Agriculture Specialist 399 views2 applications

VACANCY – AGRICULTURE SPECIALIST

Background

The Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa (The SDGC/A) is an autonomous non-profit international organization headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda and has opened Regional Center for member states in SADC block in Lusaka – Zambia. The SDGC/A was opened in July 2016 with the mission to support governments, civil society, businesses and academic institutions to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For general information about The Sustainable Development Center for Africa, please visit our homepage at: www.sdgcafrica.org

The SDGC/A intends to recruit Agriculture Specialist to work with multidisciplinary teams and partners of The SDGC/A to carry out analysis and advise on agriculture issues to achieve SDG 2 and effectively improve agriculture in sustainable ways. The position will be responsible for designing and formulating policies, advocacy briefing, and projects meant to address and achieve SDG 2 across 16 member states.

Job Title Agriculture Specialist

Supervisor Regional Director

Contract & Category International Recruited Staff

Duration Initial appointment of one year subject to renewal and extension

Location Regional Center, Lusaka – Zambia

Job Purpose

The Agriculture Specialist will be responsible for planning and implementation of agriculture initiatives in line with SDGs. Working to support SADC member states to commercialized sustainable agriculture, including crop diversification into high value crops, credit-based access to inputs, and capital-based investments in agriculture. To map agricultural initiatives and programs and aligning them to aspirations of AU 2063 Agenda and SDGs to ensure that Africa development and in particular SADC member states are people-driven.

Key Functions

Under the supervision of the Regional Director, the Agriculture Specialist will provide the guidance and technical expertise required to promote socio-economic growth and development through agriculture with focus on the following areas:-

1) Strategic Partnership and Alliance: Developing, managing and maintaining effective partnership with SADC member states and international partners to support agriculture initiative and achieve SDGs.

2) Reporting and Knowledge Management: Contributing to agriculture knowledge management with technical briefings, reports, methodologies, experiences and good practices to pinpoint gaps in agriculture sector and coming up with proper solutions.

3) Strategic Planning: Facilitating in identification and development of agriculture ventures that have potential for income generation to support development and ensure food security.

4) Capacity Building: Collaborating with SADC member states local and international businesses, governments, and other institutions on policies and interventions for capacity building to improve agriculture businesses and projects, economic growth through agriculture and food security.

Responsibilities

§ Evaluating agriculture areas of intervention based on gap analysis taking into account comparative advantage and priorities of policy and partnership among SADC member states and other stakeholders;

§ Identifying and developing agriculture policy and advocacy dialogue with agriculture business ventures with potential income generation and environmental protection;

§ Supporting training for agriculture entrepreneurs to facilitate product development and marketing through market chain analysis, intelligence and linkages;

§ Mobilizing ministries of agriculture in SADC states to draft common shared agricultural policies and investment plans for revamping agriculture sector and meet SDGs indicators;

§ Ensuring close coordination with other agriculture stakeholders both government (public) and private to capture synergies in agriculture sector; with specific focus on promotion of high value crops and livestock and the distribution of agriculture inputs;

§ Providing market information and technical support to assist agriculture stakeholders (farmers and businesses) access new or enhanced market opportunities;

§ In collaboration with research institutes and academia, designing and implementing practical training programs to build community capacity in business enterprises focusing on practical agriculture innovative technology, entrepreneurship and communication;

§ Establishing and strengthening relations with SADC members, non-governmental organizations, private sector, CBOs, donors and other stakeholders that are active in agricultural development to develop and improve on sustainable agriculture with focus on infrastructure and development of markets;

§ Leading technical, advisory and policy supports to agriculture interventions in SADC member states to seize possible fund-raising opportunities among local business leaders and/or business and firms to support agriculture interventions and investments;

§ Contributing to the agriculture knowledge management in SADC block with research, status documentation and continuous reporting on implementation of agriculture programs in relations to relevant SDGs indicators; and

§ Supporting The SDGC/A M&E framework, systems and tools to consolidate results, identify gaps and propose timely corrective actions in agriculture sector within the framework and SDGs indicators.

Required Qualification & Skills

Qualification

At least a master degree in Agriculture (Policy, Economics & Business), Public Policy Analysis, Strategic Planning & Management, Development Studies, Business Administration or a related discipline.

Essential Skills and Qualities

§ A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience related to agriculture (policy & business), international development, and agriculture value chain analysis in developing countries and in particular African countries;

§ Demonstrated assignments related to the preparation, formulation and development of agriculture policies and agribusinesses;

§ Having seven (7) years of previous working experience with INGO in agriculture programs with focus on agriculture policy and agribusiness development services, training and/or technical assistance;

§ Knowledge of field implementation in innovative agri-business enterprises in rural areas;

§ A highly motivated individual with a professional background in agriculture and development of business plans and feasibility studies for rural development;

§ A team player with good interpersonal skills in communication and dissemination of knowledge with a high level of personal initiative, creativity, and judgment ;

§ Fluency in English is mandatory, understanding of French, Portuguese or Arabic is added advantage; and

§ Proven oral and written communication skills, able to write, edit, proof read and present high quality complex reports using MS Office Package.

Deliverables

§ Agriculture gap-analysis in SADC member states and way-forward;

§ Designed agriculture policies and program concept notes on agriculture in SADC member states;

§ Roadmap for agriculture programs and deliverables in line with The SDGC/As’ budget and work plans;

§ Reports and brief notes on agriculture status, programs and initiatives in SADC member states; and

§ Established engagements and relationships with partners and stakeholders on agriculture issues.