The transformational innovation team at the Rainforest Alliance is working on several blue-sky concepts that are to become reality in 3-5 years from now. In order to design, test and eventually build one of the concepts, the team is looking for a senior associate to support in the exploration and design phase of a concept.

This concept aims to create a new generation of sustainable and profitable agripreneurs in Kenya. It is a concept that provides youth with the knowledge, tools and continued support to manage a successful business. A key component is to link them to buyers. In order to start testing and implementing a global concept we will start in Kenya and are looking for an innovator with boots on the ground to make sure the concept works in the Kenyan context. 

You will work in a small team and report directly to the Innovation Director based in The Netherlands. You will also work very closely with the Kenyan team and the Country Director.

Responsibilities:

The Rainforest Alliance is looking for an entrepreneurial innovator to act as the Kenya liaison. The position is for 4-5 days per week for a period of 6 months, with the option to extend. 

Scope of work:

As Future Farmers innovator you will be responsible for exploring, designing and testing the concept and make sure it suits the Kenyan context, starting with – but not limited to:

• Validation of the concept with the target group through interviews, experiments and focus group discussions;
• Exploring commercial interest among the private sector and designing the concept to match their needs;
• Advising on the selecting of crops and other income generation activities like carbon credits and added value activities;
• Scouting and collaborating with interesting partners (in and outside the agricultural sector) to test elements of the concept. Potential partners are universities, technology companies and financial institutions;
• Setting up local (small scale) tests
• Exploring opportunities to tackle a variety of challenges of the concept, for instance enabling access to land, finance and technology
• Working together with the Kenyan team to share knowledge and explore synergies with a large program running in the Mount Kenya area.