Agri-Business Development Manager at Heifer International Zambia

Agri-Business Development Manager- Tracking Code 644-752

Job 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, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

FUNCTION

The Agribusiness Development Manager will report to the Director of Programs and be responsible for ensuring that project participants, self-help groups, cooperatives, and associations have the knowledge and skills to develop and run successful enterprises and cooperatives. In close collaboration and coordination with the Program Managers and field Staff, He/she will ensure farmers access to finance; successful, innovative, efficient, and effective functioning of all enterprise hubs and cooperatives in the program through effective technological use and working in collaboration with other departments towards achieving the common goal.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS

Proactive, articulate, a team player, open-minded and innovative.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (35%)

Provide the strategic and operational business leadership in designing and implementing sustainable profitable growth oriented livestock industry.
Develop, establish and maintain strong working relationships with key industry actors.
Review framework for Business Development Service (BDS) market diagnostic and (BDS tracking against Baseline) evaluating the need for services and level of services currently available.
Facilitate access to finance for Coops/Associations/Producer Organizations.
Conduct Business analysis for the Coops/Associations/Producer Organizations.
Monitor, report on business health of the Coops/Associations/Producer Organizations and provide guidance.
Facilitate Catalytic Leverage Funds – CaLF mobilization, investment, documentation and reporting
Coordinate Co-ops/Associations/Producer Organizations to access impact venture funds

DELIVERABLES

Strategic Business Plans with investment metrics and measures developed.
Established business development needs for existing and new client businesses, with identified priority areas of involvement that informs development of plans.
Established strong working relationships with business owners, donors, policy makers and other stakeholders
Memorandum of Understanding established and functional with selected processors and financial institutions in support of farmer groups’ business development.
Established and revised Framework for BDS market diagnostic together with Country team.
Market intelligence/information gathered and shared with key stakeholders in the Value Chain.

Training and Capacity Development (15%)

Employ and Identify institutions, experts and trainers, to implement training for capacity development of project partners, cooperatives and farmers according to the enterprise development promotion strategy.
In collaboration with the Training Manager and technical experts, design/develop/update training packages/modules, business plan models and training materials for cooperatives at different levels.
Coordinate peer learning or exchange visits among Coops/Associations/Producer Organizations
Provide support in exploring business opportunities along the value chain of the selected commodity(ies) and in preparing business plans for cooperatives and farm families.
Build innovation in business development for smallholder farmers, cooperatives and increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Develop capacity building and operationalization of the business and marketing plans of the business hubs through joint planning.

DELIVERABLES

Designed, developed and deployed business plan models, and training curriculum on Business Development and marketing)
Enterprise development strategy designed, piloted, reviewed, finalized and used.
Marketing and business plans developed and functional.

Value Chain Development (15 %)

Provide support in exploring business opportunities along the value chain of the selected commodity(ies) and in preparing business plans for cooperatives and farm families.
Link farmers to reliable viable market channels.
Facilitate win-win relationship among the Value Chain actors.
Coordinate value chain studies of selected commodities as required.
Coordinate an economic analysis of proposed enterprises along the relevant value chain.
Provide support in establishing and operating market structures (e.g., collection centers, market centers, processing facilities and chilling centers.
Provide support in establishing marketing information systems among value chain actors.
Prepare periodic reports and document best practices and lessons learned.

DELIVERABLES

Value chain studies conducted.
Economic/Investment Analyses conducted for each Value chain.
Market center established and equipped.
Efficient and effectively managed farmer institutions

COOPERATIVE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES ( 10%)

Facilitate the development of a cooperative/producer association values and principles orientation kit that incorporates Heifer’s Cornerstones.
Train cooperatives on the VBHCD model
Guide cooperatives in establishing a system for the fair distribution of benefits.

DELIVERABLES

Socially empowered Coops/Producer Organizations/Associations
Established and functional system for equitable sharing of business benefits
Strengthened Coops/Association/Producer Organizations values.

PERFORM OTHER JOB-RELATED RESPONSIBILITIES AS ASSIGNED (5%)

Minimum Requirements

A Bachelor’s Degree in agricultural economics, food technology, agribusiness or a related field is required, plus two (2) years of related experience, and at least five (5) years’ experience in fields related to agro-enterprise development

Preferred Requirements

Masters Degree in the fields of Agriculture, agricultural economics, food technology or agribusiness

Required Experience

Most Critical Proficiencies

Knowledge of and experience in agro-enterprise, commodity value-chain and cooperative development.
Knowledge of and experience with or within community organizations.
Knowledge of the non-profit sector and the context in which non-profit organizations operate.
Fluent in national language/s and English, both spoken and written.
Good leadership qualities.
Good communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills including strong attention to detail.
Skills with Microsoft Office Suite, internet browser, and other appropriate technology.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands

Motivated to work responsibly with little supervision.
Ability to meet and deal with others in a courteous and tactful manner.
Produce and present reports in a well-designed and attractive format with superior attention to detail.
Constant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues and the general public.
Constant sitting, standing and walking, with occasional bending and lifting; may work at a computer for extended periods of time.
Sound judgment, professionalism and a positive attitude with the ability to demonstrate a high degree of honesty and integrity.
Ability and willingness to work with a flexible schedule.
Willingness and ability to travel extensively, both locally and internationally