Business Analyst Opportunity

About the Company

TechnoServe works with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. Founded in 1968, we are a nonprofit organization that develops business solutions to poverty by linking people to information, capital, and markets. With more than four decades of proven results, we believe in the power of private enterprise to transform lives.

About the Project

Horticulture for Growth (H4G) - an Initiative of the Agricultural Commercialization Clusters (ACCs) is a $6M, 5-year project being jointly implemented by TechnoServe and the Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI), funded by the Gates Foundation. H4G is expected to accelerate the transformation of Ethiopia’s horticulture sub-sector by leveraging the power of the private sector to strengthen the link between production and demand and improve the route-to-market for horticultural products through modernized domestic and export market channels.

The project is primarily focused on five priority horticulture commodities (Banana, Avocado, Tomato, Onion, and Mango) sourced from horticulture ACC woredas to transform the relationships of key market actors to be more inclusive and equitable. By the end of five years, a strengthened horticulture market system underpinned by a strong private sector will enable Ethiopian small-scale producers to earn higher, more stable incomes and increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables in rural and urban areas.

Position Description

The Business Analyst will support data collection, analysis, and reporting to promote evidence-based decision making. Reporting to the Senior Analytics Specialist, the role will contribute to analytics, market research, business advisory, and strategic guidance across H4G program activities.

The Business Analyst will work with farmers, private-sector actors, and sector institutions to improve market systems, enhance commercial relationships, and support activities that increase production, sales, and consumption of horticultural products.

Duties and Responsibilities

Market Analysis and Research

• Conduct detailed business diagnostics and gap analyses with partners to identify key areas for support and improvement, ensuring interventions are targeted and effective.
• Support research activities to inform program interventions and strategic decision-making, including both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
• Collect, clean, and validate data from multiple sources to ensure accuracy and reliability for analysis and reporting.
• Conduct interviews and engage with stakeholders at different levels to understand market dynamics and operational challenges.
• Analyze collected data and generate actionable insights that can guide program design, investment decisions, and business advisory services.
• Prepare high-quality reports, presentations, and briefs to communicate findings clearly to the team, partners, and stakeholders.
• Support fieldwork planning, meeting organization, and training logistics to ensure smooth execution of program activities.

Market Studies and Strategic Support

• Assist in mapping market opportunities and value chains, identifying gaps and potential areas for investment and growth in the horticulture sector.
• Support data-driven analysis to guide investment decisions and identify scalable interventions that strengthen market systems.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports and recommendations derived from market studies, ensuring findings are actionable and aligned with program objectives.
• Help identify and prioritize opportunities to improve operational efficiency, access to markets, and sustainability for small-scale producers and private-sector partners.

Private-Sector Support

• Assist in providing advisory support on business model development, contract farming arrangements, and market linkages to strengthen commercial relationships.
• Facilitate linkages between farmers, private-sector actors, and service providers to enhance value chain integration and market access.
• Monitor and report on the performance and outcomes of farmer engagement initiatives, identifying challenges and opportunities for improvement.

Institutional Strengthening

• Assist in providing technical and research support to sector institutions, helping them improve their capacity and performance.
• Support the documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and case studies to inform future program design and knowledge sharing.
• Contribute to capacity-building activities, workshops, and training sessions as required to enhance institutional capabilities.

Private Sector Engagement

• Support the development and analysis of business models with selected private companies to ensure profitable and sustainable investment opportunities.
• Assist companies in implementing investments across the value chain and facilitate effective linkages with farmers, cooperatives, and other market actors.
• Contribute to initiatives that improve the distribution, availability, and affordability of horticultural products, enhancing market reach and consumer access.

Coordination and Communication

• Prepare detailed meeting notes, reports, presentations, and other internal communication tools to keep teams and stakeholders informed.
• Gather market insights, analyze trends, and prepare regular updates to inform program planning and strategic decisions.
• Support the market linkage specialist and other team members in monitoring activities, maintaining trackers, and ensuring timely communication with partners.

Qualifications

• Education: MSc/BSc in Business, Economics, Project Management, Business Administration/ Cooperative management, Agricultural Extension, Rural Development, related studies required.
• Minimum of 3 years for BA/BSc/ or 2 years for MSc/MBA of professional experience in marketing, market data analysis, data collection and analysis, research, market strategy development, business plan development, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in both qualitative and quantitative market research.
• Very strong attention to details and commitment to high quality, error-free end products.
• Ability to develop well written, cohesive analyses and reports quickly and efficiently.
• Strong analytical and financial analysis skills.
• Strong planning skills and experience working to strict time-guide.
• Willingness to frequently travel to project sites excellent oral and written communication skills and project reporting skills a must.

Core Competencies

• Structured thinker with attention to detail.
• Problem-solving mindset.
• Innovative and learning-oriented.
• Flexible and able to adapt to changing circumstances.
• High integrity, ownership, and accountability.
• Results-focused and motivated to achieve impact.

Skills Required:

• Agricultural / Studies
• Economics / Statistics
• Sales / Marketing / Business / Management
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development