Agribusiness Advisor at SNV

Agribusiness Advisor

Employer: SNV

Employment: Full-Time | Contract

Place of Work: Addis Ababa, Ababa Abeba - Ethiopia

Posted date: 1 year ago

Deadline: Submition date is over

• Company Description

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner working in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Building on 60 years of experience and grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we work on the core themes of gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions and effective governance. Together with our team of over 1,600 people, our mission is to strengthen capacities and catalyze partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all.

For more information on SNV's operations, visit our website: www.snv.org.

Project Background

Realizing Aspiration of Youth in Ethiopia through Employment (RAYEE) is a five-year (Nov 2019 to October 2024 inclusive) youth employment creation project that is being implemented in Collaboration with Mastercard Foundation. The overall objective of the project is to secure dignified and fulfilling employment and improved livelihoods for 240,000 youth between the age of 18 to 35 years in urban, peri-urban, and rural target areas of Ethiopia. It is envisaged to realize 180,000 jobs through establishing 45,000 Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and the remaining 60,000 jobs through linking for wage employment in firms. 70% of the jobs are targeted for young women and 70% of the jobs are in Agriculture/Agribusiness sector.

RAYEE is designed to initiate systemic change in the labor market by engaging public and private service providers and relevant stakeholders in its job creation operations. The stakeholders include government authorities at Federal, Regional and woreda levels (Ministry of Labor and Skills, Bureau of Labor and Social Affairs, A/TVET, Small Scale Enterprises Development, Ministry of Investment and Industry, Ministry of Women, Children and Youth), private and public service providers. RAYEE operates in five regions and one Administration namely, Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, Sidama, and Dire Dawa administration.

Purpose of the Job:

The Agribusiness Advisor will be responsible for coordinating and providing technical support to establish a sustainable input supply system for youth-led Micro and Small enterprises supported by RAYEE. He/she will play a role in building the capacity of input suppliers and creating networks and sustainable business relations with MSEs engaged in various agribusiness and value chains.

 The Agribusiness advisor will closely work with the national and regional team members, local government, private sector, and other partners to ensure that MSEs access quality inputs including project start-up and recovery support as per their demand.

Job Description

• Update the input supply mapping in the project woredas.
• Conduct input demands of RAYEE targeted MSES in terms of quantity, quality and time of delivery with special emphasis to youth-led Micro and Small Enterprises.
• Review and update guidelines for the selection, establishment and strengthening of agro-dealers (input suppliers).
• Organize technical and business skill training and experience-sharing visits for input suppliers.
• Facilitate market linkages for youth-led agro dealers with big input suppliers.

Networking and collaboration:

• Collaborate and work with other projects and programs and stakeholders including the private sector to improve the input supply system with a focus on RAYEE target groups.
• Build and maintain strong networks with regulatory bodies to create an enabling environment for input suppliers.
• Knowledge development and learning:
• Participates in knowledge development/ expertise groups and in external and internal networks.
• Prepare and submit progress reports.
• Take other responsibilities within the project that will help the team to achieve the desired results.

Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field in Agribusiness, Agricultural Marketing, Economics, Agricultural economics, Agricultural livelihoods and related fields.

Experience:

A minimum of 8 to 10 years of relevant experience working in the private sector, or in a professional consultancy firm/reputable advisory organization with an international outlook or NGO/GO development mainly in the input supply system and related fields.

• Experience in the input supply system in the agriculture sector.
• Knowledge and experience in the establishment and strengthening of a decentralized input supply system.
• Experience in advisory and capacity building of private input suppliers like agro-dealers.
• Familiar with policies, strategies and regulations of the country and the regions in the input supply system.
• Knowledge of national strategies for poverty alleviation and employment creation and working with MSEs.
• Recognized expertise in working as an advisor and process facilitator to plan, implement and monitor input marketing strategies.
• Good experience in facilitating stakeholder forums, business and market linkages, working with sectorial associations and strengthening of MSEs and private traders.
• Knowledge and experience with participatory techniques, coaching, networking, learning, alliance building and team building.
• Experience in strategy and partnership development
• knowledge and experience working with women mainly young women.
• Excellent project management and planning, analytical skills combined with a practical and pragmatic approach oriented towards lasting results.

Additional skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and excellent awareness about communities, government structure and etc.
• Good report writing skills and able to collect documents and share records and information.
• Computer proficiency is required.
• Ability and Willingness to frequently travel to all project locations.

work independently and as part of the team, and work effectively with co-workers, partner agencies and the private sector.

Additional Information

Contract Type: National

Expected start date: 15, January 2024.

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Contract Duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability.