FAO Policy Analyst Job in Kenya, Salary over Ksh 600,000 Per Month

Organizational Setting

This position is located in the FAO Representation in Kenya

Background

While trends towards eliminating hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition globally improved a lot during the last two decades, recently we have seen a slow-down in improvement, and the latest SOFI figures (2017) start to show a reversal, especially in parts of parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and South Eastern and Western Asia. It is widely accepted that under a business as usual scenario, the SDG2 food security and nutrition targets will not be met by 2030.  It also appears that several countries may have made progress up to the point where they hit against a more “hard core” problem of food insecurity and malnutrition that can only be addressed through a much more targeted approach that addresses bottlenecks affecting specific vulnerable population groups that have so far not been able to benefit from existing policies and programmes.

The need for a policy effectiveness analysis in Kenya

There are considerable challenges over how the two levels of governments in Kenya can work together in terms of policy formulation and implementation. The Constitution states that agriculture is a devolved function, assigning the task of agricultural policy formulation and capacity building to national government (national ministries) and implementation to county governments. Assuming that a national coordination structure is all that is needed, FIRST supported the establishment of a Joint Agriculture Sector Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism (JASCOM) but the problem has persisted with little change in terms of service delivery at farm level. Despite their limited capacity, the county governments have yet to receive meaningful support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation. The process to finalize the Agriculture Sector Growth and Transformation Strategy (ASGTS) has slowed down partly due to the disagreement over the roles and functions of the two levels of government. A number of counties have developed their own strategies (some of them have been seeking FAO support). At the moment, it is hard to claim that the Ministry is providing leadership by developing effective national policy and regulatory frameworks in agriculture, natural resource management, food and nutrition security or rural development. The governance challenges in Kenya require a comprehensive and profound analysis to make a strong case for reforming the process of policy formulation and implementation.

In an effort to demonstrate the real challenges and way forward, a policy effectiveness study will be conducted. The study will start with a review of available literature on policy formulation in Kenya and the findings from the first part. It will analyze a set of national, multi-sectoral and sectoral policies and strategies, including (i) Food and nutrition security and social protection – National Food and Nutrition Security Policy (NFNSP) and Kenya National Social Protection Policy; (ii) and National and agricultural development plans – Strategic Plan 2013 – 2017 of the Ministry of Devolution and Planning, Draft Agriculture Policy, draft Agriculture Sector Growth and Transformation Strategy (ASGTS), and Ending Drought Emergencies: Common Programme Framework for Drought Risk Management. The review will also check if relevant crosscutting policies are captured in the national policies and plans. These include: (i) Climate change and sustainable development – Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy: 2017 – 2026; (ii)  Women and youth – Gender Policy and Youth in Agribusiness Strategy; and (iii) R&D and education – KALRO Strategic Plan 2017, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Policy (agriculture), National Agricultural Sector Extension Policy.

Interviews with relevant actors from officials, experts and representatives of relevant offices and stakeholders will constitute another important part of the information to be analyzed. A set of questions will guide the discussions with directors/ key experts of policy and planning units of the five state departments of the Ministry: Crops, livestock, Fisheries, Irrigation and Research. In addition, relevant policy and planning/ programming officials in the Ministry of Devolution and Planning, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender as well as concerned experts from the COG and JAS/ JASCOM will be contacted. A joint meeting of several officers from similar departments will be organized to save time and foster debate on some issues. Relevant members of the National Assembly (Parliament) and the Senate will be contacted to discuss issues concerning approval processes. Focus group discussions with key stakeholders (farmer organizations, private sector, CSOs and NGOs) will be held at national level and selected counties. The EU Delegation and selected development partners will provide their perspective on policy effectiveness in Kenya. The Policy Officer and his team will undertake most of the discussions using the checklist.

In this regard, FAO is looking for a high-level consultant to determine the extent to which policy responses are based on underlying problems, empirical evidences, inclusive approach, and principles of sustainable development at national level and in four ASAL counties. The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Kenya and the Senior Policy Officer and the study will be guided by two generic questions: (i) Is the current set of policies and strategies sufficiently focused and well-designed to adequately address these immediate and underlying causes of food insecurity and malnutrition in the most impactful way both at a national scale and at the level of specific socio-economic groups, geographic areas, agro-ecological zones and counties that are facing “stubborn” or more “pervasive” problems of food insecurity and malnutrition? Is there sufficient focus on sustainable agriculture? and (ii) Are current policies and strategies sufficiently forward looking to also address the food security and nutrition impacts of emerging problems related to for example migration, youth unemployment, gender empowerment, climate change, population growth, urbanization, etc.? Is there adequate effort to take advantage of emerging opportunities?

Reporting Lines

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Kenya and the Senior Policy Officer

Technical Focus

The technical focus for this position covers areas related to policy design and implementation based on underlying problems and empirical evidences.

Tasks and responsibilities

Specifically, the consultant will assess a set of food and nutrition policies and strategies to determine the extent to which the process of formulation at national and ASAL level:

1. Ensure and support comprehensive evidence-based analysis to address underlying causes and emerging problems by looking at the extent to which policy and strategy formulation:
   1. Review achievements and weaknesses of past policies and strategies
   2. Identify existing and emerging problems including climate change, urbanization, youth unemployment, migration, environmental degradation, and population growth;
   3. Review available evidences and best practices to address underlying causes such as access to resources (land, technology, water, employment, finance, insurance, health services, social protection, …)
   4. Set goals and targets taking into account global, regional and sub-regional forums (e.g. Malabo Declaration, SDGs commitments) that Kenya has committed to.
2. Focus on marginalized socio-economic groups and neglected regions by checking the extent to which policy and strategy formulation prioritizes:
   1. Poor pastoralists and smallholders, households headed by women, old or sick people, children and the youth
   2. Vulnerable communities living in remote and drought-prone areas and protracted crisis
   3. Indigenous and traditional communities that, out of a need or desire to preserve its unique culture and identity from assimilation, has remained outside the integrated social and economic life of Kenya as a whole (Kenya 2010 Constitution).
3. Address malnutrition through innovative and sustainable solutions
   1. Give priority to more diversified and nutrition-sensitive production of animal proteins, fisheries, vegetables, fruits, pulses, beans oilseeds, bio fortification, etc. by reviewing the degree to which policies and strategies focus on:
      • Bio fortification – breeding of staple crops that are richer in essential micronutrients
      • Homestead food production systems -home gardening, aquaculture, urban agriculture
      • Irrigation interventions for improved access to fresh produce
      • Poultry, small ruminants and dairy programs for poor families
      • Nutrition-sensitive value chains (e.g. micronutrient-fortified yogurt)
   2. Promote innovative and sustainable solutions for transforming the food and agriculture sector with a focus on:
      • Sustained increase in productivity (e.g. rainwater harvesting for irrigation, conservation agriculture, integrated pest management, integrated soil fertility management biodiversity, intercropping, diversification, mixed farming, etc.);
      • Technological, institutional and policy-oriented options that have the potential of increasing climate resilience, and increasing agricultural productivity and income on a sustainable basis;
      • ICT solutions for agriculture (e.g. FarmLink – NGO working on extension and advisory services), and development-focused entrepreneurs and organizations (e.g. KickStart, non-profit organization specializing in irrigation technology, Kenya Climate Innovation Centre, KCIC)
      • New technologies such as metal/plastic silos and hermetic bags as well as warehouse receipt systems to ensure food safety and reduce food loss and waste
4. Adopt integrated planning and participatory approach to:
   1. Overcome coordination failure and ensure country ownership shared vision, making sure that there is effective linkage between:
      • National long-term strategies/ plans, national medium-term plans, and national annual plans
      • Sectoral and multi-sectoral long-term plans and strategies, sectoral medium-term plans, and sectoral annual plans
      • Local government medium-term plans and related annual plans – receive input from county governments.
   2. Foster inclusive development through bottom-up and integrated approach by giving priority to:
      • Formal participation of county governments and stakeholders, especially direct beneficiaries and private sector. Need to ensure institutionalized participation of CSOs and women and youth groups in dealing with gender empowerment, youth unemployment and migration (includes assessment of whether the participation is institutionalized or not)
      • Adequate human and institutional capacity and sufficient attention to integrated approach that is holistic and multi-sectoral to speak to all actors in the sector
      • Decentralized model that capitalizes on the experiences and support of national institutions but is tailored to local conditions (counties)
5. Assess governance issues that constrain the policy formulation process and provide solutions. This includes addressing:
   1.  Political economy factors such as:
      • Political considerations and incentives (for politicians) behind key policy priorities and the role of key donors/other relevant international partners in this context – Do line ministries abdicate their policy learning functions to international agencies and funders? https://differenttakeonafrica.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/joint-statement.pdf
      • Political will to address food and nutrition insecurity as gauged by allocation of adequate budget, strengthen institutional infrastructure, facilitate policy/ strategy adoption (speedy approval process)
   2. M&E and accountability systems such as
      •  Clear annual targets of food and nutrition security, poverty reduction, and sustainable development indicators by social and geographical groups in line with Vision 2030, the Kenyan Constitution
      • Data and information systems – regular collection and dissemination
      • Reporting systems to ensure upward accountability of public service providers to national political leadership and downward accountability to users
6. Present findings at a workshop
7. Assist in the preparation of workshop and synthesis report.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Public Policy and/or Food and Nutrition Security Studies.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant, wide and proven experience in policy design and analysis.
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Knowledge and experience of different country experiences.
• Understanding and Knowledge of the Kenyan 2010 constitutional implications of devolution.
• Extent and relevance of experience with Kenyan agriculture.
• High-end analytical and writing skills.