Call for Applications:Advisory Panel Members for Maendeleo Agricultural Enterprise Fund (MAEF) – Requires focus on Micro finance, financial analysis and/or business modelling
The Maendeleo Agricultural Enterprise Fund (MAEF) has been in place since 2011 and currently has 7 running projects in east Africa. It is an initiative of Farm Africa.
Farm Africa believes that Africa has the power to feed itself and that its smallholders hold the key to lasting rural prosperity. We work directly with farmers to help them unleash their potential to feed Africa’s people.
The MAEF initiative, awards project grants to partners that work with smallholder farmers to adopt appropriate new technologies and enterprises that:
- build on their traditional skills to increase their agricultural output for market;
- Add value to crops through improved post-harvest handling and simple agro-processing techniques;
- Build farmers’ and farmers’ associations capacity to form and own sustainable enterprises/businesses
- Link farmers to profitable markets thereby maximising their gains.
The Advisory Panel
MAEF is coordinated by a secretariat based in Farm Africa Kenya Hub office in Nairobi.
The secretariat works and is guided by a voluntary Advisory Panel comprising of two professionals each from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda plus the Farm Africa Country Directors in Kenya and Tanzania Hubs.
The role of the Advisory Panel members will be:
- To provide strategic direction to the MAEF secretariat, including :
- updating them on emerging issues and changes within the sectors and the environment in which the fund is operating
- advice on appropriate strategies to integrate MAEF supported projects into other agricultural development initiatives in their respective countries.
- To represent MAEF in relevant forums within their respective countries, clearly articulating the needs of smallholder farmers in a competitive and changing global environment.
- To proactively publicise and promote MAEF to increase interest in the fund amongst stakeholders.
- To review and comment on concept notes and full project proposals submitted to MAEF for support.
- To critically examine short-listed proposed projects, including undertaking field visits to project sites to verify the capacity and capability of project teams to successfully undertake the work;
- To add a depth of critical review and support in business modelling and long term sustainable private sector development
- To undertake monitoring visits with MAEF team to selected funded projects during implementation and report back on progress and emerging issues and make relevant recommendations.
Requirements of prospective Advisory Panel members
Farm Africa is now inviting applications from individuals who wish to join the Advisory Panel of MAEF to join a team of five APs in place.
Appointments will be for an initial 3-year term and MAEF will provide a modest honorarium per day worked as well as covering all related and necessary travel and subsistence expenses.
Expected days per year of work/travel are maximum 32 (21 days travel and 11 days work at home.).
Applicants must:
- Have extensive knowledge of the current agricultural, socio-economic and policy issues affecting smallholder farmers in their respective countries, the region and globally;
- Have experience in other agricultural enterprise/ business related organisations;
- Believe in and support the vision of MAEF to alleviate poverty through partnerships and agricultural enterprises that promote farming as a business;
- Have over 5 years experience in one or more of the following fields:
- Enterprise development / markets
- Microfinance and financial analysis for small business viability
- Value chain analysis
How to Apply
Interested applicants are requested to send a detailed CV (maximum 3 pages) and cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining their interest and relevant experience to: info-maef@farmafrica.org by 24th April 2013.
Short-listed applicants will be contacted and may be invited to attend an interview.
Call for Applications: Advisory Panel Members for Maendeleo Agricultural Enterprise Fund (MAEF)
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