Beekeeping Expert - Kwale

CEFA Beekeeping Expert

Duty Station: Kenya, Kwale County.

Gross Salary Range: KES 48,000 – 60,000 gross per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension.

Estimated Start Date: September 2026.

The Organisation

CEFA (The European Committee for Training and Agriculture) is an Italian Non-Governmental Organisation established in 1972 and active in 10 countries in Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe. CEFA’s medium- and long-term interventions in the agricultural, environmental and Human Rights sector are focused on the sustainable development of the communities, achieved by involving local counterparts and by promoting the active participation of the beneficiaries.

Project Summary

The project AGROBLUE - Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Blue Economy in Kenya is a 36-month initiative implemented in four sub-counties (Galole, Tana Delta, Msambweni, and Lunga Lunga) within the counties of Kwale and Tana River, Kenya. The project is implemented by a consortium of partners with extensive experience in resilient agricultural models and the blue economy, led by Action Against Hunger (ACF) in collaboration with the European Committee for Training and Agriculture (CEFA), MWARP, and the Politecnico di Milano. The initiative works closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health to ensure institutional sustainability and long-term impact.

The project is committed to increasing food security, income, and resilience to food crises through an integrated, climate-smart, and gender-sensitive approach. It aims to overcome barriers such as low productivity, high post-harvest losses, and limited economic participation of women by providing farmers and fishermen with the necessary tools, technologies, and knowledge to diversify their livelihoods and increase their incomes, while protecting natural ecosystems.

To achieve these goals, the project proposes several strategic actions across three main result areas:

Increase access for small-scale farmers and artisanal fishermen to products and services to implement climate-resilient production and fishing systems and community practices and preventing ecosystem degradation.

Increase access of families in rural and coastal areas (farmers and fishermen) to technical, financial services, infrastructure and knowledge to sustainably manage supply chains that add value to their food production in order to increase and diversify their income.

Sensitizing communities on nutritional needs, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as women and children, to improve access to and consumption of diverse, nutritious food.

Within the proposed intervention, CEFA is going to work within the components of fisheries and beekeeping, targeting farmers’ groups and Beach Management Units (BMUs) through the provision of training sessions and equipment. The intervention will adopt a “value chain strengthening” approach that will target production, post-harvest and marketing aspects of the value chain.

Tasks and Responsibilities of the Consultant

The Beekeeping Expert will lead the technical coordination and implementation of all project activities related to the beekeeping component of the Agroblue Project. Working in close collaboration with CEFA staff, local partners and the beekeeper consultant, the expert will provide high-level technical guidance to targeted groups and ensure that all interventions are technically sound, climate-resilient, and aligned with the project's strategic objectives and work plan.

Main duties and responsibilities

Technical Support & Mentorship

Supervise the implementation of all beekeeping activities in close coordination with the Project Officer/Project Manager, consultants, and project staff.

Conduct regular field visits to provide technical support to beekeeping groups, covering colony management, queen identification, pest/disease control, and harvesting.

Conduct regular technical audits of installed apiaries to monitor colony health and colonization rates. Identify reasons for low colonization and implement immediate, sustainable corrective measures.

Build the capacity of the beekeeping farmers on hygiene practices, consumer education sessions and product marketing advertisement techniques.

Provide direct on-site assistance and supplementary capacity building to groups when needed, ensuring that no technical hurdle prevents the groups from achieving production targets.

Ensure that the infrastructure (hives and equipment) is being used correctly and maintained by the community, providing the necessary technical guidance to prevent abandonment of the assets.

Propose and execute technical solutions tailored to the specific micro-climates of Kwale, ensuring beekeeping practices are adapted to local bee behavior and seasonal forage availability.

Develop and submit detailed, punctual work plans to the Project Officer/Project Manager.

Support the design of effective implementation methods and concepts to ensure the beekeeping component achieves a sustainable and long-term strategic impact.

Proactively consult with the Project Officer and Project Manager on challenges related to activity design or implementation, proposing timely and effective solutions.

Training Coordination & Quality Assurance

Supervise technical consultants during training sessions and monitor their delivery to ensure it effectively addresses the practical realities of the field.

Oversee the quality and effectiveness of all beekeeping training events and evaluate the performance of groups following formal sessions.

Identify any remaining technical gaps or emerging needs following the consultant’s training to ensure full capacity building.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

Track activity progress against approved work plans and indicators, ensuring the adoption of modern, sustainable, and climate-smart techniques.

Provide regular technical reports on hive productivity, colony health, and target achievement.

Conduct continuous monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the beekeeping training for the farmers.

Assist in maintaining and submitting all documentation related to project implementation and reporting to the Project Officer.

Conducts other activities in line with the profile and technical expertise, as required by the Project Manager/RC.

Requirements

University degree in agriculture/apiculture or related fields such as zoo technician, veterinary, forestry etc.

At least 4 years of working experience and qualification with background on apiculture related activities.

Experience in facilitating trainings on beekeeping and participated in study tours about beekeeping and apiculture.

Experience on marketing and promotions of beekeeping products.

Competencies

Competent and possess practical skills in bee handling abilities in all situations, colony reading, preparation and assessment of honeybee products and disease diagnosis and knowledge of the correct remedies.

Excellent communication and writing skills in English and Swahili languages.

Knowledge of Kwale County environments, with particular emphasis on coastal apiculture ecosystems.

Possession of a valid Kenyan motorcycle riding licence, minimum Class A2, and proven ability and willingness to ride a motorcycle in rural and remote areas is considered an asset.

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