Food Processing Hub Specialist – SC5

Organizational Setting

FAO Kenya is implementing the project” Enhancing the Self Reliance of Host and Refugees in Kenya” (UNJP/KEN/095/EC) in Turkana West with funding from the European Union through the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) Kenya, specifically Objective 4: Increased household ability to access safe and nutritious food through own production, income from agribusiness and trade and from the market. Subsequently, FAO has constructed a food processing hub comprising of a communal kitchen, bakery, and a tent solar drier as a start-up kit to support food entrepreneurship development in the refugee hosting area of Kakuma and Kalobeyei in Turkana. The general management of the food processing hub during the startup phase requires organizing, overseeing, and directing the food hub’s day-to-day operations effectively and efficiently. However, most of the food entrepreneurs have inadequate business-oriented thinking, planning and management capacity to increase their commercial viability by leveraging on the affordable shared use kitchen and bakery space, equipment, and services. To support these businesses the project needs the services of a food processing hub manager to oversee the processes and day-to-day running of the hub.

Reporting Lines

The Food Processing Hub Specialist will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Kenya and the Assistant FAO Representative Programmes, general supervision of the Programme Manager, Sustainable Agri-food Systems, and the Direct Supervision of the Project Lead & Agribusiness Specialist of the Enhancing the Self-Reliance of Refugees and Host Communities in Kenya Project (UNJP/KEN/095/EC).

Technical Focus

The Food Processing Hub Specialist will provide strategic leadership, day-to-day oversight of all aspects of the Food processing Hub’s core operations, including planning, supervising/ managing hub infrastructural and systems’ development, providing needed technical and business support services for the food entrepreneurs, and assisting them to meet their business goals.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop shared use policies and procedures and guide entrepreneurs in the implementation and reinforcement of the shared use agreements. • Support the food entrepreneurs to effectively and efficiently get the work done, manage schedules, and ensure the facilities are running smoothly. • Oversee the day-to-day operation of the shared use facility and processes of the Food Hub to ensure the safe, timely, and consistent flow of the Food Hub products. • Support establishment and maintenance of HACCP certification among other food safety management systems alongside observing Occupational health and safety measures. • • Provide entrepreneurs with guidance and direct management of all aspects of the Food Hub’s daily operations ensuring efficient and effective use of all Food Hub resources. • Develop and implement procedures to promote communication and information sharing to stimulate demand for the hub foods. • Collaborate with raw material suppliers, the food entrepreneurs, and consumers to identify business and market opportunities. • Support the identification of an organizational structure based on the groups’ focus and leadership. • Perform other duties as may be assigned by the FAO Representative or their duly appointed representative(s).

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Agribusiness, Food Technology, Business Administration and/or Hotel and Restaurant Management • Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in technical training on food processing, food packaging, and marketing of food products • Working knowledge of English and Kiswahili • National of Kenya

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Supervisory experience required. • Technical knowledge and skills in food processing techniques, food safety standards, and quality assurance practices. • Ability to implement and oversee systems to maintain regulatory requirements for safe food handling. • Excellent record keeping and data management skills. • Experience working in a socioeconomically diverse environment and interacting with individuals from different backgrounds. • Experience living and working in a rural environment, and/or working with small scale start-up food businesses • Effective verbal and written communication skills

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.