Agribusiness Development Officer - CIMMYT
About the Organization
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT® (www.cimmyt.org), is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries, and through offices in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Through strong science and effective partnerships, we create, share, and use knowledge and agricultural technologies to increase food security, improve the productivity and profitability of farming systems, and sustain natural resources in developing countries. We participate in an extensive global network of people and organizations who share similar research and development goals, including the public and private sector, non-governmental and civil society organizations, farmers, and the development assistance community.
The Position
The Agribusiness Development Officer has the responsibility of assessing small-scale mechanization opportunities with special emphasis on service demand and supply; support the Regional Agribusiness Development Specialist (RADS) to develop new commercially viable business models and help to assess enhance the performance among others.
Key Responsibilities
Assess small-scale mechanization opportunities with special emphasis on service demand and supply at both country- and site-specific levels, including market and demand assessment and their implications for agribusiness development.
Appraise and analyze the financial viability of the conservation-based mechanization technologies for small holder farmers.
Identify national and local stakeholders (farmers, importers, manufacturers, mechanization and business service providers, financial institutions etc.) involved or interested in supporting the provision of mechanization services amongst smallholder farmers.
Support the RADS to develop new (or upgraded) commercially viable business models and associated development strategies to deliver small-mechanization options to smallholders.
Facilitate linkages and contracts between business model stakeholders including importers, distributors, operators, local promoters and farmers.
Support the RADS in developing appropriate financial products targeting rural service providers and smallholder farmers in consultation with collaborating financial institutions.
Assist the RADS to train farmers, importers, local manufacturers, equipment hirers, local promoters and associated businesses in business management, financial management and marketing.
Contribute to the development of promotional materials and marketing strategies by the private sector to support small scale mechanization.
Assess and enhance the performance of the business models and develop upgrading strategies
Diagnose national institutional constraints in the delivery of small-scale mechanization to smallholders and formulate policy options.
Any other responsibilities assigned by the supervisor.
Essential Qualifications
MBA/MSc in Agribusiness, Agricultural Development, or a related field, from a recognized University
Minimum of 5 - 7 years’ experience in agribusiness development or a related area
Experience in the provision of business services
Experience with public-private partnerships
Experience with agri-business development and market and financial analysis
Familiarity with agricultural development and technology delivery issues in Kenya
Experience with conservation agriculture, agricultural mechanization and business services will have clear advantage
Good written and verbal communication skills in English
The job holder needs to be a dynamic, innovative, self-motivated, and service-orientated professional
Ability to work with different nationalities, as a member of a diverse work team
Ability to analyze complex data, carry out and explain computations or to resolve complex problems
Experience with conservation agriculture, farm level economic analysis, agricultural mechanization and business services is of advantage
Terms of offer
The World Agroforestry Centre is an equal opportunity employer and offers a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment. We believe that staff diversity promotes excellence and strongly encourage applications from qualified women. This position is on local terms and will be for an initial period of three (3) years renewable, subject to six (6) months’ probation period.
The position will be based in CIMMYT office in Nairobi.
How to apply
Go to http://worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf/vacancies
Applications will be considered until 20th February 2015. Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.
We invite you to learn more about CIMMYT and World Agroforestry Centre by accessing our web sites www.cimmyt.org and www.worldagroforestry.org
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT® (www.cimmyt.org), is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries, and through offices in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Through strong science and effective partnerships, we create, share, and use knowledge and agricultural technologies to increase food security, improve the productivity and profitability of farming systems, and sustain natural resources in developing countries. We participate in an extensive global network of people and organizations who share similar research and development goals, including the public and private sector, non-governmental and civil society organizations, farmers, and the development assistance community.
The Position
The Agribusiness Development Officer has the responsibility of assessing small-scale mechanization opportunities with special emphasis on service demand and supply; support the Regional Agribusiness Development Specialist (RADS) to develop new commercially viable business models and help to assess enhance the performance among others.
Key Responsibilities
Assess small-scale mechanization opportunities with special emphasis on service demand and supply at both country- and site-specific levels, including market and demand assessment and their implications for agribusiness development.
Appraise and analyze the financial viability of the conservation-based mechanization technologies for small holder farmers.
Identify national and local stakeholders (farmers, importers, manufacturers, mechanization and business service providers, financial institutions etc.) involved or interested in supporting the provision of mechanization services amongst smallholder farmers.
Support the RADS to develop new (or upgraded) commercially viable business models and associated development strategies to deliver small-mechanization options to smallholders.
Facilitate linkages and contracts between business model stakeholders including importers, distributors, operators, local promoters and farmers.
Support the RADS in developing appropriate financial products targeting rural service providers and smallholder farmers in consultation with collaborating financial institutions.
Assist the RADS to train farmers, importers, local manufacturers, equipment hirers, local promoters and associated businesses in business management, financial management and marketing.
Contribute to the development of promotional materials and marketing strategies by the private sector to support small scale mechanization.
Assess and enhance the performance of the business models and develop upgrading strategies
Diagnose national institutional constraints in the delivery of small-scale mechanization to smallholders and formulate policy options.
Any other responsibilities assigned by the supervisor.
Essential Qualifications
MBA/MSc in Agribusiness, Agricultural Development, or a related field, from a recognized University
Minimum of 5 - 7 years’ experience in agribusiness development or a related area
Experience in the provision of business services
Experience with public-private partnerships
Experience with agri-business development and market and financial analysis
Familiarity with agricultural development and technology delivery issues in Kenya
Experience with conservation agriculture, agricultural mechanization and business services will have clear advantage
Good written and verbal communication skills in English
The job holder needs to be a dynamic, innovative, self-motivated, and service-orientated professional
Ability to work with different nationalities, as a member of a diverse work team
Ability to analyze complex data, carry out and explain computations or to resolve complex problems
Experience with conservation agriculture, farm level economic analysis, agricultural mechanization and business services is of advantage
Terms of offer
The World Agroforestry Centre is an equal opportunity employer and offers a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment. We believe that staff diversity promotes excellence and strongly encourage applications from qualified women. This position is on local terms and will be for an initial period of three (3) years renewable, subject to six (6) months’ probation period.
The position will be based in CIMMYT office in Nairobi.
How to apply
Go to http://worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf/vacancies
Applications will be considered until 20th February 2015. Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.
We invite you to learn more about CIMMYT and World Agroforestry Centre by accessing our web sites www.cimmyt.org and www.worldagroforestry.org
Comments
Post a Comment