Program Assistant – Food Loss Reduction (FL-RS) and Market Systems job at Kilimo Trust | Apply Now

Technical Expertise in Food Loss Reduction (FL-RS):

• Oversee and track the distribution and use of subsidized FL-RS technologies to ensure they effectively reduce post-harvest losses and improve grain quality.

• Promote the adoption of improved post-harvest handling and climate-smart farming practices among target farmers to reduce losses in maize and beans and enhance household resilience and food safety.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with farmers, suppliers, government agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Support the growth of local Agro-dealer networks linked to key suppliers to ensure steady access, distribution, and after-sales services for FL-RS technologies at the community level.

Capacity Building:

• Manage and support Village-Based Agents (VBAs) to ensure they receive quality training and effectively deliver practical extension services and promote technologies to reach the target direct beneficiaries.

• Coordinate and conduct practical, gender-sensitive training and field demonstrations on FL-RS management, business skills, and quality standards to support the project’s goal of improving post-harvest handling.

• Support the timely sharing of Early Warning Information from UNMA through VBAs and radio platforms to help farmers make informed, climate-resilient harvesting decisions.

Market Analysis:

• Strengthening market coordination platforms and aligning production with buyers to create clear incentives, such as premium prices, for farmers adopting FL-RS and producing quality grain.

• Build and strengthen connections between selected farmer groups/MSMEs and key buyers, processors, and value chain actors to ensure reliable and profitable market access.

Partnership Development:

• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to create synergies and support agribusiness development initiatives, serving as the daily coordination link to ensure smooth delivery of technical support, financial services, and equipment.

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders at various levels.

• Facilitate collaboration and partnerships to strengthen the agribusiness value chain.

• Maintain strong working relationships with District Local Government officials (MAAIF, Production) to ensure the project is anchored within local development plans and for long-term sustainability.

• Coordinate and participate in stakeholder and partners’ meetings.

Project Finance Management

• Comply with project financial controls and all laid out operational procedures.

• Ensure the value for money principle is observed throughout project implementation.

• Provide inputs that support preparation of annual and other activity budgets, and conduct periodic budget reviews and analyses, undertaking accounts reconciliation of on-site and off-site budgets and reporting to the Program Team Leader

• Prepare procurement requests for goods/services that require prior funders’ approval.

Project Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Ensure high-quality technical and financial reporting in line with the requirements of Kilimo Trust and the funding partners.

• In collaboration with the Project Team leader & M&E lead, develop a precise project monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEAL) plan.

• Implement MEAL plan in liaison with the M&E Team.

• Manage and ensure accurate data capturing, analysis, and reporting about project activities in accordance with donor requirements.

• Prepare and review quarterly progress reports.

• Review quarterly reports from field assistants, associates, and or subcontractors/grantees in relation to the subcontract scope of work.

• In liaison with the M&E team, ensure accurate updated support documents of project activity implementation are uploaded in the M&E portal on a monthly basis.

• Support the Team Leader to consolidate findings and timely preparation of reports on project activities to the project funders.

• Monitor achievements of project deliverables, risks, and any issues, as well as impact, and report back to the Program team Leader as stated in Project Implementation Plans.

• Manage and ensure accurate data capturing and analysis from country project teams.

• Prepare regular progress reports and submit the same on time to the Program Team Leader for review.

• Prepare and review quarterly, semi-annual, and annual projects’ progress reports.

• Ensure timely submission of project progress reports.

Information and Communication

• Work closely with the Team Leader to ensure effective and unified communication to the project stakeholders and partners.

• Prepare documentation of best practices, including writing/editing articles, press releases, lessons learnt, and other project materials for publication.

• Analyse data collected from project activity implementation and produce knowledge articles, blogs, short videos, etc.

• Develop effective communication processes and maintain strategic relationships with stakeholders and partners. Coordinate communications between the Program Team Leader and the field/project offices

Expected Outputs

• Verified adoption rates of key Food Loss Reduction Solutions (FL-RS) among targeted beneficiaries, disaggregated by gender and youth.

• A documented and operational local Agro-dealer and supplier network for FL-RS in Bugisu and Sebei, showing improved product availability and effective last-mile services.

• Regular performance reports detailing VBA training activities, farmer reach, and effectiveness in promoting technologies.

• Documented transaction records between farmer groups and structured off takers, showing consistent access to quality markets.

• Verified data showing that farmers using FL-RS received premium prices or better terms for their quality grain compared to non-quality grain.

• Evidence of functional platforms or mechanisms that ensure effective coordination between farmers, technology suppliers, and buyers.

• Timely and accurate inputs to project work plans and quarterly progress reports in preparation for reporting to the funder.

• Documentation of regular coordination meetings and follow-up actions with partners, local government, and relevant stakeholders.

• Regular field monitoring reports with verified data on beneficiary reach, gender breakdown, and adherence to project standards.