AGRA

Job Reference: SIFY/IMTF/08/2023.

About AGRA 

AGRA and its Work

AGRA is an African-led institution that actively supports the drive towards inclusive agricultural transformation and sustainable food systems. We do this by empowering the continent’s 33 million smallholder farming households to transform their agriculture from a struggle to survive to profitable businesses. The continent’s farmers regularly face challenges, and we aspire to provide uniquely African solutions that respond to their agricultural and environmental challenges, leading to increased harvests for reduced hunger and more income. 

Working in alignment with the development priorities of our focus countries, we enable farmers to access improved and high-yielding seeds, gain knowledge on sustainable farming, and linkages to profitable markets. 

In our work, we aspire to build the alliances, partnerships, and networks required to drive an inclusive agricultural transformation. We work with our partners to create an equitable youth-friendly environment that harnesses the youth dividend on the continent to drive growth and facilitate open employment opportunities for young women and men. We achieve our key objectives through a focus on the following four areas of intervention:

1. Policy and state capability – We support governments in creating an enabling environment for private sector involvement in agricultural transformation. 
2. Seed systems – We trigger higher productivity by increasing the availability and access to improved seeds by farmers allowing them to increase their harvests for food security and better incomes. 
3. Sustainable farming – We support farmers in building resilient farming systems for sustained high yields through interventions such as mechanization and irrigation. 
4. Inclusive markets and trade – We work to increase the linkages between farmers, and other market actors for a positive, sustained cycle of commercialization and reinvestment.

AGRA’s 2030 Strategy

The continent has, in recent years, taken steps towards inclusive agricultural transformation resulting in notable improvements in food security, with clear progress across all AGRA’s focus countries. However, with over 20% of Africans still suffering from hunger, we need to accelerate our progress and mitigate against the growing external pressures of conflict and climate on our food systems.

AGRA 2022-2030 Strategic Framework (SF2030) demonstrates our long-term vision for how we intend to contribute to, and align with, global and continental priorities, applying a food systems lens towards the goals of zero hunger, improved nutrition, an end to poverty, and climate adaptation. We have split our Strategic Framework 2030 into two 5-year strategies so that we have a clear mid-way point to evaluate progress and re-route our strategic focus if necessary. Our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan sets out to catalyze the growth of sustainable food systems across Africa by influencing and leveraging partners to build a robust enabling environment where the private sector thrives, and smallholders are empowered to produce sufficient, healthy food.

AGRA’s Vision

To contribute to a food system-inspired inclusive agricultural transformation across Africa, to reduce hunger, improve nutrition, and adapt to climate.

AGRA’s Mission

To catalyze the growth of sustainable food systems across Africa by influencing and leveraging partners to build a robust enabling environment where private sector thrives, and smallholder farmers are empowered to produce sufficient, healthy food.

AGRA’s Strategy

• Empowering and building the resilience of small holder farmers
• Supporting the development of inclusive markets and finance to strengthen agricultural systems.
• Strengthening state capability to sustain agricultural transformation.

Implementing Our New Strategy Through People

AGRA is at the threshold of a new chapter where we begin implementing our new strategy of catalyzing inclusive, resilient and sustainable agricultural transformation. At AGRA we believe Agriculture is the single greatest opportunity to deliver inclusive economic growth, jobs, and health to the African continent.

People are the heart of our organisation and remain the true drivers of our delivery and our impact.

We are excited about a new fit-for-purpose organizational structure that is largely driven by an ambition to enhance collaboration across teams and drive sustainable growth. We have therefore purposed more focus on delivery of country programs within the new strategy giving even greater attention to optimizing existing talent in addition to upscaling technical and operational resources. 

We work with incredible people and partners who have roots in farming communities across the continent combined with an inclusive and diverse workforce from over 24 nationalities. Our values of (I-RISE; Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Stewardship and Equity) espouse our commitment to a call to action to go beyond ourselves as we arise and transform Africa’s Agriculture.

We are looking for people who are passionate about Africa, curious and collaborative to join our innovative, growing, and multidisciplinary team. Together, we can grow Africa’s food systems improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Want to join us?

The Opportunity

Specialist- Inclusive Finance for Youth. Job Reference: SIFY/IMTF/08/2023

Role Purpose

Directly reporting to the Head – Inclusive Finance, the Specialist – Inclusive Finance for Youth, will support the inclusive finance team, Inclusive Markets, Trade & Finance (IMTF) unit and country teams with information, insights, funding opportunities, partners, tools, and models that enhance access to finance for youth in agriculture.

Role Summary

S/He will work closely with colleagues in the inclusive finance team, the IMTF unit as well as with country program staff to make sure access to finance is integral part of all (grant) investments that AGRA plans to make to enhance work opportunities for young people in the agricultural sector. S/He is well informed about the landscape: what has worked elsewhere, who else is doing this work, what funding opportunities are available, how can financial services providers be incentivized to finance youth (groups), what is role of public sector in de-risking financial services provision to youth (groups), what business support services make youth (groups) finance-able and S/He is capable to translate these insights and networks in fundable interventions that enhance access to finance for youth (groups) and create work opportunities for them.

Key Measures of Performance

• Number and quality (leverage and catalytic nature) of inclusive and innovative finance initiatives supported and advised upon through country programming that will lead to enhanced access to finance for (young and female) actors in the food system.
• Inclusion of youth relevant interventions and partnerships in the Agri small and medium enterprise (SME) strategy that will lead to creation of work opportunities for youth and young women.
• Impact (work opportunities for youth, and improved performance of youth led enterprises) of initiatives designed and implemented through country programming.
• Level of support (quantity and quality) provided to country and technical teams around access to financial services for young entrepreneurs and employees and youth groups.
• Accurate reporting on relevant indicators and knowledge sharing around improving financial skills and access to financial services for youth (groups, entrepreneurs, and employees) in food systems.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Purpose – Adapt

• Program Design: Facilitate the design of innovative financial products and services that cater to the unique financial requirements of young people, including accounts, credit, financial education programs, and digital payment solutions.
• Market Research: Conduct in-depth market research and analysis to identify opportunities for expanding financial inclusion among youth and understand the financial behaviors, needs, and preferences of the target audience.
• Analyze cost-benefit of existing financial and non-financial services delivery mechanisms including leveraging of technology that could reduce the cost and risks of agricultural finance delivery (to youth and young women).
• Innovation and Adaptation: Stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in the field of inclusive finance and youth development, integrating new ideas into existing programs.
• Strategy Development: Collaborate with sector actors to formulate inclusive finance strategies tailored to the specific needs and challenges faced by youth populations. 
• Share knowledge on proven youth finance solutions and models with country teams and relevant partners for adaptation, adoption, and scaling.
• Proactively support country teams and Centre of expertise staff in their strategy delivery and pipeline development to ensure inclusion of youth and finance in the programs.

Engagement – Persuade

• Financial Education: Develop and implement cost effective financial literacy programs and workshops to educate young people on managing personal finances, budgeting, saving, and in making informed financial decisions.
• Policy Advocacy: Advocate for policies and regulatory frameworks that promote youth financial inclusion, working with policymakers and contributing to policy discussions on public investments in financing youth (groups).
• Capacity Building: Train and mentor staff, field agents, and partners on inclusive finance practices and youth engagement strategies and develop knowledge-sharing products and events to position AGRA as a thought leader and catalyst in reducing the cost and risk of finance for young people in agriculture.
• Collaboration with Business Development Service Providers: collaborating with Business Development Service (BDS) providers to enhance the effectiveness and reach of financial inclusion programs for young entrepreneurs and aspiring youth in the target areas. Work closely with BDS organizations to identify, design, and deliver appropriate capacity-building services that complement financial products and contribute to the overall economic empowerment of youth.

Delivery – Adapt Project Cycle

• Monitoring and Evaluation: Create performance metrics and track the impact of inclusive finance initiatives on youth beneficiaries, regularly reporting progress to management and relevant stakeholders.
• Partnership Management: Establish and maintain productive partnerships with governmental bodies, financial institutions, youth organizations, and other stakeholders to drive the implementation of inclusive finance initiatives while contributing to resource mobilization efforts in Agri SME development and financing for youth.
• Risk Assessment: Evaluate potential risks and challenges associated with inclusive finance programs for youth and propose risk mitigation strategies to ensure sustainable and responsible financial services.

Model the IRISE Values & Be a Culture Carrier

• Integrity: Uphold moral convictions and always doing the right thing.
• Respect: Value differences and embrace diversity and inclusion.
• Innovation: Strive for excellence and embracing continuous improvement, bold creativity, and change.
• Stewardship: Be responsible for actions undertaken and resources entrusted.
• Equity: Be governed by fairness in all undertakings.

Requirements

Academic and Professional Qualifications

• • An advanced degree (bachelor’s or master’s) in Finance, Economics, Business, or related Field
• Fluency in English required; ability to communicate in French, Portuguese, Swahili, or another language is an advantage.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Familiarity with current agricultural and digital finance industry challenges and constraints for youth and young women to make use of financial services.
• Experience in an advisory role involving engagement of financial ecosystem stakeholders, and youth (support) organizations.
• A good understanding of challenges and opportunities in engaging youth in the agricultural sector, youth entrepreneurship development and (informal) job markets in Africa.
• Capacity to develop a network of relevant youth organizations, youth support programs, financial and non-financial services providers is essential.
• Good writing (ToRs, grant proposals and knowledge documents) and communication (conducting webinars, chairing meetings, panel, and moderation roles) skills.

Relevant Experience

• Professional experience in youth entrepreneurship and agricultural finance.
• Relevant experience in development and design of interventions targeting creation of work opportunities for young people in food systems.
• Candidate should have worked in an advisory capacity in a financial institution, enterprise support organization or development program with a strong focus on youth and agriculture.
• Relevant experience in different countries and contexts in Africa is desirable.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Orientation: Focus on the big picture and overall Strategic Framework. Ability to identify and pursue strategic initiatives which provide the greatest value and sustainable impact; balances long and short-term trade-offs; communicates clearly and precisely the strategic goals and the strategies for achieving them.
• Leadership:  Demonstrates ability to mobilize, focus, align, and build effective groups to enable them to conceptualize and achieve collective objectives.  Inspires Trust and Passion in the AGRA Mission: Ability to show great drive and commitment to AGRA mission; help others understand how their daily work contributes to the AGRA’s mission and inspires others to proactively meet the AGRA’s strategic objectives in partnership with clients. Maintains high standards of personal integrity and provides support for professional development efforts linked to business objectives.
• Customer and market Orientation: Demonstrates knowledge of the customers they serve, competitors, suppliers, and the regulatory environment. Provides a balanced a responsive and proactive approach to meeting client needs; encourages staff to understand client needs and concerns; ensures provision of customized services and products as appropriate; Responds promptly and effectively to client and market needs. Adds business value based on own understanding and service of the customers and the market in which they work.  
• Driving Results: Demonstrates drive for improvement of business results, based on well-rounded understanding of general business principles and own activities’ commercial and financial implications.
• Planning and Organising:  Devises plans of action with explicit paths and measures of accomplishment for self and/or others and allocates suitable resources so that objectives are achieved. Strong administration skills.
• Technical Competencies for the position: Demonstrate knowledge of all own work role specific issues. This encompasses the technical skills or knowledge required to perform the essential duties as described in this Job Description. Specific technical competencies: quantitative analytical skills including use of appropriate software, results-based management systems, designing tools and strategies for data collection, analysis and production of reports; In-depth knowledge on MIS, M&E and development issues.
• Accuracy and attention to detail: High level of accuracy, attention to detail and thoroughness. Ability to maintain a timely and efficient workflow.
• Managing Resources: Demonstrates the ability to plan and use resources (people and/or finance and/or physical assets) in accordance with AGRA guidelines and delegated accountability so that objectives are achieved in the most effective manner possible.
• Coaching and Developing Staff: A demonstrated capacity for working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams for collective success and provide effective coaching and encourage appropriate development activities to support staff in identifying and meeting their training and development needs. 
• Communication and Interpersonal relations: Exceptional communication skills and ability to represent AGRA externally at high levels. Demonstrates ability to maintain lasting, healthy, and effective one-to-one working relationships with colleagues, suppliers, customers, professional peers, etc.
• Intercultural Sensitivity and Effectiveness: Demonstrates ability to cross and bridge different racial, cultural, or business cultures. This requires and is exhibited by personal experience of international or cross-cultural business with improved achievements.  
• Teamwork: Demonstrates productive drive in working with peers, partners, consultants, and others to achieve pre-targeted and measurable business results.

Terms of Appointment

3 Years Fixed Term (Consideration for renewal will be made subject to AGRA’s needs, available funding and performance).

Location

Based in Nairobi, Kenya

How to Apply

If you believe you are the right candidate for this position, kindly submit your application with a detailed CV (including your e-mail address and telephone contacts to recruit@agra.org noting to quote the job reference number in the subject of your email)

To be considered, applications must be received on or before Monday 18th September 2023.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

AGRA is an Equal Opportunity Employer