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