Job Description

Posted on December 24, 2020

Job Description
Title: Senior Food Technologist
Reports to: FED Project Director
Location: Zambia
Travel:
I. Program Description:
In partnership with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), TechnoServe is preparing for a 3-year Food Enterprises for a Developed Zambia (FED) Programme. The programme aims to improve the efficiency, profitability and growth of food processing SMEs and contribute to a stronger and more inclusive sector in the country.
II. Position Description:
The Senior Food Technologist is the technical lead overseeing the provision of strategic advisory services to food processors at country level. S/he will oversee all engagements with selected small and growing food processors, with primary focus on clients requiring more advanced, customized support. S/he will collaborate with other team members in-country and across the project, to ensure coordinated and impactful implementation.
Responsibilities Include:
Support the Project Director to collect objective and verifiable information for selection of processors who will contribute to intended program impacts.
Conduct diagnostic assessments, as assigned by the Project Director, of selected processors to identify priority business and technical challenges.
Contribute to categorization of selected processors partners into predefined segments to pair them with the appropriate level and sophistication of technical advice.
Ensure regular communication to maintain clients’ satisfaction with program support and early identification of any problems.
Plan activities to ensure that the shared objectives are met within the set times and resources and that impact is maximized. Technical Assistance.
In collaboration with the project team, develop and deliver standardized trainings and quick win solutions to less sophisticated clients with simpler technical and business needs.
Provide on-the-ground support for implementation of technical advice, on issues identified by the business diagnostic.
As appropriate, develop and facilitate alignment on project charters for assigned processors.
Facilitate processors to adopt policies and practices that create safer and more equitable work environments for women.
Source and facilitate relevant expertise to support the food processors. Liaise between volunteers and processors to ensure clear expectations and smooth communication.
Facilitate university student internships / apprenticeship initiative with foundational processors, whereby interns will be assigned to processors for a defined period to provide technical support and address identified issues.
Support local experts and training institutes with technical input on identification of appropriate topics and development of curricula for sector wide training in support of broader industry development.
Liaise with the Senior Business Development Advisor to identify processors with an interest to improve supply chain linkages to smallholder farmers.
Support, as necessary, communication and coordination on these areas with assigned clients. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
In coordination with the M&E Manager and Senior Business Development Advisor, manage collection of processor reporting data, review data for accuracy.
Contribute towards explanations of metric results and provide input to recommendations to adapt program approach as necessary to maximize impact.
Provide anecdotal evidence of impact, including success stories, case studies and lessons learned.
Ensure activities carried out are in accordance with TechnoServe and donor requirements.
• Understand all gender integration requirements (donor as well as internal to TechnoServe).