Project Officer – Business Development & Private Sector Engagement...
Greenlivelihoods
Job location
Kasungu
Job details
Greenlivelihoods (GL) is a Malawian-based non-for-profit organization that champions green development and value chains development and its commercialization processes for increased sustainable economic growth opportunities for the poor and marginalized but business-oriented communities and/or faming families via cooperative and/or group supported programming. With funding from Government of Flanders and in partnership with Heifer Netherlands (HNL) and Heifer International Malawi (HIM), Greenlivelihoods (GL) is co-implementing a five-year project entitled Smallholder Farmers in Groundnut and Beef Value Chain in Kasungu and Mzimba Increase Access to Markets (GAIN). GAIN project is expected to run from 1st January 2022 to 31st December 2026.Project Officer – Business Development & Private Sector Engagement Officer The Project Officer – Agri-business & Value Chain Development (100% FTE) will work with cooperatives (smallholder farmers) and Groundnuts Innovation Incubation leads as well as women and youth groups; supervise and facilitate the development of groundnut value added product processes at farm and off-farm market-outlets; and boost groundnuts production in line with market quality standards. The Business Development Officer will coordinate market assessments, link with value chain actors on groundnuts product market demands and supply issues and lead on market and private sector linkages, product development and packaging and branding; facilitating business development and management trainings e.g. Profit & Loss (Gross Margin Analysis etc.). S/He will be supervised by the Program Manager alongside the Project/Executive Director. S/He will be based in Kasungu.Responsibilities Design, implement and coordinate activities, with key implementing partners in groundnuts agricultural value chain development processes, aimed at reinforcing the dissemination of selected and innovative agricultural solutions with measurable impact at the beneficiary level and with inclusion consideration of youth and women cooperatives. The role is responsible for GL’s growing need to explore other social impactful investment options to grow the green growth development philosophy.Tasks The tasks of the Project Officer will include but not be limited to:Support the programme in implementation and coordination of activities related to upstream and downstream agribusinesses in synergy with the other intervention areas of the GAIN Project. Coordinate implementation of project activities with relevant government institutions, private and non-state actors as well as other projects of Greenlivelihoods and its partners inclusive of Heifer International.Develop and execute selected core elements of the project with strategic vision, goals and objectives, mainly related to supporting and strengthening agribusinesses involved in value chain development ProcessesIn collaboration with implementing partners, coordinate capacity development approaches where agro dealers are capacitated to understand and meet smallholder farmers’ groundnuts agricultural production and market standardsSupport the commercialisation processes of groundnut innovations as released and approved by the accredited research institutes/authorities.Provide technical support and advisory services to key stakeholders in order to improve access to technologies in groundnuts production and market functions.Coordinate technical support and advisory services aimed at boosting income, turnover, number of customers, formalised business relationships, investments turnover, employment and reduced production costs for groundnuts growers.Lead the preparation and implementation of collaboration agreements (e.g. public-private partnerships) at grassroots levelPerform systematic data collection and ensure accurate documentation of GAIN Project activities and compile regular technical reports.Facilitate the promotion of commercially viable linkages between input manufactures, input suppliers and smallholder farmers aimed at increasing productivity and income for Groundnuts Growers.Perform any other duties as assigned by project management unit (PMU)Other Competencies/Attributes:Demonstrates well-developed interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, as well as negotiation skills.Ensure a gender perspective in the scope of work.Be a team player.Must have a clean and valid motor bike driver’s licence.Required qualifications, competences and experienceAt least a Bachelor’s Degree in Entrepreneurship, Agribusiness, or any other closely related disciplines from reputable Universities or similar academic institutions of higher learning.Professional experienceAt least 3 years of professional work experience with proven track records in development of value chains, small and medium enterprise development and agribusiness focused project management.Experience working in various contexts, with various partners (e.g. government, private sector) and target groups (e.g. agro dealers and innovative farmers) plus product development.Other knowledge, additional competencesDemonstrated ability to work independently and pro-activelyAbility to engage and collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders including farmers, company senior management or professional staff, donor representatives and othersExcellent networking skillsGreat communication skills (in written and spoken English)Good computer skills in business and office softwares (Excel, MS Word and PowerPoint)Capacity to ensure timely and professional oriented resultsCompetency in contextual report writing and presentingAbility to identify own learning needs and engage in self-study for community business benefitAdvanced skills in working with digital communication formats and software (e.g. Skype for Business, MS Teams)Willingness to travel domesticallyHow to applyInterested and only qualified candidates should electronically submit their applications (cover letter and CV) to the following address no later than Friday 11th March, 2022.Executive Director Greenlivelihoods P.O. Box 338 Lilongwe 3Via email: [email protected] cc: [email protected] NB: Only applications submitted before the deadline will be considered and shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews
