RTI International
Career Opportunity: Horticulture Specialist – Short Term Contract
RTI International is an independent organization dedicated to conducting innovative, multidisciplinary research that improves the human condition.
With a worldwide staff of more than 4,000 people, RTI offers innovative research and development and a full spectrum of multidisciplinary services. Universities in North Carolina founded RTI in 1958 as a centerpiece of the Research Triangle Park.
RTI is currently seeking to fill a vacancy for the Kenya Crops & Dairy Market Systems (KCDMS) Activity which is part of the Feed the Future program, America’s initiative to combat global hunger and poverty.
In this regard, USAID is partnering with RTI International on a 5-year (Oct 2017 to Sept 2022) cooperative agreement – KCDMS Activity – to help increase agricultural production and reduce poverty and malnutrition in Kenya.
The project will also spur competitive, resilient market systems in Kenya’s horticulture and dairy sectors.
KCDMS has been working with Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK) and Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPC) through the Partnership Innovation Fund (PIF) to roll out KS1758 to horticulture actors in both domestic and export markets. FPEAK has conducted sensitization meetings and master trainers training for the County Departments of Agriculture and Trade staff in the 12 KCDMS counties while FPC has been piloting the adoption of KS1758 Part II in restaurants (Crowne Plaza, JKIA), Groceries (Beyond Fruits Ltd) and open air markets (Kongowea Market). We seek to recruit a short-term Horticulture Specialist to be based in the Nairobi office.
Job Summary: KCDMS is conducting an assessment to document the extend of the implementation of KS1758 part II and the process undertaken to certify the Crown Plaza, Beyond Fruits Ltd and Kongowea Market as pilots and the sensitization and training of staff in KS1758 by FPEAK in KCDMS Counties.
Essential Duties:
1. Understanding the KS1758 roll out challenges, and opportunities and how these might be addressed.
2. The “push’ factors contributing to adoption of KS1758 by actors along the horticulture supply chain (producers, aggregators, transporters buyers and retailers) and how this is working towards creating food safety, reducing food spoilage.
3. Price incentives associated with adoption of KS1758.
4. Desktop review of the documents including KS 178 training curriculum and range of market actors trained and sensitized on KS 1758 and the process that was taken to prepare the firms for certification (may put together the standards audited)
5. Interviews with industry associations conducting KS 1758 Roll out (FPEAK, FPC and RETRAK). Also, the roles of HCD and KEPHIS in enforcing and set up systems in support of KS1758 regulatory framework
6. Administration of questionnaire to FPEAK trained market actors addressing perceptions on meeting the standards and process.
7. Interviews with pilot organizations (Crowne Plaza, Beyond Fruits and Kongowea Market) to document the process followed in certification, the costs, and opportunities in use of the certification for business.
8. Report writing and presentation
Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degrees in relevant field with good understanding of food safety, and horticulture
certification systems - Ability to administer questionnaires, collate, synthesize and interpreted field data
- Good understanding of horticulture value chain process flow and certification process
- Knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel
Skills & Abilities
- Excellent oral and written skills in English. Fluency in Kiswahili preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to be collaborative across projects, flexible and creative.
- Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Excellent knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel
- Ability to multi-task
- Ability to work well with others
- Ability to listen and communicate well both verbally and in writing
- Ability to work independently
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to obtain proper security clearances as noted by contracts
Essential Competencies / Behaviors:
- Critical Thinking: Obtains information, identifies key issues and relationships, and breaks down problems into simple tasks or activities.
- Integrity/Trust: Demonstrates honesty, is widely trusted, keeps commitments, treats people with dignity and respect, admits mistakes; doesn’t misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness/Teamwork: Ability to develop positive working relationships and work
effectively with others. - Initiative/Results Oriented: Takes action to achieve goals beyond what is required, is pro-active, and is a self-starter.
- Motivational Fit: Is motivated to work, would fit in well with organization.
- Technical/Professional Knowledge: Performs complex tasks in area of expertise.
Disclaimer: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
Interested candidates should visit this link http://m.rfer.us/RTIlTxDis and apply by May 27, 2022.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
RTI does not permit any payment requests demanded during any part of the hiring process. If such requests are made, please report it to the RTI Ethics Office via HRethics@rti.org. Any candidate making any payment will be disqualified from consideration for future employment with RTI.