AgriBusiness Development Officer

VSF Suisse, Olekejuado Road , P. O. Box 25656, 00603 Nairobi, Kenya
Or: Plot No. AX111, Block 131 Off Stadium Road, Opposite the Old Cemetery,
Hai Malakal, Juba, South Sudan
E mail: recruitment@vsfsuisse.org

Background:
VSF-Suisse is an International NGO, supporting humanitarian, food security, livelihoods and development programs the Horn of Africa region since 1995.

In its South Sudan Program, the organization currently implements projects funded by the EU, USAID/OFDA, UNDP, UNICEF and FAO in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity and Warrap States. The program aims to enhance improved livelihoods and self-reliance of target beneficiaries through (i) improved crops-livestock production practices; (ii) livestock assets protection through emergency veterinary services; (iii) appropriate crops, livestock and livestock products value addition and marketing; (iv) supporting institution and capacity building to relevant partner Ministries in the Republic of South Sudan and the private sector and, (v) facilitating economic reintegration of vulnerable groups into agro-pastoral livelihoods through livestock assets re-distribution, vocational skills training and IGAs.

VSF-Suisse seeks to fill the following position immediately for the South Sudan Program. The position is field based and aspiring candidates should be willing to reside and work under basic but gradually improving living conditions. The position will initially be for a period of 12 months but renewable depending on performance and availability of new donor funding.

AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (1 POST):
Key Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Project Manager/Team Leader, the position holder will implement small and medium enterprise development activities.

Key responsibilities will include:
 Actively engage in program activity and budget planning in accordance with the objectives, work plan and the budget of the South Sudan programme.
 Conduct feasibility studies to support groups/entrepreneurs in establishing various small scale agricultural-based and natural resources related businesses
 Support organizational and business skills development for agricultural and related small scale  commodities producers and traders
 Facilitate market linkage trips/study tours for producers and traders
 Support the further development of private agricultural and livestock services delivery

 Support up-coming youth entrepreneurs in various fields
 Promotional activities for market-oriented agro-pastoralism
 Conduct periodic M & E of the established agribusinesses and document best practices
 Support the development of new project concepts and proposals drawing on the best practices
 Prepare outreach information packages to disseminate the available information through radio, magazines, workshops, meetings, posters and brochures.
 Linkage of entrepreneurs with micro-finance institutions
 Assist in training of VSF staff and community groups in basic marketing strategies making use of the information collected.
 Assist in the preparation of a series of workshops aiming to develop specific value chains and to formulate county-based agri-business development strategies
 Assist in the establishment of Farmers-Traders platforms in the counties in conjunction with local Chambers of Commerce Mobilize communities and participate in project needs and opportunity assessments and advice accordingly.
 Design and implement an effective project monitoring and evaluation system
 Support the development of relevant extension material for integrated farming
 Develop simple agribusiness training modules for targeted entrepreneurs

Qualifications, Experience, Attributes & Skills required
 Degree in General Agricultural Marketing, Agribusiness, Cooperatives or related field.
 3-5 years of experience focused in the management of transitional and development programs
 Experience working in an NGO setting
 Experience and knowledge in the design and implementation of agricultural marketing projects for individuals or groups, especially small scale farmers and agro-pastoralists
 Working experience in agriculture, livestock, fisheries or the natural resources sectors, marketing
 Prior experience in South Sudan desired for non South Sudanese
 Excellent analytical/problem-solving skills and detail-orientation
 Excellent English communication skills (oral and written)
 Proven organizational skills and time management
 Excellent computer skills; excel, ms word

Interested candidates should submit an application letter and CV indicating their E-mail and/or telephone contacts, their current remuneration as well as names and contacts of three referees to the attention of Human Resources Coordinator at the VSF-Suisse, Juba Offices via the above postal or e-mail address.
Application letters can also be hand delivered to the places named above as well as to our field bases in Leer, Nyamlel and Malualkon. Indicate on the subject the Job Title applicable. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. Closing date for receiving applications is on or before 19th April 2013 by 16.00hrs. Preference will be given to South Sudanese Nationals. Those applicants who had previously applied need not apply again