CHARITY JOBS IN AFRICA

Organization: Adam Smith International
Country: Kenya
Closing date: 15 Nov 2014

The three-and-a-half year, DFID-funded Mombasa County Youth Employment Project, implemented by Adam Smith International, intends to address selected root causes of youth unemployment in Kenya’s second city, and thereby to encourage productive and sustainable job creation for Mombasa’s young men and women. It consists of a combination of skills development, market development, and policy and advocacy support. The project will be market-led, so that jobs and skills are focused on sectors of the economy that have long-term growth potential, and will align itself with the objectives and plans of the national and Mombasa County governments.

The Sector Leadwill be responsible for managing the project’s interventions in the micro retail sector. This is a full time position, resident in Mombasa, reporting to the project’s Market Development Component Manager and working closely with the rest of the project team.

Responsibilities

The Sector Lead will:

• Manage successful delivery of the project’s interventions in the micro retail sector, including:
• Strengthening market intelligence capacity of major manufacturers and suppliers (predominantly large FMCG companies) to better identify opportunities for engaging with micro retail enterprises;
• Supporting development of alternative route-to-market strategies and distribution models used by manufacturers and suppliers to more effectively target micro retailers;
• Facilitating improved collaboration and coordination among micro retailers, for example to strengthen buying power; and
• Stimulating development of support services (e.g. ice production, distribution services, etc.) to encourage micro retail outlet activation and enterprise growth.
• Develop effective partnerships with a range of stakeholders (including private sector players active in Mombasa, the county government, trade associations, research organisations, other donor funded programmes, academia, etc.) to maximise the prospects for successful delivery of each intervention.
• Proactively identify opportunities for additional sector research and analysis, as well as expansion of interventions within the sector.
• Participate fully in the programme’s M&E function, attending meetings, submitting information as requested, proactively identifying impact as well as areas of strong and weak performance.
• Lead the process of reporting on sector interventions, and in doing so to facilitate wider lesson learning (both within the programme and externally). In addition to progress updates, the Sector Lead is expected to proactively produce research papers designed to shape the dialogue on sector issues, produce impact case studies in collaboration with other team members, participate in sector workshops, conferences and meetings, etc.

Selection criteria

We are looking for dynamic and energetic team players with:

• At least five years’ relevant sector experience, including development of relevant distribution models and market research initiatives. Private sector experience in an executive/managerial capacity at a top-tier FMCG player is desirable;
• The ability to rapidly build strong credibility with key sector players active in Kenya, particularly large international FMCG companies and associated distributors/wholesalers;
• Proven, in-depth knowledge of the challenges and opportunities in the micro retail sector;
• Strong understanding of economic development principles, particularly relating to youth employment;
• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field such as supply chain management, logistics, business management, etc. A postgraduate degree in a relevant field is desirable;
• Excellent written and spoken English is essential. Fluency in Kiswahili is desirable;
• Teamwork, enthusiasm and flexibility.

Duration and timing

The Sector Lead position is a full time role that will commence in November/December 2014. The selected candidate will be based in Mombasa.

How to apply:

Please send a CV and short cover email, highlighting relevant experience and expertise, and availability, to mombasa-recruitment@adamsmithinternational.com , with the subject line “Sector Lead, Micro Retail”. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.