Agribusiness Facilitator AWE at Heifer International

Description

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

FUNCTION

Under the guidance of the Project Manager, the Agribusiness Facilitator – Agribusiness for Women Empowerment will be responsible for the delivery of business facilitation services in the communities. To support women in refugee and host communities to establish new businesses and/or expand businesses in the prioritized value chains. S/He will offer business support services to individuals and groups as well as facilitating linkages with commercial service providers. The Business Facilitator will report to the project manager.

The Agri-business Facilitator will work closely with the Project Manager (PM) and community facilitators, community agro-entrepreneurs, to support agribusiness development activities to increase the overall level of competitiveness of women in refugee and host communities in the selected value chains and other non -agricultural employment opportunities within the project area. S/he will be responsible for the oversight of field-based business development activities. S/he will collaborate with women agri-enterprises (agri-hubs, off takers, Self Help Groups (SHGs), private sector and regulatory bodies/ boards to enhance value-chain actors’ benefits and leverage service delivery at each level of contact with both women entrepreneurs/farmers and customers. S/he will also work closely with private sector players (processors, input suppliers, financial service providers), government agencies and development partners to design and implement appropriate business cases and interventions that improve the business performance of the women enterprises.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS: 

Energetic, positive, team player, result orientated, quality orientated, collaborative, leadership, pragmatic, and inspirational.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES:

A. Ensure setup of women Agribusiness Hubs and Sustainability (40%)

• Ensure that Agri-hubs) in the project area operate as profitable entities through increased crop production, and provision of business development services to increase the value proposition of the POs to farmers and improve farmer loyalty.
• Support project teams to identify business development needs for clients and create linkages for additional services.
• Understanding business needs, applying knowledge in support of their development and the education of local entrepreneurs
• Ensure that the agri-hubs within the project area have an efficient and functional commodity supply chain by establishing collection centers/points.
• Support agri-hubs to identify potential priority areas of investment and develop business strategies/plans that will address the constraints for maximizing opportunities within commodity value chains
• Partnerships developed with key stakeholders in the selected commodity value chains including contracts with off takers, input suppliers, financial service providers, government agencies and development partners among others to ensure farmers have access to the necessary inputs and services to increase production and productivity.
• Ensure that Self Help Groups (SHGs) and agri-hubs have access to inputs, services and markets that are important to increase production, productivity, and incomes.
• Ensure agri-hubs have functional systems and structures including the requisite policies and standard operating procedures.
• Support the establishment and/or strengthening of at least one apex body to provide services to the member agri-hub.

B. Capacity Building of Agri-hubs and SHGs on Leadership and Governance (30%)

• Ensure agri-hubs in the project area have viable business focus, with strong leadership, management, and succession systems, in an environment of transparency and ownership.
• Ensure Agri-hubs have developed strategic and operational plans and understand holistically the specific commodity value chain landscape and the key drivers of growth. The focus to be on taking a quantum leap in commodity marketing, and production enhancing services so that the agri-hubs are a catalyst in the commodity development within the refugee and host community.
• Improved governance, financial and management skills of Agri-hub board and management through the design and delivery of business-related training programs.
• Support community facilitators to roll out Business and Saving & Credit training modules for SHGs and farmers.

C. Employ Social Capital Development (SCD) as a foundation for strong and sustainable hubs (20%)

• Increased membership and commodity supply at the hub level by mobilizing farmers into SHGs using the SCD approach.
• Support input suppliers, community facilitators and Community Agro Entrepreneurs (CAES) to provide inputs and services to farmers and enhance adoption of productivity enhancing technologies.
• Improved leadership and governance at SHGs and POs to ensure trainings and practices of the12 Cornerstones, Participatory Self Review and Planning (PSRP), Trainer of Trainers (TOT), Gender and saving and credit.
• Ensure increased women participation as shareholders, leaders, and suppliers at SHGs and agri-hub level.

D. Planning, reporting and documentation (10%)

• Business performance and progress reports developed and shared each month to the Project Manager for submission to the Country office and review with the agri-hub boards.
• Participate in project team and national business meetings, to help plan, and deliver on the project objectives as appropriate.
• Participate in learning forums at District and regional level, and best practices documented and shared.

May perform other job-related responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

1. Bachelors’ Degree or equivalent in the fields of Agriculture Economics, Business Administration, Rural Development, Enterprise Development or another related field,
2. Three (3) years field and technical experience with commercial sector, agribusiness development in a mix of economic growth/trade, value chain competitiveness, investment promotion, or agriculture development.
3. Experience working with farmer group programs in refugee settlements

Preferred Requirements:

1. Significant experience in building public/private partnerships, preferably in the agricultural sector.
2. Strong consumer marketing, financial analysis, and management skills.
3. Strong hands-on experience in managing or providing technical support to producer organizations.
4. Knowledge of M4P approach
5. Experience in supporting and monitoring field-based programs.
6. Excellent command of Report writing, analysis and presentation skills using Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
7. Track record of building strong client and stakeholder relationships.
8. Ability to generate innovative solutions in work situations.
   

Most Critical Proficiencies:

1. Clear understanding of the cereal value chain.
2. Innovative, analytical, and solutions oriented.
3. Knowledge of enterprise development, market systems approach and linkages to poverty alleviation.
4. Strong interpersonal management skills.
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills
6. Excellent organizational skills.
7. Proficient knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, electronic mail (Microsoft Office preferred) and Internet.
8. Demonstrated proficiency in English and other local languages, both oral and written.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands:

1. Preparing and presenting documents in a well-designed and attractive format with superior attention to detail.
2. Ability to understand, appreciate and implement Heifer’s Value Based Holistic Community Development.
3. Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness and ability to incorporate innovative solutions.
4. Quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluation and ability to communicate MLE concepts clearly with leadership, partners, and staff at all levels.
5. Willingness and ability to assign and review the work of direct reports and to use participatory management skills with junior and senior staff.
6. Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout project area.

Deadline for submission: September 9th 2022.

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