Food Processing Specialist

TechnoServe Background:

TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. We are a nonprofit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital and markets. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives. 

 Position Description: 

The Food Processing Specialist will provide on-the -ground technical advisory services to selected food processors at country level. In coordination with the Senior Food Processing Specialist, this role will develop and deliver standardized trainings to address technical fundamentals of food processing. S/he will collaborate with other team members in-country and across the project, to ensure coordinated and impactful implementation.

The Food Processing Specialist will be an integral member implementing the revised AINFP strategy which includes working with transitional and accelerator clients, as well as foundational clients. The FPS will focus predominantly on developing packages of support for foundational clients (cooperative unions, small scale / regional processors). 

Responsibilities:

Food Processor Selection

• Collect objective and verifiable information for selection of processors who will contribute to intended program impacts.
• Participate in client selection processors based on discussions with the cooperative union, associations of oil seed processors and wheat processors, as well as site visits, and verification of information supplied in the initial application.  
• Assist documentation of the program client selection process.

Food Processor Assessment 

• Support assessment of selected processors to identify priority technical challenges.
• Together with the Program Manager and SFPS share and discuss the assessment with the client to verify findings, seek clarifications and ensure a common understanding of the priorities.
• Contribute to categorization of selected processors into predefined segments to pair them with the appropriate level and sophistication of technical advice.

Processor Relationship Management

• Keep good relationship with assigned clients (food processors, associations, cooperative unions and other stakeholders). 

Ensure execution and delivery of technical support to clients covered under the MoU with the Cooperative Union and sector Associations

• Ensure regular communication to maintain clients’ satisfaction with program support and early identification of any problems.
• Plan activities and discuss with the Program Manager on action items, to ensure that the shared objectives are met within the set times.

Technical Assistance

• Develop and deliver standardized trainings and quick win solutions to less sophisticated clients with simpler technical and business needs, as well as local language speaking clients, this could include GMP, HACCP, and/or fortification trainings.
• Follow up (through site visits and regular phone communication with clients) on-the-ground implementation of volunteer experts’ technical advice, on issues identified through the business diagnostic. 
• In collaboration with Program Manager, develop project charters for food processing challenges that requires complex technical advisory
• Backup project files and client information on google drive

Sector Wide Trainings

• Support the program Capacity Development Lead, and local training institutes with technical input and reviewing curricula for sector wide training in support of broader industry development. 
• Facilitate and follow up training event organization process, which includes communication with training participants, supporting local training institute/consultant and working with TechnoServe admin team to arrange training venues.
• Develop any trainings for the foundational clients, including GMPs and fortification trainings, working with consultants and other team members, as needed.

Market Linkages

• Liaise with the Market Linkages Specialist to identify processors with an interest in sourcing to the textile industry
• Liaise with the Market Linkages Specialist to identify processors with an interest to market nutritious products to low income markets.
• Support the Market Linkages Specialist and Program Manager to collect information from food processors and consumer groups to better understand demand for nutritious products.

Knowledge Management, Learning and Communications

• ensuring that relevant and required data is collected on foundational clients in accordance with the MEL Manager guidance