Palladium recruits an Inputs & Technologies Specialist

Palladium  recruits an Inputs & Technologies Specialist

Company Profile

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits. 

For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved – and is committed to continuing to improve – economies, societies and most importantly, people’s lives. 

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status. 

Activity Overview and Role

Palladium seeks an Inputs & Technologies Specialist to support Objective 2 of the Regional Agriculture and Market Systems (RAMS) activity, a 5-year, $23 million task order under USAID’s Regional Integration and Stronger Economics (RISE) IDIQ mechanism. RAMS is designed to promote increased agricultural production, trade, improved policies, finance and investment, and resilience to shocks and stresses in the East Africa region by addressing agricultural issues that can only be solved on a regional basis. RAMS will collaborate closely with USAID/Kenya and East Africa’s regional intergovernmental partners, including the East African Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region. The Activity is organized under four objectives: 1) Strengthening cross-border agricultural market systems, 2) Accessing and scaling technologies, 3) Strengthening regional resilience, and 4) Strengthening the regional agriculture policy and regulatory environment. The RAMS geographic area of focus includes the East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Zambia.

The Inputs & Technologies Specialist will support Objective 2 activities to increase access to modern, innovative agricultural technologies that will build regional resilience and support increased cross-border value chain development and trade. Based on the selected value chains under RAMS (focus value chains will include livestock, horticulture, and staple foods), all forms of inputs, such as high quality seed, appropriate and affordable fertilizer, pest control, irrigation, feed, fodder, pharmaceuticals, including better use of technology and financial services, may be addressed through this component. S/he will report directly to the Technology Scaling Lead.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the establishment and functioning of a regional agro-dealer network.
• Collaborate with the Access to Finance Specialist to identify and scale financing solutions to enable technology adoption.
• Assist in the provision of technical assistance and grants to scale improved seed varieties regionally.
• Help leverage partnerships and technology solutions to improve adaptive capacities of vulnerable populations to shocks and stresses.
• Support the management of technology challenges to identify technologies for further development, piloting, and scaling.
• In close collaboration with the Technology Scaling Lead and the Grants Manager, support the active management of grants issued under Objective 2.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• Advanced degree in agriculture, economics, international development or other closely related field.
• At least 3 years of experience supporting agro-input market systems strengthening and improving access to agricultural technology solutions in East Africa.
• Prior USAID or donor experience on agriculture-related projects preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in teams in a regional setting.
• Understanding of constraints inhibiting broader access to and uptake of improved technologies, with the ability to think creatively about ways to overcome those constraints.
• Experience integrating vulnerable groups into markets.
• Fluency in English and a local East African language preferred.
• Strong Preference for Kenyan and East African citizens

Apply here