Technical Focus

• 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 representatives.

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