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. Our work is rooted in the idea that given the opportunity, hardworking men and women in even the poorest places can generate income, jobs and wealth for their families and communities. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
TechnoServe is currently looking for Senior Food Processing Advisers for a potential USAID-funded Agriculture Competitiveness Project in Nigeria. The Project is designed to strengthen agriculture productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers. The Project comprises three main components: (i) design of the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund for private sector partnerships and funding to catalyze technological innovations; (ii) administration of the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund to develop private sector partnerships and provide grants; and (iii) technical assistance that directly supports, coordinates, and organizes qualifying recipients (i.e., partners and grantees) to achieve the Mission’s food security objectives. The Project will contribute to the Mission’s Feed the Future strategy, which looks to improve agriculture competitiveness of smallholder farmers in Nigeria.
PRIMARY PURPOSE
The Agribusiness Development Specialist is the technical lead overseeing the agribusiness development component of the program. S/He will be responsible for analyzing and strengthening key activities in key value chains as well as increasing agribusiness activities.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead project development and provide strategic support in a wide variety of areas including value chain development and upgrading strategies, improving access to agricultural inputs, agricultural extension, and marketing.
Develop capacity building training to support in the area of agribusiness development.
Provide technical leadership on program activities related to targeted agribusiness.
Ensure adequate linkages to local public sectors stakeholders, potential investors, the private sector, donors and development partners active in the agricultural value chain including cooperatives, agribusiness producers, agro-processors, and wholesalers.
Lead the agribusiness component of the program.
Lead efforts in agricultural research, business plan development, and report writing.
Organize agricultural investment forums for the states to attract private sector investments to promote agricultural businesses and market development to support accelerated agribusiness development that helps diversify incomes, create jobs and diversify the economies of the state governments.
Develop and implement a clear strategy for attracting agri-business investments into selected states for relevant value chains.
Provide training and mentoring support to the business development and M&E coordinators on major agribusiness programs.
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field including Business Management, International Development, Agriculture and/or Agricultural Economics (Master’s degree preferred).
5 – 7 years’ experience in projects relating to either agribusiness, marketing, business development or advisory services.
Training and experience working in M4P projects is an added advantage.
Track record of building and managing strong client and stakeholder relationships with private, public sector and government.
Ability to anticipate demand, manage multiple tasks/projects and meet tight deadlines.
Exceptionally strong project management and analytical skills, as evidenced by leading roles on successful initiatives of significant scale.
Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and good computer skills in business software (Excel, MS Project and PowerPoint).
Fluency in English.
Job Title: Marketing Specialist
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
TechnoServe is currently looking for Senior Food Processing Advisers for a potential USAID-funded Agriculture Competitiveness Project in Nigeria. The Project is designed to strengthen agriculture productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers. The Project comprises three main components: (i) design of the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund for private sector partnerships and funding to catalyze technological innovations; (ii) administration of the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund to develop private sector partnerships and provide grants; and (iii) technical assistance that directly supports, coordinates, and organizes qualifying recipients (i.e., partners and grantees) to achieve the Mission’s food security objectives. The Project will contribute to the Mission’s Feed the Future strategy, which looks to improve agriculture competitiveness of smallholder farmers in Nigeria.
PRIMARY PURPOSE
The Marketing Specialist will provide technical guidance on the commercialization of nutritious foods in Nigeria. S/He will work closely with processors and retailers while identifying and developing innovative marketing strategies that will promote the availability of nutritious foods in a sustainable and profitable manner. S/He will lead the following activity:
Development of sales and distribution of nutritious food products from assisted processors to low income and vulnerable population markets. Expected outcomes will include: improved availability of safe, nutritious food products for low-income consumers; increased sales of nutritious food products by targeted project-supported enterprises; increased job creation, including in the informal retail sector; lower transaction costs and reduced price of nutritious products for poorer consumers.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Identify gaps at the processor and marketing levels in order to prioritize interventions to improve overall operational efficiency.
Lead project activities targeting at improving marketing and processor efficiency for nutritious foods.
Identify strategies to deepen penetration of BoP markets with nutritious foods, including new product development, packaging, pricing and promotion, and development of new distribution channels.
Identification and mobilization of innovative distribution channels, building on existing structures where feasible, e.g. informal retailers, community-based distributors, micro- franchisees.
Support Senior Food Advisers in processor selection and assessment to facilitate processor access to appropriate technical assistance and business finance.
Engage stakeholders and lead the implementation of marketing strategies to effectively improve and promote consumption of nutritious foods among Base of Pyramid (BoP) consumers.
Lead strategic planning and contribute to the implementation of activities related to market research, stakeholder engagement, market information systems and capacity development.
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in the relevant field including Food Science, Agriculture, Marketing (Master’s degree preferred).
At least 7 years’ experience in projects relating to either agribusiness, market research, and analysis, business development with a strong nutrition background.
Track record of implementing market-led interventions targeted at developing supply chains.
Experience with wholesale and retail food distribution, contract practices and financing preferred.
Proven experience expanding access to food for BoP populations.
Excellent understanding of Making Market Work for the Poor (M4P) approach
Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills.
Excellent oral and written presentation skills and good computer skills in business software (Excel, MS Project and PowerPoint).
Training and experience working in USAID projects is an added advantage.
Fluency in English.
Job Title: Market Linkages Manager
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
TechnoServe is currently looking for Senior Food Processing Advisers for a potential USAID-funded Agriculture Competitiveness Project in Nigeria. The Project is designed to strengthen agriculture productivity and profitability of smallholder farmers. The Project comprises three main components: (i) design of the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund for private sector partnerships and funding to catalyze technological innovations; (ii) administration of the Agriculture Competitiveness Fund to develop private sector partnerships and provide grants; and (iii) technical assistance that directly supports, coordinates, and organizes qualifying recipients (i.e., partners and grantees) to achieve the Mission’s food security objectives. The Project will contribute to the Mission’s Feed the Future strategy, which looks to improve agriculture competitiveness of smallholder farmers in Nigeria.
PRIMARY PURPOSE
The Market Linkages Manager will facilitate upstream and downstream relationships for processors of nutritious foods in Nigeria, toward creating a more inclusive sector. Specifically, s/he will be the driving force behind assisting selected project-supported food processors in the following key area:
Identification and building of positive linkage opportunities between assisted processors and smallholder farmer suppliers of raw material. Expected outcomes will include: increased effectiveness and efficiency of processors’ supply chains; increased consistency and quality of raw material sourced in accordance with the processors’ requirements; and the establishment of more direct and longer-term trading relationships between smallholder farmer suppliers and selected processors.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Smallholder Supply Chains
Make a compelling business case for processors to integrate smallholder farmers into their supply chain. Support processors who source from smallholder farmers to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of these linkages for mutual benefit.
Facilitate purchase agreements between processors and smallholder farmer groups/cooperatives. Encourage processors to invest resources in smallholder farm production to support quality and reliable supply.
Ensure smallholder farmer groups / cooperatives understand processor product requirements.
Low Income/BoP Markets
Through both secondary and primary information gathering, develop an understanding of and document low-income markets. Map existing distribution chains and informal retail capacity, determine pricing and product demand. Conduct market surveys and assessments as required.
Coordinate with Senior Food Processing Advisor to facilitate access to appropriate technical assistance and business finance for processors.
Oversee case studies of BoP marketing. Assess the strongest opportunities and build the business case for processors.
Sector Wide Training
In collaboration with the Project Team, provide technical input, with local service providers, on the development of Sector Wide Trainings on informal marketing and retail approaches.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
In collaboration with the M&E Manager, identify appropriate pathways to impact, progress and impact indicators and develop monitoring systems.
Monitor progress toward project objectives, manage the collection of relevant reporting data, review data and make recommendations to adapt program approach as necessary to maximize impact.
Provide anecdotal evidence of impact, including success stories, case studies, and lessons learned.
Contribute well-written, cohesive sections of narrative reports for submission to the donor.
Ensure activities carried out are in accordance with TechnoServe and donor requirements.
Representation
Coordinate with local stakeholders, participating in relevant business or industry forums and represent the program at the country level in order to collaborate and share learnings.
Work with stakeholders operating in the same space ensure that the program contributes to the national agenda on smallholder supply chains and low-income marketing.
REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Nutrition, Economics, Business or related area, or equivalent experience in food market systems. Master’s degree preferred.
At least 7 years’ professional experience in food market systems, including experience working in the private sector.
Successful experience linking smallholder farmers with buyers, particularly processors.
Proven experience expanding access to food for BoP populations.
Demonstrated an understanding of agriculture or market systems.
Experience with agricultural commodities/product pricing and contract structures preferred.
Exceptionally strong project management and analytical skills, as evidenced by leading roles on successful initiatives engagements of significant scale.
Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills.
Excellent oral and written presentation skills and good computer skills in business software (Excel, MS Project and PowerPoint).
Fluency in English.
Method of Application
Qualified and interested applicants should submit a Word-formatted single document consisting of:
Cover letter
CV
Submit to nigeriajobs@tns.org. Please identify the position for which you are applying in the subject line. We welcome hearing from qualified and interested applicants. Due to a high volume of applicants, please understand that we are able to contact only those who meet the minimum qualifications. No phone calls, please.
TechnoServe encourages diversity at all levels and across all facets of our organization. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ages, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.
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