Agricultural Policy Advisor (AgSys Project)

A. About the project and Context

Kenya’s agriculture sector has seen mixed progress over the decades, with persistent challenges such as low incomes among small-scale farmers and national food insecurity. The Agriculture Sector Growth and Transformation Strategy (ASTGS) envisions transformation across smallholder, SME, and large-scale levels through productivity improvements, agro-processing, and commercialization. However, sustainability issues continue to hinder progress.

Key production challenges include soil degradation, unsustainable farm practices, and post-harvest losses. Climate change, price volatility, and systemic shocks further undermine food security and household incomes. Addressing these complexities requires inclusive policies, multi-stakeholder engagement, and integration beyond the Ministry of Agriculture through a shared national vision.

To support such transformation, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) funds the Sustainable Agricultural Systems and Policies (AgSys) programme, implemented by GIZ since 2023. Running in Kenya from 2024–2027, AgSys builds on local partnerships while providing national policy advice to strengthen reforms.

The programme focuses on five areas:

1. Promoting transformative agricultural policies that link agriculture with food security, climate action, and biodiversity.
   

2. Scaling proven practices by institutionalizing effective innovations.
   

3. Incorporating civil society input, especially from women and youth, in reform agendas.
   

4. Harmonizing financial contributions to transform national funding systems and expand access to resources.
   

5. Linking national and global agendas to reinforce reform processes and contribute to global debates on agricultural transformation.
   

A. Responsibilities

The main responsibility of the Advisor will be the planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of activities with a particular focus on the domestication and implementation of policies, commitments and strategies (Output 1 and 5) as well as the political anchoring of innovations (Output 2) that AgSys has identified and is supporting.

Activities are planned and implemented in such a way that it leads to the desired results and achievements in a cost effective and timely manner. The advisor will work in close coordination with the AgSys team providing technical assistance in the field of policy advisory and supporting any effective linkages and synergies across other outputs.

B. Tasks

The Advisor will perform the following tasks under the professional supervision of the Project Manager:

• Identify and analyse national and meso-level bottlenecks for policy implementation and create evidence about effective policy implementation with a focus on local action.
  

• Develop strategies for the engagement, coordination and capacity development of
  governmental agencies and institutions (at the national, intergovernmental and county level) that support effective domestication and implementation of agri-food sector policies.

• Strengthen support towards adoption or elaboration of elements contained in CAADP
  instruments by responsible committees at national, intergovernmental and county levels, ensuring alignment of continental commitments and national efforts.

• Facilitate stakeholder engagement in the CAADP processes (non-state actors, parliamentarians) and capacity development of these stakeholder groups.
  

• Initiate discussions (public and private sector actors) about political anchoring of
  selected innovations (e.g. in the Maarifa Centre), develop action plans/strategies and facilitate engagement process.

• Engage in and support stakeholder dialogues (conferences, workshops, trainings) on policy issues (incl. public and private partners) that support policy coherence and
  policy implementation.

• Strengthen policy feedback and learning from ground-level implementation in the counties and along key project priorities
  

• Close coordination with other team members on activities that are cutting across
  output areas.

• Providing technical support to other team members on topics related to policy advisory.
  

• Regular monitoring and reporting of activities.
  

• Perform any other duty as required by the superior.
  

C. Required qualifications, competences, and experience

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in agricultural economics, agricultural policies, business administration or related fields.
  

Professional experience

• 5-10 years of professional experience in a similar position in the area of agricultural policies
  

• Strong policy background with experience in policy analysis, development of policy documents, policy cycle, policy in devolved context, policy implementation, etc.
  

• Practical experience in the provision of successful capacity building activities to public officials and/or other stakeholders in fields related to policy domestication and implementation.
  

• Very good understanding of multi-level policy coherence (from international to local
  level), the political landscape in Kenya, in the agricultural sector as devolved function.

• Work experience in collaborating with the international donor community, continental
  organisations, relevant line ministries at national and county level and intergovernmental organisations in Kenya.

• Familiarity with the CAADP process, the Kampala Agenda and a very good understanding of the domestication process in Kenya.
  

• Practical experience in designing and organizing conferences, workshops and trainings.
  

• A good network in Kenya as well as continental is an asset.
  

• Knowledge of gender sensitive approaches within the policy cycle is an asset.
  

• Understanding of the conceptual framework of agri-food system transformation and knowledge of key levers for transformation is an advantage.
  

• Working experience in development cooperation is an asset.
  

• Excellent written and spoken English, and communication skills.
  

• Integrity regarding corporate and universal values and ethical standards.
  

Other knowledge, additional competence

• Strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to cooperate effectively with colleagues and partners.
  

• Ability and willingness to work in a dynamic team.
  

• Self-starter, who works independently and has a flexible attitude but is a strong team player.
  

• Excellent organizational skills
  

• Ability to implement complex tasks under tight schedules and deadlines.
  

• Very good working knowledge of ICT technologies (related software, phone, email, internet, Excel, and other computer applications (e.g., MS Office)