

i.) increased farmer and MSME capacity for aggregation, storage, value addition and market Linkages

ii.) increased awareness and access for financial services for the value chain actors

iii.) enhanced knowledge & competences on food safety and good agricultural practices (GAP) and

iv.) increased awareness and commercialization of identified innovative green technologies.

To accelerate outreach and impact, the trust intends to achieve the following targets:

a. 3,000 jobs created in the value chains.

b. 40,000 farmers linked to market.

c. KES 6 billion (DKK 381 million) additional sales turnover of value chains aggregated by the targeted SMEs.

d. MESPT capital base increased to KES 4 billion (DKK 255 million).

e. Value chain stakeholders have accessed loans worth KES 4 billion.

f. 20,000 farmers have accessed financial services.

This engagement will ultimately contribute to accelerated decent employment creation in MSMEs and improved competitiveness of the selected value chains in agriculture consequently, transforming the economy towards greener and more inclusive growth.

2.0 Rationale of the Assignment

Green employment in Agriculture is in the implementation phase of the programme within the 12 counties, Kakamega, Kisii, Siaya, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Bungoma, Machakos, Kilifi, Trans Nzoia, Makueni and Kwale. Some of the key activities has been sensitization, mobilization and recruitment and onboarding of the relevant and strategic stakeholders in line with the programme objectives. The programme is currently carrying out the implementation process focusing on three output areas i. Market Access and MSME Development ii. Improved food safety & productivity iii. Green Transformation to the target farmer organization (FO) onboarded in line with the capacity development plans. Crucial to fast tracking is the profiling of individual target beneficiaries within the Farmer Organizations as well as setting basic record parameters relevant to reporting on programme target, hence, the reason for on boarding technical assistants.

3.0 Objective of the Assignment

The overall objective of this assignment is to provide grass root coordination for targeted value chain activities across GEAP Makueni County. This includes provision of training, agribusiness support, data management, reporting and monitoring as required.

4.0 Scope of Work

The assignment will be carried out in context of GEAP programme’s thematic areas of focus and objectives, targeted outputs, and outcomes as well as the trust’s strategic focus. Reporting to the Programme Officer and the GEAP Programme Manager, the FA will:

i. Support Programme officer in mobilization of target beneficiaries along the target value chains

ii. Map and Profile target beneficiaries within the selected farmer organization capturing their Bio data

iii. Draft customized capacity development plans for the farmer organizations

iv. Review and support farmer organization establish record system for reporting in line with the GEAP programme targets and objectives

v. Support the GEAP programme in beneficiary sensitization on programme objectives and organizing schedule meetings and trainings.

vi. Together with the programme officer and relevant county staff, provide value chain development support to targeted agro enterprises

vii. Support the GEAP programme in building the capacity of the targeted farmer organizations using the TOT model

viii. Support data collection and compilation

ix. Report as per programme requirements.

5.0 Key Deliverables

Successful performance of this assignment will be based on the production and timely submission of the following deliverables:

i. Activity based reports for all activities conducted evidenced by a signed participant list by those in attendance detailing progress and challenges faced submitted to the respective MESPT Project Officer. This includes recommendations made and actual corrective actions undertaken

ii. Monthly progress report using the reporting template indicating what the focus was, key achievements, challenges, learning and/or any key highlights

iii. Final report to MESPT, at the end of the contract period using the template that will be provided.

iv. The Field Assistant will be based in Makueni overseeing Mango, Export vegetables and poultry value chain activities reporting to the Programme Officer – Makueni office in charge of Machakos and Makueni counties

6.0 Duration of the Assignment/Time frame

The assignment will commence from the date of contract signing and be completed not later than 31st December 2022 with a possibility of renewal based on performance assessment. There will be monthly review of progress and the technical assistant is expected to work for a maximum of 15 days every month from the contract signing date. The activities undertaken should be within the framework of practicable work plan, checked by the Project Officer and approved by the Programme Manager and will be accounted for through signed time sheets.

7.0 Desired Competencies

• University qualification (Bachelor’s/ Masters) in Agriculture, Agribusiness Management, Community Development, Cooperative Development, Environmental Science, or their equivalent. Prior training and qualification as a TOT is an added advantage.
• Satisfactory understanding of sustainable development issues including green growth.
• Practical experience in value chain and market systems development and training for not less than 3 years.
• Knowledge of the devolved county governance structure and experience in working with small holder farmers.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and under pressure.
• Conversant with result-based facilitation.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills

8.0 Remuneration and Payment Schedule/Plan

The Field Assistant will be paid a rate of KSH. 5,000 per day for 15 days per month by the end of every month upon submission and approval of a monthly report. Appropriate tax withholding of 5% payable to KRA will apply. Interested applicants are expected to provide their expressions of interest indicating their remuneration per day to cover costs including transport, accommodation where applicable and other incidentals.