Food Technologist

Ranked 128 out of 177 countries by the International Human Development Index (HDI) 2011, Kenya suffers from widespread unemployment and persistent poverty. In response to this, the Kenyan government is currently engaged in an ambitious effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. Help Self Help Centre (HSHC) is a local non-governmental organisation (NGO) aimed at enhancing the living standards of people in the Mt Kenya region. Their goal is to boost commercial production among the smallholder farmers and to accompany them in the ongoing search for better markets.

What does the role involve?

Working with Help Self Help Centre’s (HSHC) Marketing and Value Chain Development Manager you’ll build relationships with suppliers and customers, as well as ensuring products are profitable. To do this you will:

•support safe and efficient development, modification and manufacture of food products and processes through training staff and implementing a production line;

•identify relevant markets to target products e.g. supermarkets, international markets;

•modify existing products and processes; research current consumer markets and latest technologies to develop new product concepts;

•improve methods of quality control, sourcing of raw materials, food preservation, processing, packaging, storage and delivery;

•prepare product costing based on raw materials and manufacturing costs to ensure profitable products;

•report on various aspects of your work to HSHC and other key stakeholders;

•liaise and cooperate with technical and commercial colleagues in procurement, sales and technical services, and marketing and distribution, and also with official food inspection and hygiene agencies.

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll be a qualified food technologist with at least 3 to 5 years experience. You’ll have a degree level qualification in food science or food technology and ideally a post-graduate qualification in either. You should have a background or interest in working with non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Experience in branding is also advantageous. You’ll be flexible and demonstrate adaptability to the local culture and environment, as well as being respectful of the organisational culture. In addition you’ll be required to learn how to ride a motorbike.

How to apply:

To apply for this role please visit our website and select 'register now' to complete the registration and application form on the relevant website to your location.

Please quote the following reference on your application form: K2057/0003/0001